Foundation

:

Season 1
  • Network: Apple TV
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 24, 2021
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 86
  3. Negative: 34 out of 86
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User Reviews

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  1. Blade-Runner
    Oct 4, 2021
    5
    The Foundation is yet another example for the mediocrity of pretty much anything coming out from AppleTV, just goes to show that tons of money alone can't assure quality. This show in particular tries but fails to engage the viewers into the story or characters. I bet Jared Harris wishes he would have done something else for HBO or Netflix, studios who really know what their doing...
  2. lorddcee
    Nov 5, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It could have been a Game of thrones in space, but the shows stumbles and breaks all the good ideas of the book while trying to implement others that make no sense in the Foundation universe. Characters are magical or superhuman, the seldom plan is failing as fast as it's created, the robot is acting like no robots should in an Asimov universe...

    All the surprises that makes the 5 foundation books interesting cannot happen in the show as the foundation (sic) of these surprises are either not present, or have already been broken. The Mule? He won't be special. The second foundation? You won't be surprised as we already have 2-3 characters that have powers... As for the created arcs, the empire could be a good show on itself, not top material, but watchable. I'm so sad this epic has been adapted so badly. I can't imagine how this show will go beyond season 2 or if it does, its budget will probably be slashed.    … Expand
  3. norbertosica
    Sep 24, 2021
    5
    If you read just one book of Isaac Asimov, could die after watching Foundation on Apple TV+.
  4. skywalker333
    Jan 12, 2023
    5
    While you normally expect a TV show to not follow the original material completely, here we have a unique phenomenon where the showrunners are literally only using a few names of characters and planets and just the idea of psychohistory and then they simply ignore absolutely everything about this legendary series and write something completely different. It is like Peter Jackson took a fewWhile you normally expect a TV show to not follow the original material completely, here we have a unique phenomenon where the showrunners are literally only using a few names of characters and planets and just the idea of psychohistory and then they simply ignore absolutely everything about this legendary series and write something completely different. It is like Peter Jackson took a few of the names from LotR but in the end the trilogy he made was The Godfather but with Tolkien's names for the characters.

    And it is a pity because the production values are incredibly good. But there is absolutely no respect to the original material whatsoever and it is simply taking advantage of its famous name, thats all.
    Not even 1% of the original book series has been translated here.
    And to add insult to injury, the huge reveal at the end of the books, a reveal towards which Isaac Asimov built up over 44 years of writing the series, is casually disregarded and revealed within the first few episodes of the show, and of course with a lacklustre and zero impact way...    … Expand
  5. Ededed
    Dec 29, 2021
    5
    Foundation is very loosely based on the novels. Frankly I’d like it much better if it were more closely aligned to the books.

    The visuals are impressive as is most of the acting, but the scripts, character makeovers, and overall plot design is wanting. The revised plots are disjointed and hard to follow. The relationships they are trying to sell us are painful to endure. Having two    Foundation is very loosely based on the novels. Frankly I’d like it much better if it were more closely aligned to the books.

    The visuals are impressive as is most of the acting, but the scripts, character makeovers, and overall plot design is wanting.

    The revised plots are disjointed and hard to follow. The relationships they are trying to sell us are painful to endure. Having two of the main characters jump timelines with suspended animation tech is just too crude of a plot line when you are expecting us to suspend reality.

    Yes, I understand the original Foundation trilogy was written long ago and needed enhancements for a 21st century audience, but putting soap opera style relationships in a masterwork is cheesy drivel.

    I’m giving this a middle of the road rating for the visual spectacle, but the clumsy writing is an utter failure.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Radio Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Kelly
    Dec 2, 2021
    60
    It’s an interesting approach, although some of these micro stories are stronger than others.
    Read full review
  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Julian Lucas
    Nov 2, 2021
    40
    The series attempts to rescue the novels from their atomic-age limitations but largely squanders its material on a clone of every other blockbuster fantasy quest. ... The larger problem is that Goyer’s “Foundation” seems bored with its source material.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Oct 11, 2021
    50
    You might need an antacid - or whatever would remedy the tonal whiplash as Foundation meanders from cerebral contemplation of mankind's fate to a standard-issue shoot-'em-ups involving warring planets. [11 - 24 Oct 2021, p.11]
See all critic reviews »