Well, I am surprised that I actually found this episode the first in this season that's actually very enjoyable. Last season, Empire arcs are great but foundation arc is cringe if not boring. This is probably the first episode where I am fully interested in both story arcs. The characters of Bel Riose, Mallow, the drunk and the monk are actually enjoyable characters to watch on screen as opposed to an extremely cringe Salvor Hardin. I also feel like Jared Harris is not being wasted. Appreciate the writers are finally giving more of a call back to the ideas of psychohistory, whether or not it stays shall be seen but this is a good start. I want more and will be excited for next week.
5 Reviews
I feel kinda sorry for the not-the-bookers
ShippersAreEvil4 August 2023
So hidebound in their own flawed recall of a rich and complex tale (of which Asimov himself said the problem with the original trilogy was that nothing really happened). So unable to grasp the notion of strong and capable women, full of wit and insight and all-to-human needs. So stuck in a fictitious past that they have been stripped of all joy at a rich and complex, character-driven tale in the present, even when Seldon himself is there to spell it out.
Constance and Poly are sent on a potentially lethal mission, to a cruel and capricious Imperial Court, where Sareth is desperate to find the truth.
But that the true fate of the galaxy rests more on Hober and Bel is impossible to escape, surely?
A "passing ghost". Now there's interesting. But where are Salvor and Gaal?
Still, much better to make childish jokes about Michael Burnham, rather than go and watch something they enjoy.
Constance and Poly are sent on a potentially lethal mission, to a cruel and capricious Imperial Court, where Sareth is desperate to find the truth.
But that the true fate of the galaxy rests more on Hober and Bel is impossible to escape, surely?
A "passing ghost". Now there's interesting. But where are Salvor and Gaal?
Still, much better to make childish jokes about Michael Burnham, rather than go and watch something they enjoy.
Apple Knows how to make a masterpiece
moviesfilmsreviewsinc17 September 2023
Foundation Episode 4 of Apple TV+'s Foundation continues to deliver quality storytelling and stunning cinematography. The episode introduces the teenage Brother Dawn, who struggles with his life. Cassian Bilton effectively portrays Lee Pace's Emperor, making the clone storyline believable. Pace's portrayal of Brother Day is perfect, even when he gets frustrated with his "yes men" mathematicians. At the beginning of the episode, Dawn attempts to kill himself by jumping off a building, but a forcefield protects him. This raises questions about whether he knew the forcefield would protect him or if it was intended to prevent assassination attempts. The individuality of the clones is difficult to determine, but some patters are evident, such as Brother Day's impulsiveness and rules with a hammer, and Brother Dusk's growing compassion as he ages. As these changes occur, Dusk and Dawn grow increasingly at odds. The first appearance of a teenage Dawn in the series raises questions about his actions and uniqueness. Despite his lefthandedness and romantic proclivities, Brother Dawn seems to be different from the other Cleons. There is a theory that if he falls in love and decides to procreate, he might end the Emperor clone line and preserve the Empire for a longer period. However, the other Cleons might attempt to assassinate his love interest before a true romantic connection can begin. The story is also compelling due to the push-and-pull between Dusk and Day. Day is resentful of Dusk's decisions that caused chaos and is limiting Dusk's activities. Demerzel's sarcastic comment suggests that Day is ultimately on the same path as any other clones, and it is unclear if his impulsivity might put his life at risk. The Empire's stability is less stable now, and Brother Dawn's leadership could potentially threaten it if he had to take over early. In Terminus, a massive invasion army is preparing to destroy the town and the Foundation's work to escape the Empire. Phara, one of the few survivors of the planet irradiated by the Empire, is unsure of her group's intentions. Salvor, a character with special abilities, is able to move past the Artifact's force field and predict future events. She has successfully predicted a coin flip multiple times, which is beyond luck. Some Terminus people view her as an outlier, but her trader boyfriend suggests she might be exactly what Hari predicted. The story explores themes of truth, lies, and the complexities of human nature in the face of adversity. The episode ends with Gaal in stasis after Raych killed Hari, and her chamber is picked up by a mysterious ship. It's unclear what this means, but it suggests Gaal may play a role in rebuilding society after Salvor and the Foundation team finish their mission. Raych's fate is unclear, as the show has been surprisingly quiet about his fate.
A mish-mash of Foundation & Foundation & Empire
mi_imdb_account6 August 2023
Second half of the foundation story just missing in action, a matrix of characters from different eras, Bel Riose brought in prematurely presumably as an antagonist to Hober Mallow, the mental chess deprecated in favour of Star Wars type action
While I think there was some wait and see with S2E3, this one (S2E4) just lost it's way, even if it was an attempt to patch together a gaping hole in the story.
So we are moving through Foundation & Empire to get to the Mule & Second Foundation, but the influence of the third factor in the psycho historical expansion of the foundation, The Traders, of which Mallow and Danvers were pivotal characters, appears to have been abandoned.
I have to observe that the subtlety and mystery in the psychological build has been sacrificed to cgi and action, so the story layers & reveals are sort of too obvious. Not underestimating the capacity of viewers to absorb and follow a complex plot is something that Scandinavian & British writers have often done well in crime & mystery thrillers (eg The Bridge) Foundation could have reached for the heights that "The Expanse" achieved, but I grieve for it's likely fall, just like Empire. A mish-mash of Foundation & Foundation & Empire.
While I think there was some wait and see with S2E3, this one (S2E4) just lost it's way, even if it was an attempt to patch together a gaping hole in the story.
So we are moving through Foundation & Empire to get to the Mule & Second Foundation, but the influence of the third factor in the psycho historical expansion of the foundation, The Traders, of which Mallow and Danvers were pivotal characters, appears to have been abandoned.
I have to observe that the subtlety and mystery in the psychological build has been sacrificed to cgi and action, so the story layers & reveals are sort of too obvious. Not underestimating the capacity of viewers to absorb and follow a complex plot is something that Scandinavian & British writers have often done well in crime & mystery thrillers (eg The Bridge) Foundation could have reached for the heights that "The Expanse" achieved, but I grieve for it's likely fall, just like Empire. A mish-mash of Foundation & Foundation & Empire.
Stopped watching 3x
marisahendricks6 August 2023
Ella Rae Smith reminds me too much of Meghan Markle. Quite a terrible actress...or perhaps a great actress... because I found her character unbearable to watch.
We are to believe that her entire family was assassinated and she elevated to the throne. Was she so low of a minion that her people walked around with hunched shoulders, never learn to be empathetic of others needs besides their own individual survival, and worse, considered polite speech in mixed company to be a weakness?
She reminds me too much of every person who laments woe is me, I am the victim of having good things happen to me and others not noticing.
We are to believe that her entire family was assassinated and she elevated to the throne. Was she so low of a minion that her people walked around with hunched shoulders, never learn to be empathetic of others needs besides their own individual survival, and worse, considered polite speech in mixed company to be a weakness?
She reminds me too much of every person who laments woe is me, I am the victim of having good things happen to me and others not noticing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
