Hari attempts to resolve a long-standing feud and the cracks begin to show in the relationship between the clone emperors.

After Hari’s surprise appearance on Terminus, he immediately tries to join up the Anacreons and Thespins, who have been at each other’s throats for so long that the origin of the enmity is almost irrelevant. The cause of the distrust is revealed to have been a move by the Emperor to create enmity between the races, thus creating a conflict. It’s time for the Foundation to put back together what the Empire tore apart.

Significantly, Salvor Hardin has worked out her connection to Gaal and Raych – she’s their daughter, and I didn’t see that coming. After a tearful farewell to Hugo, she sets off on a mission to find her mother, something that she achieves by the end of episode, though after a century-long slumber in cryosleep.

But the real drama is happening in the Imperial Court. Brothers Day and Dusk are at loggerheads as to what they should do with the adulterated clone, Dawn. Demerzel ultimately creates a solution, but it’s very tough love. What’s harder to swallow is the vindictive action taken against Dawn’s traitorous girlfriend Azure. Day has arranged for all 1,500 people who knew her in some capacity to be executed, thus ensuring she has no legacy. Azure will spend the rest of her life being fed intravenously and with complete sensory deprivation – such is the Empire’s wrath.

Verdict: A lot of heavy lifting took place in the early episodes of this show, allowing it to then pick up its own pace and develop into a fascinating sci-fi drama. It takes liberties with Asimov’s material, and yet the spirit is still here, and I wait in anticipation for its second year. 8/10

Nick Joy