For over twelve thousand years the known galaxy has been ruled by the Galactic Empire, ruled for the past four hundred years by a constantly rotating series of clones of the last Emperor never to father an heir. With the Cleons at the centre of millions of worlds, one mathematician has developed anew science that predicts the Empires fall.

Using socio-political history merged with a series of sophisticated equations, Hari Seldon has found a way to predict societies most likely future. Through developing a Quantum Computer, Seldon see’s the fall of the Empire coming and where he see’s science, other’s see prophecy. Empire – a single ruling force consisting of three Cleon’s at different ages – a young Brother Dawn as Emperor in Training, Brother Dusk as the retired guardian and Brother Day as the strong ruler – considers his predictions herasy.
With the aid of a mathematical genius born from a world thats rejected science, Seldon convinces Empire to build a Foundation of knowledge to help protect the future form the fallout of the Empires collapse. But convincing the Cleon’s is just the beginning of his plan to usher in a new era for the human race…
Based loosely on Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, Foundation focuses on the fall of the Empire and the rise of Seldon’s vision through several era’s (and several Cleon’s!) through Seldon’s predictions and the challenge of elements beyond his algorithm. Season one sets the stage of the Foundations origins and it’s first crisis, while season two see’s it’s influence reach beyond it’s exile as the Empire struggles to deal with change.
Foundation as a series does something remarkably well with the concept. It’s tremendous presentation aside, it uses all the best of Asimov’s sci fi version of the fall of the Roman Empire and throws in new ideas and directions, reimagining the stories in ways that helps to elevate the world for a new audience. With an incredible cast and outstanding presentation, the show really delivers it’s finest through intricate and incredible world building without getting lost in the details of each corner of the galaxy.
Whether through the calculating mind of Hari Seldon, the emotional struggle of his protege Gaal, or even the desperation to remain in control shown by the various iterations of Brother Day, the grand and wonderful vision is all told through these small stories and personal moments with huige sweeping events all having a strong sense of humanity behind them while the overall intricate story of the Empire’s demise gives a fascinating and enthralling experience.
Developing and expanding in just two seasons, the third jumps ahead to another crisis point for the Foundation and a threat not only to them, but to the Empire itself. A threat that may mean the two will eventually have to collide as allies to save them both.
A hidden gem in modern sci fi, Foundation is one of AppleTV’s best offerings as the platform continues to expand and explore some of the best television in the streaming market right now. The third season launches on July 11th and is available to watch alongside the first two seasons exclusively on AppleTV.
