In both the novel and its television adaptation, "Foundation" delves into a pivotal theme: determinism and the role of individuals within the vast tapestry of human history. Characters such as Salvor Hardin, Gaal Dornick, and Hari Seldon, distinguished by their exceptional talents and achievements, seem to contradict Seldon's psychohistory and his ambitious blueprint for the future, which posits that individuals are but minuscule cogs in the grand human machinery. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, their actions undeniably ripple through the fabric of events; consider how the First Foundation could not have navigated its First Crisis without the prowess of Salvor. Similarly, the Vault's singular focus on Hober Mallow raises the poignant inquiry: do individuals hold sway when viewed from the celestial expanse of a galactic perspective? This week's episode poses this very query, prompting reflections on personal significance amidst cosmic scales.
Gaal's plight, haunted by futuristic visions and her desperate attempts to avert Salvor's demise 150 years hence, evokes empathy. Hari's rebuttal, however, challenges whether disrupting the grand design and altering destiny for a solitary soul is justifiable. The same dilemma arises in considering whether rescuing Hari from his impending doom aligns with the plan that fated his demise. Hari, understandably biased given his authorship of the plan, views himself as indispensable. Yet, from a distant vantage, even he dwindles into insignificance. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Terminus grapple with their own困惑, pondering the Vault's harsh judgment upon a Warden and its subsequent summoning of an unassuming figure like Hober Mallow. Answers remain elusive—despite the Mule's prophecy of Mallow's eventual role in the Empire's downfall—but our introduction to Mallow, a delightful addition, begins to unfold.
Mallow, alongside other fresh faces, injects fresh vitality into the series. While the literary Mallow was a shrewd master trader and politician adept at brokering deals, his television counterpart emerges as a rogue, a charlatan, and a swindler, captivating in his mischief. Our encounter with him on the futuristic, European-inspired planet Korell finds him duping the king with a faux portable mini-teleporter disguised as a bracelet, aiming to pilfer a priceless gem. When caught, he faces a grim fate: impalement by a colossal metal stake. Fortunately, Mallow's wily nature saves him once more, not due to the mercy of the Church of the Galactic Spirit's clerics Constant and Poly, but by employing the real teleporter—a tiny node concealed in his mouth, not a bracelet. This whimsical escapade cements Mallow's status as a cool, resourceful space rogue, while also piquing curiosity about Seldon's rationale for entrusting him with resolving the Second Crisis.
Hari, meanwhile, continues his verbal sparring with Gaal, berating her for his century-long confinement sans crossword puzzles and her meddling with his concurrent construction of a Second Foundation alongside the First. Their dynamic stands out in "Foundation," and pairing them with Salvor constitutes one of the season's smartest decisions. Jared Harris excels as an irate, obstinate genius entombed within a cube, while Lou Llobell mirrors his intensity and whimsical side. As Salvor astutely observes, the trio shares more similarities than they care to admit. Her frustration with the scientific jargon and the stubbornness of the two mathematicians cultivates a comic goldmine this week. Before venturing to the future home of the Second Foundation, they halt on a desolate planet where Hari embarks on a spiritual quest, culminating in a miraculous transformation—the acquisition of a tangible human form. Indeed, he has vanquished death and risen anew, unless, of course, he's a robot.
When the conversation turns to robots, Demerzel, the enigmatic robotic figure adored by all, introduces us to Bel Riose, another pivotal character in the narrative tapestry of "Foundation." Riose, brought to life by Ben Daniels, emerges in the scene of a penal colony, where he is serving an extended sentence for a crime committed years ago: defying an Imperial edict, which Brother Day perceived as nothing short of mockery.
Riose, akin to Mallow, offers a fresh lens through which to view "Foundation." While Queen Sareth, who we witnessed last week as a rebellious presence in the Imperial court, was ultimately more of a hostage than a true power player—dispensable at the Empire's whim—Riose understands his value. He knows he excels at what he does and is unafraid to voice his contempt for the Empire. Daniels' portrayal in this episode is nothing short of exquisite. Despite his emaciated and battered appearance, he never wavers, openly ridiculing Cleon, branding him a bully, and daringly voicing his desire to snap his neck. Riose swiftly emerges as one of the series' most endearing characters, even though his mission is to ascertain if the Foundation poses a threat and, if so, to eradicate it.
Yet, Daniels also imbues Riose with an astonishing vulnerability and depth of emotion. Riose accepts the assignment only after discovering that his husband is alive, a revelation that comes six years after he believed him dead. Their reunion disarms Riose completely, and Daniels delivers a mesmerizing performance brimming with heartache and the burden of six years of mourning.
So, do these individuals possess the prowess to alter the course of the future? Or are they as powerless to stem the tide of history as the Cleons have been to halt the Empire's gradual decline? Is the future mutable, or is the mathematical certainty unyielding? We shall uncover the answers either in the coming week or perhaps 150 years hence.
