The Mind-Blowing Transformations Season 2 Brings to the World of Isaac Asimov Novels
Foundation season 2 delves into the intriguing changes made to the Isaac Asimov novels, bringing to life the survival of Gaal, Salvor, and Hari, Cleon XVII's rule over the Imperium, the amalgamation of the Second Crisis, and more captivating alterations that will leave viewers enthralled
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Foundation season 2, episode 10!
Summary
Foundation
season 2 creatively incorporates characters from the
Foundation
books to keep them alive and central to the story, using techniques like cryo chambers.
The content fragment
The show delves into the concept of a genetic dynasty under the rule of Emperor Cleon XVII, bringing intricacy and richness to the Imperium.
The TV series cleverly weaves together various elements from the books, crafting fresh narratives like the amalgamation of religious strife and the Foundation's clash with the Empire, known as the Second Crisis.
Foundation season 2 received high praise from both fans of Asimov and television viewers, despite deviating from the original books. Written by American author Isaac Asimov, the Foundation novel was initially a collection of short stories published in the 1940s. The majority of Foundation season 1 focused on the first two short stories, "The Psychohistorians" and "The Encyclopedists," but the show also incorporated ideas from later novels like Prelude to Foundation.
In Foundation season 2, the storyline draws heavily from the final three short stories of Foundation and parts of its sequel novel, Foundation and Empire. The Foundation series spans across time, with significant gaps between each short story and novel. To maintain consistency with characters and structure the story for television, the Apple TV adaptation has taken artistic liberties with the chronological order of events and implemented innovative techniques to keep characters alive, all without the use of time travel.
10 Gaal, Salvor, And Hari Are Alive
9 Cleon XVII Rules The Imperium
: In the Foundation books, Gaal Dornick and Salvor Hardin play significant roles in establishing the Foundation, while Hari Seldon is instrumental in the larger orchestration of the Foundation plan. However, Gaal Dornick and Hari Seldon are only present in "The Psychohistorians," and Salvor Hardin is alive during the initial and second crises. In the second season of Foundation, the show effectively utilizes cryo chambers to ensure Gaal and Salvor remain prominent figures. Additionally, Hari Seldon makes a comeback in season 2 with a new physical form.
The concept of Emperor Cleon's genetic dynasty, which originated in the successful Foundation show, has captivated audiences. Lee Pace's portrayal of Brother Day has been particularly delightful, while Brother Dawn and Dusk provide intriguing supporting roles that add complexity to the Imperium. In the book Foundation and Empire, which serves as the inspiration for season 2, there is indeed a Cleon sitting on the throne. However, it is worth noting that in Asimov's original works, it is Cleon II, not Cleon XVII, who initiates war against the Foundation.
8 The Second Crisis Is An Amalgam
7 Bel Riose's Character
: In Foundation season 2, the concept of the Second Seldon Crisis is introduced, albeit vaguely. In Asimov's books, this crisis is resolved by Salvor Hardin, the protagonist of "The Mayor," and involves a conflict with the neighboring planet Anacreon. As for the TV series, the Second Crisis intertwines elements of the Foundation's religion and their struggle against the Empire. Additionally, Hober Mallow is introduced in Season 2, a character who propels the Foundation beyond its religious phase and into a position of economic influence. This transformation constitutes a separate Seldon Crisis, loosely depicted in the episode "King and Commoner."
Imperium General Bel Riose, a character adapted from Foundation and Empire, discovers the Foundation's advanced technology on Terminus. Determined to revitalize the crumbling Empire, he devises a plan to conquer the planet. However, Cleon II, the Emperor, becomes aware of Bel Riose's power and orders his return to Trantor for execution. This aligns with Hari Seldon's prediction that a military officer wielding excessive influence would be perceived as a threat to the Emperor's authority and subsequently eliminated. The Foundation series masterfully crafts a compelling dynamic between Bel Riose and Cleon XVII, establishing a captivating conflict between the two characters.
6 Hober Mallow Damages The Imperium
5 The Cloud Dominion Characters
In Foundation season 2, the character of Hober Mallow is introduced, drawing inspiration from "The Merchant Princes" in the Foundation story. Hober Mallow's remarkable journey involves transforming the Foundation into a formidable commercial force, effectively eradicating their religious dominance. His indelible imprint on history is further solidified by his influential role as the Mayor of Terminus. Within the show's narrative, Hober Mallow embarks on a distinct path to greatness by aligning himself with the Foundation's strategy to resist the Empire. Displaying exceptional prowess, he single-handedly dismantles the entire Imperium fleet, delivering a crippling blow to the Empire.
In the second season of Foundation, a fresh group of characters from The Cloud Dominion enters the scene. With the intention of putting an end to the genetic dynasty, Queen Sareth is introduced as a potential spouse for Cleon XVII. The inclusion of Queen Sareth and the Cloud Dominion in the Foundation TV series serves to enhance the Empire and Demerzel plot lines.
4 Yanna Seldon Is Human
3 Tellem Bond And The Mentalics
Yanna, Hari Seldon's late wife, makes her first appearance in season 2 of the series. At the university, Yanna meets Hari and significantly contributes to his research on psychohistory. While inspired by the book character Dors Venabili, who aids Seldon during conflicts, Yanna's character differs as she is a human. In the book, Dors Venabili is portrayed as a robot dispatched by Demerzel's alternate version from the book to safeguard Hari's development of psychohistory.
The Foundation novels feature mentalics, individuals possessing telepathic and mind-controlling abilities. These mentalics play a crucial role in the establishment of the Second Foundation in the book, Second Foundation. Within the series, characters such as Hari, Gaal, and Salvor encounter a community of mentalics led by Tellem Bond on the planet Ignis. Tellem Bond's character is unique to the show and serves as an introduction to the mentalics who form the Second Foundation in this adaptation. Gaal Dornick is also portrayed as a mentalic in the show.
2 The Mule Is Linked To Gaal
The introduction of the Mule in Foundation season 2 is of immense significance. This character poses a formidable threat to the Foundation and its plan devised by Hari Seldon. With his potential role as the main antagonist in season 3, the Mule takes center stage. In the original books, he is depicted as a mutant warlord with mind-controlling abilities, conquering entire planets. While the TV series may follow a similar storyline in season 3, a notable difference lies in his connection to Gaal Dornick, establishing a potential opposition between them.
1 Poly Verisof And Brother Constant
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In "The Mayors," one of the Foundation stories, Poly Verisof serves as the High Priest on Anacreon and supports Salvor Hardin during the Second Seldon Crisis. Just like in the TV series, Poly Verisof holds great importance in the Foundation's religious beliefs. Similar to Hober Mallow, Poly Verisof's role is expanded in the show to help the Foundation in its struggle against the Empire. Additionally, Brother Constant is another character specifically created for the series.
