Foundation Season 1 Recap: What Happened in Season 1? Where to Watch 'Foundation' Season 1?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jul 15, 2023
Foundation
"Foundation" is a captivating American science fiction television series available for streaming on Apple TV+. The show was created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman, drawing inspiration from Isaac Asimov's acclaimed "Foundation" series of stories.
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, led by talented actors such as Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, and Leah Harvey. The first season of "Foundation" debuted on September 24, 2021, receiving positive feedback from viewers.
Following its initial success, the show was renewed for a second season in October 2021, which premiered on July 14, 2023, further enthralling fans. Currently, production is underway for the highly anticipated third season of the series.
Foundation Season 1 Recap
In the first season of "Foundation," the storyline concludes with the successful resolution of the first Seldon Crisis. This achievement is largely attributed to the Hari Seldon AI, which originates from the mysterious Vault. Hari Seldon, the brilliant mathematician and creator of psychohistory, proposed an alliance between the Foundation, Thespis, and Anacreon as a means to address the impending crisis.
Under this proposed alliance, the Foundation would offer advanced technology to the peripheral kingdoms in exchange for maintaining peace. Remarkably, both Anacreon and Thespis agreed to a truce, thereby preventing any invasion or harm to the planet Terminus, where the Foundation is based. As a result, the first Seldon Crisis was averted, marking a significant success for the Foundation.
The first season of "Foundation" concluded with a compelling time jump of 138 years into the future from the resolution of the initial crisis. This time leap sets the stage for the unfolding consequences of the Foundation's true purpose. These consequences will propel the narrative forward, leading directly into the second Seldon Crisis, which is expected to be covered in the second season of the series.
In essence, the conclusion of season one establishes a moment of relative stability and success for the Foundation following the resolution of the first Seldon Crisis. However, the subsequent time jump hints at new challenges and dilemmas that the Foundation and its characters will face in the upcoming second season, as the story delves deeper into the intricate web of events shaped by Seldon's psychohistory.
What Happened in Season 1?
In "Foundation" season 1, the narrative encompasses a significant span of 400 years, incorporating a flashback to the initiation of the Cleon Genetic Dynasty. However, the majority of the action focuses on two specific time periods, which are key to the storyline's development.
The first prominent time period depicted in the series is known as the "Era Imperial." This era spans from 12,067 E.I. (Era Imperial) to 12,086 E.I., and it serves as the foundational starting point for the story of "Foundation." This particular timeframe sets the stage for the events that unfold throughout the series and serves as the primary backdrop for approximately two and a half episodes.
During this initial period, viewers are introduced to the core elements and essential characters that drive the narrative forward. It lays the groundwork for the intricate plotlines, themes, and conflicts that will shape the story's progression. These episodes provide crucial context and establish the fundamental aspects of the "Foundation" universe.
By focusing on this concentrated timeline, the series effectively establishes the narrative's primary arc and introduces viewers to the key players and their motivations. This approach allows for a more focused exploration of the characters' journeys and the complex interplay between various factions and forces in the "Foundation" universe.
By encompassing both the broader 400-year scope and highlighting the specific time period within the "Era Imperial," "Foundation" season 1 strikes a balance between providing a comprehensive overview of the story's extensive timeline while concentrating on the pivotal moments that define the initial stages of the plot.
Foundation Season 1 Plot
The Foundation was conceived as a colony with the explicit purpose of revitalizing civilization following an anticipated catastrophic event that would endanger humanity's survival. Dr. Hari Seldon, a renowned scholar, foresaw this impending doomsday scenario and devised a plan to safeguard a select group of individuals on a distant and isolated planet known as Terminus. By doing so, he aimed to ensure that mankind would not face extinction and, instead, lay the groundwork for the resurgence of civilization.
However, due to his bold predictions, Seldon fell afoul of the oppressive Cleonic Dynasty, which ruled with cruelty and intolerance. As a result, he and his brilliant apprentice, Gaal Dornick, were banished from their homeworld. Seldon had enlisted Gaal from a humble water planet and recognized his mathematical prowess. Together, they were forced into exile on Terminus, a seemingly desolate and harsh environment.
The Cleonic rulers believed that by exiling Seldon and Gaal to such an inhospitable planet, their plans for humanity's salvation would wither away, and their visions would die along with them. Nonetheless, undeterred by their circumstances, Seldon and Gaal, along with a few hundred followers, embarked on the mission of constructing an extensive time capsule. This capsule was designed to be opened after a "dark period" following the foreseen doomsday event. Its purpose was to expedite the process of civilization's revival, thereby minimizing the time required for mankind to reestablish itself.
Through this narrative, "Foundation" presents a story of resilience, defiance, and the indomitable spirit of Seldon, Gaal, and their loyal followers. Despite the attempts of the Cleonic Dynasty to silence them, they embarked on their mission to Terminus, where they sought to secure the future of humanity by laying the foundations of a new society and preserving knowledge and wisdom for generations to come.
Foundation Season 1 Cast
Actor
Character
Jared Harris
Hari Seldon
Lee Pace
Brother Day (Cleon)
Lou Llobell
Gaal Dornick
Leah Harvey
Salvor Hardin
Laura Birn
Eto Demerzel
Terrence Mann
Brother Dusk (Cleon)
Chipo Chung
Voice of Deliverance
Cassian Bilton
Brother Dawn (Cleon)
Alfred Enoch
Raych Foss
Cooper Carter
Child Brother Dawn
Reece Shearsmith
Jerril
Clarke Peters
Abbas Hardin
Sasha Behar
Mari Hardin
Daniel MacPherson
Hugo Crast
Kubbra Sait
Grand Huntress Phara Keaen
Elliot Cowan
Lewis Pirenne
Amy Tyger
Azura Odili
Mido Hamada
Shadow Master Obrecht
Christian Contreras
Commander Dorwin
T'Nia Miller
Zephyr Halima Ifa
Alexander Siddig
Advocate Xylas
Ian McNeice
Master Statistician Tivole
Where to Watch 'Foundation' Season 1?
Viewers can now enjoy watching all episodes of "Foundation" season 1 on Apple TV+. The entire season is readily accessible for streaming, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the captivating narrative at their convenience.
By making all episodes available, Apple TV+ offers a binge-watching experience, enabling viewers to delve into the intricacies of the "Foundation" series without the need to wait for weekly releases. This availability provides the opportunity for audiences to engage with the story's continuous flow and explore the evolving plotlines and character arcs without interruption.
Having access to all episodes ensures that viewers can fully appreciate the carefully crafted storytelling and immerse themselves in the rich world of "Foundation." They can witness the journey of characters like Hari Seldon, Gaal Dornick, and Salvor Hardin as they navigate through various challenges and pivotal moments in the series.
This availability also allows for a deeper analysis of the overarching themes and narratives that unfold throughout the season. By watching all episodes in succession, viewers can observe the connections between different storylines, the development of character relationships, and the progression of the overall plot.
Apple TV+'s decision to release the entire season at once provides flexibility and convenience for fans to engage with "Foundation" on their own terms. It caters to the preferences of those who enjoy binge-watching and those who prefer a more gradual viewing experience.
Foundation Season 1 Recap-FAQs
"Foundation" season 1 is available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. You can watch all episodes of the season on the Apple TV+ platform.
"Foundation" was created by David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman. They developed the series based on the "Foundation" series of stories written by Isaac Asimov.
The first season of "Foundation" premiered on September 24, 2021.
The main cast of "Foundation" includes Jared Harris as Hari Seldon, Lee Pace as Brother Day (Cleon XII, XIII, and XVII), Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick, and Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin, among others.