Foundation season 3, episode 2, offers plenty of crucial material to unpack. Foundation season 3 is off to a fantastic start with its opening episodes, as the new season dives straight into conflict as the Mule begins his galactic conquest with the planet Kalgan, upsetting both the Foundation and the Galactic Empire.
The episode sees Gaal awaken from cryosleep on Ignis, allowing us to catch up with her and Hari Seldon. The Mule continues to demonstrate his power on Kalgan. The three forms of Cleon struggle with their fates as the Prime Radiant prepares them for the fall of the Empire. There’s a ton to break down.
Why Gaal Dornick Gets In Touch With Brother Dawn
Foundation & Empire Must Work Together
As we know from Foundation season 2’s ending, Gaal Dornick and Hari Seldon went into cryosleep in preparation for the Mule, season 3’s primary antagonist. The season 3 premiere’s final shot saw Gaal waking up from that cryosleep 152 years later. Now, we see her reaching out to Brother Dawn, connecting Foundation and Empire.
The Mule’s control over Kalgan is threatening to both major forces in the galaxy, and no one knows this better than Gaal Dornick.
Season 2 saw matters grow tense between the Foundation and the Galactic Empire, with the destruction of the original settlement on Terminus. Now, the Second Foundation has established itself, and Empire’s influence over the galaxy diminishes. This has led to some tense dinner scenes with Dusk, Dawn, and the Foundation’s Ambassador Quent, who try to maintain peace in the galaxy.
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The Mule’s control over Kalgan is threatening to both major forces in the galaxy, and no one knows this better than Gaal Dornick. Gaal has been waking up annually to guide the people of Ignis, so she must have reached out to Empire previously about the upcoming threat of the Mule.
As for Dawn, it’s in his best interest to deal with the Mule swiftly, and with Brother Day not being particularly useful, it makes sense that he would turn to Foundation to do so. It seems that a temporary alliance must be formed to deal with the warlord pirate before it’s too late.
Brother Dusk’s New Planet-Decimating Weapon Explained
The Novacula Is Horrifying
Foundation season 3, episode 2’s ending shows Brother Dusk examining a new weapon that he’s had constructed. This is the Novacula weapon, an idea original to the Foundation TV show. It resembles the Star Wars Death Star superlaser, but there’s an important distinction.
The Novacula doesn’t disintegrate its target; it rearranges the matter to an unrecognizable state. As we see in the show, the weapon destroys its target and the space is reformed with a cluster of stars. Dusk clarifies that this is a last resort option for Dawn to utilize if he has to, setting up terrifying dangers for season 3.
Why Hari Seldon Left & Whether He’ll Return In Foundation Season 3
Hari Seldon Is Mysterious As Always
Jared Harris’s Hari Seldon is the top-billed actor in Foundation, and he’s one of the most integral characters to the show. He’s arguably Isaac Asimov’s most iconic character, but it’s still a shock that he’s lasted this long in the television adaptation, given that he’s only in the first two parts of the novel.
Although Hari and Gaal agreed to cryosleep in one-year intervals, giving them time to wake up and lead on Ignis, Hari betrays this idea. He sets Gaal to sleep for years, while he stays awake and guides the Second Foundation. Hari believes that Gaal’s time is more precious than his, given that she’s the one who must eventually face the Mule.
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This leads Gaal to wake up and discover a much older version of Hari Seldon, who has been alive, building statues and aiding in the development of Ignis for years. He’s contributing what he can with the last piece of his life, so he can finally, completely pass down the torch to Gaal.
It’s unclear when we’ll see Hari again.
We don’t know exactly what Hari Seldon’s next plan of action is, as he undertakes it with the help of the entity (in the form of his wife, Kalle), which previously brought him back to his body. He enters a mysterious warp and disappears, leaving Gaal to fend for herself. It’s unclear when we’ll see Hari again.
Toran, Bayta, & Han Pritcher’s Plan To Defeat The Mule Explained
Han Is Using The Wealthy Nepo Babies As Spies
Foundation season 3 has introduced a fresh batch of characters, and they’re perhaps the show’s most exciting additions since season 1. This includes Captain Han Pritcher, an intelligence operative looking to take down the Mule, as well as Toran and Bayta Mallow, newlyweds benefiting from ancestor Hober Mallow’s generational wealth with little concern for the Mule’s plot.
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Captain Han Pritcher arrives at their home unannounced, hoping to use the pair as spies to gain intelligence on the Mule. Pritcher is something of a rebel soldier, who’s going against orders to take down a greater threat. The Mallows are going to be invited to a party celebrating the Mule’s takeover on Kalgan, and Pritcher wants to attend.
Why Brother Dusk Is Going To Die Sooner Than Previous Iterations
Demerzel Has Shortened The Cleon Life Cycle
The crisis of the Mule is on its way, but the cycling of the Cleons is going to happen sooner. In ten days, Brother Dusk is going to be retired, transforming the current Day into that role, while the current Dawn ascends the throne. This puts Dusk in a state of concern. As we know from episode 1, he isn’t eager to die.
Demerzel has shortened the life cycle of the Cleons due to the deteriorating genetics of each clone, and this has Dusk eager to make moves in his final hours. He’ll be a crucial character to watch in Foundation season 3 as the (Demerzel) clock ticks closer to midnight.
