Foundation (2021)★ 7.6/10

It just sweeps the carpet of existence from under ones feet.

It's actually pretty good. Adapting the original trilogy into something like this is challenging, even though the first half is a bit messy. On the flip side, the Emperor storyline brings in a bunch of new material not seen in the original work and hints at influences from other sources. Overall, it's done well and quite thrilling. The story really starts to get going around the seventh and eighth episodes, and it becomes even more engaging towards the finale. Hopefully, they can keep up the momentum and give it a satisfying conclusion.

As someone who hasn't read the original work, I absolutely respect the negative reviews of this series from fans of the original. However, as I watched the whole series, I didn't really see any major issues with the plot itself. The main storyline and subplots were clear, the characters were well-portrayed, and the different storylines were coherent and independent. I don't get why there are so many critics out there.

It's clear that they put a lot of money into the audiovisual production, but the spectacle design is average, and the plot is boring, making this space opera-style series come across as superficial and cliché. The original work's new and exciting aspects don't grab the attention of today's viewers. The only thing that really stands out in the whole series is the idea of whether human free will can change historical events. The clone emperors, who seem all-powerful on the surface, are actually just average successors who don't make history but are more like tools to keep the current power structure in place.

I'm not really into the original work, but based on my experience watching it, I would definitely recommend this show. A book is a book, and a show is a show; they naturally have their own distinctions. Shows and movies depend on visuals and sound to tell the story, which can only sometimes be achieved in a book. Even if you overlook the original work, you'll find that this show's plot moves smoothly, with strong pacing and suspenseful moments. Plus, the main character's development fits seamlessly into the current setting.

The Empire storyline is excellent, with top-notch plot and performances. The tales of Terminus and Gaal are less engaging; condensing their story to two or three episodes would have improved the pacing. Overall, the first season struggles with its narrative structurally, but its visual splendor and high production value are undeniable.

The budget is obviously spent on breathtaking visuals: from the weathered statues on Foundation's desert planet to Dominic's seaside hometown with its floating houses, and the grandiose temple and murals of the Emperor. Scenes of the supreme ruler enduring a desert pilgrimage, suffering burns from the toxic sun, and being mesmerized by visions in a sacred cave's saline waters are particularly striking. However, despite these stunning visuals, the lack of distinctiveness and uninspired scripting make it feel like a mundane space opera, failing to satisfy modern viewers' tastes. This is disappointing, considering the original work's intriguing themes such as leadership authority, cloning ethics, historical animosities, and conflicts over resources

The adaptation is intriguing, fleshing out the details of Asimov's somewhat ambiguous settings with a richness and complexity that modern productions excel in. It implies that while the course of group history can be predicted, fates of individuals remain unpredictable. This is highlighted by the android's observation regarding the distinctiveness of each emperor's final day, as well as the ongoing influence of love on individual decisions .

The tragic events of 9/11 resonate hauntingly in this Apple TV+ series. The exploration of collective memory and trauma is both surprising and thought-provoking, and I commend the creators for their boldness in presenting and reflecting upon these themes. The concept of psychohistory now appears more like a cultural history analyzed through big data, yet its attempt at scientific expression contrasts with its inherently exclusive and poetic nature.

I'm sorry to anyone who migt have enjoyed the TV show, but I honestly couldn't keep up and I'VE READ THE BOOKS, cheers to the writers who butchered and amazin series.

The show gets better and better with every episode. Everyone's storyline is interesting to me. And the show has some layers to it, and it's fun watching those layers get peeled and revelead.

Me parece que es de muy buena calidad