User reviews

Very impressive series.

I must say, initially when I start watching it, I thought it gonna be ok but just by the end of episode 1 I started liking it. After 2-3 episodes you cannot leave it.

Very fine VFX/graphics, stunning views and a very complex story. Its all about stars, big-ships, space and galaxy but at the same point many magical things wrapped in scientific logics represented.

Not sure why budget approved for 3rd season with a delay, it should be instantly approved. Actors, Stories, direction, grphics everything is very good.

Only problem I find is character Gaal. Every dialogue she delivered feels like she is crying and then speaking. After couple of episodes character Gaal annoys; though she is one of the main character; but still her dialogue delivery is very bad.

When I read Asimov's 'Foundation' novels I was somewhere in my middle teenage years, more than 50 years ago. What I remembered was the central idea of psychohistory, but not much else.

When the first season of 'Foundation' screened in the Fall of 2021 I was deeply committed to the HBO series by Ridley Scott, 'Raised By Wolves' and the ambitious character driven political allegory 'The Expanse' airing on Prime. Both were challenging explorations into deeply complex ideas living up to the best that literary science fiction is known for.

Whatever my mood at the time, I found the first couple of episodes meeting most of my expectations, but then I seemed to loose the thread of the show as it left a central character behind and seemed to veer into a good guys versus bad guys realm of conventional space opera. I wrote a rather sour critique at the time that expressed my disappointment.

However, I started watching season two and decided to go back and review the first season. This time I was able to not only stay with the plot, but its choices made much more sense to me. I was newly impressed, to say the least, and could barely remember my specific criticisms on the first go-round.

Now I have a taste for what so many critics felt years after they first panned films like 'Blade Runner' and '2001:A Space Odyssey' before they recognized them as pioneering accomplishments. I wouldn't necessarily place 'Foundation' at the level of those films, but as an extended series it successfully tackles some profound questions about time and history and human behavior that are becoming ever more pertinent in today's climate of ongoing political crises.

The show runners project a run of 8 seasons to complete a narrative that even Asimov failed to finish. It'll be a remarkable achievement if all of the necessary factors, corporate, financial and otherwise hold up to make it to the end. Here's hoping.

I've been putting off watching Foundation ever since it first came out but now that I've seen it I'm actually mad at myself for putting it off for so long. I'm absolutely blown away by how much I enjoyed this. I never read the books so I can't say how close this is to them but I wouldn't care either way as long as it's a good show. The only negative thing I can't say about this amazing series is that the wait between seasons is too long. I understand series like this with all the great CGI and beautiful written stories takes longer to make and then edit but it still feels too long. Bottom line is Foundation really is one of the best sci-fi series I've seen and can't recommend it enough. I recently finished Season 2 and I can say that without a doubt that Season 2 is even better than the first. Here's hoping that Season 3 keeps up the same quality of the first two because this is turning into one of the better sci-fi series of all-time.

Foundation is definitely a must watch for any sci-fi fan. I never read the source material and it seems that most of the people who don't like this are mad because it's not exactly like the book. Some people don't understand that these shows and movies are adapted or based off the source material. Some parts are a little slow and throws the pace off a little as it builds its world but not slow enough where it makes it bad. The visuals are as good as anything you'll find on tv. You can tell they put a lot of money into it and it shows. This also has some great characters that will make you invested in the show and actually care about what happens to them. Foundation has ended up surprising me then just about any show that I can remember. It really has become one of my favorite sci-fi shows that I've ever seen.

"Foundation" is in my top ten all-time favorite shows. I enjoy sci-fi space dramas, and this one hits the nail on the head perfectly. The world-building, along with the heroes and villains, works well together. I wish there were more episodes or possibly a spin-off series to accompany it. I hope the series runs for at least 7-10 seasons. This show can't be beaten when it comes to sci-fi space dramas.

The depth of the universe created in "Foundation" is truly awe-inspiring. From the intricate political intrigue to the vast array of planets and cultures, every detail is meticulously crafted to draw viewers into its expansive world. The characters are richly developed, with heroes and villains alike showcasing complex motivations and evolving arcs that keep the audience invested. The interplay between the protagonists and antagonists adds layers of tension and excitement, making each episode a thrilling experience.

The visual effects and cinematography are nothing short of spectacular. The stunning space vistas and futuristic landscapes are brought to life with incredible realism, creating an immersive viewing experience. The show's ability to balance grand, galaxy-spanning narratives with intimate, character-driven moments is a testament to its exceptional storytelling.

