Episode 3 of Season 3 of "Foundation" kicks off with Dawn delving deeper into the forbidden realm of psychohistory, despite its ban imposed by Cleon XII. His thirst for knowledge propels him forward, even as the stringent library rules, allowing only two individuals at a time due to meticulous temperature control, necessitate him to venture in solo, leaving his armed escort behind.
Dawn's intellectual pursuit eventually bears sweet fruit, as the librarian piques his interest further by suggesting a clandestine meeting at the Teahouse in the Ery District for additional enlightenment.
Meanwhile, Gaal materializes before Dawn via hologram, revealing that Terminus is blissfully unaware of her existence. She seeks a discreet dialogue, acknowledging their shared need for secrecy, evident in Dawn's inadequate disguise.
Dawn unravels the mystery of the Prime Radiant, now in their possession, to Gaal's astonishment. However, her stern demeanor softens when he acknowledges that her discoveries are aligned with the Genetic Dynasty's interests, rather than humanity's welfare. Seeing an opportunity for collaboration, Gaal proposes herself as Dawn's "escape hatch," hinting at a shared history of other Dawns yearning to break free, only to be branded traitors for their aspirations.
This confidential exchange, etched in the virtual realm via hologram messages, paves the way for a tentative yet continuing dialogue between them.
Switching to the present narrative, Dawn and Gaal converge on the subject of The Mule, pooling their knowledge about his ominous presence. Gaal urges the implementation of an Enclosure on Kalgan, underscoring the perilous nature of his mind control abilities. The conversation teems with the urgency of their mutual understanding of the dire threat posed by this enigmatic figure.
Dawn harbors doubts about the proposal, contending that securing council approval is paramount to its success, warning that such an Enclosure could spark conflict. Gaal, cognizant of its significance, firmly opposes dispatching emissaries to the Mule. To underscore the Mule's formidable nature, Dawn attempts a hologram negotiation, only to see it fall apart. Frustrated by the failed attempts at conciliation, Dawn presents his strategy to the Cleons, advocating for an Enclosure to be convened. Leveraging the middle throne's prerogative to summon an emergency session without opposition, he seeks Day's assistance, but Day refuses, leaving Dawn with the option of deploying probes to monitor the Mule.
On Kalgan, Captain Pritcher arrives at a club where Toran Mallow and his wife, Bayta, are present. His mission: to scrutinize the Mule, who lounges nonchalantly at a table, imbibing. Pritcher's encounter with the Mule doesn't last long; the latter delves into his mind, leaving him disoriented and sporting a shiner. With haste, Pritcher boards his ship and takes flight, abandoning Toran and Bayta to their fate. The Mule then introduces Magnifico Giganticus, his mesmerizing guitarist, giving Toran and Bayta an opportunity to exploit him for crucial insights. They, after all, had their joy stolen by the Mule; why shouldn't they seek retribution?
Toran employs his charisma to engage the Mule, who eggs them on to an insulting duel. Toran unleashes a barrage of barbs, mocking the Space Pirate's puny ambitions and his sterility. Enraged, the Mule draws a knife to Toran's wrist, tormenting him. Seizing the moment, Bayta grabs Magnifico and dashes away. Toran joins them after distracting the Mule with a flashbang, and they narrowly escape Kalgan's grasp. Their narrow escape paves the way for potentially unlocking some answers.
Elsewhere, Day yearns to depart the palace with Song, undisclosed to the other Brothers. They require the Commander's aid to reach the Outer Ward, and after some persuasion, he consents to assist them in their clandestine exit.
When Song uncovers Demerzel's true identity as a robot, Day's dismissive reference to her as a mere thing, rather than a fellow being, stirs a wave of reconsideration within Song. That fateful night, as Day prepares to depart, Demerzel unexpectedly appears, revealing to Day that Song has vanished. Song's belief system, known as the Inheritance, has been outlawed for millennia due to her reverence for robots—a crime punishable by death. Though Demerzel has spared Song's life, she has erased her memories and escorted her back to her origin. As Demerzel tenderly caresses Day's cheek, the Cleon's patience snaps, and he粗暴地forcefully ejects her from his presence.
