Mind-Blowing Twists Unveiled: Everything You Need to Know about Foundation Season 2 Episode 4
The Foundation faces a formidable challenge in Season 2 Episode 4 as they confront the Second Crisis Intriguing plot developments include Hari Seldon's astonishing Vault, the Foundation's religious phase, suspicions surrounding Cleon and Queen Sareth, and the potential betrayal of Brother Dawn and Queen Sareth Additionally, the significance of Cleon's marriage to Queen Sareth and Bel Riose's mission in Sivvena foreshadow an impending Empire vs Foundation war
WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Foundation season 2, episode 4.
Summary
In Season 2, Episode 4 of Foundation, it is unveiled that Hari Seldon's Vault possesses even greater capabilities than previously understood, enabling it to manipulate matter and generate various creations.
The Foundation has now transitioned into a religious stage, wherein Seldon's teachings are revered as divine and disseminated as a brand new faith.
Hari Seldon requires Hober Mallow's assistance in his plan to delay the war between the Foundation and the Empire. In Foundation season 2, episode 4, crucial questions are addressed and the imminent war with the Empire is suggested. While the previous episode mainly revolved around Gaal Dornic, Salvor Hardin, and the Prime Radiant's Hari Seldon, the focus in this episode shifts to Trentor and Terminus. As Hober Mallow is presented before the Vault, Foundation unveils the reason why Hari Seldon relies on this skilled trader for his strategy. Simultaneously, the political maneuverings in Trentor indicate the Empire's instability as a potential war with the Foundation looms.
7 Hari Seldon’s Vault In Foundation Is More Powerful Than Anyone Knew
: Hari Seldon, now embodied in the Prime Radiant, has joined Foundation, alongside Gaal and Salvor, in their absence from season 2, episode 4. Instead, the focus in "Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly" shifts to the Vault's Hari Seldon and his current plans now that the Foundation has entered a religious phase. Here's a breakdown of episode 4 and how it sets the stage for the upcoming Foundation episodes.
The Foundation’s Vault differs significantly from its book counterpart. In Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, the Time Vault was simply a room where holographic messages of Hari Seldon were played for the residents of Terminus. While Seldon’s Psychohistory made these prerecorded messages feel almost real-time, there was no involvement of any kind of AI or conscious simulacrum. They were merely messages. In the Foundation show, the Vault is the embodiment of Hari Seldon's consciousness, allowing for actual interaction with the surrounding world. In Foundation season 2, it is revealed that the Vault can also manipulate matter and even create an entire world within itself.
6 What The Foundation’s Religious Phase Is
Hari Seldon's consciousness, speaking through the Vault, mentions the Foundation's "religious phase" in Asimov's Foundation novel. This phase, the third step in Seldon's plan for humanity's future, involves the perception of the Foundation's advanced technology as requiring a divine explanation by the peripheral worlds located near Terminus. This phase is known as the Foundation's Scientism.
The leaders of the Foundation view this as an opportunity to spread Hari Seldon's teachings through a new religion known as the Church of Seldon. With Hari Seldon deceased and the Foundation's technology seen as magical or ethereal, Terminus becomes the focal point of a religion where Seldon's words are treated as those of a prophet. Foundation's Brother Constant and Brother Poly Verisof travel across the galaxy as priests of the Foundation during this religious phase. As a result, the Foundation gains control over several planets, which the Empire is starting to take notice of.
5 Why Hari Seldon Needs Hober Mallow In Foundation Explained
In Foundation season 2, episode 2, the character Hober Mallow is mentioned and his significance to Hari Seldon's plan is hinted at. Episode 4 of season 2 further explains why Seldon requires Mallow. In Asimov's Foundation, Mallow's role only becomes relevant after the resolution of the Second Seldon Crisis. By then, the Foundation has already entered its religious phase, and Seldon's plan anticipates the need for a different approach. Hober Mallow, known as a skilled trader, is sent by the Foundation to negotiate deals for Terminus through commerce instead of religion. Mallow is not a supporter of the Foundation's Scientism and only represents their interests due to his own business concerns.