Moreover, the philosophical and ethical dilemmas explored in "Foundation" add a profound depth to the series. It challenges viewers to ponder the nature of power, the inevitability of change, and the resilience of the human spirit. The show's intellectual richness, combined with its action-packed sequences, makes it a standout in the genre.

In conclusion, "Foundation" is a masterpiece of sci-fi space drama. Its compelling characters, breathtaking visuals, and thought-provoking themes make it an unforgettable series. I eagerly anticipate each new season and hope it continues to captivate audiences for many years to come.

Beautiful ideas that were built on real history of the empires built on Earth and their downfalls. The amazing sci-fi by The Master and The founder himself - Ayzek Azimov. So many things and little touches make my geeky self keep my breath and share and talk to anyone who's willing (or not so) to listen.

The actors are just brilliant, every line spoken, every move made, every cgi pic is perfect and sooo full of meaning, it almost make me want to slow down a little bit, dilute it a little bit, so I can enjoy it longer, so concentrated it is. I want to screenshot every frame in my memory, so beautiful it is!

Lee Pace! Can he be more perfect?

While I love the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov(and the Empire and Robots series), I admit it may be a bit dated. The novels were written during the '50s and Asimov never described the visuals in detail.

It was therefore expected that any adaptation would diverge from the source material. And I don't mind it. A faithful adaptation would not be possible because we wouldn't know how the ships are supposed to look like, for example. I don't mind the gender swap in itself.

But the creators take too many liberties with the source materials to the point the story doesn't make sense for any science fiction fan. If Terminus is 55,000 light years away from Trantor and the colonists don't have jump ships, how do they travel? Why does it take 900 days to get there? That would mean they are travelling at 22,300 times the speed of light. This kind of oversight may be OK for a Marvel show, not for a show where math plays a central role.

I was also disheartened by changing Demerzel's gender. Not because of itself, but because in the books Eto Dermerzel is a very special character with a deep backstory. Changing his gender sends ripples everywhere. It's like making Han Solo or Ron Weasley a woman.

Hari's relationship with Raych is also changed for the worse, presumably to make room for Gaal. Sigh.

All these changes leave us with really impressive visuals and a weakened story. Not the Foundation I expected.

Let me start by saying: The Foundation on Apple TV+ isn't just a show-it's a galaxy-sized flex. Lee Pace struts around like a space emperor who bench presses black holes for fun, and Jared Harris delivers wisdom so profound I'm pretty sure my IQ went up a few points just listening to him.

Lee Pace as Brother Day? Iconic. He's tall, he's intimidating, and somehow, even in existential crises about the fate of humanity, he's serving looks. And Jared Harris? If you told me he personally wrote the mathematical equations holding the universe together, I'd believe you.

The visuals are stunning, the storytelling feels like a game of 4D chess played across centuries, and every episode leaves me with that "just one more" feeling-except it's an hour later and I'm emotionally compromised.

This isn't just sci-fi; it's art. Galactic art. The kind of show where you sit back and think, "Wow, humanity really peaked here." If you love space operas, philosophy, and the occasional shirtless Lee Pace moment (you know the one), The Foundation is your new obsession.

Five out of five psychohistorians agree: You should be watching this.

"Foundation" stands as a remarkable achievement in science fiction television. With its grand vision, stellar performances, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes, it successfully adapts Asimov's work for a modern audience while maintaining its philosophical depth. The series invites viewers on an epic journey through time and space-a journey that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

For fans of science fiction or anyone seeking a rich narrative experience, "Foundation" is undoubtedly a must-watch. It offers not just entertainment but also a reflection on humanity's enduring quest for knowledge and understanding amidst chaos-a timeless tale that continues to resonate across generations.

The show is accused of abandoning the original Asimov storyline, just keeping it very broadly. Yet the one that is presented is breathtakingly good. The acting is superb, Seldon, Cleon, Demerzel, Salvor, Gaal, Bel Riose, oh my God what a freaking amazing play they did here. This was theatre level performance and not just that. The writing was so clever that it was obvious that the screenplay was written by true advocates of Asimovs heritage who approached with love and respect but changed it without hesitation where they felt it. A true gem, and I am counting the days until Season 03 arrives. Thank You.

So far it has very little to do with its source material... It is barely "inspired" by Asimov novels, definitely not based on them. It has ambition to be a new Game of Thrones in space, but it is not as epic nor as intelligent. Good production value but it focuses on random stuff. A shame...

If you put your head in a vacuum and try to watch it as if Asimov's work didn't exist, the good almost doesn't make up for the bad.

