Apple TV+ sci-fi epic that's 'strikingly relevant' has finally returned
The third season of Apple TV+'s Foundation sees the Galactic Empire facing its greatest threat yet
Apple TV+'s enthralling sci-fi series, Foundation, returns for a third season, proving to be more relevant in today's context than ever.
Adapted from the legendary Isaac Asimov's literature, Foundation unfolds an expansive narrative set tens of thousands of years into the future, where a dynasty of clones, originating from Emperor Cleon and played by Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrence Mann as Brother Dawn, Day, and Dusk, governs the galaxy.
The story revolves around the brilliant mathematician Hari Seldon (portrayed by Jared Harris), who develops psychohistory, a method to predict the future, and anticipates the collapse of the Empire, which would plunge society into a prolonged dark age.
Seldon enlists the help of another mathematical prodigy, Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell), to establish the Foundation, a cosmic consortium aimed at safeguarding human knowledge and culture.
In this season, their alliance confronts its most formidable adversary yet: the Mule (Pilou Asbæk), a Mentalic and mercurial conqueror with the power to manipulate people's wills, reports the Mirror.
This epic sci-fi is releasing new episodes every Friday
(Image: APPLE )
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Season three of Foundation stands out as a striking illustration of how science fiction, even when set eons ahead, can echo the contemporary challenges we encounter.
Echoing this sentiment, Terrence Mann, who portrays Brother Dusk, shared with Express Online and other media outlets: "What happens in Foundation, for all three seasons, mirrors exactly what's happening in the world in any given country, or continent, or city, or home, or family, or town.
"That part of humanity doesn't change, the dysfunctionality of families, they're there and we love them and that kind of storytelling has been here as long as the written word."
His co-star Bilton, who plays Brother Dawn, remarked: "I think the show this season, more than other seasons, has a very confronting relevance to the world we're living in right now.
Foundation faces its greatest threat yet in season 3
(Image: APPLE )
"What we explore this season is the idea that power ultimately shouldn't be held by one individual for too long.
"There are elements of the Cleons' rule that are borderline fascistic, they are essentially autocrats. They're, for all intents and purposes, not democratically elected. They're clinging to power, even though that wouldn't be the right thing for them or anyone else.
"You see across the entire Foundation universe the implications of that, and none of it's good. It really is war."
Whilst Foundation has consistently resonated with both human history and modern life, the Mule brings fresh themes that will feel unnervingly relevant to today's digital environment.
"You have that on one side and also another thing that strikes me as relevant is the Mentalic element of this season," Bilton continued.
"Of course it is a science-fiction idea but, I think with the rise of social media and its influence on the way in which we carry out our daily lives and the choices that we make being informed by the time we spend on our phones has echoes in what the Mule is able to do.
The Cleon dynasty struggles to keep hold of Empire's power
(Image: APPLE )
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"It's not so much that he has a very strong army of people with weapons, but he can get in the minds of people. What you're seeing now, both with the rise of AI and the proliferation of social media globally, is people have a shortcut into your attention and your mind.
"Capitalism has taken over every single land mass in the world and now the thing it's coming for is the real estate of your mind.
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"That's echoed in the Mule so I do think there's a striking relevance this season to the world we're living in."
Viewers have hailed the programme as "magnificent and majestic" whilst others have described it as a "groundbreaking adaptation" of Asimov's original works, so ensure you carve out time for this remarkable science fiction series without delay.
Foundation season 3 continues Fridays on Apple TV+.
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