David Bridges
Foundation, the highly anticipated adaptation on Apple TV+ of the legendary Isaac Asimov novels, unfolds in a vast galaxy that is grappling with a looming, mathematically foreseen age of darkness. This situation is alarming, particularly for the Empire, a genetic dynasty of clones known as Cleon, which has maintained its reign for centuries. While the prospect of extinction appears dire, the onset of season three brings an unsettling revelation: the calculations have shifted, indicating that total doomsday may now be an undeniable reality. The stakes have never been higher for all involved.
As the season commences, various characters within Foundation respond to this alarming news—indicated by distressing fluctuations in the Prime Radiant, a sophisticated quantum supercomputer that predicts future events. Some individuals choose to ramp up their preventative measures, while others opt for a more carefree approach, believing that celebrating may alleviate their concerns. However, the most intriguing response comes from one of the show’s most intricate characters: Demerzel, portrayed by Laura Birn. As an ancient robot and the final remnant of the Robot Wars, her origins and programming are deeply entwined with the first Cleon, which commands her actions and limits her autonomy in a profound way.
Throughout the unfolding narrative of Foundation, viewers have gained significant insights into Demerzel. In season three, her backstory receives further exploration, but as the Empire—and, by extension, all of humanity—faces an uncertain future, her role within that narrative becomes increasingly complex and ambiguous.
“I’d say very much she is in an existential crisis,” Birn revealed during a recent press event for Foundation with io9. “For many centuries, her path has been very clear, since [she was programmed by Cleon I], and before that also.”
However, this once-clear trajectory has now become obscured. “This season, the information that the Prime Radiant provides—and when [season three villain] the Mule arrives, the repercussions it has on the entire galaxy—suddenly introduces new possible paths. She has always believed she knows the right answers, thinking, ‘this is the way we should operate, this is how I will steer the galaxy, or navigate the Cleons.’”
Birn elaborated, “Suddenly, when that dynamic shifts, new questions emerge. What happens if the end is imminent? What is her responsibility in all this turmoil? What does it mean for her if the human species faces annihilation? Is that a favorable outcome for her? Or does it present a profoundly lonely and sorrowful reality? Does she bear a responsibility? Can she effect change? Consequently, these profound questions spiral her into a state of contemplation about ‘what is the purpose of my existence, what is the meaning of my life?’ It is undoubtedly an existential crisis.”
At the onset of season three, Demerzel seeks counsel from a prominent leader within the Luminist faith—a storyline that dedicated Foundation fans will recognize from a crucial plot arc in season one—to serve as a sounding board for her ongoing crisis.
“I think, similar to many of her decisions, it’s challenging to determine if this is a beneficial or constructive choice,” Birn explained. “Inside the palace, no one is privy to her secrets. She is highly reserved and maintains strict control over her emotions. Thus, having those moments for self-reflection—considering her past decisions, weighing her past against future possibilities—is indeed powerful; however, I’m uncertain about its utility. Perhaps it aids her, but not necessarily for the betterment of humanity.”
Inside her chest, Demerzel houses the Prime Radiant, which resembles a small jewelry box, occupying the space where a human heart might reside. This decision, while practical, carries deeper significance, as Birn notes.
“It’s fascinating: how do we define the essence of humanity within us? We often associate emotions with the heart or contemplate the existence of the soul—where do we believe the soul resides? This juxtaposition, featuring a mechanical component within her, which paradoxically contains vital information relevant to the entire galaxy and influences her critical decisions, is particularly intriguing. I genuinely appreciate the exploration of this theme.”
Foundation returns to Apple TV+ with new episodes released weekly starting July 11.
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Daniel Mercer
