User reviews

Finally. An adaptation that doesn't just rely on pretty graphics!

I read the books years ago and only barely remember the story. But this is complex and you need to keep up at some points! Which is a good thing.

Some of the world building is excellent and I thought it was beautifully presented. Some acting was a bit wooden, but most are very entertaining with a few exceptional performances.

It was dark, scary and sometimes funny.

If you are a regular sci-fi reader I think you'll enjoy this series.

Asimov is not light reading and you need to be able to accept the premise and suspend disbelief.

I've never read the books. I own them but have not yet read them.

I love this tv show. I love the scope and scale, the elegance and sophistication. I love the big ideas and the humanity. The characters feel like real people rather than Science Fiction caricatures. It's complex but not impenetrable. It rewards you for paying attention and allows you to make up your own mind. The performances are universally compelling and the dialogue playful and nuanced. It's fun when it needs to be and has emotional weight.

It's a big old treat on the eyes and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

It starts slow but it's worth investing your time.

Good story, lots of action. If you like good sci-fi shows/stories, then you'll like this one. The characters are engaging and the good ones draw you in and make you care what happens to them. It starts out at medium speed, it's not slow at the start, it's just laying out the story for you. Mid season 1, starts to really pick up and season 2 is amazing, non stop drama and action. The Empire is run by 3 clones, all of their loved leader Cleon. Brother Dusk is the oldest, Brother Day (who is the ruler at the time), and Brother Dawn, the young adult ruler who will become Brother Day when he is of age. They keep moving up the ladder as they age. Hari is a brilliant mathematician, whose talent is psycho-history and that future events can be predicted mathematically. Hari gets people together, slowly to attempt to end the rule of the clones & their empire with his predictions. Couple of storylines that come together all for the same cause.

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. While it's not the best sci-fi you'll ever see, it's definitely worth watching.

I've been putting off watching Foundation ever since it first came out but now that I've seen it I can say I really enjoyed it. 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. It may start a little slow for some but that's because they do such an excellent job at building their world and characters but it does pick up. The CGI is absolutely amazing as this is one of the most beautifully shot shows I've ever seen. It really is a pretty solid sci-fi series and I'm glad I finally watched it. I'm about to finish Season 2 and I can say that without a doubt that Season 2 is even better than the first. Hoping next season keeps up the same quality of the first two because this is turning into one of the better sci-fi series I've ever see.

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!

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.

As someone who hasn't read Isaac Asimov's original novels, I approached Foundation with fresh eyes and an open mind. What I discovered was a breathtaking sci-fi series that stands confidently on its own merits, regardless of its source material.

From the very first episode, Foundation hooks you with its grand scale and ambitious storytelling. The show's premise is fascinatingly complex, weaving together multiple timelines and characters into a tapestry of galactic proportions. While I can't speak to how closely it follows the books, as a standalone series, it's nothing short of excellent.

One of the show's strongest aspects is its visual prowess. The special effects, cinematography, and set designs are truly out of this world (pun intended). Each frame is a feast for the eyes, from sprawling cityscapes to the depths of space. It's clear that no expense was spared in bringing this futuristic universe to life, and the result is some of the most impressive visuals I've seen on the small screen.

At the heart of the story is the Cleon dynasty, a concept that adds a unique and intriguing layer to the plot. The idea of a lineage of cloned emperors, each at a different stage of life, is both fascinating and unsettling. It raises thought-provoking questions about identity, power, and the nature of humanity - elements that elevate Foundation beyond typical sci-fi fare.

The narrative, while complex, is engaging and well-paced. It masterfully balances intimate character moments with galaxy-spanning events, keeping viewers invested in both the personal and the cosmic. Yes, there are moments when you might need to pay extra attention to keep up with the intricate plot threads, but the payoff is well worth it.

For sci-fi enthusiasts, Foundation is a must-watch. It offers a rich, immersive world that rewards careful viewing and inspires discussion. Even if you're new to the genre, the show's stunning visuals and compelling characters provide an accessible entry point into a vast and imaginative universe.

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.

As long as the third season holds the same quality, this series will be remember as one of the best sci-fi series ever made. The reason that it isn't already is probably because Apple TV isn't as avalible in many regions. I had hardly heard of the series and nobody I know has Apple TV. But more people around me are talking about this series and how great it is. I think it's popularity is growing. I fell in love from ep. 1!

It looks gorgeous, most of the acting is great, the story engrossing. Is it = the books? No it's modernized + rewritten masterfully. Prepare for a complex plot, and see it! You wont regret it, but don't compare it to the books. It's it's own thing, inspired by the books but reworked from the buttom up for a modern audience.

The sci-fi jargon and interesting ideas are executed brilliantly, which somewhat clashes with later episodes which introduces concepts that lean more toward fantasy. I won't deduct points for this, it's just my personal preference that I dislike "science fantasy". Apart from that I have no negative comments, the story is deep and captivating. Don't expect light fun or non-stop action, prepare for some philosophical and complex plot ideas that are explored quite deeply and several plots that often run completely paralell. If you're prepared for that and don't mind these things, than you will surely not be dissapointed!

