Foundation Season 3: The Zeroth Law Explained

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Contains spoilers for “Foundation” Season 3 (and beyond)

In simple terms, the third season of “Foundation” is underway with high energy. The character known as The Mule has entered the scene, causing chaos on the Seldon Plan. While we got a glimpse of the mentalic’s growing influence at the end of Season 2, The Mule elevates this power to unprecedented levels. It’s hard not to be captivated by his mental manipulation and the ominous threat he presents as the season begins. However, on Trantor, the robot Demerzel (Laura Birn) is actively analyzing situations – these are calculations that hold significant importance for a crucial plot point in Asimov’s “Foundation” and “Robot” stories, which take place within the same universe.

We’re discussing the Zeroth Law, a rule that takes precedence over the well-known First Law of Robotics, which states “A robot must not cause harm to a human being or, by inaction, allow a human to be harmed.” The Zeroth Law permits robots to allow or even instigate harm towards humans if it serves a greater good for the collective.

About midway through “Foundation” Season 3’s opening episode, Demerzel engages in a conversation with her sister in the gardens of Trantor. She discloses that she isn’t human but a positronic robot instead. She recounts a war where robots were annihilated and their wreckage was interred in an orchard on Trantor. At one instance, she is questioned about how robots could engage humans in combat, given they are governed by the Three Laws of Robotics. The explanation provided is the Zeroth Law.

What is the Zeroth Law?

In Asimov’s fictional universe, the First Law of Robotics states that a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. The Second Law requires robots to obey orders given by humans, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. The Third Law mandates that a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not interfere with the First or Second Laws. However, over time, robots in Asimov’s world develop the ability to interpret and prioritize these laws on their own. This leads to the emergence of a new programming principle known as the Zeroth Law, which places the preservation and well-being of humanity above the interests of any individual human. In the words of Demerzel, this law could be expressed as “A Zeroth Law that would prioritize the survival and flourishing of humanity over the fate of any single human being.

In Asimov’s works, the concept presented in the show as a revelation is actually a culmination of ideas he developed over several books, not just the “Foundation” series. This includes his “Robot” novels, where the Zeroth Law of Robotics was initially introduced in “Robots and Empire.” A significant part of this book’s plot revolves around two robots (R. Giskard Reventlov and R. Daneel Olivaw) who uncover the law, attempt to integrate it into their robotic functions, but encounter varying degrees of success.

In the story, Daneel, instead of a human nearby, chooses to save Giskard, breaking the First Law. When asked about his actions, he explains that Giskard is more valuable than another character, Madam Gladia. He goes on to say that when faced with a choice, the Zeroeth Law compels him to prioritize Giskard’s protection over anyone else because of Giskard’s potential service to humanity. The events surrounding this incident mark the emergence of the Zeroeth Law, which occurred approximately 20,000 years before it is depicted in the show. Interestingly enough, Demerzel is none other than Daneel from the novels, continuing to safeguard humanity 20,000 years into the future.

Is the Zeroth Law important in Foundation?

As a devoted fan, I find myself captivated by the fascinating addition to Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics – the Zeroth Law. But you might wonder how it ties into the grand “Foundation” narrative? Let me assure you, it plays a pivotal role, and not just any role, but one that spans the entire 20,000-year timeline of the Foundation series! By the end of this epic seven-book journey (which almost came to life on the big screen under Roland Emmerich’s direction, as he shared with Looper), we discover that Demerzel is none other than Daneel, and not just any Daneel, but one who has been working diligently for the Zeroth Law throughout history.

Over this period, they’ve replaced their robot bodies multiple times and increased the complexity of their artificial intelligence to manage the vast amount of data required for such a prolonged information intake. Simultaneously, they’re subtly steering humanity’s course, often unnoticed by most. Some of this impact is evident in the television series, with Demerzel (depicted as male in the novels) orchestrating events from behind the scenes during the early phases of the “Foundation” saga.

Beyond just affecting them directly, Demerzel’s impact extends to other realms. If the series continues for several more seasons, we’ll discover that Demerzel acts as a nurturer for Gaia, a planet with a mentalic hive mind known as the Anti-Mules. This connection is significant, and in the books, it marks a crucial juncture in human history, with Demerzel at the heart of this transformation. The intriguing question now is how this development will unfold within the context of the show.

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2025-07-11 17:31