Diksha Sundriyal
The third season of Apple TV+’s ‘Foundation’ marks the beginning of the Third Crisis for the galaxy as the Galactic Empire and the First Foundation struggle to keep control over their territories. The arrival of the Mule creates more cause for concern, and with him finally in the picture, it is time for Gaal Dornick to come out of her cryosleep and prepare to face the enemy who has been haunting her for the past 150 years or so. Fortunately, she is not the only one preparing to fight the villain. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Gaal’s Return to the Conscious World
Picking up the narrative of her story from the end of Season 2, Gaal Dornick reveals how she and Hari Seldon went into cryosleep, from which they would wake for a few weeks every year to prepare the residents of the Second Foundation on Ignis for the next crisis. While Hari would teach them psychohistory, Gaal would train them to use their psychic powers, which will come in handy when the Mule finally arrives. Despite their best efforts, the duo realises that they are still behind time. The current model of using only a few weeks of a year to teach the people of Ignis all they need to know to brave the next challenge is not enough. Eventually, it is decided that Gaal should continue with the cycle of cryosleep, while Hari will stay behind to help them catch up.
In the meantime, the population of Ignis also increases as more Mentallics are found in different parts of the galaxy and brought to the Second Foundation. The story jumps 148 years as Gaal Dornick wakes up from her cryosleep. This time, she is not welcomed by the others in a ceremonial pomp and show. This time, the place is deserted, except for two people, one of whom is the First Speaker, Preem Palver. She reunites with Hari, who is pretty old now. So old in fact that he sees his death looming nearby. He updates Gaal about everything that has happened in her absence, while also giving her a new Radiant, which gives her a roadmap stretching to the eighth crisis. They bid each other goodbye, as Hari promises to see her the next day.
However, when he goes to his room, he asks the physical embodiment of the radiant (who takes the form of Kalle) to take him back to Oona’s World, where he can spend whatever time he has left in peace. The next morning, when Gaal arrives in his room, she realises that he is gone. This time, perhaps, for good. She is sad, but also wishes to carve a statue in his memory, much like he did for Yanna, Salvor, and Raych. This is when Preem tells her that Hari already had a statue carved for himself, which shows that he had been prepared for his death all this while. This was four years before the Mule’s arrival. In the present day, Gaal and Preem prepare for the next crisis, as they notice a disruption in the timeline, something that Demerzel pointed out to the Empire in the previous episode.
Trouble in Trantor
Coming back to the ending of the previous episode, we go back to Trantor where Demerzel presents the issue presented by the Prime Radiant. While Dawn tries to understand what it means and how it can be tackled, Day sees it as yet another confirmation of their impending doom. He doesn’t care that the galaxy, and humanity with it, is going to plunge into a darkness that it might never come out of. He tells his brothers and their subservient robot that, should they need them, they should try not to find him. Meanwhile, Dusk wonders if his and Demerzel’s lives have been pointless since things are nowhere near how they wanted them to be.
He also tries to use the upcoming crisis as a way for her to cancel the day of his execution, claiming that his expertise will be needed now more than ever. However, Demerzel reveals that her function as a clock does not allow her to make any changes to Dusk’s life cycle. Meanwhile, Day spends some time gambling with the soldiers, with whom he seems to have grown close enough for them to share their family situation with him. He, too, freely indulges in drugs in front of them, not caring how it will influence his image in their minds. When he returns to his humble abode, he tells his lover, Song, about the crisis that the Radiant has predicted.
He also expresses his intention to run away from Trantor and move to Song’s world, where he will have an endless supply of the spore drug. The discussion of his plans is interrupted by Dusk, who begins the conversation with an apology. As things get cordial between them, Dusk starts talking about how it is important for him to be around so that Day can continue to live in peace without worrying about the Empire. This is when Day understands that Dusk is asking him to cancel the day of his execution, as only the ruling Empire can pass a decree shifting their life cycles.
He also surmises that Dusk must have approached Demerzel first, but when she refused, he came begging to him. Day, however, has no intention of changing anything. He believes that they are monsters. Worse, they are “rag dolls dressed up as kings,” and he has no intention of doing anything about the crisis that might claim them. He cuts his wrist to demonstrate how they are programmed not to die. While Dusk is disappointed by his words, Song is visibly shaken.
The Mule’s Reign in Kalgan Begins
While the others worry about how to defeat him, the Mule enjoys his time as the ruler of Kalgan. In a demonstration of his power, he shows the soldiers how he has turned the Archduke’s daughter, Skirlet, into his devotee, who is ready to shoot herself if that’s what it takes for her to please him. He declares that while he can use his powers to turn all of them into his servants as well, he believes that they will all come to love him on their own in time. While the residents of Kalgan suffer under the rule of a new tyrant, the newlywed couple, Toran and Bayta Mallow, are entirely unaffected by the Mule’s coup. They are celebrating their honeymoon on Kalgan, and the only source of discomfort comes from the shadow of Mule’s ship, which prevents them from sunbathing.
Despite belonging to the Mallow family, who are the descendants of Hober Mallow, Toran is not bothered by the politics. He and his wife are focused on enjoying the perks of their wealth, but their plans are interrupted by the arrival of Captain Han Pritcher. It seems that the Mule is throwing a party to celebrate the beginning of his reign while also wishing to get to know the more influential people. Due to their surname, which places them as the leaders of the Traders in the First Foundation, Toran and Bayta are invited to the party. They realise that the captain wants to tag along with them, so he can get a closer look at the enemy and figure out what he wants.
Meanwhile, Dawn prepares for his robing ceremony, which Day has refused to attend. In his stead, Dusk will take over the role. Since his days remain numbered, he tells Dawn that he has a special gift for him, which will ensure that he doesn’t lose the upcoming fight. It turns out that he has his own version of the Death Star. Called the Novacula, it has the power to harness the power of a black hole. With a single move, it can disintegrate and consume an entire planet. While Dusk is dazzled by this weapon, he ensures the engineers behind it that it will only be used under extremely extenuating circumstances. Later that evening, Dusk and Dawn have dinner with Ambassador Quent, where they discuss the danger posed by the Mule.
Dawn believes that they should beware of his increasing influence and prepare to handle him, should things get worse. His words make Quent wonder if the First Foundation really is taking the Mule too lightly. While she tries to discuss the matter with him, he reveals that he needs to attend a meeting. In the privacy of his quarters, he opens a device that connects him to Gaal Dornick. He reveals that he had been waiting for her message ever since he heard of the Mule. She, on the other hand, tells him to make himself useful.
Read More: Foundation: Why is He Called the Mule? What is His Real Name?
