Life.Culture.Discovery.

ReviewWhat to stream this weekend: Apple TV+’s Foundation, season two of Isaac Asimov sci-fi adaptation, is visually stunning – watching it on a phone would be an insult

The narrative is not the easiest to follow, but Apple TV+ adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Empire novels is dazzling. At stake, as ever, is the future of humanity

Meanwhile, grumpy detective Kim Taek-rok returns for a second season of K-drama Shadow Detective, teaming up once more with his ex-partners to solve crimes

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Lee Pace as Emperor Brother Day in a still from “Foundation”. The sci-fi series returns for a second season on Apple TV+. Photo: Apple TV+

Published: 7:45am, 4 Aug 2023

Never ones for hiding in the shadows, the proponents of Empire return for a second series of Foundation (Apple TV+), based on the monumental works of Isaac Asimov.

Taking on what is arguably science fiction’s holy grail was always going to be daunting; visualising the novels demands – and here receives – a cinematographically dazzling production.

Do not insult it by watching on a 12cm x 7cm (4.7 inch x 2.8 inch) screen.

Another warning: the Foundation narrative is not the easiest to follow, with its time shifts, intergalactic leaps, psychics looking forwards and backwards, fracturing alliances between warring tribes and the sometimes insidious, other times brutal politics of tripled-headed Empire himself.

(From left) Leah Harvey, Jared Harris and Lou Llobell in a still from “Foundation”. Photo: Apple TV+

The imperial leader consists of three versions of the same man, existing simultaneously but at different stages of life. They are all clones of the First Emperor, who was named – just to drive the point home – Cleon I.