‘Foundation’ Recap: ‘Why the Gods Made Wine’

8/18/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jared Harris and Leah Harvey as Hari Seldon and Salvor Hardin in Episode 206 of ‘Foundation’ – ‘Why the Gods Made Wine’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 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.

For the most part, television shows as a whole… tend to do their best to not cram as much storytelling as possible into a single episode, and it makes sense as to why. After all, a single episode is a grand opportunity to explore a singular concept. One that can stay with the audience for days, so it is best to stay within that realm… or… just move the plot along. Since there is a story to be told, and progressing it is still important. But now and again, one runs into a show that is super ambitious in nature and ready to try to pack an episode in with either big concepts or big moments, all while advancing the plot as well. Which is a risky gambit, because if done incorrectly, we’re basically treated to an outright mess.

But the shows that can blend all of that together seamlessly? Well, they’re the stuff of legend and that is definitely the right label to apply to Foundation on Apple TV+. For the next episode in this science fiction epic, took the time to blend together a bevy of brewing plots to create a grand and sweeping story that left us deeply eager for more. All by taking us across the galaxy to see what new challenges people were encountering. For instance, there was hardship and surprise to be found on Trantor in ‘Why the Gods Made Wine’. Since Poly and Brother Constant finally arrived and enjoyed the beauty and spoils of that world before being placed under arrest as enemies of the state. And of course, this episode also featured the grand wedding announcement for Brother Day, one that was elegant and lovely, and concerning for him. Since his bride to be made sure to make her power known as well. Not to mention Hober Mallow reached his destination, a mysterious ship filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered.

All of which made for some engaging storytelling to say the least, the kind that was further expanded upon by way of one unsettling return to Ignis. Since this return voyage back informed us that Hari’s plan to use the Mentalics as the foundation of the Second Foundation, was going to cause more harm than good. Because Tellem wanted no part of the future, she merely wanted someone to guide her people to a better tomorrow and saw Gaal as that leader. Which led to a powerful power struggle in this tale. One that might have been grounded in mental control or might not have. But what mattered more, is that our heroes were no longer united. They were scared and pondering upon different paths and that put a dark cloud over this story, one that only thickened in its ominous nature when we learned how far Tellem was willing to go to have things her way.

For she played Gaal and Salvor like fiddles to move them far away from Hari. Who spent a lot of time in the closing moments of this tale, reflecting upon his life and its direction. Which allowed for us to see how his life was before this dark age in the galaxy’s history and learn that he was a simpler man back then. One that loved math and loved a woman, and merely wanted nothing more than to work on his own projects and enjoy the wonder of life, with his forthcoming child. But Empire’s greed changed all that and forced Hari to do dark things and accept an offer from Empire to come to the center of the galaxy and work without a net and accomplish wonders. But instead, it pushed him to find a way to examine the dark end that awaited the Empire and how best to navigate the ugliness he now knew man was capable of.

Of course, there was good reason or him to reflect upon such matters. For that kind of thinking is what people do when they are near death, as may be the case with Hari. Since Tellem had Hari bound to a tidal pool to await a horrible, waterlogged end. All of which made, for one intense tale. One where so much was happening and where so many plot plots progressed at a breakneck speed. Not to mention, we came to learn the last great hope for the future is nothing more than the worst of us and was created by our worst traits and well… that changes everything and sets the stage for a desperate back half of this season. Wherein we may lose Hari once again, and where any hope for a better tomorrow, may die with him. Until next time.

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