FOUNDATION Recap: (S03E03) When a Book Finds You
RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Foundation episode, 'Shadows in the Math' Foundation, 'When a Book Finds You'
We open with a flashback to three years ago. Dawn (Cassian Bilton) arrives at the Imperial Library. He asks Nee Tellamarus (Vibeke Hastrup) for Kalle's Ninth Proof of Folding . Sure, it was outlawed a long, long time ago, but he's Empire. Laws don't apply to him. Tellamarus leads Dawn to the Rare Books collection. His guards must remain behind, though, as only two people are allowed entry at a time.
Tellamarus retrieves Dawn's request. He procures the manuscript, which is woven with Thraxian silk. Dawn wonders how the original manuscript made its way back to Trantor. Hari Seldon gave it to Gaal Dornick before the Foundation established itself on Terminus, but she never made it there. Tellamarus refers him to a colleague who can answer his questions. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 3, 'When a Book Finds You' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ A Surprise Ally
After this, we see Dawn waiting for said colleague in a tea house in the Ery District. It's none other than Gaal (Lou Llobell). Dawn boasts a disguise that consists of patchy facial hair and colored contacts. No one can know Empire is here, meeting with a leader of the Foundation.
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Dawn can't believe it. He watched holos of Gaal and Hari from 300 years ago. Gaal notes the pains Dawn took to slip in undetected — too much for mere 'idle curiosity.' She senses that Dawn is more than curious. The conversation pivots to Demerzel and the Prime Radiant. Gaal didn't know that Hari gave it to Demerzel. Dawn remarks that her predictions are more concerned with the Genetic Dynasty, not humanity as a whole.
Gaal offers an escape hatch, a means of putting Dawn's destiny in the rearview mirror. She tries to sway him to the Foundation's cause. She also mentions the Mule, an impending threat that will require all hands on deck. For now, Gaal and Dawn can simply talk. 'When will you return?' Dawn asks. Gaal explains that she was never here to begin with, as her hologram glitches. Dawn reaches for her hand, but Gaal vanishes. Enclosure
Fast forward to the present. Dawn retreats to his chambers to contact Gaal. We're now at the end of episode two. Gaal reveals that it's time for Dawn to make himself useful. She asks Dawn what he knows about the Mule. The Mule isn't making any demands — yet. Gaal discloses the Mule's ability to compel people to do his bidding with his mind.
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Gaal urges Dawn to call for an Enclosure on Kalgan. Meet with the Council and implement it. Dawn counters that the Foundation will see it as an act of war, since Kalgan doesn't belong to Empire. She vows to take care of the Foundation. She also suggests he meet with the Mule, but only via holo.
Elsewhere, Pritcher (Brandon P Bell), Toran (Cody Fern) and Bayta (Synnøve Karlsen) arrive at the Mule's party on Kalgan. Pritcher orders the Mallows to keep quiet and walk behind him. They're simply his ticket into the Mule's exclusive shindig. Pritcher's objective is to find out who the Mule is and what he wants. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 3, 'When a Book Finds You' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. Who's Gaal Dornick?
On the dancefloor, the Mule's balladeer, Mangifico Giganticus (Tómas Lemarquis), entrances the partygoers. The Mule brings him wherever he goes, even into battle. Pritcher spots the Mule (Pilou Asbæk) with his posse. Suddenly, Pritcher falls to his knees, his mind inundated with a ringing sound. The Mule remarks, telepathically, that Pritcher is like him. 'Who's Gaal Dornick?' The Mule asks Pritcher. Bayta and Toran help Pritcher to his feet. Pritcher urges them to run as he, himself, runs. Pritcher hops into his ship and zooms away. Well, that was quick.
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After this, Bayta and Toran decide to continue with Pritcher's plan … in their own way. Bayta remarks that the Mule stole her sunshine when he seized control of Kalgan. She's happy to steal a bit of his. So, she tracks down Magnifico, while Toran makes a beeline for the Mule. He brings our pirate alcohol and his disarming personality.
Toran kicks off their interaction by inadvertently insulting the group. However, the Mule wants Toran to keep going. Insult him again. Make him laugh. It's a comedy roast! Toran spews his best insults for the Mule. Eventually, he makes the Mule laugh. Listen, Asbæk is giving me major Ewan McGregor vibes here. It's the smile and the beard. Toran looks around nervously while Bayta watches from afar at the bar. She charms Magnifico. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 3, 'When a Book Finds You' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ When I Want Something, I Take It
The Mule remarks that one of Toran's insults cut to the quick. Toran assumes that the Mule has no ambition beyond seizing control of Kalgan. However, ole Muley wants it all — the whole galaxy. Skirlet (Isla Gie) grabs a peeler for her master, which the Mule uses to peel a chunk of skin off Toran's palm. Ouchie. Asbæk is such a good baddie in this.
