Warning: Spoilers ahead for Foundation season 3, episode 3, “When a Book Finds You”Foundation season 3, episode 3, “When a Book Finds You,” is what allows the space opera’s current era to finally bloom as this stage of the story comes into its own. After a stellar season 3 premiere and a follow-up that was largely responsible for laying more groundwork, it’s comforting to know that “When a Book Finds You” promises an engaging run.
The ending of Foundation season 3, episode 2, “Shadows in the Math,” came with a twist that centered around one of Foundation season 3’s new characters, and “When a Book Finds You” makes sure to focus on it. The revelation in question will drastically impact the Foundation timeline as the show continues to be one of the best sci-fi shows on Apple TV+.
Foundation Season 3’s Current Batch Of Cleons Continues to Be The Best Yet
The Active Clone Emperors Are Fascinating
Cleons XXIII, XXIV, and XXV are the active Brothers Dusk, Day, and Dawn, respectively, in Foundation season 3, even though a newborn clone is set to enter the fray and trigger an Ascension ceremony that will impact all of them. The genetic drift that was revealed at the end of Foundation season 1 put a slow-burning change into motion for the Cleonic Dynasty.
By the time of the Foundation season 3 premiere, the drift in question has hugely affected the behavior of all the active clones, and “When a Book Finds You” further cements the fact that they’re all essentially individuals. Dawn’s secretive collaboration with Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobel) and the Foundation is just the tip of the iceberg.
What’s perhaps a little disappointing is that Brother Dusk takes a break from preventing his Ascension in “When a Book Finds You.”
Lee Pace’s Brother Day, Cleon XXIV, and his attempt to leave Trantor behind is a cool imitation of Cleon VXIII’s storyline from Foundation season 2, although Cleon XXIV fails to flee his homeworld while his distant predecessor succeeds. What’s perhaps a little disappointing is that Brother Dusk takes a break from preventing his Ascension in “When a Book Finds You,” and I was enjoying that arc.
Foundation’s Introduction Of A Robot-Focused Religion Is A Great Addition To Asimovian Lore
Lady Demerzel Becomes Something Of A Demigod In “When A Book Finds You”
Foundation hasn’t been afraid to rework the Isaac Asimov novels that serve as the source material for Apple TV+’s epic space opera. It has tweaked several components of the original books but also introduced many original elements for the adaptation. While Laura Birn’s Lady Demerzel being a robot is taken from Asimov’s series, she has undergone changes.
The most obvious alteration is Demerzel’s gender-swap, as the character is male in the Foundation books. However, “When a Book Finds You” introduces an entirely new piece of canon to its Isaac Asimov story — a religious movement called the Inheritance.
Demerzel’s status as the last remaining robot in existence is something that Foundation has rarely addressed in its first two seasons, but season 3 has already highlighted this storyline twice. Paired with the scene that shows Demerzel acknowledging her time in the Robot Wars, the Inheritance being revealed suggests Foundation season 3 has more plans to focus on Demerzel’s positronic nature.
“When A Book Finds You” Does A Better Job Of Balancing Its New Characters With Its Old Ones
Toran Mallow Hasn’t Yet Drawn Me in, But I Love Seeing More Of Gaal & The Others
Certain returning stars, like those playing the Cleons, are technically embodying new characters, but they still feel familiar. Inversely, figures like Lady Demerzel and Gaal Dornick are as present as they’ve always been in Foundation season 3. The Apple TV+ show doesn’t forget about its new faces in “When a Book Finds You,” though.
Newcomers like Toran Mallow (Cody Fern) have been gradually introduced into the current run and have received considerable screen time, allowing the audience to get to know them. My issue with that is that the newer characters aren’t quite as interesting as Foundation‘s original cast.
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Foundation Season 3 Finally Pays Off A Massive Season 1 Twist – For Real This Time
Foundation season 1 introduced a huge twist that started to gradually change the story, and the impact is more evident than ever in season 3.
That said, I’m sure I’ll feel differently once their stories start to become more fleshed out. In the meantime, “When a Book Finds You” does the best job yet of any season 3 episode when it comes to splitting time suitably between established figures like Gaal and lesser-known entities like Toran.
I’m Still Not Completely Sold On The Mule As A Great Foundation Villain
Pilou Asbæk’s Character Needs To Prove He Can Be The Level Of Threat That’s Been Promised
Although originally played by Mikael Persbrandt during Foundation‘s flashforwards, the Mule is now played by Pilou Asbæk in season 3’s present-day scene. While I can’t argue with the sheer power the Mule possesses, I can’t help but feel like his big arrival has been underwhelming so far — other than that violent cold open in the premiere.
Hopefully, Foundation season 3 goes on to justify the Mule’s huge build-up.
There is a lot of promise when it comes to the character’s potential, and Asbæk’s performance as the unhinged Mentallic has been great so far, but the Mule lacks substance beyond being intimidatingly quirky and having no real problem with violence. Hopefully, Foundation season 3 goes on to justify the Mule’s huge build-up.
New episodes of Foundation season 3 release every Friday on Apple TV+ until the finale on September 12.
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