Apple TV 'Foundation' Episode 3 Review: Terminus in focus in slow burner chapter
This review contains spoilers for 'Foundation' Episode 3 'The Mathematician's Ghost'
'Foundation's latest episode 'The Mathematician's Ghost' pretty much reverses the theory of what Hari Seldon said in the opening episode. After the start that promised to bring Isaac Asimov's vision to life, the third chapter jumps into action by focusing on Terminus. The capital planet of the first Foundation and warden Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) prepare for an impending attack by the Anacreons, who Hardin believes want to take over the scientific outpost that's been inhabiting the planet.
The vault is expanding its energy field and that is a concern for Hardin as she realizes that the vault perhaps was put there for a far greater purpose. Her love interest, Hugo (Daniel MacPherson), and her parents along with most minds on Terminus believe Hardin is something of a genius and absolutely good at what she does, but the episode also shows the chagrin the hierarchy has when she shares her opinions.
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The only connection to the second episode is Seldon's psyhohistory that her mother offers to se if she could deduce anything out of the complex equation construct. If anything, Hardin's theory was that Seldon was re-examining the past to predict the outcome the future has in store. While she comes off as the key protagonist in the series, the unpredictability factor in the the first two episodes leaves us thoroughly stumped as to what can be expected in the fourth.
As far as the storyline of the Empire goes, Brother Darkness is all set to be disintegrated as the new clone is already in line to take his place. He bids a heartfelt adieu and as he is razed from the face of the Empire, the episode moves to a different timeline where a younger version of Brother Darkness is rewriting the rules.
'The Mathematician's Ghost' may seem confusing, but what it does is slowly piece things together. The storyline, despite the multiple plots, is held together by Hardin who happens to be the driving force in the episode. It is still unclear what the intruders she encounters in the final minutes of the episode need. There's also a lot to know about Hugo, who is all set to play a recurring role in the series.
'Foundation' continues to impress. There's enough the series has to offer and by the looks of it, the tone and the pacing are most likely to remain the same throughout the remainder of the season. In a nutshell, this isn't going to be done in one installment.
'Foundation' is currently streaming on Apple TV+ with new episodes dropping every Friday.