Foundation episode 4 recap: a little less conversation, a little more action, please

Date:
Fri, 08 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
Foundation episode 4 braces us for the shows first major battle so can it hurry up and get here already?

FULL STORY ======================================================================

Major spoilers follow for Foundation episodes 1 to 4. Watch them first
before reading on.

Its about time, Foundation. After four episodes of politicking, sluggish plot pacing and character introductions, Apple TV Plus sci-fi series is preparing to up the ante in an action capacity. About this episode

- Episode 4 (of 10), 'Barbarians at the Gate'

- Written by Lauren Bello

- Directed by Alex Graves



Barbarians at the Gate, episode 4s official title, doesnt deliver any meaningful action, but what it does do is act as a precursor for the battles to come. Yes, Foundation has taken another episode to get to this point, but its a relief that we may finally see something in the way of action in
episode 5.

While it makes us wait another week for a long overdue fight sequence (hopefully, anyway), though, Foundation episode 4 isnt solely composed of filler material.

Barbarians at the Gate is an entry defined by power struggles between the old guard and the new blood, with some intriguing dimensions added to dynamics between various characters. And the show is all the better for it. How to watch Foundation online : here's how to view Apple TV Plus' sci-fi epic
Here's everything you need to know about Apple TV Plus These are the best Apple TV Plus shows to watch right now

Once episode 4s confusing opening segment is out of the way, its clear that divisions are beginning to grow between the Galactic Empires three rulers.

Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton) questions the protocols that Brother Day (Lee Pace) and Dusk (Terrence Mann), as well as those Cleon clones before them, have followed for centuries. The trio also debate religion, science and whether free will has a place in either construct. And, while the
conversation reaches a satisfying conclusion, an underlying tension remains.

Its this straining of their normally tight relationships that, after three
and a bit episodes, finally gives us some story payoff later in episode 4.

We see Day lose his temper when the Empires most experienced statisticians inform him that, after 35 years of research, Hari Seldons predictions arent entirely false. Later, we witness Day and Dusk have a suspense-filled
standoff as they argue about who should make an important trip to a
female-led conclave a verbal battle that Days wins. Pace is wonderfully menacing in both scenarios, bringing a level of terror and tyranny that's
been somewhat absent from the Empires chief ruler so far.

Like the statistician scene, Days emotionally charged criticism of Dusk is a throwback to events of an earlier episode. In this case, its the Empires chilling decision to retaliate to Thespis and Anacreons alleged Starbridge attack in episode 2. Its a perfect example of how traumatic events can affect someone later in life, too, with Day (now the grown-up version of Dawn we saw in episodes 1 and 2) still clearly affected by what he observed as a child. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Plot payoffs arent solely reserved for Foundations Trantor storyline. On Terminus, we bear witness to the impact that the Empires genocidal attack had on Anacreon.

After being ambushed at the end of episode 3, Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) turns the tables on Anacreons invading forces. Tricking their leader Phara (Kubbra Sait) into believing that shell co-operate, Salvor uses the Vaults disorienting force field to take Phara as her prisoner. Back at Terminus
City, Salvor and Hugo interrogate Phara to find out why Anacreon warships are orbiting Terminus. Foundation spoiler-filled recaps

- Foundation episode 1 recap

- Foundation episode 2 recap

- Foundation episode 3 recap

Its here where Salvor determines that Phara was a child during the Empires retaliatory bombardment of her home world and Thespis. With Anacreon now an uninhabitable planet, Pharas scouting party was sent to Terminus to steal a spaceship navigation module that would allow them to search for a new world
to call home.

Foundation hadnt followed through on any of its early episode plot threads until this point. Seeing it do so now on Trantor and Terminus, then, is a welcome and necessary change in its narrative direction. Foundation couldnt have continued to set up future storylines without acknowledging, and returning to, plot points that it had laid before. Thankfully, its starting
to deliver on that front: heres hoping that similar pay offs are implemented in later episodes.