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Thankfully, Toran distracts the Mule enough so he, Bayta and Magnifico can flee the scene. Yes, they're taking the balladeer with them. You never know when you might need someone to compose the soundtrack of your life. Anyway, the Mule's muscle fires on the Mallows' vessel as they fly away. Bayta slaps sleep patches on the three of them before they jump. The Mule learns of their escape with Magnifico. He decides that it is what it is. They'll catch the trio or they won't.
Later, Day (Lee Pace) and Song (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) ask Mavon (Ibraheem Toure) for assistance. They need the claviger to help them escape. Day will let Song keep her memories, so he has a companion. Mavon reminds Empire that Dawn and Dusk could search his memories. Day invites Mavon to accompany them. He can even bring his family. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 3, 'When a Book Finds You' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ The Lone Robot
Best of all? Day will heal Mavon's terminally ill daughter with his nanites. Mavon is hesitant. After all, Empire allows clavigers to keep their families nearby as potential hostages should they act out in defiance. Day urges him to sleep on it. Outside, Day spots Demerzel (Laura Birn) walking in the gardens. Day waits until Demerzel is out of earshot to divulge something big to Song: Demerzel is a robot. Song is incredulous. Weren't all the robots eradicated? Well, all but one…
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Then, Dawn and Dusk (Terrence Mann) contact the Mule, with Demerzel there for support. The Mule pops up via holo. Dawn tries to negotiate with him. He vows to make the Mule a bona fide warlord by certifying the title. However, Empire gets suzerain status over Kalgan. The Mule will pay taxes and allow Dawn to deploy Kalgan's navy. In return, the Mule gets access to Empire's jump gate trade network and Trantor's protection.
The Mule counters that Empire failed to protect Kalgan, which is why he now has it. Dawn asserts that the Mule's refusal to honor these terms is grounds for war. The Mule remarks that Dawn knows nothing of war. Cleon lives a comfortable life, and war is anything but. You've Hardly Touched Your Spores
After their meeting, we see the Mule and his crew secure the jump gate on Kalgan by killing a bunch of people. The Mule insists they shouldn't flaunt their prize yet, especially to Empire. Things must continue as normal. One wounded guard attempts to crawl away from the pile of bodies. Muley slips a blade between the man's ribs as he waxes poetic about how out of sorts he is. The Mallows stole his balladeer! He's cranky.
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Meanwhile, Brother Dude goes over the escape plan with Song, who packs her clothing in silence. Day asks her what's on her mind. She's hardly touched her drugs. This line made me giggle. Song believes it might be best to stay close to Demerzel. Day reveals that he and Demerzel have a complex relationship. He wants to leave this place behind. He especially wants to meet Song's family. Song insists that he won't enjoy that meeting.
Next, Demerzel calls for Day, adding that Dawn requests his presence in the throne room. Our trio of clones reunite in the throne room. Dawn proposes they call for an Enclosure on Kalgan (as per Gaal's wishes). Dusk counters that this will provoke the Foundation. Dawn shares that he wants to figure out why the Genetic Dynasty — and everything, really — will end in four months. Strength, Wisdom, Fortitude
Dawn adds that Day, the middle throne, can call for an emergency Council session without pushback. Then, they can implement the Enclosure. Demerzel advises against this. The last thing they need is for the Council to have more leverage against the Dynasty. Day apologizes to Dawn before answering, 'No.' Dawn still wants eyes on the Mule, so he orders Demerzel to send probes to Kalgan for surveillance.
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Then, after Demerzel leaves, Day realizes he missed Dawn's robing ceremony. Dusk stood in for him. However, Dusk forgot the most important part of said robing — alcohol. The trio drinks from a flask, toasting to 'strength, wisdom and fortitude.' I love this scene. It's surprisingly sweet. Side note: Someone, anyone, please wash Dude Day's fur coat/robe. I doubt it's seen soap in some time. FOUNDATION Season 3 Episode 3, 'When a Book Finds You' — Photo courtesy of Apple TV+
Day meets Mavon, who has a solid plan for the escape. He explains that Day and Song will disguise themselves as clavigers. Mavon is in. Day promises to cure his daughter. They shake on it. Inheritance Is Illegal
That night, Day returns to his quarters to find Demerzel waiting for him. Song is gone. Demerzel notes that earlier, Song locked eyes with Demerzel as she touched her arm.
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As it turns out, the Mycogen Sector is home to an illegal religion, one that's thousands of years old. It's called the Inheritance, a belief in robots. Followers of this faith, like Song, believe that robots will return to deliver them from darkness. Practicing Inheritance is punishable by death. So, Demerzel erased Song's memories and sent her back to Mycogen. She doesn't remember Day at all.
Demerzel insists that she did Song a mercy. After all, she could've had Song killed. Demerzel must protect her secret. She claims that she spared Song for Day.
She adds that Day's dereliction of duty is over. It's time to return to the palace. But Day is pissed . He orders Demerzel to leave him.
RELATED: Read our Foundation recaps
Foundation drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+.
On Location: The Lighterman in Apple TV+'s SLOW HORSES Contact:
[email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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