Why are the Cleons afraid of Hari Seldon?
The Apple TV+ series "Foundation" - an adaptation of the Isaac Asimov's groundbreaking science fiction series - presents us with the richly layered character of Brother Day, the ruling Cleon, or emperor, of the Galactic Empire. Portrayed by Lee Pace, Brother Day is an intriguing figure who is part of a long line of clones, possessing an unnerving blend of charisma and volatility. His uneasy relationship with the future and the predictions made by Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian, forms a central theme throughout the series. This article aims to delve deeper into Brother Day's motives and apprehensions surrounding Seldon's predictions.
Hari Seldon's arrival into the Imperial court is marked by his revolutionary discipline of Psychohistory - a science that can predict the future of large populations over vast periods of time. Seldon's predictions pose a threat to the Galactic Empire's future, forecasting its downfall and a subsequent era of barbarism lasting 30,000 years. Such a prophecy naturally shakes the very foundation of the empire and its ruling class. Brother Day, as the current Cleon, is directly impacted by these predictions and has to grapple with its implications.
Brother Day's motivation behind his apprehension about Seldon's predictions is multifaceted. First, as the ruling emperor, the stability and continuity of the Galactic Empire are Brother Day's primary responsibilities. Any foreboding of the empire's fall would inherently be a source of apprehension, particularly when it's grounded in a scientific discipline that's hard to refute. Seldon's predictions challenge the sense of permanence and timelessness that the line of Cleons, through their Genetic Dynasty, represent.
Second, Brother Day, being a clone, personifies the stasis and predictability that is integral to the functioning of the Empire. His identity and purpose are entirely bound up in maintaining the status quo and ensuring the empire's continued dominance. Seldon's predictions, by their very nature, threaten to destabilize this status quo. This looming change is deeply disconcerting to Brother Day, triggering an existential threat to his purpose and identity.
Third, Brother Day perceives Seldon as a potential revolutionary who could incite insurrection within the Empire. Seldon's ability to predict the Empire's fall may embolden dissatisfied factions within the empire to precipitate its downfall. This could lead to chaos and violence, making it even harder for Brother Day to maintain the empire's stability and unity.
Moreover, Brother Day's worries are fueled by the conundrum of inaction versus action. If he does nothing to prevent the predicted fall, he risks losing everything. On the other hand, any actions taken to prevent the forecasted future may ironically hasten its arrival – the classic dilemma of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Hari Seldon's predictions represent a paradigm shift in Brother Day's universe, challenging not only his reign but the very order and future of the Galactic Empire. His apprehension stems from a deep-seated fear of change, an existential threat to his identity, and a political threat to his rule. Throughout the "Foundation" series, we see Brother Day wrestling with these predictions, ultimately reshaping the fate of the Galactic Empire in ways he could not have initially imagined. As viewers, we're left pondering the intriguing question - can the future be truly predicted, or are we the masters of our destiny? The conflict between Brother Day and Hari Seldon's predictions offers us an exploration of this profound question.
