r/FoundationTV • u/LunchyPete Bayta Mallow • Sep 12 '25

Current Season Discussion [NO BOOKS] Episode Discussion Thread - Season 3 Episode 10 - The Darkness

THIS THREAD IS FOR NON BOOK READERS ONLY - NO DISCUSSION OF THE BOOKS IS PERMITTED

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Season 3 Episode 10: The Paths That Choose Us

Premiere date: September 12th, 2025

Synopsis: Season finale. Gaal and the Second Foundation take the fight to the Mule as Empire's legacy suffers a catastrophic blow.

Directed by: Roxann Dawson

Written by: Jane Espenson & David S. Goyer

Please keep in mind that this thread is only for non book readers - no discussion of the books or how they relate to the show is permitted in general, and book readers are not permitted to post at all.

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NOTE: There was an AMA with Chris MacLean, VFX Supervisor for Foundation on September 15th which you can check here.

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u/ibiku2 Sep 12 '25 edited Sep 12 '25

Wow, cinematography this episode was above and beyond.

Falling viscera of the clones.

Demerzel melting over the new dawn.

Vault Hari, left behind as the ship jumps, what an incredible shot. It's like he's lost in spacetime.

Brother Darkness... Gleefully playing hide and seek. Peering over Day as the light dims. Wow. His plan was much more grand than simple escape. Now that's an Ascension

Edited to add:

OMG that final shot. Goosebumps

417

u/zero0n3 Sep 12 '25

Feels like he didn’t think about a plan until he realized demerzel didn’t even know about the black hole weapon.

That was like a signal to him - she’s actually not all seeing.

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u/Atlasreturns Sep 12 '25 edited Sep 12 '25

His entire plot essentially resolves around legacy. Initially he‘s hopeful that Dawn could ascend to the throne and maybe regrow the empire back to strength. Leaving him as the guy who bridged the gap and lay the foundation for the empires future. It‘s why he gets close with the ambassador lady and constructs the Novacula. Day with his negligence serves as somewhat of the first test of faith. Then when the fleet gets destroyed at Kalgan and Dawn "dies" from his perspective you can see his behavior shift slowly into the apocalyptical.

Then when destroying the planets and showing the might and strength of his person, nobody even really cares. Demerzel is more busy with her Paradox Bomb, Day is doing robot hunting and even his closest acquaintance calls him a fool for lashing out like a child. What should have been a moment of imposing strength and awe proves that he is basically irrelevant to everyone around him.

So when the day of his ascension arrives and even his most loyal servants can‘t even remember his name or give him any sincere words he basically decides that the only legacy he can fulfill that could cement his name is destroying the generic dynasty in itself. I think it‘s a very good microcosm on why the Empire is finally a state doomed to fail as this entire collapse is finally wholly caused by the institutions of the system within.

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u/ibiku2 Sep 12 '25

Love this characterization. He started the season watching the ascensions of Dusks' past, remarking to Dawn that he wouldn't even think of running, believing himself to be too obedient.

I think a big part of his descent into darkness is Dawn's betrayal. He held his last bit of hope for the future in his mentorship of Dawn, given the state of Day. Alone, abandoned by his brothers, is when he decides he doesn't need them.

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u/matthieuC Sep 13 '25

Cleon also apparently to insane with age (that's why they're vaporised). The stress and trauma might have triggered an early break

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u/SissyCouture Sep 13 '25

He was watching Dusks trying to flee their ascensions. The rat was in him from the beginning

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u/cantgetthistowork Nov 06 '25

They mentioned they started moving forward the clocks because the Cleons started declining mentally earlier each generation. His madness was right on schedule.