Warning: This article focuses on a major reveal from Foundation season 3's finale!The co-creator of Foundation, David S. Goyer, has explained why a major change from the books was made. Foundation is an Apple TV+ science-fiction show based on Isaac Asimov's series of books that are collectively known by the same name. The show focuses on a group brought together to ensure the survival of humanity following an intergalactic empire's downfall.

Foundation's incredible cast includes Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann, Lou Llobell, and Leah Harvey, among others. While those actors portray characters from Asimov's books, that doesn't mean the show has been entirely faithful to its source material. Now, Goyer has discussed one of the show's major departures.

While speaking to SlashFilm about Foundation's season 3 finale, Goyer was asked about the show revealing Kalle and another robot are on the Moon. In the books, that revelation comes to light later in the story. While speaking to the outlet, the series' co-creator revealed the show allows storytellers to adjust the timing of certain events in the story. Check out his comments below:

What I was doing, kind of like the Foundation itself, is sort of adjusting the math as we go. Yes, there's a plan, but in real time, we're adjusting it here and there.

After discussing feeling free to adjust the show's timeline, Goyer became more specific. Foundation's co-creator talked about the specific decision to move the robot reveal forward in the show's storylines.

One of the things that's lovely about a television show as opposed to a movie, if you get more than one season, is there is an ability, to a certain extent, to adjust in real time. We have a relationship with the audience, and you're seeing what's working, what's not working, and you can also decide ... we have an expectation that we can keep certain mysteries withheld for a certain period of time, four seasons, five seasons. But we've adjusted that as we've gone along, and we've decided [...] It just felt that it was time to start turning over that card with Kalle. So that was brought forward.

What This Means For Foundation

Lee Pace in Foundation

When a book or movie is based on a book or a series of them, that can feel limiting for readers who have enjoyed the source material. Instead of wondering what to expect next, viewers familiar with the source material may only be able to wonder how the expected story beats will be brought to life.

After Foundation's third season features another major change from the books, that is no longer the case for the show. Instead, the show's viewers who've read the books now know that the people in charge of the show can still keep them guessing. That could have a major effect on how viewers will experience Foundation season 4.

Our Take On Foundation's Major Change

Rowena King looking upset from Foundation

As of the time of this writing, there is no way for any observers to know whether the major change to Foundation's timeline will ultimately be a good idea. That will only become clear after more of the show airs and viewers will be able to contemplate how the change affected the story as a whole.

What I can say, however, is that I appreciate that the team that crafted Foundation's best scenes are willing to mix things up for a simple reason. Initially, it may seem like movie or TV adaptations of books should be as faithful as possible to their source material. In reality, however, that isn't always the case.

Since movies and shows have very different formats than books do, their stories can't be told in the same way. As a result, if a show or movie is too dogmatically loyal to a book they are based on, they can very easily falter. Instead, I want a show like Foundation to be spiritually faithful to its source material.

Foundation

8/10

Release Date: September 23, 2021
Network: Apple TV+
Showrunner: David S. Goyer

Jared Harris
Hari Seldon
Laura Birn
Demerzel

Directors: Alex Graves, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Phang, Mark Tonderai, Andrew Bernstein
Writers: Jane Espenson, Leigh Dana Jackson, Liz Phang, Eric Carrasco, David Kob, Addie Manis, Marcus Gardley, Lauren Bello, Olivia Purnell
Creator(s): David S. Goyer, Josh Friedman

Apple TV+ Unveils 'Foundation' Series: A Sci-Fi Epic Based on Asimov's Classic

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