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The second season of Apple’s sci-fi blockbuster Foundation premiered last week. While the streamer is sticking with a weekly airing format instead of the popular binge option, the debut episode packed quite a punch. Set over a century after the events of season 1, this season is already shaping up to be more exciting and intriguing than its predecessor. Especially when it comes to the Cleon genetic dynasty. The Empire appears to be on the brink of collapse, and its survival, or downfall, may rest on the shoulders of one woman — Queen Sareth of Cloud Dominion.
New Season, New Drama
In the first episode of Foundation season 2, “In Seldon’s Shadow,” the Empire is not doing so well. Last season’s finale revealed that the genetic clone line has been tampered with. This means the genetic clone’s claim to the throne is in question. Or at least on a rapidly ticking timer. However, the empirical brothers, especially Brother Day (Lee Pace), are pretty cunning. There is already a plan in motion to bring rest to the Empire and solidify the Cleon claim to the throne. That plan involves Brother Day marrying Queen Sareth (Ella-Rae Smith).
However, while Brother Day feels this marriage will help solve their problems, his brothers think otherwise. Plus, Queen Sareth appears to have a plan of her own for getting involved with the Empire and its Emperor(s). She can sense that the Empire is crumbling rapidly from within. And she is not wrong. Clearly, this new bride-to-be is going to cause some strife to the clones as the season progresses.
What This Means For The Rest Of Foundation Season 2
Brother Day’s solution to ensure he, and the Cleon bloodline, maintain the throne is to bear a child. Of course, if Brother Day and Queen Sareth do procreate, this could lead to some big problems within the Cleon “family.” Since no clone has ever produced an heir, a legitimate child may jeopardize the other brothers’, Dusk and Dawn, claim to the throne. After all, When Dusk perishes, Day takes his place as Emperor, and Dawn is next in line. This is the cycle that has kept the Cleons in power for many years.
This is likely going to be an issue amongst the three clones as the season progresses. Plus, with Queen Sareth being a new character for the Foundation series not included in Asimov’s novel, her motives are a complete mystery. The show has hinted that she has killed for power before. Could she be stirring trouble to further weaken the Empire so she can seize control? Or does she know that any child she bears with one of the Cleon clones will become an heir and solidify her place in the Empire? Perhaps she is simply a pawn in Brother Day’s larger, yet-to-be-seen plan. Honestly, anything can happen in this time-jumping space drama.
Foundation season 2 drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+.
