‘Foundation’ Recap: ‘Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly’

8/5/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Cassian Bilton and Ella-Rae Smith as Brother Dawn and Queen Sareth in Episode 204 of ‘Foundation’ – ‘Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 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.

There are few things we enjoy and lament more in storytelling, than the introduction of a new character. Because new characters often bring with them unique moments and new dynamics to the story, and if the story handles things right… they also bring forth… powerful new adventures. The kind that takes us on a wild ride and progresses the plot. But we did mention that we don't always enjoy the arrival of new characters. For sometimes new characters arrive that really serve no purpose and just fill a space and that can be problematic for a story and an audience since it can create imbalance and take people out of it. Which means we oft approach their introduction with a touch of caution until we know the story knows exactly how to handle them, and it is safe to say that trepidation was present in the hearts of the fans of the Apple TV+ series, Foundation.

For while it was amazing to meet so many new characters last week, we were hoping they weren’t just filler to help us coast along to bigger plot threads, since that would indeed sully the incredible work, this series has accomplished over the past two seasons. But thankfully, this week’s episode informed us that this saga knows what to do with new characters, since each of them served the plot well… and progressed it in a compelling manner. A feat these characters accomplished in ‘Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly’ by reaching their destinations and getting down to business, and in the case of Bel, accomplishing their mission. For he and Glawen made their way to the planet of concern and informed us of how incredible they are as soldiers. Since anyone that stood in their way of getting to their informant, paid the price swiftly and dearly. For failure was not an option and well… they did indeed get to the informant and learn that the word of Seldon was being spread far and wide. Giving rise to worry and concern that war might come swiftly, since they headed back to Trantor with this ‘treasonous’ information the instant they had it in hand.

But thankfully… war might be avoided. In part because Hober Mallow, Brother Constant and Poly, returned to the Vault at Foundation HQ. Wherein they were eventually greeted by the Hari Seldon that powered the Vault and they learned that this Artificial Intelligence Iteration of Hari wasn’t corrupted by evil or eager to sow discord. It simply wanted to flex its muscles to stay Godly and do its best to avoid the Second Crisis as well. Which meant that our heroes were given two missions really. One of which was to head to Trantor and open up negotiations with Empire in an effort to stave off war, and this mission could not have come at a better time. Since they could in fact, reach Trantor at the same time as Bel, allowing for them to explain themselves. Giving rise to the perfect distraction and mathematical conjunction needed to keep dialogue going over war, and as for Hober… well Hari had a special mission for him that we won’t learn about until later, but it is undoubtedly, in the same vein of preventing the Crisis that awaits.

However, while those two teams set out toward the home of Empire, there were surprises brewing in the Royal Palace. After all, Queen Sareth really hasn’t had all that much to do in this story but offer some blunt words and wait for her chance, making her seem for some time as though she’s nothing more than a reminder that little depth exists in the worlds of Empire. But here we came to learn… she’s more than meets the eye. In fact, she is a supremely savvy ruler that has been playing Day for a fool all along. For she was concerned that the death of her family and her ascension to the throne, was set up by Day to bring her into the family fold and manipulate her properly into becoming his wife and bearer of Empire’s children, and now seemed like the time to push for the truth. Which was why she and Rue poked about with Dawn and Dusk to see if they would yield answers and why they set up a plant in the palace, to gain that truth. For if that was the case, hell would come to Trantor’s doorstep in the name of revenge, and it will be interesting to see if Day did indeed stoop that low.

In the end however, this was simply one delightful tale. One that really did give these new characters purpose and direction. For now, they are part of the fabric of the universe and not just the expansion of it, and their purpose in this story is quite critical. Since Bel could in fact help the cause and keep the peace with his understanding of Empire and by coming to properly understand what the Foundation is about, and the queen could in fact… stave off a greater war if she learns that Day crossed that line after all by creating focused conflict. All of which, enriches this story further and adds depth and even raises the stakes. Since all of these threads really did inform us that Empire is more fragile than we thought and that this galaxy is a powder keg waiting for a spark, and it will take the good in all of these characters to prevent that. Along with the assist the galaxy needs from the reborn Hari Seldon and Gaal and Salvor, and truly… it will be interesting to see what comes next for this grand and sweeping story, now that the stage is set for very different kinds of conflict, all designed to save humanity from utter darkness. Until next time.

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