Review: Apple TV+ series based Isaac Asimov novels starts with strong ‘Foundation’

“Foundation” represents the kind of ambitious science fiction that streaming services produce in the hopes of generating a spillover effect.

Meaning: They’re hoping the series’ epic quality will get its viewers to sample some of what else is on the menu. In this case, that’s Apple TV+.

For some, including me, it’s too late. “Ted Lasso” has already done that as has “The Morning Show.” So I’ll just thank the science-fiction gods that “Foundation,” often considered an impossible-to-adapt Isaac Asimov property, received such a lavish, compelling treatment.

Stretched over a millennium, it begins with the story of the father of psychohistory, Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), a beyond-genius-level mathematician who predicts history using mathematics models. He serves as mentor to Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) a studious woman who matches his genius.

They confirm to the leaders of the vast Galactic Empire and its rulers Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Brother Day (Lee Pace) and Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann) that their reign is coming to an end, according to Seldon’s predictions.  Needless to say, that fact doesn’t sit well with them and they sentence Seldon and his followers to the unenviable task of preserving the knowledge of humanity on a barren wasteland of a planet with its own mysteries.

What ensues is a series — with 10 episodes to start — that finds parallels to today’s events with respect to politics, religion and society in general.

Adapted and executive produced by David S. Goyer (writer of “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight”), the series commands its audience to pay attention, lest they get left behind.  Goyer accomplished the same feat with the sci-fi cult classic “Dark City,” so he’s possesses the chops to adapt a complicated narrative into a piece that challenges while captivating and entertaining.

He does so without the benefit of an all-star cast that would under normal circumstances immediately draw eyes if only out of curiosity. Surely audiences might recognize Harris from any number of projects — the Emmy-winning TV show “The Crown” being one — but a character actor of his gravitas doesn’t guarantee viewership, even if his portrayal as the egotistic genius is a showcase.

Pace will be recognizable as Ronan from several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, though buried under a bunch of makeup, and produces a subtle, malevolent turn.

The most recognizable for some?  Alfred Enoch, known for cursory appearances in eight “Harry Potter” films where audiences watched him grow up as Dean Thomas. They are but several members of a ginormous cast that plays in Asimov and Goyer’s world and does so with sincerity and intelligence. They balance the subtleties of the assorted themes along with the action elements when they arise.

In many ways, what Goyer and his team of directors have produced is a series (I’ve screened six episodes so far) reminiscent of “The Expanse” in the sci-fi realm and “Game of Thrones” in the world of fantasy. It requires significant set up to start and runs the risk of losing the audience along the way. In this case, it turns into a case of hanging around as the narrative builds intrigue and the audience cares enough about the characters to want to see how it will play out.

Could it ultimately fizzle? Sure, but for now “Foundation” is an epic worth sampling.

George M. Thomas can be reached at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Details

Series: “Foundation”

Cast: Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Alfred Enoch, Lou Llobell

Directed by: Various

When: Streaming Fridays on Apple TV+

Grade: B