Ever sinceFoundationpremiered in September 2021, the epic science fiction show has undergone significant changes. Based on the books by Isaac Asimov, theApple TV+series is now halfway through Season 3, with its storyline spanning over 300 years. In that time, the Foundation flourished into an organization that nearly rivals Empire,Bayta (Synnøve Karlsen) and Toran (Cody Fern)have charmingly entered the fray, and Hari (Jared Harris) and Gaal’s (Lou Llobell) Second Foundation has thrived in the shadows as they prepare to take on the Mule (Pilou Asbæk). With numerous characters across multiple planets, the scope of the show’s narrative is vast, which means various storylines are happening all at once.AsFoundationenters the second half of Season 3, there’s one storyline the series shouldn’t ignore as the show moves forward.
Under the galaxy’s rule of Cleon I came the creation of the genetic dynasty and his clones, Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Brother Day (Lee Pace), and Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann). Full of hubris, Cleon sought to make perfect duplicates of himself to rule forever. However, at the end of Season 1, Demerzel (Laura Birn) informs Day that long ago, a group of rebels successfully tampered with Cleon I’s DNA, which altered the entire line. Since then, the genetic dynasty has diverged significantly. Every Cleon’s physical appearance has remained the same, but throughout Season 3, the variations in their personalities have become more evident than ever.The Mule might be center stage this season, but the Cleon plotline, particularly that of Day, is better than everything else going on inFoundation, and I hope they continue exploring it.
The Genetic Drift Has Created a Very Different Brother Day in ‘Foundation’ Season 3
And He’s the Most Interesting Cleon the Series Has Seen Thus Far
Aptly nicknamed “Brother Dude” by fans online, the latest Cleon to sit on the middle throne is wildly different from any Day we’ve seen so far, and it’s immensely entertaining. A stoner-type character who’s quippy at nearly every turn, the latest iteration of Dayseems more fitting forThe Big LebowskithanFoundation. All he’s missing is a white Russian.In a season where the Mule is obliterating entire planets, Day delivers the laughs, the irony, and the heart in a way I wasn’t expecting, and it’s refreshing. After two seasons of Cleons, who were more or less the same at every turn, the genetic drift has offered viewers a different take on Empire and created a unique hurdle for the brothers/clones.
Day is by far the most interesting Cleon the series has introduced so far, detesting everything about Empire and the genetic dynasty. Because of this, he’s resigned himself to a bungalow oasis of sorts as he attempts to live in relative peace with his consort, Song (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing). Indulging his whims with drugs andclones of bygone animals of Earth, such as giraffes and ferrets, his behavior resembles that of a petulant teenager rebelling against his parents. At least, that’s how it appears from the outside looking in. For Day, it would be one thing if the genetic drift were embraced, but Empire’s efforts to maintain the charade of their superiority are part of the problem, and ultimately what prompts his cynicism.
On its surface, the introduction of such a laid-back Day might seem out of place, but it actually addresses a larger issue with genetic dynasty.AsFoundationcontinues with Season 3, the sci-fi series should delve deeper into the differences that have emerged between the Cleons, particularly the stark difference so obviously present with Day, and what that means for the fate of Empire and the galaxy as a whole. Whether those differences ultimately have a positive or negative effect remains to be seen, but clearly, “Brother Dude” and his cynicism serve more than just a few laughs.
“Bother Dude” Seems Like a Careless Burnout
But He Sees the Genetic Dynasty for What It Really Is
Aside from the humorous cynicism Day bringstoFoundationthis season, he’s rather insightful regarding the nature of Empire and the galaxy. He might seem like a careless burnout, but he’s no idiot. His intellect is why he’s seemingly so flippant about everything. He’s too smart for his own good, and because the genetic drift has strayed so far from Cleon I, his individualism doesn’t comply with the narrow path he’s been forced to follow since his birth. As a result, he rebels and almost takes pride in the way he’s become a thorn in the side of Demerzel and the expectations of Empire.
Day sees the genetic dynasty for what it is: a lie, and he doesn’t care about participating in it. He might sit on the middle throne, but he fully understands he’s just a cog in the ever-spinning wheel that is Empire. In his mind, there’s nothing more to do than play his part, so he’s chosen to wait out his time as Day along with Song, away from the everyday chaos his duty requires. He might emerge from his oasis occasionally when Demerzel forces him to, but it’s a chore for everyone involved.
A performance and character full of nuancethanks to the brilliant Lee Pace, “Brother Dude” is so much more than what viewers see on the surface, and his storyline has been the most interesting and compelling thingFoundationhas given us this season. As Season 3 approaches its conclusion, I hope to see even more of this plotline because it’s certainly a narrative worth exploring even further.Foundationis currently streaming onApple TV+, and new episodes premiere every Friday. The Season 3 finale arrives on June 07, 2025.
Foundation
