Foundation (1×06) Death and the Maiden Review

For our review of the last episode of Foundation, click here.

Death and the Maiden, the best episode of the season thus far, shows in great detail how the Imperium rules over other planets and, in particular, how they treat people who do not fall in line. Brother Day is the primary character within the triumvirate of Brother Dawn, Brother Day and Brother Dusk and is also the rightful leader. He basically gets to do whatever he wants with the planets that the Empire rules over. He is imposing and calculating, and many people fear him, including Seldon and Dornick.

His relationship with the other two clones is exciting, but only to the point where their boundaries as clones overlap. Neither Dawn nor Dusk want to push their limits with him (although Dusk gets pretty close to doing this on several occasions). Dawn is the opposite of Day and Dusk in that he feels entirely alone. He is constantly being watched, so he is consciously aware of everything he does and how it will impact his relationship with his clones. It is as if Dawn isn’t part of the Imperial rule at all. He is always guarded and timid because of the secret he keeps. He knows all too well what will happen to him should the other two clones find out what he is hiding.

Day faces his first real challenger when he visits ‘The Maiden’, part of a sect of followers who worship the Luminest faith. This is an exciting part of the episode as not only do it show how skilled Day is at dealing with conflict but it also shows his strategic mind in full swing. It is these traits that separate him from the other two clones considerably. He is the leader among leaders for this reason.

Salvor is still having difficulties with the insurgence of Anacreons pushing forward with their attempt to hold the Foundation hostage. Phara, leader of the Anacreons, is a capable warrior and intelligent, testing everything Hardin has learned as the warden of her planet. Will her experience be enough to keep the Anacreons at bay? Or will she forfeit control to Phara, who has many plans all set up and waiting to be executed?

Foundation’s expansive and layered story and how time travel makes it possible to tell several stories at once without giving too much away has been enjoyable to watch thus far. Even if viewers are focused on one particular character, they shouldn’t envision what might happen to that character until the rest of the story clicks into place.

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