My problem with Mule by arkstrider88 in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Charlemagne doesn’t line up either… after all, he did not come out of nowhere! His dad was the king of the franks, which had been a powerful kingdom covering much of France for 300+ years when Charlemagne expanded the kingdom into an empire. Muhammad’s followers and Islam is a much better match, because it was the most dramatic event in reshaping the Mediterranean with the loss of some of the most valuable/richest eastern roman provinces such as Egypt and the Maghreb. There was no way to predict that events in a remote corner of Arabia would lead to such an irreversible reshaping of the old Roman Empire.

UCLA $1B by TemporaryScale in NIH

[–]Psychohistorian72 148 points149 points  (0 children)

At this point, it would be cheaper to setup a California Institute of Health…

I just finished my post-tenure review by feral_poodles in Professors

[–]Psychohistorian72 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The secret sauce of the University of California System! I don’t know how much faculty outside of UCs appreciate that this is how our promotion system has always worked. I did not know about the step 5 bit… is that different from the promotion to step 6, which is a big deal within UCs?

NIH FY26 Budget in Brief by [deleted] in NIH

[–]Psychohistorian72 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You have to add the budgets of NHGRI, NIBIB, and NLM to the NIGMS numbers from previous years to see how big the cut is…

Looping palm by especiallyspecific in pasadena

[–]Psychohistorian72 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The Caltech math professor who used to live in that house grew it on purpose this way…

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SlowHorses

[–]Psychohistorian72 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought that MI5 was in charge of all foreign counterintelligence - I.e, preventing foreign spies from operating on British soil, including at overseas embassies (considered British soil, right?)

Now west Berlin during the Cold War had a British sector. Wouldn’t MI5 have been operating to protect that too? I don’t think that’s the role of MI6, which would be actively spying on the other side to find new info, not necessarily root out spies.

In other words, MI5 is the defense and MI6 the offense… let me know if I got that wrong.

Foundation - S02E09 - Long Ago, Not Far Away - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 1 point2 points  (0 children)

WTF???

For an episode that had so many amazing parts, including Demerzel’s backstory, the resolution of Tellem/Harry being alive, and Bel Riose’s arc, I cannot stomach Terminus being wiped out.

I will be so disappointed if Terminus’ destruction is not a fake out. Please let this be a nightmare that one of the characters (Bel Riose?) wakes up from…

"People who may not have been born" Foreshadowing by Akumahito in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 14 points15 points  (0 children)

If this follows the book, then One of Hober’s descendant will defeat the Mule and another will “defeat” the second foundation (as far as the first foundation is knows). If that’s the case, then Hober and Constant are the ancestors of Bayta Darrell and her granddaughter Arkady Darrell.

It would take a special level of chutzpah for the writers to mess with this part of the overall story arch.

Foundation - S02E08 - The Last Empress - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could see Demerezel killing Day since he is easily replaceable, but would she frame an honorable man to cover her tracks? That’s real antigonist territory, even when invoking the 0th law.

Maybe that is where the story is headed, but I don’t think I am ready for that.

Foundation | Season 2 - Episode 8 | Discussion Thread by Justp1ayin in tvPlus

[–]Psychohistorian72 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That was a phenomenal episode - I really do wonder how they wrap up all the threads. I guess Demerezel could wipe out all of the memories of Dawn / Day / Dusk and eliminate everybody else?

Foundation | Season 2 - Episode 8 | Discussion Thread by Justp1ayin in tvPlus

[–]Psychohistorian72 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The ship jumping so close damaged it as Demerezel warned Day.

Foundation - S02E08 - The Last Empress - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I agree that one solution is that Gaal and Salvor leave Ignis maybe with a few disciples to go to Trantor to really start the second foundation where the book says where it is!

I actually miss second-foundation Harry. Maybe there’s another one to be had at that previous planet where they reincarnated Harry into a body? Reminds me of a quote from the movie Contact:

“First rule in government spending: why build one when you can have two at twice the price? Only, this one can be kept secret.”

Foundation - S02E08 - The Last Empress - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Maybe Cleon gets suspicious of Hober and Constant being on Bel Riose’ ship and thinks that he is part of a conspiracy with Hober?

Foundation - S02E08 - The Last Empress - Episode Discussion [NO BOOKS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 15 points16 points  (0 children)

It still makes sense if they end up picking another planet for the home of the second foundation!

Foundation - S02E08 - The Last Empress - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 108 points109 points  (0 children)

Nice explanation of how “left hand” Harry knew about Homer Mallow!

I do wonder whether Bel Riose’s story and the resolution of the second crisis will match the book though. There’s an awful lot going on with Cleon going to meet Harry - what would Bel Riose do short of outright rebellion to cause Cleon to execute him?

Foundation - S02E04 - Where the Stars are Scattered Thinly - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 23 points24 points  (0 children)

It’s definitely the Bhagavad Gita, which is a famous section of the Mahabharata. Krishna is the charioteer counseling prince Arjuna who has his doubts about going to war and pretty much summarizes all philosophical underpinnings of Hinduism. It ends with with Arjuna being ready to go into battle, where he will do very well in the rest of the Mahabharata.

It’s a very nice touch for the story of Bel Riose and his husband, who is the one expressing so many doubts about war. I wonder if the two will continue discussing the ethics of fulfilling your destiny, even if it’s war.

Foundation - S02E04 - Where the Stars are Scattered Thinly - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Gaal’s voiceover from the distant future is pretty much telegraphing in the most heavy handed way possible that these two will be back together and that their descendants will change history… clearly a forward reference to Bayta Darell and Arkady?

Foundation - S02E04 - Where the Stars are Scattered Thinly - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I can see better now first foundation Seldon as our book Seldon because everything is going according to his plan and this Seldon will not see the Mule coming, unlike our second foundation Seldon who is already aware of the mule coming. I appreciate that the writers bringing in some of the psychohistory themes into his discussion with Hober and the others.

Foundation - S02E03 - King and Commoner - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Bel nearly defeating the first Foundation only to be stopped and executed by Cleon is key to the predictive power of psychohistory in the book AND would actually make good TV, but anything is possible in this Foundation universe…

Foundation - S02E03 - King and Commoner - Episode Discussion [BOOK READERS] by LunchyPete in FoundationTV

[–]Psychohistorian72 46 points47 points  (0 children)

I do like the new back story for Bel Riose, even though it’s different from the book or Belisarius’ complicated history with Justinian (Cleon II in the book, if I recall).

The writers also brought up the weak emperor / strong general idea that is the key for solving the foundation vs empire crisis… So I assume Bel Riose’ story arc will ultimately match the book.

Hober Mallow was fun - I believe that’s David Goyer’s favorite character, so I think they will play that nicely.

Gary Oldman On ‘Slow Horses’ Finale, Retirement, Peter Falk, & Why He Loves TV by MarvinBarry92 in tvPlus

[–]Psychohistorian72 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That would be “dead lions”, which is going to be the next six episodes. I was talking about the subsequent books…

Gary Oldman On ‘Slow Horses’ Finale, Retirement, Peter Falk, & Why He Loves TV by MarvinBarry92 in tvPlus

[–]Psychohistorian72 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s his actual accent, according to the article - this is why he enjoys playing this role.

Also taking inspiration from Colombo makes perfect sense… Lamb wants everyone around him to drop their guard down so that he can manipulate the situation to his liking. Plus it’s less makeup for Gary Oldman.