FOUNDATION Recap: (S03E04) The Stress of Her Regard

Geek Girl Authority

4 days ago

Foundation Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard,' kicks the overarching narrative into high gear as major chess moves are made by both Empire and the Foundation. Two Cleons leave the palace, so Dusk must rule alone. We pull back the curtain on Pritcher's true loyalties. Demerzel's existential crisis also takes center stage. Bolstered by compelling performances across the board, this outing is well-paced and well-structured. I'm tickled for what's in store for us.
RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Foundation episode, 'When a Book Finds You' Foundation, 'The Stress of Her Regard'
We open with Demerzel's (Laura Birn) latest therapy session with Zephyr Vorellis (Rebecca Ineson). Demerzel discloses a secret she's kept close to the vest for three centuries: She orchestrated the destruction of the Star Bridge. Plot twist! Demerzel sent her two cat's-paws, one from Anacreon and the other from Thespis, to carry out the act on her orders. Why? Because she predicted that the Foundation's flourishing would strengthen Empire's reign.
Vorellis wonders if Demerzel feels guilty. She speaks nonchalantly about, you know, killing millions of people. Demerzel reminds Vorellis that her superior eyesight allowed her to watch those deaths in real time that night. The conversation pivots to Demerzel's potential — if latent — desire for freedom. Demerzel insists that's not it. She's solely programmed to serve the Cleonic Dynasty.
Then, the therapy session takes a turn toward Demerzel's immortality. Vorellis believes that Demerzel has died at least twice since becoming a weapon (and puppeteer) for Empire. She makes the mistake of imbuing Demerzel with too much humanity, though. In a fit of rage, Demerzel slices the skin on her face, right down the middle, to reveal her metallic insides. She orders Vorellis to leave. Laura Birn, you are a treasure.
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Later, Pritcher (Brandon P Bell) lands on Ignis. Surprise — he's secretly a member of the Second Foundation who's infiltrating the First Foundation. Preem (Troy Kotsur) greets him. Pritcher reveals he stole Indbur's ship to get here. Then, Gaal (Lou Llobell) embraces Pritcher … with a kiss. Yes, these two hot people are a thing. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
After this, Pritcher shares his encounter with the Mule with Gaal and Preem. Preem places his hands on Pritcher and Gaal to access Pritcher's mind. They all see the club on Kalgan. Magnifico (Tómas Lemarquis), the Mule's (Pilou Asbæk) balladeer, plays his instrument for the dancers. They're all entranced by the music. Pritcher reveals that the Mule is a Mentalic like them. Unfortunately, the Mule accessed Pritcher's mind, and Pritcher had Gaal on the brain.
Gaal realizes that that's how the Mule learns about her. Preem analyzes the situation. The Mule uses Magnifico's music to facilitate his control over people. It keeps them under his sway. Preem observes that one doesn't need to hear the music — they can feel it, like him. Also, he notes that the Mule surrounds himself with people because he's lonely. And since he doesn't know who the Mentalics of the Second Foundation are, they have the advantage. They can make him scared of them.
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After this, Gaal goes for a swim. It's nice to see that some things don't change in 300 years. She sees that vision of the Mule strangling her on repeat. Pritcher sits on a dock nearby, his feet in the water. Gaal remarks that everything's unraveling in a timely fashion. Seldon's Third Crisis is on the horizon. Foundation's Traders want autonomy. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Of course, the Mule is an outlier. Pritcher adds that Indbur is also a problem. He's struggling to persuade the mayor that the Mule must be eradicated. Gaal encourages Pritcher to change Indbur's mind. After all, they need the Foundation to beat the Mule (and kill him). Gaal states that Pritcher must return to New Terminus. And it's perfect timing because the Vault is about to open again.
But first — sexy times. If I had a nickel for every time Gaal got hot and heavy in the water, I'd have two, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Never change, Gaal. Let the hot people copulate! Gaal and Pritcher bask in that postcoital glow in Hari's quarters. Hey, at least it's getting some use.
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Elsewhere, Ebling (Alexander Siddig) pays Indbur (Leo Bill) a visit. He tells the mayor that he met Hari in the Vault. Unfortunately, Hari gave him the boot after he pointed out some inconsistencies in the Plan. They contact Ambassador Quent (Cherry Jones), who's still on Trantor. Ebling and Indbur inform her that Hari gave the Prime Radiant to Empire, and the Vault will open again during the eclipse. Oh, and Pritcher is on the hunt for some 'bumbling fugitives.' FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Quent decides to have a chat with Dusk (Terrence Mann) about all this. We see the faces of Toran (Cody Fern), Bayta (Synnøve Karlsen) and Magnifico, our trio of fugitives. Quent remarks that the Foundation didn't know about their escape from Kalgan. Not to mention, Toran is part of the Traders, specifically through his uncle Randu — the very faction Empire is supplying with weapons.
Next, Quent proposes that the Foundation talk to these runaways once they catch them. Dusk wonders what Empire will do besides wait. Quent fires back that perhaps he can consult the Prime Radiant. Dusk and Demerzel look taken aback. Quent suggests that she and Dusk join forces. Share their knowledge. After all, Day and Dawn are shirking their responsibilities, leaving Dusk to rule solo. Dusk orders Demerzel to hand over the Prime Radiant so he can show Quent how it works.
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Then, we see Dusk explain to Quent that Hari gave the Prime Radiant to Cleon XVII during the Second Crisis. Initially, he struggles to unlock the Prime Radiant, as it were. Quent offers to wait a minute while he tries again. Hey, it happens sometimes. Oh, I clocked that innuendo, and so did Dusk. Once he successfully opens it, he shows Quent that everything just ends after four months. That's worrying. Quent marvels at the Prime Radiant while Dusk cozies up to her. Aw. Waiting to Live
