Foundation episode 9 recap: were in the endgame now

Date:
Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:00:25 +0000

Description:
Foundation episode 9 delivers a pulsating penultimate entry full of shocks, action and devilish drama.

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

Spoilers follow for Foundation episodes 1 to 9. Watch them before reading
on.

Foundation isnt messing around anymore. Apples adaptation of Isaac Asimovs iconic sci-fi novels has had its ups and downs throughout season 1, but the show seems like its finally delivering a spectacle worthy of its source material. About this episode

- Episode 9 (of 10), 'The First Crisis'

- Written by Victoria Morrow

- Directed by Roxann Dawson



Thats true of Foundation episode 9, aka The First Crisis, at least. Foundations latest entry provides a pulsating penultimate season 1 entry,
with numerous shocks, well-choreographed action sequences and intriguing
drama setting us up for a potentially explosive finale. And, no matter how good (or bad) episode 10 is, The First Crisis teases plenty of alluring plot threads that are likely to be picked up again in season 2 and beyond. These are the best Apple TV Plus shows to watch right now Or check out our Apple TV Plus review Ted Lasso season 3 : what we know so far

For the first time since episode 5, Foundation focuses on two, not three, of its branching narratives. Weve been critical of previous entries that have only followed two storylines theyve felt ponderous, for one so we expected Foundation episode 9 to suffer a similar fate.

And yet, from a storytelling perspective, The First Crisis flows really well. It doesnt feel slow nor struggles to fill its 57-minute runtime. In fact, it flies by so quickly, and is so enjoyable, that we were left disappointed when the episode was over.

Of episode 9s two storylines, its Trantor-based one is arguably less
important than the events of its Terminus arc but only just. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Picking up where things left off in episode 7, we find Brother Dawn and Azura plotting their escape from the Empire. Their plan to run away together, though, is far from straightforward.

Why? Well, Brother Dusk is onto them. Meeting Dawn at the Empires gigantic mural, Dusk subliminally reveals that he knows Dawn lied to him about how
many gilliraptors he killed six, not three as hed claimed during their hunt in episode 6. He also lets on that he knows about Dawns differences,
including his color blindness.

Startled by this revelation, Dawn hastily packs his belongings and decides to leave immediately. That is, until hes interrupted by Shadow Master Obrecht, who tells Dawn that Dusk wishes to see him. Assuming that Dusks guards will whisk him away and kill him, Dawn repurposes his aura shield bracelet and knocks Obrecht out with a concussive blast. He escapes the pursuing guards, trades his bracelet for a poor persons jacket to use as a disguise in
Trantors slums, and makes his way to Azuras apartment.

Given that Foundation has tended to weave seemingly small-scale moments into its narratives, which may have big pay-offs in the future, itll be
interesting to see if Dawns trade with this beggar has repercussions. Will
the bracelet fall into the hands of those who can determine how it works, manufacture it on a large scale and sell it to Trantors population to protect them from the Empires guards? Itd be interesting if they did. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Regardless, its fascinating to see more of Trantors societal hierarchy, which we last glimpsed in episode 2. Dawns walk through Trantors poorer districts offers us a window into a world outside of the imperial palaces aristocratic sensibilities, which allows us to see how Trantors citizens struggle to survive even with the Empire on their proverbial doorstep.

Dawn reunites with Azura and they prepare to escape. After Azura leaves the room for a brief moment, though, she returns in an unusual ensemble and with a gun in hand. Cue shocked faces all round.

Dawn evades her shots and, confused and feeling betrayed, tries to escape. He doesnt get far, however, before hes surrounded by Azuras friends, knocked unconscious and taken to an undisclosed location.

This is where one of episode 9s major reveals takes place: theres another
Dawn clone who escaped the imperial palace and this one is in league with Azura and her gang.

Wait, how is this possible? We learn that this other Dawn was stolen from the Empires clone facility by Azuras gang, which was a plan decades in the
making. Again, this speaks to Foundations ability to lay the brickwork for events yet to come, showing that past narratives get some form of payoff in later episodes. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

But we digress: it was always the plan for Azuras gang to capture the
escaping Dawn and, if successful, transfer his nanobots to their reprogrammed Dawn clone. The latter would return to the palace and act as their spy, who could help to bring about the fall of the Cleonic clone dynasty. Oh, and Azuras gang was also responsible for Dawns color blindness and other differences. They altered his genetic makeup before he was born: further
proof that theyve been playing the long game.

While hes part of this cyclical dynasty thats tyrannically ruled over the galaxy, its hard not to feel sorry for the Dawn that weve followed throughout season 1. Hes had no choice in any of this and, as a clone who seems to want to change how the Empire rules its citizens, its slightly upsetting to see
him used as a pawn in this way. 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

- Foundation episode 7 recap

- Foundation episode 8 recap

When it appears that Azuras gang is about to get away with everything,
though, hope (if thats the right word) springs eternal. Having followed the escaping Dawn using a dragonfly drone the same one that Dawn used to spy on Azura in episode 3 Dusk, Obrecht and the Empires guards storm Azuras
hideout. They kill the Dawn clone and everyone except Azura, who is arrested and told shell stand trial ahead of her likely execution.

Dusk berates Dawn for his naivety, which isnt surprising: Dawn has been extremely ignorant throughout this particular storyline. Dusk confirms that
he knows of Dawns differences, too, and the pair agree reluctantly on Dawns part that Dawns future will be decided by Brother Day, whose return from Maiden is imminent. It seems, then, that episode 10 may be the last time we see Azura and this incarnation of Dawn. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

As for the Terminus storyline, were finally rewarded for sticking out season 1s most arduous narrative arc.

