Warning: Spoilers for Foundation Season 3, Episode 2 – “Shadows in the Math” are now in play. Reading without watching might not cause a crisis event…but do you want to risk it?
If Hari Seldon and Gaal Dornik’s plan had held true, the two pioneers of psychohistory would have been awakened together annually on Ignis, just to be sure Humanity was doing alright. As we’ve seen in Foundation’s 2025 TV premiere, plans are for fools. Season 3 could see a pretty major player exiting the stage for good. The possibility is a real bummer for me, as I love this character to bits.
I Don’t Think Hari Seldon Will Last Past The Third Crisis
Apple TV+ subscription booster, Jared Harris’ psychohistorian believes he needs to prepare the Second Foundation for The Third Crisis. That means he rejects that original plan: aging over a century in the body this version of his consciousness achieved in Season 2.
Foundation’s current big bad, The Mule (Pilou Asbæk). Judging by what we’ve seen in these first two episodes of Season 3, I’d say she’s already stepped into that position rather well.
Gaal Dornik’s Authority May Have Already Taken Form In Foundation Season 3
A question I circulated through most of the cast on hand for this Foundation press day was what they feel is important knowledge to keep in mind for their characters. Speaking with Lou Llobell on that very subject, she actually gave an answer that prompted me to discuss Gaal Dornik’s evolution.
Ms. Llobell’s response was telling, and it definitely shows how much Gaal has learned from Hari Seldon:
I think just keep in mind that she has a plan. You know, everything is for a reason for Gaal. … The student has become the teacher.
Hearing her lay out that rationale definitely reminded me of Hari Seldon in earlier episodes of Foundation. Time and again, the psychohistorian’s plan to soften the coming dark age has been held as close to the chest as possible.
Now it’s Gaal’s turn to play her cards in that same way, and considering she’s opened a dialogue with Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), I can’t wait to see what’s really going on. I’m sure Hari Seldon will/would be proud, depending on which version you’re talking about.
Foundation Season 3 continues to unfold with each new episode, debuting Fridays on Apple TV+. Don’t be alarmed if you feel the need to revisit the first two seasons, or even Foundation’s brutal season opener, as the finale isn’t set to air until September 12th.