Apple TV series + establish tells the story of a group of scientists trying to shepherd the galaxy through a centuries-long dark age. Science fiction author Anthony Ha says that the series goes a bit too far for its highly intellectual source material, a classic series of novels by Isaac asimov.
“In the stories, basically the actions of individuals don’t matter much, it’s all about these conflicting social forces. And in the show, it’s really all about individual action and mentality become the kind of magic that can predict the actions of individuals,” Ha said in Episode 503 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy audio file. “I understand why they made that change. If you do a show where the hero doesn’t matter, the individual doesn’t matter, it’s a bleak show and maybe not particularly exciting, but it seems like there’s been a real loss in the choose that adaptation. “
Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy host David Barr Kirtley agree that establish often substitutes the Hollywood formula for Asimov’s more brainy approach. “The whole appeal of Asimov is that you see intelligent people as rational people,” he said. “If I want to watch hot people show strong emotions and do exciting sports, I can watch anything on TV. I turned to Asimovian science fiction because I wanted to see nerds save the universe with math. And I feel like that genre has gotten lost in this. ”
TV version of establish takes place in a universe seemingly filled with supernatural events, supernatural abilities, and special destinies. Science fiction author Abby Goldsmith felt that a more grounded approach might have made the story better. “It feels very anti-Asimov,” she said. “That’s interesting, but I feel like it makes the world building a little more wobbly. For me, I’m a little less concerned with where it’s going because if it’s the paranormal, it’s like ‘anything will happen.’ It takes away the tension of a story. “
Science fiction author John Kessel had mixed feelings about the show but realized it was a big step up from previous Asimov adaptations like I’m a robot and Nightfall. “If I had seen this when I was a kid, my jaw would have been on the floor for sure,” he said. “It was intelligently created by people who wanted to do a good job. It’s well acted — really good people in the roles — so you have to keep that in mind. ”
Listen to the full interview with Anthony Ha, Abby Goldsmith, and John Kessel on Episode 503 of Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy (above). And check out some highlights from the discussion below.
David Barr Kirtley on cloning:
I feel like one of the things that science fiction does is it presents the different ways that society can work and makes us think about them. I’ve always disliked it – especially with things like asexuality – where it’s just this reflex, “Oh they suck. That is not natural. The way things are better. Let’s not change anything”. And I feel like this show falls into that for a bit. I want to see at least a little exploration of the idea that, “Is it good to clone yourself? Is there any face? Can people in this tripartite clone family get social support and feel at peace with themselves in a way that might make ‘ordinary’ people — not clones — seem lonely and aloof? ? “So I feel like the anti-copy thing is very reflective, and I would have liked to see it have a bit more nuance.
Anthony Ha on child Mule:
In the book, when Mule is introduced, the whole idea that he cannot be predicted by historical psychology because he is a mutant, and an individual, and the existence of only one mutant with This power can almost completely collapse The Seldon Plan, and they basically had to spend an entire book and a half trying to put it back in place. And so the idea that you could have a whole bunch of different super-powered mutants running around the galaxy and the Seldon plan and historical psychology still makes sense — again, we haven’t really seen it. how they’ll perform on Mule, but the historical psyche is starting to seem very shaky and mystical.
John Kessel in action:
There was an interesting take from Asimov’s books on the show, but it was changed. And that’s it Salvor Hardin in one of the stories says that – as they deal with other neighboring planets that are violent and they are threatening the Foundation – he says that “violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” And that sounds a lot like Asimov. But then what happens on the show is that Salvor Hardin’s father correctly says—“violence is the last refuge of the incompetent”—and she replies that “it’s just my way of thinking.” an old man”. I think that’s actually a good quote because we’re going to have some violence on the show.
Abby Goldsmith on the adaptation:
The production values are truly outstanding — artwork, music, all. So much time, effort, and craft has gone into this, it’s hard to see it being wasted on weak storytelling. I agree that intellectually it’s not too stimulating, and it’s hard to see that sometimes if you’re the one interested in the story… I really think they tried their best. If someone were to ask me to adapt the first Foundation book, it’s a difficult thing to ask — to make it palatable to the public — because it has so little action. It’s all talking heads and that’s not suitable for mass audiences. So you need some extra action, it’s just that you need the characters to root if you’re going to do that.
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