“Foundation” season 2 review: much bolder and bigger than the previous one

If anything characterized the first season Foundationn, available on Apple TV+, is how he told one of Isaac Asimov’s most ambitious stories. with the emperor Cleon (Lee Page) By way of reference, David S. Goyer’s screenplay pointed to the flow of time and power in a story of gigantic proportions.

On the one hand, describing the pernicious control over the habitable universe of a dynasty created from clones of a charismatic leader. The latter are on the verge of an inevitable break in their long history of dominance.

On the other hand, the emergence of predictions psychohistoryhand Hari Seldon (Jared Harris). Between both scenarios, a prophecy that made its way through successive events: the fall of the empire. Finally, an irresistible war that will forever change the configuration of habitable space. In particular, as soon as the idea of ​​the following dark timesceased to be a prophecy to become a certainty.

The new season explores all three locations and manages to build a detailed tour of the events that mark the fall of a civilization in crisis. One hundred years have passed since Cleon he found that its biological purity had been compromised. Except that the new version Hari Sheldonappeared on the planet conditions lay the first real foundation Foundation.

Now two forces that have turned into radical and violent antagonists are about to collide. In addition, to push all the inhabitants under the authoritarian rule of the empire to take sides. Either die in a holy war or protect a messianic figure who is approaching madness.

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In argument Foundation, have been digging through the crevices of a failed control system for decades. The line that held Cleon Dirty. Thus, the last emperor finds himself under siege of betrayal and pressure to continue to stand on the ruins of what has been a united front for millennia. Each region of the empire trantor, suffers from the pressure of attacks and brutality, which shows that the opposition to the genetic dictatorial regime is total. Just like in the previous part, the script decides to show the routine break through its visible head.

Those who may be the last Cleonisolated in power and with a single company Demerzel (Laura Byrne). They must also face the possibility of death. Also, that with them the reign of their dynasty ends. With all possible shocks. The series dedicates its first chapter to examining the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the government. Moreover, it is clearly seen that the collapse announced by psychohistory is taking place. Not just in the order you predicted it. At the same time, with greater resonance and speed than rarely he suggested in his first analysis. The motive is clear, and the plot is skilfully analyzed. As the known cosmos questions the restrictions imposed by a line of cloned rulers, an uprising becomes forced.

the power that dies

He also questions every sense of the imposed order. foundationn, again, attempts to cover over the sixteen original books of the saga. Why does he dedicate his second season to talk about the degradation of what was taken as an absolute. From Cleon (turned into victim, hostage and enemy), into an increasingly idealized figure Hari Seldon. At the beginning of the story, for almost ten minutes, it is established that the scientist has begun his slow transition to becoming a religious figure. So powerful and with such a deep rooted ability for the man he was to be forgotten.

The production makes it clear that second crisis this is too close to be a fact to be reckoned with. Also, it plays with how the notion of authority travels through dangerous terrain. Defiled and persecuted by adversaries, Cleon should try to maintain the permanence of the established order. In particular, face a gap with external coveragewhich would eventually lead to the collapse of sovereignty trantor. In the future, the war becomes the only event that can shake the precarious balance. To subvert the meaning of what keeps the mechanisms of control that endure millennium after millennium.

Religion Based on Confidence

The script skillfully uses the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy to support the underlying fear of Cleon and the hatred that arouses in his subjects. Psychohistory details how and when the power that ruled the cosmos will fall. Countering the likelihood of this circumstance contributed to the growth of discontent. If in the first edition Foundationhinted that probabilistic conclusions Hari Seldon They would be enemies to be defeated, their most recent episodes bear this out. Transformed into a new social pact for those who deplore a unified dictatorial system, their relevance reaches an unprecedented level. But also to the dark: psychohistory is moving away from science to become a religious creed.

One of the most interesting moments of the latest season of Foundation is its visual and narrative depiction of the birth of religion. Hundreds of years after the first group of psychohistorians, being able to correctly understand future events is no longer considered a work of analysis, but rather a blessing. What turns any event conditions, in the form of knowledge inaccessible to the uninitiated. The transformation of the idea of ​​prediction is now close to prophetic. What makes the entire habitable universe to be discussed with a single probability. Is a holy war coming?

A new look at a galaxy in chaos

Gaal (Lou Llobell) and keep (Leah Harvey) are the only exceptional witnesses to the true intentions Hari. Therefore, his job is to try to destroy the concept of psychohistory as divine knowledge. Something that will lead them to look for an exception that gives meaning to errors in predictions. With holographic spectrum Hari In the manner of an unpredictable ally, both will be responsible for ending the war. In any case, in order to reduce its impact and ensure that the possibility that dark ages be less destructive. The new Fundación series is a search for meaning in truth and in the perception of reality. But much more, a relevant and well-structured study of history as the only source of knowledge.

Of course, the series continues to amaze with its visual section. From luxurious and increasingly decadent trantor to unknown planets inhabited by enemies of the empire. The production is perhaps the best in the genre of science fiction to date. Its digital, almost cinematic part turns it into a discreet journey through a world created with care.

In addition, its scope as a narrative is most recognized. Isaac Asimov’s vision goes beyond the war for power. It covers the layers of science and faith from the side of the way of understanding life and death. Significant moments that the new season of the series skillfully touches and transforms into scenarios of a terrifyingly beautiful dystopian reality.