Unveiling the Untold Origins of Demerzel in Foundation Season 3 and Beyond!

Summary

Demerzel is revealed to be the true heir to the Empire and had a complicated relationship with Cleon I, which led to the quirks in her programming.

Demerzel's character is derived from R. Daneel Olivaw in Isaac Asimov's Foundation prequel, but she exhibits distinct qualities and abilities.

The story of Demerzel is still unfolding, with notable flashbacks yet to be revealed. She will continue to hold sway in future seasons, whether it involves delving into the Robot Wars or her interactions with the Prime Radiant.

Demerzel's true role as the power behind the Cleonic Dynasty's throne and the rightful heir to the Empire has finally been confirmed in the thrilling finale of Foundation season 2. In a series of revealing flashbacks, it is discovered that Cleon I, the original ruler, fell in love with Demerzel while she was imprisoned, leading him to forsake his own marriage and create clones of himself to ensure their lineage continued. However, despite this arrangement, Demerzel's programming still hinders her freedom, causing her ongoing struggles throughout the sci-fi series.

In the Apple TV+ show, Demerzel is portrayed by Laura Birn and is inspired by the character R. Daneel Olivaw from Isaac Asimov's Foundation prequel, Robots and Empire. Fans have questioned how Demerzel, who is based on Asimov's robots governed by the Laws of Robotics, could cause harm to Zephyr Halima and Cleon XIV in season 1. As Foundation season 2 concludes, Cleon I's intentions for Demerzel and her crucial role in the Empire's rise become clearer, but the story is far from over. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, creator David S. Goyer shares his insights on the matter.

David S. Goyer: I had planned out most of Demerzel's major actions right from the start. I knew in season 1 that we would reveal her story towards the end of season 2. When she revealed her true face at the end of season 1, many people assumed it was due to the cognitive dissonance caused by killing Dawn. While that was partially true, there's much more to it than that.

For me, flashbacks are not just about providing additional information, but about allowing you to see things in a new light. It would be really interesting for the audience, after watching episode 2.09, to revisit the third episode of season 1 where we first saw Cleon I. How does that change their perspective on the moment when Demerzel reveals her true face?

Demerzel is an intricately crafted character with a captivating backstory yet to be fully unveiled. Additional significant flashbacks await viewers, delving deeper into the past with each progressive episode. In fact, if the show continues, it will eventually transport us back to Earth 18,000 years ago.

Note: This content was created during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and acknowledges the indispensable contribution of writers and actors from both unions in bringing this show to life.

Where Demerzel Can Go After Foundation Season 2

Season 2 of Foundation concludes with a 152-year leap in time, implying that most characters will either meet their demise in season 3 or be replaced by their clones, specifically in the case of the Cleonic Dynasty. Nonetheless, as an immortal robot, Lady Demerzel will remain an integral part of the plot, bridging the gap between Crises. Furthermore, her vast history spanning thousands of years grants Goyer the opportunity to delve into the Robot Wars that preceded Cleon I's Empire through flashbacks. It is possible that future seasons will investigate the individual who violated The First Law of Robotics, leading to the war and resulting in the eradication of artificial intelligence except for Demerzel herself.

In Asimov's novels, R. Daneel Olivaw appears as a male disguised as a human, but the show made changes to the character's gender. Should Foundation decide to explore Demerzel's involvement in the Robot Wars, it is conceivable that she will transform into a warrior-like form, necessitating the casting of a different actor in the role. At the very least, this aspect of her past would facilitate the exploration of Emperor Aburanis' life and provide a glimpse into the Empire's appearance prior to the time of the Cleons.

Demerzel now possesses the Prime Radiant, housing Hari Seldon’s Psychohistory calculations and his hopes for humanity’s future. With this, she can fully comprehend the Foundation's plans and even communicate with Gaal and Hari, aligning with their intentions. The recent cycle of Cleons has seen failure, with Dawn eloping with Sareth and fathering a child, Day succumbing to his own general Bel Riose, and Dusk being slain by Demerzel herself. Utilizing her newfound knowledge of the Prime Radiant, Demerzel is bound to perfect future generations of Cleons, even if it ultimately serves the Foundation's narrative of the Empire's decline.