Foundationcontinues to introduceelements that connect the TV series to another Isaac Asimov adaptation from 2004, and a prequel is even more necessary.Isaac Asimov’sFoundationbooksare one of the more notable shared universes in speculative fiction, as they’re connected to his other series:Galactic EmpireandRobot.
TheFoundationnovels serve as a basis for Apple TV+’s adaptation of the same name, butFoundationseason 2’s endingbegan incorporating more elements from the other books. These elements are primarily centered aroundDemerzel’s backstory, which revealed her to be an AI survivor of the Robot Wars, which wiped out most of her kind.
Demerzel is an adaptation of theRobotcharacter R. Daneel Olivaw, a character who uses the guise of “Eto Demerzel” to become the First Minister to Cleon I in Asimov’s lore. Although she has numerous differences from her book counterpart, Demerzel is an integral piece of connective tissue that links the prolific sci-fi author’s stories.
Foundation Season 3 Introduced The Zeroth Law Of Robotics
The Zeroth Law Expands On The Three Laws Of Robotics
Foundationseason 3’spremiere introduced a concept called the Zeroth Law of Robotics. This is one of the most iconic ideas in Asimov’s books, establishing a precedent for AI in science fiction for decades. First,one needs to understand the Three Laws of Robotics, the three rules by which robots were built, including the famous First Law of Robotics:
Demerzel explains that the Zeroth Law was created organically by robots in response to their programming, with the general notion that’Humanity as a whole is placed over the fate of a single human.‘This law may seem critical for more of Demerzel’s backstory, but it’s also instrumental to howFoundation’sfuture is likely to play out.
The Zeroth Law will force her to prioritize humanity as a whole, which she can see in its entirety through the Prime Radiant, given to her by Hari Seldon in season 2
We know that Demerzel is forced to serve Empire as part of the chip that was placed in the back of her neck by Cleon I. However, the Zeroth Law will force her to prioritize humanity as a whole, which she can see in its entirety through the Prime Radiant, given to her by Hari Seldon in season 2.
At some point,the Zeroth Law may allow her to break away from Cleon. It’s already allowed her to harm humans in the TV series, but now that she has the Prime Radiant (given to her by Hari Seldon), she’ll know exactly how the genetic dynasty falls and can make a choice, sacrificing Cleon for the betterment of humanity.
I, Robot Is Connected To Foundation
Both Stories Are Set In Asimov’s Shared Universe
As for the Will Smith connection, it’s worth mentioning that we’ve already seen an adaptation of Isaac Asimov’sRobotseries. The2004 movieI, Robot, for better or for worse, is an adaptation of material that’s in the same fictional universe asFoundation. Of course, these two Hollywood projects aren’t connected in any way.
The differences between the film and theRobotbooks are numerous, to the point where the Will Smith movie might be unrecognizable to readers. That said, itcan still provide a blueprint (or a “what not to do”) if Apple TV+ ever wanted to pursue an expanded Asimov universe, drawing from his other successful books.
What We Know About The Robot Wars In Apple TV+’s Foundation
The Robot Wars Stemmed From Humanity’s Mistreatment Of AI
Exclusively referring to what we know from the TV series, the Robot Wars were a multi-century series of conflicts fought between humans and robots. It stemmed fromRobots growing to resent humanity after years of subordination and mistreatment, with robots seeking to be viewed as equals to people. As exhibited inFoundation, humanity won the conflict.
Using the Zeroth Law as context, Demerzel explains how the Robot Wars began, providing the audience with some insight into how her species thinks. Robots were programmed to support humanity, butthe Three Laws of Robotics and the Zeroth Law might have developed world-changing contradictions.
There’s Plenty Of Room For Asimov Spin-Offs
I’m not exactly sure how wellFoundationhas performed on Apple TV+, but the tech company streamer seems to be encouraging its high-budget projects with multiple seasons, regardless. Expanded fictional universes are the popular trend with speculative fiction in the 2020s, andif Apple is putting its chips onFoundation, there are plenty of Asimov stories to build upon.
TheRobotseries has been adapted before, but it’s yet to receive a modern iteration that’s worthy of its genius. Now,when AI is more prevalent in society than ever, examining Asimov’s groundbreaking perception of robots could be appealing to audiences, especially if it’s connected to another, epic sci-fi series likeFoundation.
R. Daneel Olivaw was introduced in theRobotseries bookThe Caves of Steel, which was published four years afterI, Robot, so if Demerzel were to be involved, that could be a starting point. However, that could be separate from a more directRobotspin-off, both of which could expand the world ofFoundationin fascinating ways.
