Apple TV’s Foundation: The New Gold Standard for Space Opera TV

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Apple TV+’s series Foundation is a stronger science fiction show than most of the Star Wars shows we’ve seen. Star Wars has a long history of television series, starting with Ewoks in 1984 and continuing with Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Recently, with the success of The Mandalorian in 2019, Star Wars began focusing on serialized storytelling again, adding shows like Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew to its lineup.

Look, Disney and Lucasfilm have really tried with their Star Wars shows, but honestly, they just haven’t measured up to the best science fiction on TV. If you look at lists of the greatest sci-fi shows ever made, you’ll find only one Star Wars entry. And now, with Apple TV+’s Foundation just wrapping up its third season, I think we’re seeing a clear example of what Star Wars TV has been missing. It really highlights why those shows haven’t quite hit the mark.

Apple TV’s Foundation Has Become The Best Space Opera On Television

Now that season 3 of Foundation has concluded, it’s clear the show has become the best space opera currently on TV. The Expanse previously held that title, but it finished its run in 2022. Based on Isaac Asimov’s classic science fiction novels, Foundation offers a vast and intricate future world, packed with compelling stories, political maneuvering, and imaginative sci-fi ideas. Ultimately, Foundation delivers on everything you’d want in a space opera.

Season 3 of Foundation was a turning point for the series, finally living up to the high expectations set by Isaac Asimov’s original novels. The arrival of the villain, The Mule, added significant tension and complexity to an already captivating storyline. Now, Foundation successfully demonstrates how to adapt a classic science fiction epic for television.

Most Star Wars TV Shows Can’t Compete With Foundation

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’ve been really impressed with Foundation, and it’s made me realize how a lot of recent Star Wars shows just haven’t hit the mark. Honestly, things like Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, and even The Mandalorian feel a bit…small next to it. Foundation has this incredible scale and depth that those other shows just lack. It’s not that they’re bad, but they don’t have the same level of complexity or captivating story that really makes Foundation stand out as a truly great space opera.

Live-Action Star Wars Shows
The Mandalorian
The Book of Boba Fett
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Andor
Ahsoka
The Acolyte
Skeleton Crew

The more focused scope of Star Wars shows, compared to Foundation, is intentional. These series aren’t meant to be large-scale sagas like the Star Wars films, which explore the entire galaxy. Instead, the shows center on smaller characters and their individual stories. For instance, Boba Fett’s personal quest doesn’t have the same broad, galactic importance as the events in Foundation.

Only One Star Wars TV Show Has Been As Good As Foundation

While most Star Wars shows don’t measure up to Foundation, Andor is a clear standout. It successfully delivers a complex, ongoing space opera, focusing on the story of the Rebellion and the immense effort and cost of overthrowing the Empire. The show features a large cast of characters, each with significant roles and morally ambiguous motivations, making it the most nuanced Star Wars story since The Empire Strikes Back.

Andor stands out as the first, and so far only, Star Wars series that truly feels like a grand space opera. It’s exceptionally well-written, acted, and produced across the board. The qualities that make Foundation a great show are all present in Andor, and many would argue that Andor is even better, despite finishing its run this year. If Star Wars wants to create another series of this caliber, it should take inspiration from how Foundation was made.

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2025-11-29 19:59