After this, Gaal finds Pritcher standing before her cryosleep pod. He remarks that he initially didn't see what all the fuss was about. Why did everyone care about the sleeping woman? A face behind the glass? However, he eventually fell for her. The conversation pivots to love and marriage. Gaal urges him to pump the brakes. They've only spent 32 days together in total between her periods of sleep. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Pritcher counters that everyone else gets to live their lives while they wait to live. Wouldn't Salvor want her to be happy? He adds that that's all Hari wanted. Side note: I love that you can still see the scars on Gaal's face from her prayer stones.
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Later, Day (Lee Pace) requests a meeting with 'the august memory' of Cleon I (also Mann). He asks Cleon about an incident in the 26th year of his reign. That's when older Cleon gives way to the younger. Cleon I transforms into the Day version (also Pace), sans beard. Day demands to know why Cleon traveled to the Mycogen sector that year. Cleon rattles off historical facts about Emperor Aburanis hanging all the robot sympathizers there.
He notes that the Inheritance is still alive and well. He went there to retrieve Demerzel's golden tools, which those in Mycogen viewed as a holy relic. Cleon tried to avoid killing too many people, but there ended up being 200,000 casualties in the wake of his visit. Oops. Regardless, he thought he had wiped out the Inheritance followers. He urges Day to be more cautious and conscientious. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Day asks why he got those tools for Demerzel. Did he love her? Cleon must understand that machines are incapable of love. Cleon refuses to elaborate, only reciting, 'The dream lives on in you.' Day spits at Cleon's feet before leaving. Brother Dude doesn't give one flying f*ck.
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After this, Day walks in on Demerzel performing maintenance on herself. She's currently headless. Boy, I'd love to take off my head some days. Relax for a spell. Demerzel puts her head back on her body. Day reveals that he consulted Cleon I. His ancestor was rather withholding regarding Demerzel. Did they love each other?
Then, Day explains why he's so upset about Demerzel sending Song away. He loves her despite her following an illegal religion. He asks Demerzel what she hears when he says the word 'love.' This scene is so good. Lee Pace, the actor that you are. What a force of nature. I hang on his every word.
Demerzel replies that she understands connection. She feels it. In fact, all robots share everything with each other. They call it the clasp. Of course, she's the only robot left now. Demerzel asserts that she had no choice re: the Song situation. Everything she does is for Empire's well-being, even if it causes pain.
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Next, Mavon (Ibraheem Toure) watches from afar as his daughter and wife laugh together in their home. However, once he enters, he sees Day on the floor with his ferret, Capillus. Mavon's daughter laughs gleefully as she plays with Capillus. Day urges Mavon's wife and daughter to take Capillus upstairs while he chats with Mavon.
Day asks Mavon if he's ready to leave now. He plans to travel to the Mycogen sector to save Song. He has a bargaining chip to grant him access — one of Demerzel's tools. Day vows to uphold his end of the deal. He'll give Mavon's daughter his nanites to cure her terminal illness and ensure the family can safely leave Trantor. Join Me
Elsewhere, Dawn (Cassian Bilton) dons his disguise and makes a beeline for the tea house to meet Gaal. He's surprised to find her solid — not a hologram this time. They sit across from each other. Dawn informs her that his bid for an Enclosure on Kalgan didn't work. Day wouldn't call an emergency Council session. Gaal persuades Dawn to leave the planet with her. He can see what her organization is all about.
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Dawn reminds Gaal that he's about to ascend to Day in a matter of days. He can't leave Trantor. Plus, what is Gaal's organization? What do they do? Gaal refuses to disclose those pretty important details. Suddenly, clavigers descend upon the tea house in search of Dawn. Gaal grabs Dawn, and they escape to the underbelly of the city. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 4, 'The Stress of Her Regard' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ I'm Sorry
Meanwhile, Day, clad in a claviger uniform, and Mavon pass the checkpoint. Mavon maps out Day's trek from the spillway and into Mycogen. Before they part ways, Day chucks his aura into the water and removes his nanites, feeding them into a special container. He places it on the ground for Mavon. They bid each other farewell. Day turns his back before whirling around and shooting Mavon.
He explains that he's played cards with clavigers enough to know their tells, their cues. Mavon has been loyal, but not to him. Day apologizes before shooting Mavon dead. Then, he feeds his nanites into Mavon before rolling his body into the water. Day insists he didn't want to kill Mavon before he speeds away.
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At the same time, Gaal and Dawn race through the sewers as a claviger pursues them. She pulls him into a branching tunnel and places him flush against the wall. Then, Gaal utilizes her abilities to render them invisible to the passing clavigers. Gaal tells Dawn that they won't remember why they're in the sewers and will leave. Dawn is bewildered. Gaal promises that if he joins her, he'll show her everything she's (and her people) capable of.
Then, Gaal leaps into the Beggar's Lament . Dawn hesitates before eventually doing the same. As Gaal flies them off Trantor, she finally declares that she's part of the Second Foundation. Dawn looks shocked. Meanwhile, Day continues his trek toward the Mycogen sector. A guard informs Demerzel that Day's nanites have ceased functioning. She doesn't know about Dawn (yet).
Two Cleons are on the lam.
Foundation drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+.
On Location: The Lighterman in Apple TV+'s SLOW HORSES Contact:
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