Foundation episode 7 recap: shocks and raised stakes for those lost in space

Date:
Fri, 29 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
Foundation episode 7 just dropped a big story bombshell concerning one of its key characters.

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

Huge spoilers follow for Foundation episodes 1 to 7. Proceed at your own risk.

Foundation fans dont need reminding how important Gaal Dornick is to its story. As a prominent character in Isaac Asmiovs original works, Hari Seldons former prodigy was always destined for big things in Apple TV Plus
adaptation. About this episode

- Episode 7 (of 10), 'Mysteries and Martyrs'

- Written by Caitlin Saunders

Directed by Jennifer Phang



Thanks to Mysteries and Martyrs, the seventh entry in Foundation season 1,
now we know just how vital she is to The Foundations survival. Not only that, but episode 7 also delivers more compelling drama and action in its other branching narratives: suffice to say, then, Apples adaptation of Asimovs novels is certainly hitting its stride.

Whats so important about Gaal that makes her integral to The Foundations success, then? Initially, it appeared that this particular secret wouldnt be revealed until its eighth episode as we didn't expect to be reunited with
Gaal in Mysteries and Martyrs but were glad that we were. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Before his death, Hari uploaded a digital version of his consciousness to the Raven, the spaceship that located Gaals stasis pod back in episode 4. Haris digital avatar, though, is glitching out and, despite Gaals best efforts, it disappears. But not before it inadvertently turns off the ships life support systems, which is obviously bad news for Gaals survival.

Luckily, Haris avatar stabilizes itself and brings the ships systems back online. Its here that we learn more about Haris plan for The Foundation, as well as a major revelation concerning Gaal.

As it happens, Hari was already dying due to an illness that he inherited
from his fathers side of the family. In being murdered, Hari hoped that hed become a mythical symbol for The Foundation and galvanize its members into realizing his vision. Of course, Gaal interrupting Raychs murder of Hari ruined that: Raych is now dead and Gaal, who was supposed to be leading The Foundation on Terminus by this point, took his place on the Raven.

What ensues is a bitter back-and-forth between the two. An angry Gaal
lambasts Hari for not caring what she or Raych wanted, while Haris terse riposte suggests that everything she did was a choice, so he's not to blame. Its a riveting exchange Hari and Gaals interactions were the highlight of Foundations early stuttering episodes, so its pleasing to see Jared Harris
and Lou Llobell converse again, even if its in trying circumstances. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Despite their emotionally charged exchange, its clear that theres a mutual respect between the pair. Its inevitable, then, that they forgive each other for their previous actions even if they dont say it outright. The overarching mood onboard the Raven is depicted in a fun way during this sequence, too.
Red lighting is used to depict the frustration that both feel during their tense chat, eventually making way for a blue hue that represents a calming of the atmosphere once theyve aired their grievances.

Its during the latter part of their discussion that Foundation episode 7
makes its big play: Gaal can predict the future. Well, sort of. Its the
reason why she felt that the Starbridges imminent attack in episode 1 and
that something was wrong before she found Raych murdering Hari in episode 2.

Its a revelation that feels like itll be an easy way of explaining how The Foundation will combat any major problems that befall it down the line that is, if Gaal ever makes it to Terminus. Still, its a fun cliff hanger to end Mysteries and Martyrs on, and inevitably leaves viewers wanting Foundations next instalment to be released immediately.

Away from events on the Raven, episode 7s Terminus storyline is arguably the most intriguing of its other narrative strands. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Having located the Invictus a planet killing imperial warship the ragtag band of Anacreons and Foundation members board it in order to restart its engines.

But not everyone makes it onto (or into) the vessel. Empire Commander Dorwin is killed by Phara when hes no longer useful to the mission, while Hugo
misses the Invictus landing pad and ends up drifting off into space. Given
how close he is to Salvor Hardin, wed expected his possible death to hit as hard as Abbas did in episode 6, so its a shame that it doesnt. Although, we dont actually see Hugo die, so theres a possibility his demise is another cop out like it was in episode 4. Foundation spoiler-filled recaps

- Foundation episode 1 recap

- Foundation episode 2 recap

- Foundation episode 3 recap

- Foundation episode 4 recap

- Foundation episode 5 recap

- Foundation episode 6 recap

So whats the plan for the Invictus? The Anacreons want to use it to destroy Trantor in retaliation for their planets destruction in episode 2. The
problem is that the Invictus will start to jump to random points in space
once its systems are fully operational. This, Phara explains, means that the crew only have a few hours to shut its randomized space jump sequence down. Failure to do so will strand them in an unknown location and, with no supplies, lead to their deaths.

