Foundationseason 3 copied a poignantStar Warsmoment from 48 years ago, but added a compelling twist to it. The Apple TV+ sci-fi show is based on Isaac Asimov’sFoundationbook series, one of the most prolific titles in the science fiction genre that had a massive influence on titles likeStar WarsandDune.
Foundationseason 3is well underway with its first two episodes now available on Apple TV+. The season shows the Galactic Empire at its weakest point yet, following the events of season 2’s ending that saw most of its fleet destroyed. With the Foundation still alive and prospering, Empire continues to lose control of planets as its influence dwindles.
Empire’s Novacula Weapon Looks Just Like The Death Star’s Superlaser
Foundation Is Borrowing From Star Wars
Foundationseason 3, episode 2’s ending shows Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann) examining a new weapon that he’s commissioned, with an example of its devastating effects revealed to audiences. TheNovacula looks a lot like the Death Star’s superlaser, which was a critical element inthe original 1977Star Wars.
In one of the most devastatingStar Warsscenes that defined the $10 billion franchise’s premiere film,the superlaser is used for the destruction of Alderaan. The removal of an entire planet is a daunting, mature prospect that’s difficult to even comprehend, but it’s made more powerful by Obi-Wan Kenobi feeling it from across the galaxy through the Force.
It’s fascinating to seeFoundationdrawing fromStar Wars, given thatthe planet-destroying Novacula wasn’t in Isaac Asimov’s novels. This brings the title full circle, given how much George Lucas was inspired by Asimov. On the matter, Asimov said that he was a huge fan ofStar Warshimself, so he might have appreciated this development.
In terms of aesthetics, the Novacula weapon fromFoundationand the superlaser fromStar Warshave plenty in common, and they’ll likely be utilized in the same way. That said, their function is quite different.
How Foundation’s Weapon Is Even More Scary Than The Death Star
The Novacula Doesn’t Destroy - It Rearranges
The scariest part of the Novacula is that it doesn’t actually destroy its target. Well, sort of. As the engineer says, “Nothing is gone. It remains, but forever changed.” When we see the weapon in action,it breaks the planet down, and the space is filled by a cluster of stars.
Foundation’sNovacula weapon doesn’t evaporate its target; it rearranges the matter to an unrecognizable state. It essentially moves all the components around into different forms. This would still kill all present lifeforms, but their matter would still be present in space.
