I've previously highlighted that the television adaptation of "Foundation" diverges drastically from its literary counterpart, and nowhere is this divergence more pronounced than in its depiction of Hari Seldon. In Asimov's work, Seldon emerges as a paragon of scientific sainthood, a profoundly humble genius whose solitary imperfection is a minor calculational lapse and a fleeting bout of jealousy. Admittedly, this portrayal is partially attributed to the fact that book Seldon primarily exists as a series of recordings, scarcely a fully fleshed-out character. However, the disparities persist.
Jared Harris' interpretation of Seldon couldn't be further from this idealized image. The TV series "Foundation" poses an intriguing question: How does the burden of knowledge and the power to either redeem or doom humanity impact an individual? As Nolan's portrayal in "Oppenheimer" suggests, the consequences are rarely positive. This week's revelations further underscore this point, revealing Seldon's motives to be less altruistic and more vengeful, driven by a desire to witness the Empire's demise.
Hints of Seldon's imperfections were glimpsed in season one, portraying him as a flawed martyr possessed of a colossal ego. When you're the sole prophet of impending apocalypse and the sole custodian of its salvation, such pomposity is perhaps inevitable. While Seldon undoubtedly sacrifices himself and devotes his life to the advancement of the Foundation and humanity, he also emerges as an arrogant egotist who views others merely as pawns on a chessboard. Season two delves deeper into Seldon's motivations, questioning the legitimacy of his approach. Not the mathematical precision, which we know to be impeccable, but rather Hari's arrogant conviction that he alone holds all the answers—a notion refuted by The Mule and the show's weekly reminder that individuals, far from mere numbers, possess the capacity to profoundly influence the masses.
This episode offers poignant flashbacks to Hari's life that enrich our understanding. In the present, Hari remains baffled by Gaal's intense anger towards him and Raysh's derailment of his plan fueled by his love for her. The flashbacks, however, reveal that personal emotions have similarly altered the course of Hari's life—and potentially humanity's. Raysh's selfless substitution of Gaal and ultimate sacrifice for Hari's assassination, defying Hari's plans, were acts spurred by love. Similarly, young Hari's love for Yanna Kine (the AI specter who has loomed throughout the season, pivotal in psychohistory's practical application and the Prime Radiant's conception) played a crucial role.
Hari's incessant discourse on the Empire's fall drew imperial scrutiny, prompting the university director where both Yanna and Hari worked to threaten confiscation and destruction of their research unless they relocated to Trantor—under the Empire's watchful eye. Their refusal led the director to coerce Yanna into surrendering the Prime Radiant, resulting in her and her unborn child's murder. Hari learned of this tragedy through a futuristic pendant shaped like the Vault, monitoring Yanna and the baby's heartbeats. In a cunning maneuver, he lured the director to the desert, where he orchestrated her death in a stampede, echoing Scar's fate in "The Lion King." This tragic turn urged Hari to relocate his research to Trantor as ordered—or perhaps, he was merely adhering to Yanna's earlier suggestion that embedding within the Empire's heart would facilitate a stealthier strike.
This raises a compelling inquiry: Is Hari's Foundation plan genuinely aimed at averting the impending Dark Age, or is it predominantly an elaborate vengeful scheme to obliterate that which slaughtered his family?
In the current scenario, Hari's meticulously crafted plan lies in shambles, the victim of meddling Mentallics on Ignus. As Hari's mind becomes ensnared in their manipulations, the visuals transform into a distorted tapestry, employing wide angles and lens flares to emphasize that reality has taken on a surreal, twisted form. The esteemed psychohistorian finds himself at the mercy of Tellem, whose actions draw inspiration from the tales spun by Isaac Asimov's seminal 'Foundation' books. This week, Tellem embodies the show's dark counterpart to Sheev Palpatine, weaving a web of deceit around Gaal by exploiting her fear of losing Salvor and fostering seeds of mistrust between her and Hari. She cunningly plays the 'How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?' card, planting the notion that Hari views Gaal with jealousy and fear, unable to acknowledge her as an equal. This portrayal of evil is both humorous and chilling, and Rachel House brings a delightfully sinister charm to the character, almost making one envision the concealed lightsabers lurking beneath her robes.
Tellem tempts Gaal with the promise of leading the Mentallic community after her demise, a task that would include confronting The Mule and rescuing Padmé Salvor. Yet, she categorically excludes Hari Seldon from this venture. To Hari's astonishment, Gaal succumbs to this allure, sparking a fierce altercation between the two. In the aftermath, Gaal and Salvor witness what they believe to be Hari taking their ship and flying away in a fit of rage. In reality, however, Hari is ensnared by Tellem, tied to poles in a secluded cove, left to perish as the rising tide inches closer, mocking any notion of resurrection.
Elsewhere, Poly and her brother Constant arrive in Trantor, where they engage in a lighthearted exchange with the TSA before being promptly apprehended by guards. Day convenes the entire court in an ancient arena, once the site of barbaric spectacles, and unveils a statue dedicated to the last empress, mother of Cleon I, who held a special fondness for this venue. He declares his intention to revive its glory, announces his engagement, and proclaims the end of the genetic dynasty. To Day's consternation, Sareth addresses the assembled crowd, asserting her commitment to their welfare, proclaiming that the Empire now belongs to and serves its people. This stands in stark contrast to Day's belief that 'they live because I allow it.'
In the heart of Trantor, Poly and Constant find themselves imprisoned and transported to an ancient colosseum, once the stage for brutal conflicts. It is here, amidst the last empress's favored haunt, that Day makes his bold announcement: the end of the genetic dynasty and his marriage to Sareth. To his astonishment, Sareth refuses to conform to the role of a submissive empress. Instead, she seizes the opportunity to address the multitude, pledging that the Empire will heed the voices of its people, that she and Day are there to serve them. This message diverges sharply from Day's authoritarian mantra, painting a more nuanced picture of power dynamics in the Empire.
