Episode 9 of "Foundation" kicks off with a flashback to Salvor and her father aboard the Foundation, engaging in a profound discourse about humanity's origins. Whispers persist that we hailed from Earth, yet this notion is viewed as a mere fable in these regions. Her father pronounces, "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent," a phrase ironically reversed in the narrative, as it was originally uttered by Salvor in the source material. This alteration subtly underscores Salvor's defiant disregard for her father's teachings, as she resorts to violence at every turn. And thus, our protagonist is painted in striking relief.
As Invictus finally ceases its relentless jumping, Salvor hastily regains her footing. They have arrived at Terminus, owing to Lewis's selfless act of plugging himself into the machinery, sacrificing himself to secure their safe passage and wishing them home. With Phara rendered unconscious, Salvor hastily attempts to establish communication with Terminus, desperately seeking a way to reach those on the planet's surface. She finds herself stranded alone on this vessel, with time ticking away and the ship's next jump a looming uncertainty.
Elsewhere, Brother Dusk guides Dawn to his ever-shifting tapestry, revealing a pivotal juncture in their dynasty's storied history. Aware of Dawn's indifference, Dusk strives to maintain civility as he points out his place within this intricate weave. "I shall afford you a moment to savor the nuances," he says, his teeth slightly gritted.
In revelation of his colorblindness, Dawn donned the pods bestowed upon him by Azura, unveiling the tapestry's true nature. His eyes widened in awe and urgency, prompting him to rush back to his chambers where he hastily packed his belongings. Brother Dusk summoned him, yet Dawn, defiant and agile, declined the invitation, darting away and navigating the concealed pathway through the irrigation system, thanks to Azura's enlightening tutorials. As he plunged downwards, Dawn was inexplicably pulled underwater.
Upon regaining consciousness, Dawn found himself in the decrepit underside of Trantor, where he witnessed the metropolis's true visage—a rotting core concealed beneath. Yet, amidst the decay, there was a vibrant chaos, a teeming beauty that defied despair. This was Foundation's first glimpse into such a realm, and one wonders how much more captivating it would have been to witness Dawn's perspective through vivid imagery. Alas, the narrative was confined to words alone.
Eventually, Dawn reunited with Azura, who cordially invited him into her abode… only to shoot him without warning. The deception was now undeniable, and as Dawn slumped to the ground, he was bound and prepared for a grim fate. Around him, nanobots were being transferred into a new iteration of Cleon The First, a version smuggled out earlier with Azura's assistance. This elaborate trap, orchestrated by Azura and her allies, aimed to replace the flawed Dawn with a flawless duplicate, ready to infiltrate the dynasty.
Just as despair seemed imminent, Brother Dusk and his men burst in, halting the operation in its tracks. In a brutal climax, everyone was slaughtered—including the clone of Brother Dawn. A cynical thought crossed my mind: how could the clone perish when equipped with nanobots for regeneration? But I shall leave such musings to the wiser minds. Regardless, Dusk covered Azura's head and marched her away, leaving Dawn at the mercy of Brother Day to decide his ultimate fate.
Meanwhile, Salvor dons her spacesuit once more and embarks on yet another daring leap, this time aiming for the deck of a nearby vessel. As she storms onto the bridge, the scanners remain eerily silent, revealing no signs of life on the planet's surface. Just as something looms in her periphery, instinct kicks in, and she seizes the nearest guns, prepared to fire. Recall her father's words of caution against violence? Well, those seem distant now.
But lo and behold, the approaching debris resolves into Hugo, skillfully navigating his way straight towards Salvor. How fortunate indeed! They reunite, their lips meeting in an inevitable kiss, after which Hugo urges them to flee together. However, Salvor's resolve remains unshaken; she must descend to the planet's surface to rectify whatever calamity has befallen Terminus. And just like that, their tender reunion is abruptly concluded.
Descending to Terminus, Salvor discovers a disturbing scene: everyone lies unconscious on the floor, their noses smeared with blood. The field surrounding The Vault has intensified, and to her astonishment, her mother clutches the Abraxus cube. As Salvor grasps it, she somehow taps into Gaal's memories, using them to counteract The Vault's influence. The ominous black shell disintegrates, replaced by a pulsating, brilliant white light from which birds take flight. This phenomenon also has the unintended consequence of halting the field's expansion.
Upon regaining consciousness, Salvor's mother gazes at the light, realizing it is a portal. But to where does it lead?
As the Anacreons and the Foundation folk arrive, Thespian soldiers land as well. Unfortunately, they are swiftly followed by a very much alive Phara. Controlling a gunship via remote, she opens fire on The Vault. However, Salvor, ever resourceful, looses an arrow from her bow, striking Phara in the neck.
With Phara defeated and the three races united, Hari Seldon emerges from The Vault, greeting them warmly. He finds it heartening to witness the convergence of all three races and ponders their next course of action, remaining optimistic that together, they can save the galaxy.
