The BEST episodes of Foundation (2021)

Every episode of Foundation (2021) ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Foundation (2021)!

Based on the award-winning novels by Isaac Asimov, “Foundation” chronicles a band of exiles on their monumental journey to save humanity and rebuild civilization amid the fall of the Galactic Empire.

Last Updated: 10/13/2025Network: Apple TV+Status: Continuing
Long Ago, Not Far Away
star
8.14
2084 votes

#1 - Long Ago, Not Far Away

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/8/2023

Dusk and Enjoiner Rue learn Demerzel's origin and true purpose. Tellem's plans for Gaal take a dark turn. On Terminus, Day confronts Dr. Seldon.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:Amazon
The Darkness
star
8.01
1079 votes

#2 - The Darkness

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/12/2025

Gaal and the Second Foundation take the fight to the Mule as Empire’s legacy suffers a catastrophic blow.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Creation Myths
star
7.96
2111 votes

#3 - Creation Myths

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/15/2023

Gaal, Salvor, and Hari chart a new path forward on Ignis. Demerzel heads to Trantor, taking actions that will change Empire forever.

Directors: Alex Graves
Watch Now:Amazon
Where Tyrants Spend Eternity
star
7.91
1122 votes

#4 - Where Tyrants Spend Eternity

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/8/2025

Day enters uncharted territory. Dawn and Gaal put their plan in motion. Magnifico’s worth becomes clear. Demerzel attempts to restore power.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Last Empress
star
7.88
2008 votes

#5 - The Last Empress

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/1/2023

Enjoiner Rue confides in Dusk about her distrust of Demerzel. Hober Mallow pulls a daring move. Day sets course for Terminus and the Foundation.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:Amazon
The Leap
star
7.84
3076 votes

#6 - The Leap

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/19/2021

An unexpected ally helps Salvor broker an alliance. A confrontation between the Brothers leads to unthinkable consequences.

Directors: David S. Goyer
Watch Now:Amazon
The Emperor’s Peace
star
7.80
4419 votes

#7 - The Emperor’s Peace

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/24/2021

Gaal Dornick leaves her life in Synnax behind when the galaxy’s greatest mathematician, Hari Seldon, invites her to Trantor.

Directors: Rupert Sanders
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The First Crisis
star
7.79
3023 votes

#8 - The First Crisis

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/2021

On Terminus, Salvor witnesses how powerful the null field has become. Brother Dawn makes a daring choice.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:Amazon
The Shape of Time
star
7.73
1097 votes

#9 - The Shape of Time

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/15/2025

A long-awaited reunion turns violent. Day looks for Song. On New Terminus, the Vault opens—and the Mule takes aim.

Watch Now:Amazon
The Missing Piece
star
7.70
3060 votes

#10 - The Missing Piece

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/5/2021

Brother Day embarks on a journey that no other Cleon has ever attempted. Salvor prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to return home.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Writer: Sarah Nolen
Watch Now:Amazon
The Stress of Her Regard
star
7.69
1133 votes

#11 - The Stress of Her Regard

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/1/2025

Demerzel struggles with the paradox of her programming. Pritcher’s true loyalties are revealed. Day sets off on a quest for answers.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Skin in the Game
star
7.69
1027 votes

#12 - Skin in the Game

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/29/2025

Gaal and the Second Foundation reckon with the fall of New Terminus. Day faces judgment on Mycogen. Dusk’s ascension looms.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:Amazon
The Paths That Choose Us
star
7.68
974 votes

#13 - The Paths That Choose Us

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/5/2025

Gaal confronts the power of the Mule’s conversions. Dusk resorts to drastic measures. Demerzel searches for clarity about the future.

Directors: Roxann Dawson
Watch Now:Amazon
Mysteries and Martyrs
star
7.65
3099 votes

#14 - Mysteries and Martyrs

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/29/2021

The Anacreons and their hostages board the fabled Invictus warship. The bond between Brother Dawn and Azura intensifies.

Directors: Jennifer Phang
Watch Now:Amazon
When a Book Finds You
star
7.63
1144 votes

#15 - When a Book Finds You

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/25/2025

An unexpected alliance is formed. Pritcher, Bayta, and Toran come face-to-face with the Mule. Demerzel seeks spiritual guidance.

Directors: Tim Southam
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Song for the End of Everything
star
7.61
1343 votes

#16 - A Song for the End of Everything

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/11/2025

A mysterious new pirate with terrifying abilities—known as the Mule—catches the attention of the Foundation and Empire.

Directors: David S. Goyer
Watch Now:Amazon
Foundation's End
star
7.61
1059 votes

#17 - Foundation's End

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/22/2025

Chaos and destruction rain down on New Terminus. Back on Trantor, Dusk and Quent unite to assess the state of the galaxy.

Watch Now:Amazon
Upon Awakening
star
7.56
3206 votes

#18 - Upon Awakening

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/15/2021

A flashback reveals the origin of Gaal’s conflict between faith and science. The standoff on Terminus takes an unfortunate turn.

Directors: Alex Graves
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Necessary Death
star
7.56
1968 votes

#19 - A Necessary Death

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/25/2023

Salvor begins to question the Mentalics’ motives. Hober Mallow’s proposal to the Spacers meets resistance. Brothers Constant and Poly stand trial.

Directors: Mark Tonderai
Watch Now:Amazon
Barbarians at the Gate
star
7.54
3317 votes

#20 - Barbarians at the Gate

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/8/2021

Salvor faces off with an enemy of the Empire. Brothers Day and Dusk are at odds, while Brother Dawn wrestles with his truth.

Directors: Alex Graves
Writer: Lauren Bello
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Why the Gods Made Wine
star
7.53
1987 votes

#21 - Why the Gods Made Wine

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/18/2023

Day and Queen Sareth make an announcement. Tellem sows seeds of distrust between Gaal and Hari. Hober Mallow reaches his destination.

Directors: Alex Graves
Watch Now:Amazon
Preparing to Live
star
7.51
3789 votes

#22 - Preparing to Live

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/24/2021

The Foundation makes the long journey to Terminus as Gaal and Raych grow closer. The Empire faces a difficult decision.

Directors: Andrew Bernstein
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Death and the Maiden
star
7.48
3096 votes

#23 - Death and the Maiden

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/22/2021

Brother Day meets Zephyr Halima—a would-be leader who opposes the Empire. Brother Dusk grows suspicious of Brother Dawn.

Directors: Jennifer Phang
Watch Now:Amazon
Shadows in the Math
star
7.47
1202 votes

#24 - Shadows in the Math

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/18/2025

Gaal and Hari advance their plans on Ignis. Empire grapples with an unforeseen prediction. Pritcher enlists help to investigate the Mule.

Directors: Tim Southam
Watch Now:Amazon
King and Commoner
star
7.42
2185 votes

#25 - King and Commoner

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/28/2023

The Empire recruits Bel Riose to investigate the resurgent Foundation. Hari leads Gaal and Salvor to a desert planet.

Directors: David S. Goyer
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV