Fondazione

Magnificent bouts of rich storytelling often feel diluted by cheap and pointless moments of juvenile entertainment. While the core of this series held the potential to become an ode to the greatest science-fiction writer of all times, it would appear that Apple couldn't keep itself from interfering in their typical (biased) politically correct, family friendly fashion. You stand on the shoulders of a giant, and behind that giant stand millions of minds inspired by a vision of the future the whole of humanity can rally behind. The implications of the existential questions raised by Asimov are not PG-rated, this shouldn't be either.

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 remember watching the first couple episodes and not being very impressed. Not necessarily hating it, but not intrigued. It felt like a very traditional sci-fi series, akin to dune or star wars. A year or two later, i tried watching again... and now i'm somehow roped in and invested and binged most of the show well into 4 in the morning.

Great visual effects, music, vfx, product and costume design, even acting. Really intriguing clone concept (and a very obvious anagram for Cleon). Fantastic world building and i appreciated the non-linear storytelling. Interested to see where this series will take us!

Simple, just pick the most famous scifi book series of all time, by one of the best known and loved authors, and call your series after its title. Then, to save having to think up names, take them from the books and apply them to your characters who don't even have to be the same gender nor have the same attributes. Then take the shortest plot summary of the books that you can find and sprinkle it into your existing, wild story. For good measure include a robot that is the antithesis of the one that the whole series is based around and have it break all of Asimov's laws of robotics (the very things that a huge number of his stories revolved around and the development of which were his trademark).

I would have watched the show anyway, and possibly have enjoyed it on its own merits, however the constant reminder that it is supposed to be foundation is sickening. The expectation of clever psychohistorical prediction never appears, just some lip-service to mathematics and a prime radiant that doesn't do what Asimov intended. The story is pedestrian with all the logic stripped out and replaced by mumbo jumbo, whereas Asimov's was thoughtful and clever.

If Apple tv went through it, and renamed the characters and planets and renamed it Fall of Empire (or something), the plot is so divergent from the story of Foundation that no one would recognise it as such.

I would actually be able to enjoy it if they did that. Instead, I will keep watching and feel increasingly disappointed. I had hoped season 2 would bring the Seldon plan back on track but it seems there is even more divergence red in the plot! Or, at least, what passes for plot.

To me Brother Day played by Lee Pace has become as enjoyable to watch as Daenerys played by Emilia Clarke in GOT. There's a lot of confusing, boring bits and vexing characters in the show but Brother Day keeps me coming for more.

Overall it's a quality show albeit flawed. But there's a lot of unique, and daring approach that still make this show worth a watch. Every scene and every new information that is revealed about Cleons is so engaging and interesting.

If you're into sci-fi I'd definitely recommend trying this show and giving it a shot at least till season two because it actually even improves in the second season.