Well, I've liked the book series, actually I have them displayed in my room for some years now. But those weren't your normal sf books, and my sympathy for them wasn't absolute. In fact, despite the fascinating main plot idea, the execution of the storytelling itself was lacking at times, to the point where long fragments of them started to get boring. I was fascinated by the idea, but not its execution.

When I started watching the shows, I began to doubt my sanity, because I couldn't remember most of the characters and plot parts from the books. And lo and behold, after doing come comparing I've figured out it wasn't my old head that was sick, it was just the showrunners changing massive amounts of the source material, and not just adjusting them for the screen or a newer audience, it's like 60% of the most important stuff and characters changed or replaced.

That saying, I like all of the new stuff more than the old stuff. Asimov is probably not happy wherever he is, but this is probably one of the best SF shows ever. As a complete work of fiction, it's much better than the books, even if it betrays its source material in an absolutely outrageous way.

This is the ultimate story about the long fall of a galactic empire.

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...

There's absolutely no point to starting to watch Foundation now (September 2024). That's because, like many streaming shows, there is a ridiculously long hiatus between "seasons". The first season was in 2021, but Season 3 won't, start until sometime in 2025 (no specific date shown on IMDB). By then, you will have likely forgotten all about Seasons 1 and 2.

So it's best to start watching Foundation in January 2025. That way, by the time you finish the first 2 seasons, Season 3 shouldn't be too far off.

By the way, there's no reason that streaming shows without any CGI (such as "The Bear") should take a year or more between seasons. Even Foundation, with 10 episodes, could be completed in a year while that current season is being shown. This i just arrogance by Disney and other studios against customers.

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've read through quite a few of Asimov's novels, including a good portion of the Foundation series. A lot of sci-fi prior to the 1960's when the space race really took off, feels a bit dated in its concepts and Foundation is no different.

This series goes the extra mile, removing the archaic "nobility" aspect common for the era and taking a more modern approach that drastically improves the story and gives it a truly scientific feel.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is a big sci-fi fan and has the patience for a story with a massive amount of depth. There is so much going on you will find yourself watching over and over to catch the little things you missed!

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 was unconvinced after the first couple of episodes that this show had the legs to match the books. It was only on the recommendation of a friend that I keep going that I gave it a second chance, and I am so glad I did. Because the slightly ponderous and meandering start is all setting the stage for what's to come, and it absolutely blew me away, everything from the twists and turns of the story, the depth of the characters, the special effects, the sets, the utterly gorgeous use of colours and palettes; Foundation is a staggering work of art.

Not only does it capture the essence of Isimov's vast expansive book series, it improves on them with lots of clever adjustments for TV. The concept of a genetic dynasty of emperors, a succession of clones - always three - each separated in age by a generation, that rule over a galactic empire in perpetuity and refer to each other as 'Brother' is such a fascinating concept, and special mention must go to Lee Pace as Brother Day, such a grand, imperious, obnoxiously ostentatious performance. Equally, Laura Birn as the eternal and seductively captivating Demerzel had me transfixed by her performance, always teetering between calm motherly guidance and something quite alien and terrifying.

Equally brilliant is Lou Llobell as the genius mathematician Gaal Dornick, daring to take on the might of Empire, she carries such a likeable charismatic aura I just can't help rooting for her.

By the end of season two, it had me emotionally on my knees, hanging on every word. Special mention has to go to the penultimate episode of season two; Long Ago, Not Far Away, which is simply as good as television gets. I pray this show gets the attention it deserves to fulfil it's fated destiny.

I read all 7 books in the Foundation series about 40 years ago. It gave me great inspiration and helped develop my imagination a lot.

About 15 years ago, I bought the book again and read it again, putting it among the masterpieces of my library.

I never thought that one day a movie would be made.

But they did.

It's a good thing they did it.

I had difficulty in understanding some parts because I had forgotten many details of the book.

If I had never read the book I would probably understand very little. It would be very difficult to watch.

Especially when we jump 300-500 years into the future, all the characters in the book will change.

So, if you haven't read the book and want to enjoy the series, go read the book. No, if you say you will definitely watch it, don't come here and comment saying you didn't understand or didn't like it.

It is very unfair to lower the rating of this series that deserves 100 stars.

Here's a more compelling version:

After 30 years of watching the greatest TV shows, I can say with absolute certainty that nothing comes close to this masterpiece. The acting is phenomenal, gripping you from the very first scene. The suspense? It's relentless, keeping you breathless and on the edge of your seat. The special effects are beyond anything I've seen-truly next level. But what truly sets this show apart is its storytelling. It doesn't just entertain; it takes you on a journey through space and time, leaving you utterly captivated. This isn't just a show for sci-fi fans-it's an experience everyone must have. And Season 2? It's not just good-it's the best television ever made. You owe it to yourself to watch this.

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.