Foundation (Spoilers)

[Hemi-Cuda]

Seems to be enough people watching here for it to get it's own thread. First 2 episodes were a bit shaky at times with the cheese and glaring inconsistencies, but the plot seems pretty good and as someone who's never read the books I'm gonna keep watching because I want to see where it goes

As for the twist at the end of episode 2 with Raych killing Hari, I'm thinking it's obvious that Hari told him to do it. He planned for himself to be a martyr, not an actual member of the foundation, and it seemed like he was becoming a mythical figure to the crew so he probably figured he had to go. I'm hoping that means Raych the character gets jailed or exiled, because that actor was one of the worst of show IMO

[zamler]

After thinking about it for a bit, I'm conflicted. The actress that plays Gaal is a excellent casting although she does teeter on being a mary sue at times but that's a minor complaint. Raych is extremely annoying I want him to die. My biggest problem is, do I really care about any of the characters? Not really. Who is the emotional center of the show? Easy to say Gaal but Hari Seldon feels more like a real person to me. Gaal is kinda just there.

Definitely will keep watching. Reading reviews the purists are extremely angry.

[FireGilbert]

Avid book reader here. My two big question on adapting Foundation were how to handle the time scale, and how they were stretching out an entire season from the first half of the first book that is mostly a description of events and political problem solving. The answer to the first looks to like cloning, stasis, and robots to keep character continuity and the answer to the second looks like adding in more character development and personal relationships with a bit taken from the prequels.

Definitely a lot of changes from the books especially that ending to Episode 2. I am getting an idea of how this all fits together though and expect a last season reveal will make everything clear and line up more closely with the book.

Keen to see this play out. The effects, music, and set design are all top notch and will cover up any story cracks for now.

[zamler]

EP3. What that both terrible and great at the same time?

[scotty2hotty]

I realize that this series diverges from the books quite a bit …but I read the first 2 a looooong time ago and don’t remember them much anyway. I do recall liking them a lot, however.

That said, the show is quickly losing me. If it doesn’t pick up by episode 5 I think I’ll give it a pass.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by zamler

EP3. What that both terrible and great at the same time?

Pretty much. We start with great character building and set up with solid acting by all involved and then move to Terminus for what almost feels like a different show of super cheesy sci fi. Then it manages to stick the landing, kicking off a crisis with an interesting twist at the end.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

I realize that this series diverges from the books quite a bit …but I read the first 2 a looooong time ago and don’t remember them much anyway. I do recall liking them a lot, however.

That said, the show is quickly losing me. If it doesn’t pick up by episode 5 I think I’ll give it a pass.

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Pretty much. We start with great character building and set up with solid acting by all involved and then move to Terminus for what almost feels like a different show of super cheesy sci fi. Then it manages to stick the landing, kicking off a crisis with an interesting twist at the end.

I'm somewhat in the same boat. I read the books as a kid and I loved them.

But the 'Foundation' series is like a lot of those stories where they are largely considered 'unmakeable' in terms of TV or movies. I think this series has a real shot on Apple because they've got a run of episodes and time.

That being said though, one of the major issues people will find with the Foundation series is that it doesnt have a whole ton of action. It is pretty much just constant bickering.

That doesnt typically translate to a whole ton of excitement.

Its like the Star Wars prequels where you're seeing characters discuss treaties and negotiate intergalactic trade routes.

Those movies were like paying to watch C-Span but without the endless action and riveting drama.

I digress, but I think this show is going to need a season to lay down the groundwork....because there is a lot. And they've got to nail down their time-jumps, because theres a lot of those too.

[Shazam]

It's good. It's following close enough to the books.

Originally Posted by zamler

After thinking about it for a bit, I'm conflicted. The actress that plays Gaal is a excellent casting although she does teeter on being a mary sue at times but that's a minor complaint. Raych is extremely annoying I want him to die. My biggest problem is, do I really care about any of the characters? Not really. Who is the emotional center of the show? Easy to say Gaal but Hari Seldon feels more like a real person to me. Gaal is kinda just there.

