‘Foundation’ Recap: ‘Death and the Maiden’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Foundation’.
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Thus far, our journey through the world of Foundation on AppleTV+ has been a fascinating one to say the least. For this series has been eager to offer up a balanced story, one that digs deep into our modern world and the problems that plague us, while also offering an action-packed tale of revenge. But what has truly made this series so fascinating, is its refusal to offer both elements in a single story. For each episode in season one has leaned into one or the other, leaving one to wonder if the series is trying to appeal to a larger demographic by switching back and forth between elements that please all. But as it turns out, this is all part a master plan of sorts, one designed to slowly bring together all the storylines into a super meaningful thread that leaves us in awe and for proof… look no further than this week’s entry.
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For ‘Death and the Maiden’ is a story that did indeed finally blend together commentary and action, and it achieved this particular feat by having us spend time with both Salvor and the Brothers Empire and well… let’s start with Dawn and Day’s adventures, since they harbored the commentary in question. Such as for instance, how complete control over our world and our environment is an outright impossibility. For the universe is chaos and does as it sees fit and Dawn’s story reflected that. Since it was revealed that Dawn is smarter and quicker than his elder brothers and he also comes with flaws, such as being color blind and well… that’s shocking. Since Dawn is supposed to be the perfect clone of Cleon. So, to see an altered version of the clone here is big, and it speaks volumes to the fact that true control over everything is impossible for mankind, and we need to look elsewhere to satisfy that need. But while that made for some fascinating commentary on the human condition, the more traditional political stuff that this series likes to explore was present here as well and was handled by Brother Day.

For his voyage to the Maiden and his machinations whilst there to gain control of the political climate, failed miserably. Not because what Day offered to its citizens wasn’t appealing in the slightest. But because the Empire has done a poor job of understanding what its citizens truly need and it is also clueless as how the Cleon trio is viewed as excess of sorts, the kind that speaks to a fattened kingdom drunk off of its power and technology. Which means that Day will need to find out how to fundamentally reach Zepher Halima to win her over, and he might not be capable of that. For he and his brothers are indeed out of touch with the galaxy. But what matters more here, is the extended commentary on control and the mirroring of our world. Since political movements and ideologies are bringing about similar conflicts in America and this segment makes it clear we must be open to dialogue with others, when their ideologies aren’t extreme or dangerous, and engage with one another to find a way forward… or divides will grow.

However, there was also mention of action and adventure in this tale and that was handled on Terminus. Because the Anacreons revealed their overall plan, and it was to transport the best ship building minds from the Foundation to a legendary vessel known as the Invictus to repair it. In order to bring fire down upon the Empire and well… rather than let that happen, Salvor took her father and her man to one hell of a firefight. One designed to put the bad guys in their place and well, their assault worked but it came at quite the cost. Because three against an army aren’t good odds in the slightest and Salvor’s father was lost in the assault and subsequent explosion that put down a fleet of star faring vessels. Plus, to make matters worse, Salvor did end up having to pilot her enemies and their captives out of there, since the Anacreons are quite resourceful and this sequence, really did satisfy fans of action and adventure since it was epic and heartbreaking in nature. 

In the end, this is quite the important episode when all is said and done. Because all the troubles the empire is dealing with and all of the future ones brewing behind the scenes, make it clear… that Seldon’s predictions are coming to life in a rapid manner. Which could bring chaos and darkness to the entire galaxy unless… humanity and its propensity to want to control the wrong things and one another changes, and that will be no easy task. Since control is indeed what we live for, but there is hope that it can be done. Since Salvor and Dawn and even Gaal understand what is at stake and if they can stop notions of revenge and help the galaxy to embrace a better path than sovereign clone rule and the status quo, then perhaps the dark ages can be delayed or staved off entirely, and it will be quite interesting to see where this series takes us next… now that every plot thread and thoughtful moment are preparing to collide. Until next time.

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