Upon Awakening

**Upon Awakening** is the fifth episode of *Foundation*'s first season on Apple TV+. It aired on October 15, 2021. The episode was written by Leigh Dana Jackson based on the novels by Isaac Asimov. Alex Graves directed the episode.

## Synopsis

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

## Plot

On Synnax, Acolyte Gaal Dornick of the Seer Church is tasked with in investigating forbidden activity at the university by Seer Dominie. Along with two other Acolytes, she discovers Instructor Arren Sorn attempting to rescue books and educational material. She pleads with him to leave, knowing that he will be executed if discovered, but he refuses, instead trying to remind Gaal that learning should not be heretical. Taken by the Church, Sorn is executed by drowning. That night, Gaal dives to Sorn's body and retrieves Kalle's Book of Folding that he was interred with.

Despite her protestations of loyalty to the Seer Church, Gaal recognises the truth in something Sorn said; that the Synnaxians were responsible for overmining the volcanic vents of the planet and causing the seas to rise. Gaal uses Kalle's work to solve the Abraxas Conjecture, and wins an Imperial math competition set by Hari Seldon. Facing arrest for her actions, Gaal leaves for Trantor.

Gaal's escape pod, launched from the *Deliverance* after Raych killed Hari, is eventually picked up by another ship, the *Raven*. Emerging from cryogenic suspension, Gaal learns she has been in cryo for almost thirty-five years. She begins to explore the ship and learns of events from the past thirty-five years, including Raych's fate.

On Terminus, the stand off between the colonists and the Anacreons comes to a head when the Imperial vessel *Aegis*, commanded by Kray Dorwin arrives. Despite Salvor's warnings, Lewis Pirenne orders Phara Keaen moved to the Foundation Tower so that the Imperial commander, Kray Dorwin, can speak with her. In the Foundation Tower, Phara triggers a field disruptor that knocks out the shield protecting Terminus City.

The Anacreons launch their assault on the colony, leading to a showdown between Salvor and Phara. As the battle rages, the *Aegis* descends to help only to be targeted by an Anacreon anti-orbital weapon.

On the *Raven*, Gaal realises the ship's destination is Helicon. As he tries to get the ship to change course, she see Hari, seemingly dying on the floor.

## Cast

### Starring

* Jared Harris as Hari Seldon (Raven)
* Lou Llobell as Gaal Dornick
* Leah Harvey as Salvor Hardin
* Chipo Chung as Reth Linn

### Guest Starring

* Alfred Enoch as Raych Foss
* Pravessh Rana as Rowan
* Elliot Cowan as Lewis Pirenne
* Daniel MacPherson as Hugo Crast
* Sasha Behar as Mari Hardin
* Kubbra Sait as Phara Keaen
* Jairaj Varsani as Poly Verisof
* Buddy Skelton as Keir
* Chloe Lea as Gia
* Joni Morris as Laylo Fulham

### Co-Starring

* Clarke Peters as Abbas
* Jade Harrison as Bayla
* Chris Jarman as Jarko
* Mark Lavery as Kalin
* Alicia Gerrard as Yate
* Nikhil Parmer as Freestone
* Christian Contreras as Dorwin
* Wale Ojo as Arren Sorn
* Johanna O'Brien as Shivaughn
* Matt Gavan as Jord
* Catriona Loughlin as Vreede
* Stuart McQuarrie as Lunden
* Joyce Grey-Carter as Synnaxian Stone Remover
* Theo St. Claire as Synnax Algae Worker 1
* Jordy Meya as Synnax Algae Worker 2
* Mina Andala as Seer Priest
* Stephanie Karam as Operator (Dorwin Ship)
* Rhea Rose Rodillas as Operator #2 (Dorwin Ship)
* Shauna Black as The Raven Computer
* Abigail Rambaaya as Acolyte
* Gabriel Adewusi as Imperial Centurion
* Teyarnie Galea as Young Gaal Age 9
* Sonsoles Garcia as Citizen

## Appearances

**By type**

Characters

* Hugo Crast
* Dominie (First appearance)
* Gaal Dornick
* Kray Dorwin
* Raych Foss
* Freestone
* Laylo Fulham
* Gia
* Abbas Hardin
* Mari Hardin
* Salvor Hardin
* Jord Hasp
* Jarko
* Kalin
* Kalle (Mentioned only)
* Phara Keaen
* Keir
* Reth Linn
* Lunden
* Lewis Pirenne
* Rowan
* Hari Seldon
* Shivaughn
* Synnaxian Stone Remover
* Arren Sorn (First appearance)
* Poly Verisof
* Vreede
* Yate

Events

Locations

* Argo Sector
	+ Yu Ling Stream (First mentioned)
* Austus 11 (First mentioned)
* Cloverleaf Quasar (First mentioned)
* Helicon (Mentioned only)
* Hudson 8,053 (First mentioned)
* Swen-Yen 214 (First mentioned)
* Synnax
* Terminus
	+ Terminus City
		- Foundation Tower
* Trantor (Mentioned only)
	+ Star Bridge (Mentioned only)
	+ Streeling University (Mentioned only)

Organizations and titles

* Foundation
	+ Warden
* Galactic Empire
* Grand Huntress
* Seer Church
	+ Seer

Sentient species

Vehicles and vessels

* Jumpship
	+ Imperial warship
		- *Aegis*
* Slow ship
	+ Imperative-class
		- *Deliverance*
		- *Raven*

Weapons and technology

* Cryopod
* Field disrupter
* Flak cannon
* Perimeter fence

Miscellanea

* Book of Folding
* Faith of the Awakening
* Prayer stones
* Raych Foss arrival protocol
* Sleeper
* Spectral cloaking