Definitely will keep watching. Reading reviews the purists are extremely angry.

Not sure where you're thinking that Gaal is a Mary Sue. Her part is basically over. Unless you're getting your actors confused.

And there is no emotional center.

[Hemi-Cuda]

The last two episodes were great simply because Raych wasn't in them. The Trantor stuff is very interesting and finally it looks like Terminus will be too. I'm hopeful they're able to stick a decent enough landing with the first season to keep the series going and fix some of the flaws for season 2. Still a lot of potential here

[Inglewood Jack]

Brother Day is lugging this show on his back.

[Flabbibulin]

I'm pretty happy with the show so far, although I have not read the books- which makes a big difference as I generally hate shows adapted from books I have read.

[Fuzz]

There are definitely major changes from the books. I'm not sure I mind them, because assembling a compelling narrative for a TV show would be extremely difficult. That's not how these were written. But they are taking the ideas, major plot points, and characters, and re-working them into something. I can see where they are going, so enjoying the ride so far.



If you just wanted the books turned to TV, I could see it being very frustrating to watch.

[Locke]

I love this material and I am giving this show every benefit....but its pushing the limits.

[Hack&Lube]

Look I'm a visible minority and I like to think I'm liberal as well, but I just am sick of these character swaps that feel like they are just for racial/gender inclusion rather than helping the narrative properly.

Why do I feel like this show has two Michael Burnhams and both are also Mary Sues as the main characters?

[Shazam]

I don't think the gender swaps matter, but it's sorta stupid because there are plenty of strong female characters coming up.

The backstory on Gaal was dumb and pointless though.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I don't think the gender swaps matter, but it's sorta stupid because there are plenty of strong female characters coming up.

The backstory on Gaal was dumb and pointless though.

Her whole backstory was a very handed "global warming bad! religion bad! science good!" allegory

[FlameOn]

I am a minority too and the whole "chosen one" trope is getting old. Like these characters are all just special and magically solve all their worlds problems because they just naturally have the skills to do it all. There isn't the struggle or character development anymore where they rise through struggle and grow to become an expert or hero... No, these characters can just magically do everything better than everyone else. This is the whole Rey/Michael Burnham magic crap that killed the story telling for both Star Trek and Star Wars.

And representation is one thing, I am all for it if it is done in equal proportions and isn't shoehorned in at the expense of the story and what not.... But can we stop having blanket gender swap or racially recast the entire main character set?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

I am a minority too and the whole "chosen one" trope is getting old. Like these characters are all just special and magically solve all their worlds problems because they just naturally have the skills to do it all. There isn't the struggle or character development anymore where they rise through struggle and grow to become an expert or hero... No, these characters can just magically do everything better than everyone else. This is the whole Rey/Michael Burnham magic crap that killed the story telling for both Star Trek and Star Wars.

And representation is one thing, I am all for it if it is done in equal proportions and isn't shoehorned in at the expense of the story and what not.... But can we stop having blanket gender swap or racially recast the entire main character set?

Ordinarily I'd have agreed with you....but when I saw how they did it with Hannibal and it allowed Laurence Fishburne a greater role? I was more than okay with it!

But I get your point. Dont do it for the sake of doing it, make it have a point.

[Hack&Lube]

Casting and storytelling - meh
Worldbuilding and sets - wow

I wish other science fiction shows would try to have the ambition they have for this show. I mean they had large sets just for the transport ship to Terminus that shows up in 2 episodes and then they ended up crashing the thing and having an all-new colony set instead of repurposing it like most others shows would have done. Most of the sets have impressed me with the exception of the room they used a few times that just looked like an old university lecture room complete with all the university chairs.

Also, is it my imagination or are their land speeder vehicles the same one that was in the Han Solo movie?

[Fuzz]

I do understand a gender swap, since most of the characters from the books are male. And race shouldn't really apply much, since it is so far in the future, over so many planets. So it doesn't bother me too much. But the single character solving everything, while everyone else makes incompetent mistakes is not something that I remember happening in the books.

One of the great things is that all sides were very skillful and strategic. Will see where it goes, but at least it looks nice.