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The Worst Episodes of Foundation

Every episode of Foundation ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Foundation!

Worst episode
S1E3 The Mathematician's Ghost
6.95,488 votes
Best episode
S2E9 Long Ago, Not Far Away
9.24,777 votes
Top season
Season 3
8.1avg
Binge time
1d 2h
30 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons3

All123

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Foundation Season 1 Episode 3 - The Mathematician's Ghost
    6.9/10(5488 votes)

    S1:E3

    Brother Dusk reflects on his legacy as he prepares for ascension. The Foundation arrives on Terminus and finds a mysterious object.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Olivia Purnell

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  2. Foundation Season 1 Episode 6 - Death and the Maiden
    7.0/10(4348 votes)

    S1:E6

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

    Director:Jennifer Phang
    Writer:Marcus Gardley

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  3. Foundation Season 2 Episode 2 - A Glimpse of Darkness
    7.1/10(3068 votes)

    S2:E2

    Gaal has a disturbing vision. Day's bond with Queen Sareth grows stronger. The Vault opens and reveals a cryptic message.

    Director:David S. Goyer
    Writers:David S. Goyer, Jane Espenson

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  4. Foundation Season 2 Episode 3 - King and Commoner
    7.2/10(3095 votes)

    S2:E3

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

    Director:David S. Goyer
    Writers:Jane Espenson, Leigh Dana Jackson

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  5. Foundation Season 1 Episode 2 - Preparing to Live
    7.3/10(6357 votes)

    S1:E2

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

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writers:Josh Friedman, David S. Goyer

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  6. Foundation Season 1 Episode 4 - Barbarians at the Gate
    7.3/10(4714 votes)

    S1:E4

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

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Lauren Bello

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  7. Foundation Season 1 Episode 5 - Upon Awakening
    7.3/10(4588 votes)

    S1:E5

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

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Leigh Dana Jackson

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  8. Foundation Season 2 Episode 1 - In Seldon's Shadow
    7.3/10(3448 votes)

    S2:E1

    Hari finds himself trapped in a mysterious prison. An assassination attempt leaves Day shaken. Gaal and Salvor devise an escape plan.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writers:David S. Goyer, Jane Espenson

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  9. Foundation Season 1 Episode 7 - Mysteries and Martyrs
    7.4/10(4100 votes)

    S1:E7

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

    Director:Jennifer Phang
    Writer:Caitlin Saunders

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  10. Foundation Season 2 Episode 4 - Where the Stars Are Scattered Thinly
    7.5/10(2740 votes)

    S2:E4

    Queen Sareth and Dawn share a moment as she tries to learn more about Day. Brothers Constant and Poly bring Hober Mallow to Terminus.

    Director:Mark Tonderai
    Writers:David S. Goyer, Leigh Dana Jackson

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  11. Foundation Season 2 Episode 5 - The Sighted and the Seen
    7.5/10(2624 votes)

    S2:E5

    Gaal, Salvor, and Hari arrive on Ignis and meet the source of the strange signal they've been tracking. Dawn and Dusk are suspicious of Day.

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writers:Jane Espenson, Joelle Garfinkel

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  12. Foundation Season 3 Episode 2 - Shadows in the Math
    7.6/10(2147 votes)

    S3:E2

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

    Director:Tim Southam
    Writers:Leigh Dana Jackson, Caitlin Parrish

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  13. Foundation Season 3 Episode 1 - A Song for the End of Everything
    7.9/10(2590 votes)

    S3:E1

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

    Director:David S. Goyer
    Writers:David S. Goyer, Jane Espenson

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  14. Foundation Season 2 Episode 7 - A Necessary Death
    7.9/10(2803 votes)

    S2:E7

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

    Director:Mark Tonderai
    Writers:Eric Carrasco, David Kob

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  15. Foundation Season 2 Episode 6 - Why the Gods Made Wine
    7.9/10(2848 votes)

    S2:E6

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

    Director:Alex Graves
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Foundation Season 1 Episode 9 - The First Crisis
    7.9/10(4080 votes)

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Victoria Morrow

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  17. Foundation Season 1 Episode 10 - The Leap
    7.9/10(4268 votes)

    S1:E10

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

    Director:David S. Goyer
    Writers:Josh Friedman, David S. Goyer

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  18. Foundation Season 1 Episode 8 - The Missing Piece
    7.9/10(4348 votes)

    S1:E8

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

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Sarah Nolen

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  19. Foundation Season 3 Episode 8 - Skin in the Game
    8.0/10(1830 votes)

    S3:E8

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

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Caitlin Parrish, Tyler Holmes

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  20. Foundation Season 3 Episode 7 - Foundation's End
    8.0/10(1952 votes)

    S3:E7

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

    Director:Christopher J. Byrne
    Writers:Jane Espenson, Gregory Goetz

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  21. Foundation Season 3 Episode 4 - The Stress of Her Regard
    8.1/10(2092 votes)

    S3:E4

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

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Jane Espenson, David Kob

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  22. Foundation Season 3 Episode 3 - When a Book Finds You
    8.1/10(2138 votes)

    S3:E3

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

    Director:Tim Southam
    Writers:Eric Carrasco, Gregory Goetz

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  23. Foundation Season 1 Episode 1 - The Emperor's Peace
    8.1/10(7839 votes)

    S1:E1

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

    Director:Rupert Sanders
    Writers:Josh Friedman, David S. Goyer

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  24. Foundation Season 3 Episode 6 - The Shape of Time
    8.2/10(1926 votes)

    S3:E6

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

    Director:Christopher J. Byrne
    Writers:David S. Goyer, Eric Carrasco

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  25. Foundation Season 3 Episode 9 - The Paths That Choose Us
    8.4/10(1898 votes)

    S3:E9

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

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writers:Jane Espenson, Eric Carrasco

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Mathematician's Ghost" is the worst rated episode of Foundation. It scored 6.9/10 from 5,488 votes. Directed by Alex Graves and written by Olivia Purnell, it aired on October 1, 2021. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Death and the Maiden".

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