Summary
Some storylines work better than others in “King and Commoner,” but the cinematic scope of Foundation is still evident in every scene. This is a dizzying accomplishment that has brought a magnificent sci-fi universe to the small screen. Let’s hope that the complex narrative can now equal these breathtaking visuals.
We recap the Apple TV+ series Foundation Season 2 Episode 3, “King and Commoner,” which contains spoilers.
Two specific scenes in the previous installment mentioned the name of the mysterious Hober Mallow.
This character seems to be integral to the plot of the second season, and in “King and Commoner,” we are finally introduced to this Han Solo-esque trickster.
Meanwhile, Brother Day (Lee Pace) recruits his old General, and Hari (Jared Harris) takes his team on an unexpected detour.
Foundation Season 2 Episode 3 Recap
Gaal and Salvor begin the episode discussing the ramifications of Gaal’s premonition. Salvor is actually pleased to know that she doesn’t die for another 150 years, but Gaal still wants to save her daughter from this horrific fate.
While they argue, Hari reappears, landing them on a different planet from the one they had agreed upon previously. He has other plans and has taken them on a detour.
On this desert planet, Gaal and Hari argue once more. Eventually, Gaal surrenders and follows Hari’s scheme.
They walk across a desert expanse to a large mining site. Here they find Kalle, the very same person who appeared to Hari as a vision inside the Prime Radiant. She is thought to have died centuries ago, which shocks Gaal to her core.
Kalle takes Hari’s projection and leaves Gaal stranded on the other side of a sealed door.
Gaal returns to the ship. Salvor suggests that they ditch Hari on this planet and leave. She doesn’t trust the crazy mathematician, and her suggestion starts to work on Gaal too.
When they finally do decide to flee, the ground caves in though. Salvor’s ship is then attacked by gigantic mining machinery.
The duo manages to escape, flying to safety. Salvor then spots a life form on the hand of an enormous statue. Gaal believes that it is Hari in human form. They maneuver the ship, hovering above this enormous hand.
Who is Hober Mallow?
Back on Terminus, Poly and the others debate the death of Warden Jaegger. Was this horrifying killing a warning or a request for the presence of Hober Mallow? Poly thinks they should track down Hober Mallow, a con artist who once trained for the priesthood. Brother Constant and Poly head for the planet of Korell, where they hope Hober is currently residing.
Our introduction to Hober is quite a comical one. The trickster manages to con Commander Argo out of a precious jewel via a teleportation device. Unfortunately, Hober is soon arrested for this cheeky crime and sentenced to a rather sadistic death.
How does Hober Mallow escape?
Poly and Brother Constant arrive just as Hober is being put to death. The thief has other plans, though; he uses the device once again, swapping places with Commander Argo. Hober then escapes, commandeering Poly and Brother Constant’s ship. All three are then reunited on the ship above. They head back to Terminus.
In the final subplot, Demerzel travels to Lepsis Penal Colony, where she finds Bel Riose (Ben Daniels). The former General is now a slave. Demerzel offers him the chance to fight for the Empire once again.
Bel negotiates his release. He then finds out that his husband, who he thought was dead, is very much still alive. This deception was all part of his punishment.
Foundation Season 2 Episode 3 Ending Explained
Bel is taken back to Trantor, where he meets with Brother Day. It’s clear right away that these two rivals hate one another, but they put their hatred aside for the time being. Brother Day maps out Bel’s first mission. He wants Bel to investigate Hari Seldon to see if he is actually a threat to the Empire.
As a reward for agreeing to these terms, Bel is reunited with his husband, who he was told had died six years ago. After this bitter-sweet reunion, Bel is placed back in charge of his old fleet.
The episode concludes with Gaal’s storyline as she saves Hari from the monument. Kalle watches the whole scenario play out. The mining machines approach, but Salvor manages to steer the ship to safety. Gaal finds a pulse on Hari; the projection is very much alive now. She asks Hari how this is even impossible, but Hari seems just as surprised as Gaal.
What did you think of the Apple TV+ series Foundation Season 2 Episode 3? Comment below.