Following episode 8s climactic scene, the Invictus has surprisingly space jumped to Terminus. Knowing that she doesnt have much time before it randomly jumps again, Salvor makes a potentially ill-fated attempt to reach Hugos spacecraft, which she spots floating nearby.

Before that, Salvor remembers to tend to the injured Lewis wounds. Or she would if he wasnt already dead. Poignantly, it was Lewis who plugged himself into the Invictus navigation module and transported them back to Terminus. Doing so, however, cost his life and, despite their differing opinions, his death hits Salvor hard.

But theres no time to wallow in sadness. Salvor makes the perilous journey from the Invictus to Hugos spaceship (just about) to try to contact Terminus forces. When no one responds, Salvor realizes that the Vaults null field must have expanded in her absence. The race is on, then, to rescue everyone.
(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Thankfully, Salvors not alone in her attempts to do so. Hugo yep, hes back again suddenly reappears. He reveals that the Thespin Lancers, one of which he was stationed on, got caught in the Invictus space jump and inadvertently travelled to Terminus, too. After a tearful reunion, the pair concoct a plan: Hugo and the Thespins will work out how to stop the Invictus from jumping again, and Salvor will head planetside to stop the Vaults null field from growing even more.

Salvor lands on Terminus and the true extent of the Vaults impact is
revealed: every living creature has been knocked unconscious and, if she doesnt hurry, they may not survive.

Racing to the Vaults location, Salvor finds her mother near its original border and shes holding Haris Prime Radiant. Remembering that she tried to use the device once before, Salvor makes a connection between the Vault and Haris prized possession. She purposefully instigates one of her mind
seizures, which provides her with a link to Hari and Gaal Dornicks past conversations, to find out how to unlock the Prime Radiant.

Returning to the present, Salvor uses the Prime Radiant to open the Vault and deactivate its force field. It all feels a bit easy from a plot device perspective but, hopefully, well get some proper answers about Salvors links to Hari and Gaal in episode 10. Is she the daughter of one of them? Given
that shes able to warp into their memories, wed be amazed if she isnt at this point. (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

With the null field disabled, Terminus population and its Anacreon invaders regain consciousness. It seems that a happy ending is in order until the Thespins make landfall. A Western-style standoff ensues between all three parties until Salvor makes a proposition: Terminus, Thespis and Anacreon should form an alliance and use the Invictus as leverage to prevent the
Empire (or any other invading forces) from attacking them.

Its a proposal that everyone agrees to, apart from Phara. The Anacreons leader, who had evaded the clutches of Hugo and the Thespins earlier on,
still wants revenge on the Empire and refuses to cooperate.

Suddenly, the Vault sends a pulse of light into the atmosphere. Thinking that its an Empire weapon thatll destroy them all, Phara opens fire on it. Knowing she has to stop Phara, Salvor grabs Pharas bow and looses an arrow at her adversary. It flies into Pharas neck, which unsurprisingly causes her to
choke to death. Its a grisly and slightly ironic death, all things
considered.

Just when it seems like episode 9 cant deliver any more enthralling moments, it has one left up its sleeve. A mysterious figure emerges from the Vault
and, to everyones surprise, its Hari. Or, rather, its a digital construct similar to the one we saw with Gaal on the Raven of the Foundations former leader. Is it the same AI weve previously seen or a new version? Well have to wait until next week to find out. Our verdict (Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

Foundation episode 9 is the series best entry yet. The First Crisis superbly dials up the tension and draws two of its main storylines toward their respectively ominous and intriguing conclusions.

Not only that, but it also provides action and drama in equal measure, delivers on the narrative promises that were set up earlier in the season,
and produces numerous shocks and surprises.With no noticeable issues with its pacing, character decisions or set-pieces, too, The First Crisis is
everything that we expected Foundation to be and more.

With one entry left before the curtain falls on its first season, Foundation has definitely found its feet, and it seems set to supply a grandstand finish thats sure to leave us anticipating season 2s arrival. Heres hoping that its all been worth it. Foundational facts (Image credit: Apple TV Plus) Unless we see her in a flashback in future seasons, or her body being buried in the season 1 finale, this is the final appearance of Phara (Kubbra Sait) in Foundation. It's also the second and final episode that Roxann Dawson has directed for season 1. Given that this is our favorite episode so far, here's hoping she returns for season 2. The First Crisis is the first sci-fi TV episode that Victoria Morrow has written in her career. Her other TV writing credits include comedy-drama show Weeds and drama series Big Love. Salvor's Invictus deal with the Thespins and Anacreons actually has its roots in Asimov's books. In Foundation, the first book in Asimov's mainline trilogy, Salvor plays the Outer Reach planets against one another, which leads Salvor effectively becoming the ruler of the Empire's outer colonies. That doesn't look like it'll happen here, but it's intriguing to see that she uses her political know-how to defuse a tense situation in Apple's TV adaptation as well as the novels. The First Crisis is one of only two episodes so far that Laura Birn's Eto Demerzel hasn't featured in. Lee Pace's Brother Day, meanwhile, only makes a fleeting appearance in episode 9. However, unlike Birn, he receives an appearance credit in the show's opening titles for The First Crisis. One of the lines of dialogue that Abbas (Clarke Peters) says to Salvor, during episode 9's opening flashback scene, is directly lifted from Asimov's source material. His "Violence is the last refuge of the
incompetent" quote is actually said by Salvor in Foundation, the first book
in Asimov's seminal sci-fi series. Interestingly, another of Abbas' quotes is also a paraphrased version of one used by many psychologists throughout human history. His "Past behaviour is the best predictor of future performance"
line has been attributed to US and Austrian psychologists including Albert Ellis and Walter Michel. Some individuals have even claimed that US writer
and humorist Mark Twain is the person behind the quote's origins!

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



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