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. viroodiem
    Sep 24, 2021
    9
    Obviously only a review of the first two episodes.

    There is a weight here. Perhaps the weight of an entire galaxy. Everything about this is monumental in scope. With the weight of skydance behind it, everything about this feels like big budget and full when considering the scope of a TV series. Like Altered carbon (at least season 1) before it but on a much grander scale. The    Obviously only a review of the first two episodes.

    There is a weight here. Perhaps the weight of an entire galaxy.

    Everything about this is monumental in scope. With the weight of skydance behind it, everything about this feels like big budget and full when considering the scope of a TV series. Like Altered carbon (at least season 1) before it but on a much grander scale.

    The performances are full with what you would normally reserve for a film. The CGI is perhaps one of its weaker elements but still remains visually stunning. The writing is much harder to gauge at this point because this will be a long, plodding plot. Working its way through the story it means to tell. So far it has been mostly faithful to the plot at least for the setting and laying out the players. The pacing is great for how big and ambitious it is.

    This feels like it could be not only a major hit but a "killer app" show to drive people to getting Apple TV. It has all the potential and peices so far to become something on par with Game Of Thrones as long as they demonstrate patience with the subject.

    Again hard to grade on 2 episodes but there is so much polish and potential here that its hard to give it any less than a 9 at this point because there has not been a critical flaw so far.

    It leaves me NEEDING more NOW and impatiently waiting, which is as good of a sign for a new grand space opera that feels like in about a month we will be comparing to the upcoming Dune film and so far it seems like this might be the better of the two. We will have to wait and see on both fronts.

    For now, definitely need more of this. Perhaps one if not the best sci fi of the year. Even with big names like various Treks, and the expanse about. Definitely make it a point to see this when you can. What ever this universes future may indeed hold.    … Expand
  2. kevscorner
    Sep 24, 2021
    10
    The first two episodes are exactly what sci-fi fans have been craving for. It's not always action pact but the world-building and intrigue are amazing. It's a real privilege to see Asimov's vision on the TV screen.
  3. shoulderoforion
    Sep 27, 2021
    9
    A feast for the eyes, and thoroughly enjoyable scifi excellence through 2 episodes. Getting a bit tired of the washed out grey new world thing a la raised by wolves, but I guess that's how it was written. Enormous world building I can follow and appreciate. On my rotations now.
  4. UncleWillard
    Sep 24, 2021
    9
    Love it. And yes, I read the original Foundation books (though I'll admit it was a while ago; little hazy). I kinda like the choices they've made thus far as it streamlines the plot. This is TV after all. Having said that, the production values and cast are astounding. This is the bestowing sci-fi show I've seen in a while. Early days though, but I'm impressed.
  5. tuwalua
    Sep 24, 2021
    9
    Awesome show! But i fear it will die the "Mainstream" Death. The Story and characters are complex and the 0815 viewer will loose interest soon! But if the show is not streched over several seasons an millenia (in show) it will be pointless to tell Asimovs Epic Story! I hope for the best!
  6. sangordon
    Sep 29, 2021
    10
    I am really impressed with this series so far. A friend recommended it to me, knowing I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, and she was right. It's intellectually stimulating, very well acted, and the visuals are nothing short of magnificent.
    The plot is interesting; the subject matter (explosive scientific prediction of the eventual demise of a basically fascist-run world--hello--can anyone    I am really impressed with this series so far. A friend recommended it to me, knowing I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, and she was right. It's intellectually stimulating, very well acted, and the visuals are nothing short of magnificent.
    The plot is interesting; the subject matter (explosive scientific prediction of the eventual demise of a basically fascist-run world--hello--can anyone besides me
    relate?) is timely and lends itself well to a story-telling journey I'm on board with.
    The Me Too movement has made its mark here, as the updated diversity from the original Asimov male characters is what I would expect. This version, while apparently not true to the book, stands alone; making the question of which is better, the book or the show, a thankfully moot point, but I'll take the show.
    After the first two episodes, I am completely hooked. Finally a sci-fi show I'm actually enjoying enough to write a review of! I am stunned that anyone with an ounce of brain matter could rate this less than 5 stars, given its rich complexity, but the show does require a certain amount of concentration...not one for multi-tasking when watching.    … Expand
  7. bertobellamy
    Sep 24, 2021
    7
    Seems interesting. Wonder what they will do adapting the rest of the stories. Production design and visual effects look great. Understandably, they had to incorporate a little more action in the story. Hope they've done it right to see how everything unfolds until the very end. We've waited so long to see this classic on the screen.
  8. stratos_au
    Sep 30, 2021
    10
    First episodes are great, the cast, the acting the production values and the script is fantastic. A bit hard to follow at the beginning, there is a complexity but the scale is palpable. Great story and whilest not Asimov exact book to TV adaptation is definetly worth your time.
  9. krikaoli
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    This series is a must-have for anyone claiming to be a science fiction fan. Isac Asimov is one of the fathers of sci-fi. Apple went all out in everything. Don't mind the negative reviews, it's haters. It is one of the most extraordinary and difficult adaptations ever made. It is a long story, centuries old, with several characters, without focus on any one of them. The series coversThis series is a must-have for anyone claiming to be a science fiction fan. Isac Asimov is one of the fathers of sci-fi. Apple went all out in everything. Don't mind the negative reviews, it's haters. It is one of the most extraordinary and difficult adaptations ever made. It is a long story, centuries old, with several characters, without focus on any one of them. The series covers several interesting points, such as artificial intelligence, future of humanity, forecasting the future, possibilities, revolutions, evolution and problem solving, and geopolitics.… Expand
  10. geewah
    Feb 11, 2022
    8
    An ambitious project that for the most part is a success due to is beautifully crafted galaxy, and it's broad and intriguing story.
    Asimov fans may nitpick over it's faithfulness to the novels but as someone who hasn't read them, I enjoyed this show.
  11. redrush
    May 20, 2023
    10
    LOve the series, great characters, vfx and lore, the story is complex and entertainemnt
  12. Heywoody
    Dec 9, 2021
    8
    The show pulls you in with an excellent set up. The world building/galaxy is vaguely fleshed out. Empire as a character/concept is most captivating to me. The other characters are mediocre. People giving this a 0 for not being like the books, have an agenda I guess... This is a better than average sci-fi mystery fantasy. How could you give it a 0?? C'mon Ya'll!!! lol

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 »