The Mandelbear's Musings

So far I have seen the first four episodes of Apple TV's series based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. My 7-day free trial period ended Thursday afternoon, i.e. before the fourth episode came out at midnight East Coast time. So, since they've already charged me for the next month, I could presumably watch three or four more episodes before I drop (kick) my subscription in disgust. After seeing Episode 4 last night, I'm not sure my blood pressure will take that many.

I think Gizmodo's Review said it best:

They said Foundation couldn't be filmed, and it still hasn't been [...]

For people who don’t know or care about the source material, the result is extremely pretty but not particularly compelling sci-fi. For people who know or are fans of Isaac Asimov and his work, I feel compelled to warn you that if you watch the show you will see a scene so enraging that you will tear your TV in two with your bare hands; then you’ll realize how utterly unnecessary the scene was, and tear it into four.

The New York Times said It could have been better, if only, like Hari Seldon’s disciples, it had faith in the plan, but I rather doubt that even intervention by the Second Foundation could save it at this point. Maybe the Mule works for Apple?

OK, if that quote leaves you baffled, the rest of this post (under the cut for spoilers) will be even more baffling, but on the other hand there's a slight chance you might even like the series if you stop here. Ignore the gratuitous violence and the plot holes big enough to drive a starship through, and just enjoy the absolutely gorgeous sets and the occasional sex scene. But I think you'd be better off reading the books.

I'm not going to summarize either the TV series or the books -- the Wikipedia articles linked in the first paragraph do a good enough job for my purposes, and in any case I expect that if you're still reading, you've at least read Foundation, if not the whole trilogy. Perhaps multiple times. Or the whole series. Anyway, onward!

( Here there be spoilers. )

Reviews mentioned, with their actual titles:

• Foundation review – a galaxy of money can’t save Apple’s Star Dreck - The Guardian
• Review: The Math of ‘Foundation’ Doesn’t Add Up - The New York Times
• Foundation Review: Apple TV Show Unfaithful to Sci-Fi Classic - Gizmodo

When I was growing up it was generally considered that the three greatest science fiction writers were Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, and Arthur C. Clarke. (Some would add Andre Norton, Poul Anderson, and Ray Bradbury to the list. I won't dispute any of them.) Clarke, last of my three old favorites, died this morning.

You'll find obits on MSNBC, The Telegraph, and the BBC, as well as damned near everyplace on the Web and on my friends list.

There's not much more I can say.

Wired magazine ran a collection of science fiction stories in six words. I got the link from BoingBoing, but I see that filkerdave spotted it, too. (and, naturally, has one of his own, as do the comments).

So, just following along, here's a two-volume remake of an old classic:

"Does God exist?" Computer: I am.
Lightning strikes, welds power switch ON.

And here's one about one possible fate of the universe:
.backwards runs time ;expanding stops Universe

Meme too seductive. Must... try... to...

(update: I will not edit whole... post into six word phrases. No!)

(From technoshaman and others.) The suggestion on the page is to purchase copies of THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and donate them to their favorite library or young person. Sounds like a good idea to me. Baen was one of the few print publishers who really understood how to use the web as an advertising tool. I don't usually visit the Free Library because every time I do, I end up ordering a pile of paperbooks.