The setpieces are impressive. I think the visuals of the shows, environements, costumes and all are quite well done. It stays immersive. And its the one thing that grounds it in Asimov's narrative : very very far in the future without being completely uncanny.

You could even call the plot divergence from the original work a clever play on psychohistory paths : the show imagine a new path.

What destroys it for me is mainly one thing : character writing. We're thrown all the superficial cliches in the book. And a cliche can work, if there's some depth to it. Which there almost never is in the show.

I can't figure out for the life of me why they would make Gaal Dornick such a baby. How long is she going to be throwing useless tantrum in every scene? "I understand evolved mathematics that draws the future of mankind in a series of complex events and crisis the needs to be adressed and corrected, but I won't carry your cube in my pocket 'cause you're mean, waaah waaah!!!".

The only character I feel remotely invested in right now is Demerzel. Maybe because they felt a 11k years old entity couldn't be too shallow. Or maybe because I've read some books in the Robots serie.

In any case, outside of Dermerzel and the visuals, I'm grasping at straws.

I like the TV show and I like the books, but they are not the same story. The TV show should just not be called Foundation.

The show is visually appealing, well cast, well acted and an interesting story. But it is not the story of Foundation. I can understand diversifying the gender of characters, but the other story changes were just not necessary. A real wasted opportunity.

I don't even know where to begin in describing how much I loved this show. I've watched both seasons all the way through twice now and can't find anything wrong. I also read the books so I'm familiar with the story and even though the show doesn't exactly stick to the same script as the book I couldn't care less. As long as a show is good, I don't care that's it's not exactly like a book or video game or whatever. I don't get why anyone would. It's very hard to adapt a book or game into a tv show or movie. They have to change things up that don't translate well or don't have the time to get as detailed as a book or game. My only complaint is that we have to wait 2 years between seasons. I want season 3 now!

Foundation the TV series. It's a fine piece of sci fi television. The writing is good, the effects are good, the acting is good (mostly). Except...

IT'S NOT ASIMOV'S FOUNDATION!

Possibly the greatest sci fi anthology in history, winner of multiple awards, loved by generations, written by one of THE greatest ever sci fi authors. I've got an idea, let's use it as a backdrop for whatever hashtags are trending.

The sheer HUBRIS of the clowns who thought they could "improve" upon it, change it, twist it. There's a special place in hell for those people, alternatively they'll end up at Disney where they can wreck other much loved stories.

But you know what? It's good TV. But you have to ignore the title and every time the name Hari Sheldon mentioned pretend you heard Barry Shelton because then you can pretend that this isn't what it's purporting to be. If you can manage this feat then it's enjoyable sci fi TV but if can't do this, and you know the books, run a mile.

Apple's Foundation is like listening to your mum tell everyone her favourite Star Trek character is Luke Skywalker.

I wish this was more closely related to the books. This is obviously loosely based on the books, but in trying to encompass the massive scope the book covers, they invent something that in my opinion completely destroys the original intent of the stories. And the majority of the time of each episode is spent on the invention of the screenwriters, not Asimov's story.

The magic that Asimov injected into the books has been wiped clean unfortunately. I was really looking forward to this and will still watch it, but it is not what it could have been (should have been).

Well acted and great effects, which certainly helps.

Just such an intriguing story and interesting premise. I will say I don't know the source material so I don't want to take away from those who feel disappointed in this adaptation, and there's some bad casting, which can be a bit tedious occasionally, but for someone new to the story I do think it's a beautiful and compelling show, and I can't recommend it enough :) it is a visually stunning show with such cool and unpredictable characters which I find rare in shows these days. I'm so excited for the next season and where the story will continue. The world building, set design and costumes are great and they do a really good job of bringing you into the world.

A deep, beautiful mumbo mishmash drama sci-fi series, "loosely" based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy. The most problematic matters in the show are its flow and truly uninteresting flow of characters, really destroying the more or less interesting though erratic storyline plots and the dedication put into the CGI & visual effects.

Aside the character of Demerzel played "beautifully" with depth by Laura Birn, the other characters are just to extended degrees cringe-worthy cardboard characters.

You either like space sci-fi or you don't. I usually don't, but gave 'Foundation' a chance and though deep and beautiful, it did not live up to my expectations.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 6
• Development: 8.5
• Realism: 7
• Entertainment: 6
• Acting: 7.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8
• VFX: 9
• Music/score/sound: 7.5
• Depth: 7.5
• Logic: 2.5
• Flow: 5.5
• Drama/sci-fi: 6.5
• Ending: 6.