Surpassing the Legacy: How This Show Outshines the Books of its Respected Author

Summary

Robyn Asimov acknowledges that her father's books had strong storytelling but lacked character development, which is something the TV adaptation improves upon.

David S. Goyer, the showrunner of Foundation, brings the characters to life and elevates the story to a whole new level, garnering praise from Robyn Asimov for impressing her father.

Robyn Asimov, daughter of renowned Foundation author Isaac Asimov, openly discusses the show's superiority over the books. Premiering in 2021, with David S. Goyer as showrunner, the Apple TV+ sci-fi drama chronicles the pivotal journey of a group of outcasts amidst the collapse of the Galactic Empire, as they strive to rescue humanity and reconstruct civilization. Foundation recently concluded its second season, with Goyer expressing optimism regarding the potential renewal of a third season.

During an interview with Collider, dedicated to delving into Foundation's second season, Asimov, also an executive producer on the Apple TV+ series, addressed a common critique of her father's literary works. She shed light on the disparity between the show and the books, emphasizing the show's emphasis on character development rather than solely focusing on the intricacies of world-building. Refer to her statement below:

Asimov's Comments Explain Why TV Adaptations Like Foundation Need To Be Different

I admire the development of the characters. It wasn't an area of strength for my father, nor was it a particular interest of his. His focus was always on the storytelling, and he excelled at it so much that the somewhat flat characters became inconsequential. However, what David [S. Goyer] accomplished with the Cleon story was truly remarkable. He breathed life into these characters and elevated the narrative to new heights. The story was already exceptional, but if my father had been alive to witness it, he would have been profoundly impressed. Seeing the characters come alive was something that wasn't inherently within his realm of expertise, and I believe it would have thrilled him immensely.

Television's storytelling can be summarized as 'characters chatting in rooms.' While movies can rely on spectacle, action, or an actor's charm to distract from a weak story and lack of connection to the characters, TV lacks that luxury. Unlike movies, which demand a shorter time commitment, television necessitates an active choice to watch episode after episode. This aligns with Robyn Asimov's argument on the significance of character development, even in a big-budget sci-fi like Foundation.

The difference between books and other mediums like movies and television lies in the extent to which the author needs to construct the world. If the Foundation books had primarily focused on characters and neglected to explore the larger universe, they may not have had the same impact. Movies and books have the ability to prioritize various elements of storytelling, whether visual or relying on the author's skill to fill in the details of the universe. On the other hand, television, regardless of genre or scale, always circles back to the importance of characters.

This is why the deaths of characters in Foundation resonate strongly with viewers. Although the elaborate backdrop and intricate world are crucial, they hold less meaning without compelling individuals driving the narrative forward. Robyn Asimov, a member of the show's team, aptly highlights the significance of characters in a manner that instills confidence in the adaptation's future.

Source: Collider