‘Foundation’ Recap: ‘King and Commoner’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jared Harris and Lou Llobell as Hari Stanton and Gall Dornick in Episode 203 of ‘Foundation’ – ‘King and Commoner’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 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.
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If there is one particular aspect of the Apple TV+ series, Foundation, that we’ve spoken to often, it would be the show’s desire to truly tell a slow burning sci-fi epic. And this keeps coming up, simply because the show refuses to deviate from that. For every time there is an opportunity to ramp up the tension and perhaps move this show in a more action packed or grittier direction, it simply does not. It instead, does the opposite and slows things down greatly and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode. For ‘King and Commoner’ had the opportunity to start the march to war in a brisk and powerful manner since Empire decreed it necessary. But instead… this was a story that just expanded upon this universe further in a slow burning yet engaging manner.
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In fact, it actually managed to introduce us a bevy of new characters and teach us about what makes them tick. Such as Hober Mallow. Who we learned is nothing more than a scoundrel really. Who is eager to sell their wares and steal wares when the opportunity presents itself, and in doing so… finds himself in trouble often. Which is precisely what was surrounding him, here. Since his attempts to stun a powerful man landed him in a lot of hot water, to the point where even the clerics were unable to change hearts and minds and save him. In fact, it took his own level of cunning and intelligence to escape what looked to be a solid and painful death. But what mattered more here is that we saw more of the galaxy and met quite interesting new characters as sci-fi epics are wont to do, and the majesty of this story didn’t end there.

For we were also introduced to Bel Riose. A broken man that once stood up to Empire and its ways and found himself badly punished for it. But with Day ready to wage war in the Outer Rim, he needed Riose’s cunning and skills. And after testing his loyalty, gave him his life back and his husband. So, he could feel complete about returning to the field. Which he did, much to the joy of people he served with ages ago. But what made this segment so compelling and so powerful, was that it spoke to the reality that Empire is losing its grip on its own people, to the point where even the naval officers that salute Day and their superiors, are more interested in following Riose. For they trust him over Empire and it will be interesting to see where this loyal convert turned rebel, turned back into convert, loyalties lie, and what path he will choose as his work on the Outer Rim continues, and it was supremely amazing to meet this man and learn what we learned here.

However, while that was fascinating to enjoy, the story also made sure to catch up with Gaal, Salvor and Hari. Who made quite the detour in this particular tale… to a wasteland really. For Hari had the ship set down on a rock that was once a proud mining world for Empire. Until it was depleted of its resources of course. And well, that was problematic. Because it didn’t give rise to the Second Foundation, just strange curiosities, and locations that well… happened to be full of secrets. For they allowed for Hari to meander about without the need of the Prime Radiant and this world also transformed him. For at the end of this story, when Salvor and Gaal were ready to leave without Hari since he disappeared with a mystery projection, they came to discover… his new body. One that made him living flesh again, leaving all of us to wonder about the majesty of this world… and what comes next.

For this story at its core, set the stage for big moment upon big moment. The kind that will see a thief and a con man tussle with faith and see a broken hero tussle with where his loyalties lie, and of course… the story will undoubtedly show us how all of this ties into the Second Crisis and we will learn, whether or not our heroes can set up the Second Foundation needed to stave off the Mule and years of darkness. But while we wait to see all that play out, we can relish in one satisfying tale. One that took its time in telling its story and truly expanded upon this already majestic world with its introductions and explorations and well, all this episode does is leave us hungry for more. So, we can learn more about these new people, and to enjoy more of a true science fiction epic. One that continues to impress with its world-building and overall scope Until next time.

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