But Salvor isnt having this. She convinces The Foundations members to spring
a surprise attack on their captors which, unsurprisingly, doesnt go very
well. Its a good thing that this particular fight sequence doesnt drag on for long, however. Foundations close-quarters combat has left a lot to be desired so far, and its not much better here. Foundation has solved many of its teething issues, but its physical combat continues to be an issue. Heres hoping its fixed in future entries. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Tensions are similarly high on Maiden. Following episode 6s events, Day isnt happy that Demerzel chose to bow after Zephyr Halimas rousing speech. Calling his advisor disloyal to the Empire, Day decides to go on the offensive on his own terms, rather than risk the prospect of Demerzel seemingly betraying him again.

Naturally, Days plan backfires. Meeting with Halima once more, he tries to flatter her with a new offer: not only will he build a new desalination station on Maiden to provide clean, drinking water to its population, but his army will also protect Maiden from any Outer Reach attacks.

To his surprise, Halima declines. The only thing she wants is an end to the Cleonic dynasty and its cloning program something that Day is unwilling to compromise on. Another fraught conversation plays out between them but,
again, Halima more than holds her own. Its intriguing to see someone go up against Day and win a verbal sparring contest. Despite their reign of tyranny and infinite resources, it seems that the Imperiums leaders dont have all the answers.

Undaunted, Day raises the stakes. The next day, he informs Halima and Maidens population that he plans to walk the Great Spiral: a pilgrimage to the womb
of the Mothers, which will prove that Cleons clones do have a soul. Its a
Hail Mary move on Days part as it could prove that Halima' episode 6 proclamation was right all along. Regardless, itll be fascinating to see the outcome of this in one of Foundations final three episodes. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

If theres one somewhat weak storyline in Mysteries and Martyrs, its events that transpire on Trantor. Here, we see Dawn and Azuras secret liaison continue apace, but its pretty standard fare as romances go and doesnt add much to proceedings.

We do get to see more of the Empires cloning facility, with Dawn revealing that Cleons clones can be destroyed and replaced by replicas if theyre found to be defective. Its why Dawn is so reluctant to tell Day and Dusk about his color blindness and other differences, which he reveals in episodes 6 and 7.

It does, though, offer an interesting insight into Dawns dilemma: hes torn between his loyalty to his royal duties and his burgeoning romance with
Azura. With Dusk indicating that he knows something is wrong with Dawn during an awkward conversation later on, too, theres a strong possibility that this version of Dawn may not live to see out Foundations first season. It's that, or he may take Azura up on her offer and flee Trantor for good. Our verdict (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Mysteries and Martyrs is an episode laden with exposition, but its a
necessary and much welcome entry in the series.

With Foundation barrelling towards its final few episodes, its likely that there wont be much more room for in-depth plot explanations. Episode 7, then, leans heavily into this side of Foundations narrative, which hopefully means that its setting up more action-oriented instalments to come.

That isnt to say Mysteries and Martyrs isnt without its issues. Hari and
Gaals reunion aside, episode 7s key emotional moments struggle to stick the landing. Its a shame as the show has ironed out this problem in recent weeks, so this feels like a step back for Foundation.

Still, episode 7 is a good entry rather than an average or bad one. With Foundations various plot strands likely to collide soon, providing each one with their fair share of screen time is the right move to make at this juncture. Mysteries and Martyrs lives up to its title: lets hope that season 1s final entries do likewise. Foundational facts (Image credit: Apple TV
Plus) Mysteries and Martyrs is only the second time that writer Caitlin Saunders has received a writing credit on a TV production. Her first one came as part the Valor TV series in 2018. While Saunders is a relative newcomer to the screenwriting business, she does have experience with production scripts. Saunders was a script coordinator on American Gods' TV adaptation, as well as being a production intern on sci-fi movie Super 8. Foundation episode 7 is
the second and final entry that Jennifer Phang has directed in season 1. Here's hoping that Phang returns for future seasons as her direction and cinematography elevated both episodes. This is Christian Contreras' final appearance, who portrays Commander Dorwin, in Foundation. Dorwin's death at Phara's hands means that he won't be able to carry out one intriguing duty that he has in Isaac Asimov's novels, whereby Dorwin negotiates a treaty with Anacreon to give it full autonomy from the Empire. Episode 7 is also the
final time that we see Martin McDougall (The Crown, Utopia) as a Foundation member named Akiva. During the Invictus fight, Akiva is the one who falls
into a vat of cooling liquid with an Anacreon soldier, which results in their deaths. Interestingly, McDougall's voice may sound familiar to some video
game fans. McDougall has lent his vocal talents to many popular games in recent times, including CyberPunk 2077, Assassin's Cred IV: Black Flag,
Hitman 2, and Mass Effect: Andromeda.

New episodes of Foundation debut exclusively on Apple TV Plus every Friday.



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