Foundation episode 5 recap: Apples sci-fi epic finally takes off

Date:
Fri, 15 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
Foundation episode 5 promised us a major battle but we got something much better instead.

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

Major spoilers follow for Foundation episodes 1 to 5. Watch them first
before reading on.

Theres something pleasingly symbolic about Upon Awakening, Foundation episode 5s title. About this episode

- Episode 5 (of 10), 'Upon Awakening'

- Written by Leigh Dana Jackson

- Directed by Alex Graves



Until now, Apple TV Plus sci-fi saga has been sleepwalking, with its sluggish plot and lack of action doing little to stir it to life.

Upon Awakening changes all of that. Rousing from its slumber, Foundations fifth episode is an absorbing entry that provides compelling mystery and some much-needed combat in equal measure.

Like previous entries in the series, Foundation episode 5 follows two storylines. For the first time in season 1, though, Trantor isnt the focus of one of these narratives. Its a welcome change: taking a break from the Galactic Empire's politics-heavy story, Foundation pivots towards plots that are as important (if not more so) to its overarching tale while showing that the galaxy's rulers aren't as in control of the wider universe as they think they are. Here's how you can watch Foundation online These are the best Apple TV Plus shows to watch right now Is there a free trial for Apple TV Plus?

Having spent two episodes floating in space in her stasis pod, its finally time to reunite with Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell). And boy, theres a lot for
her to catch up on.

Rather than pick up events immediately after episode 4s final scene, where Gaals pod was recovered by a mysterious spaceship, though, Upon Awakening initially focuses on her backstory.

At first, it appears to be an unnecessary use of episode 5s time. Were
already aware that Gaal is shunned by Synnaxs population due to her
scientific studies, and that she left her home to become the prodigy of Hari Seldon (Jared Harris).

And yet learning more about Gaals past is genuinely interesting. We find out why she turned her back on her religion, how she came to Seldons attention
and the disdain that Synnaxs population holds for her heretical beliefs. Like episodes 1 and 4, it presents an intriguing debate about the ongoing battle between religion and science (and their values) in our societies: one that, even though Foundation takes place in the far future, still doesnt have an easy resolution.

These flashbacks also show how afflicted Gaal is as a character. Shes torn between her vocation and her familys religious values but, like any well-written protagonist, she follows her instincts and sets herself on a potential path to greatness. Clearly, Seldon has big plans for Gaal, so its pleasing to gain more insight into one of Foundations prominent characters, even if its a couple of episodes late. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Her significance to Foundations wider plot is underlined when episode 5 returns to the present day. After shes awakened from her cryosleep, Gaal searches for answers concerning the ship that shes on, what happened to Hari and Raych Seldon (Alfred Enoch) and, most importantly, where she is in the cosmos.

As it turns out, Gaal is alone on the spaceship a whole segment that plays out with horror genre sensibilities. Theres an eeriness to proceedings as she explores the vessel, with the lighting, atmosphere and tone of the sequence very Alien-like in style.

It isnt long before answers present themselves. Using the ships AI assistant (one not too dissimilar from 2001: A Space Odysseys HAL), Gaal is astonished to learn that shes been in stasis for 34 years. Video recordings also reveal that Hari died from his stab wounds, while Raych was executed for murdering his stepfather.

Given that we havent spent any time with Hari or Raych since episode 2s shocking ending, both scenes are surprisingly emotional. Part of that is down to Llobells superb acting in both moments her anguish clearly palpable but Foundation has struggled to work as an emotionally moving show until this point. Lets hope that it can build on the momentum generated by these scenes and provide equally emotive sequences in future episodes. (Image credit:
Apple TV Plus)

Events that transpire during Upon Awakenings Terminus storyline are similarly moving.

Unbeknownst to Salvor Hardin (Leak Harvey) and the Foundations other leaders, the Anacreons wanted them to arrest and interrogate Phara (Kubbra Sait).
Taken to Terminus Citys main tower, Phara ends up detonating a field
disruptor that causes the settlements defenses to fail, allowing Anacreons invading forces to attack.

After three episodes of waiting, its about time, too, even if the battle itself is a little hit and miss. Some close-quarters combat, such as Salvor and Pharas fight, come across as a bit amateurish, and the battle as a whole isnt a giant spectacle by any means. Still, any form of conflict is a welcome addition at Foundations halfway stage. Foundation spoiler-filled recaps

- Foundation episode 1 recap

- Foundation episode 2 recap

- Foundation episode 3 recap

- Foundation episode 4 recap

Terminus Citys small band of armed forces do their best to withstand the assault, but its all for nothing. Despite rescuing her mother Mari (Sasha Behar) from Pharas clutches, Salvor and Mari are recaptured and made to watch as Terminus City is raised to the ground.

