‘Foundation’ Recap: ‘A Necessary Death’

8/25/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(L-R) Cassian Bilton, Laura Birn, Lee Pace, and Terrance Mann as Brother Dawn, Demerzel, Brother Day, and Brother Dusk in Episode 207 of ‘Foundation’ – ‘A Necessary Death’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Foundation’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

It is definitely safe to say, that season two of the hit Apple TV+ series, Foundation, has been nothing short of a masterclass in how to build tension. Simply because… for weeks now, every small decision, and every large decision made by the characters have been met with opposite force. The kind that has kept the fate of the galaxy in the balance and teetering on the edge of disaster. Which has indeed brought forth stunning tension, courtesy of that back and forth, and that has put us on the edge of our seats in a manner that few shows can, and this incredible tension-building has also left the fans wondering deeply… when that tension is going to boil over and which direction things may go. And well… the beginnings of an answer to those questions came forth in the next episode of this magnificent series and sadly… it appears as though the peace so many are fighting for… may not be possible at this time.

For ‘A Necessary Death’ saw measures of peace and bold initiatives collapse in a terrifying manner. For while Brothers Constant and Poly pleaded a wonderful case to Empire regarding the need for peace between two worlds... one that included Hari’s visage… Empire had little desire in listening. Because Brother Day saw this as the perfect opportunity to flex his Imperial muscles and bring order to the potential of chaos. A belief that he doubled down upon when we learned of Hober Mallow’s mission. Which was to give the Spacers their freedom, a move that would have devastated Empire’s fleet. But their dependance upon Empire and fear of freedom, pushed them to turn him and Terminus’ technology over to Empire. Giving rise to a final decision on Day’s part… to blockade Terminus. Putting the galaxy on the brink of war, which would bring forth chaos and well… that wasn’t the only moment that seemingly set disaster in motion.

Because in between that meeting, Queen Sareth began to flex her own muscles. After all, she felt emboldened by how the wedding announcement went, so why not push a little harder and see what it might get her? So, she pressed hard and pushed back often when it came to what Demerzel demanded of her, to make it clear that a Queen would have autonomy in the palace, and that… was enough to have the ancient servant, hint at her own work in killing Sareth’s family to put the future queen in her place. Which nearly broke Sareth and pushed her to finally confront Day about such matters and confirm indeed that he gave the order to wipe her family out. Which in turn… left her in a difficult place. For to defy Empire now and back out would bring forth her own end. So, she opted to partake in revenge. The kind where she and Brother Dawn would become lovers and parents really, to ruin Day’s plans and throw further chaos into the plans to end the Genetic Dynasty and well… that too should bring forth chaos. For a Cleon not having his plans come to fruition is troublesome.

But of course, what played out on Ignis provided us with our biggest worries to date regarding the fate of the galaxy and this fight to prevent The Second Crisis. Because with Hari gone, Gaal was leaning hard into everything Tellem was selling. To the point where she was quickly slipping into that leadership role and well… that bothered Salvor to no end. Because something about the whole situation felt wrong, and that, combined with the fact that others were doing their best to block their thoughts from her… prompted her to go the extra mile to prove that something was amiss here and that the Mentalics did not have the best interests of this mother and daughter in mind. Which prompted Salvor to find some truth and dig into the secrets being kept about Hari’s exit and that led… to stunning disaster. Because Salvor found Hari’s waterlogged corpse and may become one herself. Since Tellem was waiting for her and apologized for what came next, but stated it was necessary to have dreams realized.

All of which, really did put the galaxy on the brink. For Empire is flexing its military might, chaos reigns in the palace and another hero might be gone at the hands of a broken individual that has the best intentions in mind, but their heart is poisoned and that… brought forth one stunning and tense tale. One where the tension climbed to its highest point to date, and it could truly break at any moment and will only increase in the weeks to come. Since one mistake at Terminus will lead to all-out war, the kind that could spill over to all the worlds of the galaxy. Not to mention, Cleon will soon be distracted and broken by Sareth’s actions at a critical time, since her decision will be revealed, and the possible death of Salvor will only harm Gaal further, and well… all of this is going to make the wait for next week’s episode as painful as can be. Since we are now dying to know if the pushback from good can continue and keep the madness at bay, or if this is it… and the Second Crisis is now upon all. Until next time.

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