Since Hari Seldon's initial encounter with the Cleons in the series premiere, a colossal shadow of impending warfare has cast an ominous gloom over the entire Foundation. According to Hari's intricate calculations, the Empire's decline is inevitable, regardless of the Foundation's actions, with its gradual internal collapse serving as a testament to this fate. The latest episode unveiled various potential catalysts for this impending doom. However, as the narrative delves deeper into this inevitable clash, the Empire's defeat seems increasingly improbable. This is not solely due to their towering military supremacy or the timidity of potential allies who shrink from aiding the Foundation and undermining the Empire. Rather, it stems from the unforeseen factor of Lee Pace's Cleon XVII.
Distinct from every Cleon previously featured in the series, who led lives of boundless indulgence and ignored both the Foundation and Seldon's century-old prophecy, Cleon XVII has meticulously studied the psychohistorian's work, heeded his cautionary tales, and taken proactive steps to thwart the Empire's demise foretold by Hari long ago. When Poly and Constant are summoned before the Cleons, Poly puts on a convincing display, striving to broker peace and forge an alliance between the Empire and Foundation. Yet, Cleon remains unconvinced, aware of Hober Mallow's true mission to negotiate with the Spacers who empower the Empire's fleet, much to Poly's astonishment.
While Poly champions peace, Hari Seldon prepares for war. In a breathtaking twist, the psychohistorian himself reappears before the Cleons, seemingly resurrected from the dead. It transpires that he concealed a fragment of his consciousness within Constant when she ventured into the Vault, subsequently possessing her body to converse with the Cleons. (The Vault's capabilities border on the miraculous; what boundaries does it not transcend?) Over a century hence, these two titans reconvene on Trantor to discuss a peril menacing the Empire. However, this encounter finds Seldon more composed and strategic; rather than imploring the Emperor, he issues a stern warning – the Foundation is far from helpless, and their overtures of peace stem not from fear of defeat, but from confidence in their eventual triumph.
Yet, this is not the same Cleon that Seldon encountered in his lifetime. Whether a result of genuine personal growth or the genetic tampering revealed last season, Cleon has evolved dramatically. He reveals to Seldon that he studied his work in his youth, particularly the section highlighting how the Genetic Dynasty weakened the Empire. This realization prompted him to dismantle the dynasty through marriage. Seldon's predictions are now obsolete, and Cleon has emerged victorious. To celebrate – or perhaps boast – he commands Bel Riose to invade Terminus, reminding Poly, through Dusk, that it technically remains an Imperial outpost, and seize their advanced technology. To further mock Seldon, he cautions Poly against blindly trusting someone who would send an elderly messenger to negotiate and subsequently inhabit a young woman's body. Ironically, Cleon has a valid point. As this season repeatedly underscores, the Empire may have flaws, but Hari Seldon himself is not without imperfections.
The intricacies of the situation unfurl as Day harbors the illusion of having unlocked the key to invincibility, whereas we are privy to the truth that far from it, he stands vulnerable on multiple fronts. To begin with, there was the startling incident of an assassination attempt, executed in the nude, leaving Day to ponder if the Foundation's hands might indeed be behind such a bold move. Then, there arises the saga of Bel Riose, who momentarily held Hober Mallow captive after the Spacers betrayed him, handing him over to Riose. Fortunately, Mallow managed to wriggle free with the assistance of Becky, the enigmatic alien monster. Riose harbors no affection for the Empire, and his spouse, Glawen, bluntly proposes seizing the fleet, eliminating Cleon, and seizing control of the Empire. Though Riose dissuaded him by reminding of the chaos that would ensue post-Cleon, such thoughts might continue to simmer within the general's mind.
Furthermore, Queen Sareth, having confronted both Cleon and Demerzel, is now firmly convinced that they orchestrated the demise of her family. Embarrassed and humiliated by an absurd inspection of her fertility in front of numerous spectators, she clandestinely meets Dawn in an underground tunnel to orchestrate a stealthy revolution, a coup d'état devoid of bloodshed. Her plan includes marrying Day but refusing to bear his child, thus entrusting the task to Dawn. Fortunately, their DNA aligns almost identically, rendering the substitution undetectable to all except Sareth herself, who recognizes that Dawn's eyes betray a kindness lacking in Day's. Cleon might consider his plot to terminate the genetic dynasty as his ultimate shield, rendering him invincible, but this very decision could spell his undoing.
Moreover, the discussion isn't complete without addressing Demerzel. In stark contrast to her literary counterpart, Demerzel emerges as one of the most captivating adaptations in 'Foundation.' The series gradually unveils facets of her character from the book, potentially surprising even those well-versed with the source material. This week, her apprehension about Day's impending marriage, her son, sexual partner, and superior, becomes evident. Understandably so, as she later reveals to Sareth that her prime directive is to serve and protect the Empire, synonymous with the Cleon dynasty. However, if Day's actions jeopardize or undermine the Cleons' ideology, what course of action should she take? Sareth worries that Demerzel's programming does not consider her worthy of protection, but the real cause for concern lies with Day. Finally, after much anticipation, Demerzel mentions the Three Laws binding robots, a nod to Isaac Asimov's renowned work beyond 'Foundation.' This nod to fans is exhilarating, yet judging by the adaptation's trajectory, this revelation promises far greater and more dramatic consequences, with Demerzel's mysterious past (she claims to have existed even before Cleon I) slowly coming to light.
Meanwhile, across the vast expanse of the galaxy, the plight of Gaal and Salvor takes on an increasingly intriguing and surreal twist. The Mentallics, these beings capable of mental manipulation, have now seemingly acquired the ability to wield a Force akin to that of the Jedi. While "Foundation" has previously borrowed elements from the grand tapestry of space opera, this latest development veers perilously close to the fantastical, standing in stark contrast to the show's otherwise grounded narrative.
Amidst the turmoil, Salvor is beside herself with worry over Hari's desertion and the undeniable fact that the Mentallics are withholding crucial information from them. In stark contrast, Gaal appears blissfully unaffected, either fully indoctrinated by their mesmerizing charm or blindingly oblivious to the potentially dire ramifications of this army of formidable psychics. Nevertheless, their tactics seem to be bearing fruit, as Gaal delivers an impassioned speech about the Empire and the Mule that resonates deeply with the psychics.
Salvor, however, remains unconvinced by their newly found loyal army. She warns her mother of the perils of seeing oneself as a savior and sets out to uncover the secrets the Mentallics are so desperately concealing. Her quest takes a harrowing turn when she stumbles upon Hari's lifeless body, only to be swiftly incapacitated by Tellem's mental prowess. The Foundation now finds itself under siege, both on Tranto and Ignis, with its very survival hanging by a thread. It seems their only hope lies in the clever maneuvering and deceptive prowess of Hober Mallow, who may just be their last line of defense in this cosmic chess game.
