Episode 4 of Season 3 of "Foundation" kicks off with a stunning revelation from Demerzel. It transpires that she was the mastermind behind the destruction of the Star Bridge in Season 1. Her motive? To safeguard the Foundation, as she feared that the Cleons, influenced by Seldon, might overshadow the Empire's grandeur with the Foundation's burgeoning success. Demerzel, haunted by the ghostly memories of countless deaths she recounts with chilling precision, justifies her actions as being for the greater good.
Elsewhere, Pritcher arrives on Ignis, where Gaal eagerly awaits. Their reunion is a tender embrace, interrupted only when Pritcher shares his encounter with the Mule. As a Mentalic, Pritcher was able to resist the Mule's influence, yet the latter's formidable abilities are evident in Pritcher's bloodshot eye and unsteady gait as he recounts his escape.
The duo posits that the Mule might be leveraging music to amplify his powers, explaining his presence at the club. They also speculate that his loneliness, coupled with the Foundation's unfamiliarity, could be exploited to strike fear into him. Gaal's determination to triumph is almost arrogant, her conviction unwavering.
Meanwhile, Ebling pays Indbur a visit and insists on involving Quent. They caution about Empire's possession of the Prime Radiant, which prompts Quent's journey to Dusk. Knowing that Demerzel holds the Prime Radiant, the android is compelled to surrender it. Together, they delve into psychohistory, confirming that the Third Crisis looms just four months away.
Brother Day makes his appearance at the Archive, seeking out Cleon I, or rather, the lingering echoes of his memory, in a quest for deeper insights into Song and the enigmatic Inheritance. He casually drops the year 26 CE into the conversation, a dark era when Emperor Aburanis ordered the execution of all who showed sympathy towards robots. A few fortunate souls managed to slip through the cracks, eventually forming a clandestine cult dedicated to the Inheritance. For years, they hid in plain sight, yearning for a day when robots would once again reign supreme.
Day's true purpose at the Archive, however, was to seize a sacred relic, which he accomplished by brute force. These relics were intended as a gesture of goodwill for Demerzel. Yet, still bitter over his separation from his beloved, Day later confronts Demerzel, mocking her notions of love and questioning a robot's capacity for emotion. She counters with a revelation, explaining that robots can share a unique bond called a "clasp." Despite her explanation, Day persists in his vengeful rant, eventually storming off after one last insult.
Next, Day pays a visit to Captain Mavon at his residence, eager to depart at once and pledging to ensure the well-being of Mavon's family. His destination: Mycogen, to confront Song. He even boasts to the guard about bringing a "peace offering" to smooth things over.
Day sees right through Mavon's mask of loyalty. Near the West Gate, he guns down the captain, revealing his meticulous observation of Mavon's subtle cues since their gambling days. He has deciphered the non-verbal signals, realizing Mavon's loyalty lies elsewhere. Mavon's flashlight signal at the checkpoint was a dead giveaway, a silent message to those waiting outside. Mavon chuckles in disbelief at Day's perception, but his laughter is cut short by death.
To throw Demerzel off his trail, Day transfers his nanites into Mavon's corpse and dumps the body into the water. He then attempts to slip beyond the Empire's grasp.
Meanwhile, Dawn arrives to meet Gaal once more, who urges him to flee Trantor. Given his impending ascension to the Middle Throne, this seems impossible. Dawn suggests postponing their plan until after the coronation, but Gaal knows this is impractical. Their time has run out as Dawn is tailed, forcing the pair to flee through the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the city.
In the end, they triumphantly soar away together, casting the fate of the Empire into a perilous precipice of uncertainty.