An imperial warship, sent by the Galactic Empire to find out why Terminus communications array had gone offline, ends up entering the fight to try and aid the citys citizens. The Anacreon flak cannon set in episode 4, however, deals huge damage to its hull and it crashes to the surface below. The resulting CGI explosion is a sight to behold and, even though those on board are loyal to the Empires unlikeable rulers, its still hard to watch them perish. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Thats true of everyone who dies, seemingly including Daniel MacPhersons Hugo, during Anacreons retaliatory attack. Upon Awakening isnt messing about with how often it tugs on the heartstrings: it feels like its making up for lost time due to the lack of similar moments in other episodes.

If theres one part of episode 5 thats dissatisfying, its the constant jumps between storylines. Again. Compared to its predecessors, Upon Awakening is well paced until it reaches its midway point. Its first 23 minutes focus solely on Gaals story and, while that makes episode 5 easier to follow, it also helps with the episodes overall flow.

Once Terminus plot is introduced, Upon Awakening regularly alternates between its two tales and its annoying. From a plot structure perspective, Foundations episodes work better when they follow one storyline at a time. Episode 3 had a similar story structure to Upon Awakening, and its first half (centered solely on Trantor) was subsequently more cohesive.

While Foundations episodic structuring continues to be a sore point, the show has done a solid job at setting up its cliffhanger endings, and Upon
Awakening is no different. Gaal learns that the ship is heading to Helicon, Haris home world, which isnt an ideal destination as she believes that Helicons population thinks she was an accomplice in Haris death.

Moments later, though, she spots a holographic projection of the dying mathematician near to the ships AI interface. Its unclear what all of this means, but hopefully well find out next week. It was something of a long wait to find out what happened to Gaal after episode 2: fingers crossed that another lengthy pause isnt on the cards. Our verdict (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Upon Awakening is Foundations best episode so far. We dont get the big battle that we thought we would, but what we do receive is something far better than a 45-minute set piece.

In devoting plenty of screen time to Gaal, one of Foundations most important characters, episode 5 delivers richer character development than weve been used to. Its focus on a solitary individuals journey sets it apart from whats come before, proving that Foundations constant location jumps arent vital to its success.

Episode 5s methodical unraveling of the mystery surrounding Hari, Raych and Gaal is a huge plus point, so were keen to see more of this form of storytelling moving forward. There are moments in Upon Awakening that leave a lump in the throat, too, which goes some way to rectifying problems that weve had with Foundations emotionally cold exterior.

You cant lose faith in the plan, Raych says during an episode 5 flashback
and hes right. Based on how good Foundations latest entry is, we cant completely write this show off just yet. Foundational facts (Image credit: Apple TV Plus) This is the first episode where we don't visit Trantor, or spend time with Brother Dawn, Brother Day or Brother Dusk in any capacity. If this episode seems particularly horror-esque to you, be sure to thank writer Leigh Dana Jackson. The TV scribe also wrote screenplays for horror TV adaptations including Sleepy Hollow and Scream. Episode 5 marks the end of director Alex Graves' run on Foundation. Overall, he did a pretty good job with episode 3, 4 and 5's screenplays and we suspect he'll be back for season 2! Commander Dorwin, who is in charge of the imperial warship that's
destroyed by the Anacreons, isn't a army chieftain in Isaac Asimov's book series. In the novels, he's a Lord who is skilled in the art of negotiation and helped to agree treaties with neighbouring systems that grant them autonomy from the Galactic Empire. In Asimov's books, Lord Dorwin is also extremely interested in the origins of humanity. As a result, Asimov named this character after legendary naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Darwin. Asimov's Foundation book series may have informed Star Wars in some way, but it appears that George Lucas' iconic franchise has similarly influenced Foundation's combat. In episode 5, we see numerous gunshots from Anacreon's invading forces that miss their targets a humorous nod to the terrible accuracy that Star Wars' stormtroopers possess!

New episodes of Foundation debut exclusively on Apple TV Plus every Friday. Here's everything you need to know about Apple TV Plus



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/foundation-episode-5-apples-sci-fi-epic-finally -takes-off/


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