Gratifying as those story-focused returns are, Foundation still suffers from
a push and pull between too much or too little exposition. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Barbarians at the Gates opening five minutes are a perfect example of how Foundation struggles to provide the necessary context to its story. The introduction of a primarily female-centric council, which is due to meet following the death of former leader Proxima Opal, is too swift and confusing to follow. Brother Day is traveling to the conclave by episode 4s end, so
this group is clearly an important part of Foundations immediate future. Unless viewers rewatch episode 4s beginning to understand the conclaves significance, though, Foundation doesnt do a good job of establishing them as part of its world.

By contrast, its Terminus storyline is a bit too heavy-handed with the exposition. Salvor practically walks us through Pharas whole history, including the revelation that shes Anacreons grand-huntress. Its all a bit easy for Salvor and Terminus other key players to work out and, by extension, doesnt allow viewers to unravel the mystery themselves. Theres a disparity between what Foundation needs to tell us and what it should let us work out for ourselves. The sooner that it finds a balance between the two, the
better.

Hopefully, episode 5 will provide Foundation with the opportunity to take stock and iron out those issues. That is, as long as its next entry primarily focuses on the Terminus battle thats teased in episode 4s final moments. It would be a shame if Foundation makes us wait another week, especially as it feels that its Terminus storyline has been building to this moment for the past two episodes. And, honestly, we could do without so much talking and politicking for one entry.

If Foundation episode 5 needs to take the occasional break from its first major fight just so its audience doesnt suffer from battle burnout it would do well to update us on who is rescuing Lou Llobells Gaal Dornick. Episode 4s final scene shows Gaals stasis pod, which has presumably been floating in space all this time, being recovered by an unknown ship. Is it Raych Seldon (Alfred Enoch) or somebody else? With any luck, well find out in episode 5. Our verdict (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Barbarians at the Gate feels like something of a crossroads for Foundation.
It carries more tension than some of its predecessors, makes good on some of the plot threads it laid down early on and it's gearing up for some much-needed action.

But its still lacking in important areas. A couple of episode 2 moments
aside, its an emotionally cold show. Combine that with ponderous plot moments and its variance in exposition, and Foundation still feels like it needs a
big moment or shocking twist to make its audience sit up and take notice. Think the big death in Game of Thrones season 1 episode 9, or Westworlds seventh episode Trompe LOeil and youll get the idea.

If that comes in its next episode (wed even take episode 6 at this point), Foundation will turn its fortunes around. Theres enough here to make it a
very good show: its full of thought-provoking themes, ethical dilemmas, and morally questionable characters. But it needs a major surprise or memorable event to push it into the realms of unmissable TV. Foundation hasnt found its own yet, and thatll continue to hold it back until it does. Foundational
facts (Image credit: Apple TV Plus) Barbarians at the Gate marks Lauren Bello's screenwriting debut. Bello had previously been an assistant to showrunner David S. Goyer on The Forest, Krypton and A-X-L, so this is the first time she's written an script for a TV show. Foundation episode 4 sees Kubbra Sait make her debut in an English language production, too. The Indian actress and TV host had only appeared in Indian and Hindu movies and TV
series until this point. If Pravesh Rana's Rowan seems familiar, you'll probably have watched a Netflix series called The Serpent. Rana has a
bit-part role in the crime drama series, but he played a crucial role in how that show's finale. All of Anacreon's main characters Phara, Rowan and
Nikhil Parmar's Freestone are all new creations for Foundation's TV adaptation. None of them appear in Isaac Asimov's original works. Alicia Gerrard, who plays Yate Fulham in Foundation, appears in her first regular TV role since UK TV series Ripper Street. The mystery drama ended in 2014 and, since then, Gerrard has only featured in small movies or had bit-part TV roles. Gerrard's Yate also has a larger role in Foundation's TV show compared to her book counterpart. In Asimov's novels, Yate Fulham is a Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Commitee member. However, she doesn't have a
huge amount to do in the source material, so her role appears to have been expanded in the TV adaptation. Foundation marks the reunion of backstage crew members who have collaborated on other productions. Cinematographer Tico Poulakakis, for example, is reunited with production designer Rory Cheyne after the duo worked together on American Gods, as well as Lock and Key
season 1.

New episodes of Foundation debut exclusively on Apple TV Plus every Friday. Is there a free trial for Apple TV Plus?



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/foundation-episode-4-recap-a-little-less-conver sation-a-little-more-action-please/


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