
Lee Pace's Foundation: Why No Belly Button? Clone Emperor
In Lee Pace's Foundation series on Apple TV+, a curious detail has emerged: why doesn't Lee Pace's character, Brother Day, have a belly button? The answer lies in the intricate world-building of Isaac Asimov's adapted sci-fi saga, where the emperor's lineage is far from ordinary.
Lee Pace, known for his roles in *The Hobbit* and *Halt and Catch Fire*, portrays Brother Day, the acting emperor within the Galactic Empire. But he's not just any emperor; he's a clone.
The absence of a belly button on Brother Day isn't a mere oversight; it's a deliberate visual cue that speaks volumes about the nature of the Cleon dynasty. So, how does this cloning process work?
The Genetic Dynasty and the Clone Emperor
The Galactic Empire in *Foundation* operates under a "genetic dynasty." Instead of traditional inheritance, the ruling emperor is always a clone of the original Emperor Cleon. This system aims to provide stability, but the cloning process isn't perfect.
By the time the series begins, Cleon XII is on the throne. As seasons progress, we see Cleon XVII and beyond. Each generation is further removed from the original, and small deviations begin to appear. The lack of a belly button, first noticed on Cleon XVII, is one such deviation, hinting at the erosion of humanity within the imperial line.
Could these imperfections foreshadow the empire's downfall? The show suggests that these subtle changes reflect a deeper instability within the Galactic Empire.
Lee Pace's Role and the Crumbling Empire
Lee Pace's portrayal of Brother Day is central to understanding the empire's decline. He embodies the acting emperor, the one who actively rules. He is flanked by Brother Dawn (a child) and Brother Dusk (an elder), completing the trio of Cleon variants.
As the series progresses, imperfections become more pronounced. A missing belly button, a growing beard, and distinct personality quirks all signal the crumbling civilization predicted by Hari Seldon. These signs suggest that *Foundation* is heading toward a dramatic climax.
The introduction of The Mule, a powerful new villain, further accelerates this decline, pushing the galaxy closer to chaos.
In conclusion, the absence of a belly button on Lee Pace's Foundation character isn't just a quirky detail. It's a visual representation of the genetic dynasty's flaws and the impending collapse of the Galactic Empire, making it a crucial element in the unfolding narrative.