In Foundation season 2, Hober Mallow plays a similar role, albeit with a different timeline compared to the original book. The Foundation is still in its religious phase and the Second Crisis is ongoing, but Seldon is already recruiting Mallow for his skills as a merchant. Seldon's consciousness in the Vault is connected to the individual who is with Gaal and Salvor, which explains why the Vault is aware of Hober Mallow through Gaal's visions. Psychohistory does not account for individual actions, but in the show, Foundation's Hari Seldon has a more direct influence on the unfolding events compared to the books.
4 Did Cleon Kill Queen Sareth Of Cloud Dominion’s Family? Why She Suspects Day
Foundation’s Queen Sareth of Cloud Dominion is set to wed Cleon XVII in an extraordinary event for the Empire. However, suspicions arise within Queen Sareth that Brother Day orchestrated the demise of her entire family. As the last in line for succession, Sareth unexpectedly ascended to the throne after the tragic loss of her entire kin. Considering her unique position, Sareth believes Brother Day may be responsible for the annihilation, driven by the motive of securing a powerful, strategic alliance through her marriage to the Empire. While it remains unclear whether Brother Day is indeed the culprit behind the slaughter, Queen Sareth diligently pursues her investigation into the Empire's involvement.
3 Brother Dawn & Queen Sareth Like Each Other: Will They Betray Day?
Since their first meeting in the premiere of Foundation season 2, the foundation has been hinting at a connection between Brother Dawn and Queen Sareth. Unlike her relationship with Day, Sareth appears to be much more at ease in the company of Dawn, leading her to closely examine her future husband. Sareth questioned why she couldn't marry Dawn, as their connection appears stronger than Day's affection for her. It is evident that Day's proposal of marriage is purely political, especially considering his current involvement with Demerzel. The ongoing tension between the three Cleons remains a captivating aspect of Foundation, ensuring that Dawn and Sareth's story will continue to unfold.
2 Why Cleon’s Marriage To Queen Sareth Is So Important
Cleon XVII’s possible union with Queen Sareth took center stage in episode 4 of Foundation season 2. It was revealed that many individuals are dissatisfied with this alliance, including Queen Sareth herself, who is more focused on uncovering the truth behind her family's murder. The main proponents of the marriage are Empire and Rue, Queen Sareth's confidant. Empire acknowledges that its Genetic Dynasty has been compromised for centuries, rendering its continuation unnecessary. Therefore, Cleon XVII, the current Brother Day, desires a legitimate heir to bring an end to the Genetic Dynasty.
1 Bel Riose’s Mission In Sivvena Teases The Empire vs. Foundation War
In Foundation season 2, episode 3, Bel Riose, known as the Galactic Empire's most formidable commander, was enlisted by Demenzel. Following Cleon's orders, Bel Riose led his fleet to the planet Sivvena. This planet had pledged loyalty to the Foundation, thanks to the influence of the Church of Seldon, which viewed Foundation's technology as a divine power. With the assistance of an Empire informant, Bel Riose discovered that the Foundation was utilizing relatively ordinary technology, like an extrapolated version of Cleon's shields, to persuade individuals to join their Scientism movement.
In Foundation season 2, the Second Seldon Crisis is portrayed as a war between the Foundation and the Empire, which deviates from the original books. In Asimov's Foundation, the Second Crisis was a smaller conflict between Terminus and Anacreon, rather than a war involving the Foundation and the Galactic Empire. However, in the show, the Empire is already aware of the threat posed by Hari Seldon's Foundation. The Foundation is essentially establishing a new Empire, with Terminus as its capital and the Church of Seldon as its religion. As Bel Riose investigates the Foundation's influence on other peripheral planets, the possibility of a war between the Foundation and the Empire is now looming closer than ever.
New episodes of Foundation are released on Fridays on Apple TV+.
