In Foundation 2×02 “A Glimpse of Darkness,” Brother Day seems to have figured out how robes are actually supposed to work. Which, that’s probably good for him—however long this new competency with clothing lasts—but it kind of doesn’t fit for our overall plan for reacting to this season’s episodes. But it’s fine. We can still find things to discuss that have nothing at all to do with the hellscape Gaal sees in her vision, thus saving us from thinking about a disastrous future.
Instead of this episode being all about Lee Pace being anti abdominal coverage, it focuses on a lot of less more important stuff. Aside from Seldon absolutely losing his shit on Gaal while Salvor sits there, sporting that face we all sport when we’re watching messy drama unfold, we get to meet a couple of new characters. Most notably, let’s Brother Constant (Isabella Laughland) to the list of folks we will absolutely stan. And the banter with Poly Verisof (Kulvinder Ghir) is an absolute delight.
Then, meanwhile, we need to figure out what’s happening with Cleon. Possibly, the whole reason Lee Pace isn’t naked in this episode is because he’s unintentionally respecting the faith of our newest friends. (Just kidding. We don’t really think that’s a remotely plausible explanation either.) Sure, we’re proud of him for finding semi-appropriate dinner attire. However, what’s really concerning here is that Empire seems to be a bit…confused. See, in the previous episode, he was naked a lot. But now, when he’s talking about making a ton of babies with Queen Sareth, he’s…showing less skin? Make it make sense.
And, for the record, he is totally, totally into her. Half the time, it’s difficult to know what they’re even talking about because Lee Pace is just sitting there, making this “wow, that’s hot” face. Or a “oh, I’m impressed with how much she’s handing me my ass here” kind of face. And, occasionally, “hmmm, yes. I am smug Empire man, who has no doubt in his abilities to procreate.” And shit like that.
So, is he suddenly covered up out of respect? Did he get cold? Is it something else, and if so, could we please get an explanation here? Basically, we just need to know what gives.
More on Foundation 2×02
- “Did it occur to you that you would become my torturer? You didn’t give it a second’s thought, did you?” This sounds like an emo lyric, and I’m here for any band that would use it in their next big hit.
- The real world has enough impending doom, so all we have to say about the actual plot full o’ crises is that Gaal and Salvor are badasses.
- Can relate to refusing to get out of bed. “Go away” indeed. I’m tired. We’re all tired. Poly Verisof is a mood.
- …not remotely a fan of that giant needle, though.
- “Well, that was a productive purge, wasn’t it? Clean as a whistle. All the way through.” “You’re a demon.” “And you’re detoxed. Give it a minute, and you’ll be perky enough to wipe your ass and greet the day with a smile. Oh. And I found a death threat.” I love the shit out of them. I will even forgive the giant needle…just this once.
- Also: The hilarious exchange above would be impossible without writers and actors. Give the WGA and SAG-AFTRA fair deals already.
- “Faith is a funny thing, Brother.” A! Whole! Word!
- “What a low bar we’ve set these days.”
- “…but in the moment, I couldn’t separate the man from the math.” Every time they mention anything mathematical—even just the word math—I get so giddy. Math is cool, actually!
- “The answers are there for you if you care to work them out.” Usually, you need lots of caffeine for the “work them out” part. Fun fact.
- “We lose it’s bad; we win it’s bad. I can’t accept that.” Salvor Hardin is the hero we need, but we definitely do not deserve.
- The queen really outsmarted Day and made him confirm rumors of the (naked!) attack, huh? We might have to stan.
- “She’s displaying a fine mind for analysis” is, apparently, Empire’s way of saying Queen Sareth is hot when she points out that Dawn’s entire reason for being will be wiped out if they marry and have a ton of kids.
- “We call them exponents.” That is…weirdly, it checks out? Exponential population growth models and whatnot.
- “So, are you expecting intercourse?” Ma’am, I—.
- (…but isn’t he wearing too many clothes for that???)
- “…your interest in my, as yet, unexploited womb.” What is even happening?
- “One of the worst punishments is having your wish come true.”
- “So much hatred. Not just for me but for everyone.” The Mule is a conservative. Got it.
- “His mission was to shorten humankind’s slide into barbarism and ignorance. Do you still believe in that?” “I believe in the prophet.” “Yeah? Which way are you spelling it?” A lot of people, who claim to have “faith” in the real world, could really stand to take a minute and consider this exchange. They won’t. But they should.
- Also: The folks who refuse to give the writers and actors who made this series, and our completely nonsensical reaction to it, possible? They definitely spell it p-r-o-f-i-t. That’s literally all they believe in. Period.
- The High Claric’s “shit” is basically all of us reacting to that.
- “I saw you lying next to me. And you were dead. Salvor, you were dead.” Well, that was one hell of an ending…
Thoughts on Foundation 2×02? Ready for Lee Pace to go back to his skimpy wardrobe? Leave us a comment!
New episodes stream Fridays on Apple TV+.
