Foundation Series (Apple+)

[Dioltach]

It's a long time since I read the books, but this series seems to just use the original stories as a foundation, and builds out from there.

Using Foundation as a foundation for Foundation? Now that's meta!

 

[Marc_C]

Episode 4 was good. Glad we got more info about some characters who were not in episode 3.

 

[Zardnaar]

Bit slow perhaps but overall enjoying it for the most part.

 

[Mercurius]

I'm overall enjoying it (through episode 4, about to start 5). As others have mentioned, it is visually impressive, and the world-building is quite good for tv, with lots of great ideas. The acting is solid.

The negative: While I don't mind the big scope and time separation, it does lead to a sense of dissociation...more like a series of short stories than a novel. Spoilers are ok, right?

Spoiler: Just in case.

Some of the intended narrative intensity just wasn't that intense (e.g. the romance between Gaal and whats-his-name). And of course, Harry dies and Gaal "disappears" from the show at the end of episode 2, and only just barely reappears at the end of ep 4.

And also, it sometimes feels a bit like a Syfy show with a much higher budget rather than GoT in space.

But overall, it is good and worthwhile TV. just not GoT good, or probably even Battlestar Galactica good.

 

[Mercurius]

Spoiler: Minor spoiler for beginning of episode 5

OK, Gaal is back. I don't love her character, but as the first protag, she does bring a sense of continuity. It was just too jarring--through ep 4--for her to missing from half the show.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

more like a series of short stories than a novel.

The original novel is a collection of short stories.

 

[Mercurius]

The original novel is a collection of short stories.

I realize that. But as far as a viewing experience, it feels a bit disjointed.

 

[Marc_C]

I realize that. But as far as a viewing experience, it feels a bit disjointed.

It's called a non-linear narrative. Only time will tell if they pulled it off or not. But so far looks like they did.

 

[Mercurius]

It's called a non-linear narrative. Only time will tell if they pulled it off or not. But so far looks like they did.

I realize it is a non-linear narrative - no need to be condescending. I am just sharing my own, subjective, impressions, which is that the story feels a bit disjointed (to me). Non-linear narratives aren't inherently good or bad, but they do tend to be prone to fraying a bit, or seeming disjointed, especially when they are complex stories like Foundation.

But again, my overall impression is mostly positive, just with some caveats.

 

[Zaukrie]

Serious mansplaining in this thread.......