#first speaker

[antinael]

After reading the sequels this scene (end of Second Foundation Part I) hits differently. It feels much sadder and the Mule feels like an even more alienated character, lonelier than before the sequels.

The First Speaker goes on and on and on about how the Mule is a psycopath and a paranoid and crazy and a loser because he is skinny and doesn't have a girlfriend and how everyone is in fact a potential telepath so his powers are not even that great and blah blah blah...

Before reading the sequels it feels as if the First Speaker's words were the Mule's only concern.

Whereas after the sequels... it's like who knows what the Mule is actually thinking? It is not only the Second Foundation and the Mule's psychological problems. But it is also Gaia. If the Union collapses, will Gaia come after him? What if the main purpose of his conquests was actually to keep Gaia at bay? Not from humanity, about which I don't think the Mule cares too much, but from himself?

And this makes the First Speaker seem like a child who is holding a speech to an adult.

The sequels actually make the First Speaker the immature one who has no idea about the big picture and the purpose behind it all.

It is funny how I hated the sequels at first for making the Mule a Gaian. But the more I think about it, the more I feel it gives depth to the character, whose main purpose remains, in fact, unknown to us.

[j-august]

The First Speaker's eyes closed in the pleasant warmth and he passed into that never-never state of relaxing hallucinatory experiences that were not quite dreams and not quite conscious thought.

Isaac Asimov, Foundation's Edge

[antinael]

The more I think of the Foundation Series, the more admiration I have for Asimov's genius. And when I say Asimov's genius, I mean not only his characters, the plot, dialogues and descriptions. I also mean the figures of style, which give his writing a poetic touch.

Of all the figures of style, I mostly think of the antithesis, as a subtle and effective way to describe characters.

Of course, the main antitheses which I think of are the ones involving the Mule, used to describe both the Mule and his male counterparts throughout the Foundation Series. For example:

Torie vs. the Mule

While the first has a mediocre intelligence and what I personally perceive as cute pretty features, the Mule's intelligence is way above average and his looks are not pretty, at least not according to what is generally considered a prettyboy.

Pritcher vs. the Mule

While the first is strong and confident, the latter is frail and has an inferiority complex.

They are both, however, smart and competent, so the antithesis doesn't go that far in their case.

Channis vs. the Mule

The first is arrogant, cruel, superficial (makes fun of others' looks), cowardly (when directly confronted with the Mules prays for the First Speaker to save him). The latter is the opposite, although there is an element of cowardice in him as well.

The First Speaker vs. the Mule

Again there is the antithesis between confidence and inferiority complex. The First Speaker displays cruelty bringing up those things which undermine the Mule's confidence, while the Mule displays anger. The first plays dirty, relying on blackmailing and secrecy, while the latter is open to a direct confrontation. The first one is motivated by self-righteousness, the latter by revenge.

Prince Dagobert vs. the Mule 🤣

No comment, absolutely no comment!

And in antithesis with all his male counterparts, the Mule is the only one artistically gifted.

The more I think of the Foundation Series, the less I believe anything will equal it. 😔

[antinael]

One is devastated because he destroyed the wrong planet:

One is happy that the wrong planet was destroyed:

but then... keeps on going about how he tried to save the people he himself sentenced to death? Bro what?

Fucking hypocrite! 😂

[antinael]

Why does his voice sound like Dumbledore's voice in my head? 🤣

[professorerudite]

I have a feeling, this season will end with the Mule reveal and the (mule pirate person's) confrontation with Gaal. I think next season will be centered around Preem's inevitable confrontation with the actual Mule/Magnifico and what happens when Demerzel is finally freed. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Will we find out about Gaia? Will Arkady make an appearance?

[antinael]

[antinael]

Don't you sometimes wish someone would pull the "and now you don't" on you? Even if losing emotional trauma related to bad memories means you won't be the same person anymore? I catch myself wishing it when I have job related anxiety. This anxiety is not even related to my current job, which I truly like, but to some past garbage experiences.

And, yes, I got over it, because this is what you do. But... every now and then I get anxiety and really dark emotions when I remember some things.

But here's the catch... I wouldn't want just anyone to pull the "and now you don't" on me. 😆 If the First Speaker were to do it, I would be like "Get the fuck out of my mind!".

Whereas if the First Citizen were to do the exact same thing, I would probably close my eyes and be like "ok, but do it fast".

After which, I would open my eyes to a stranger looking at me and ask: "Who are you?"

"Uh, excuse me, you dropped this!"

And after handing me an item, I would realize it is not even mine, look at him again, but only see air.

And, without having any idea why, from that moment on, my anxiety related to past job experiences would disappear like it never existed.

What a strange day that would be! 🌌