[2][3] He is a native of Smyrno, one of the four "barbarian" planetary kingdoms of the Anacreon Province that exist under the Foundation's religious influence, but he dislikes the religion itself.

The complacent Foundation leaders initially resist, but Mallow's use of business deals to resolve crises and form alliances eventually proves to be effective.

[2][3] Marcelo Leite of Screen Rant explained, "Mallow plays a significant role in establishing the Foundation’s power and influence over the galaxy.

Wimmer and Wilkins called the character "a good fit for the current mood of space-based science fiction—his ruthlessness in command would be a good match for Admiral Adama's approach on Battlestar Galactica, and his conduct on the Far Star reminded me of the initial, darker characterization of Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly ... he's a character who arguably works even better now than he might have done against some of the more gallant and dashing space captains of the 1940s and 1950s."

Mallow is later tried for murder on the Foundation planet Terminus for condemning the missionary to death, but is exonerated when he proves that Parma was actually an agent of the Korellian secret police.

[1]: 25–26 [3] Mallow is voiced by Julian Glover as in episode three "The Merchant Princes" of the 1973 BBC Radio 4 adaptation The Foundation Trilogy.

[2][9] In "King and Commoner", Mallow swindles Commdor Argo of Korell, and evades capture alongside High Claric Poly Verisof and Brother Constant of the Foundation's propagandist Church of the Galactic Spirit.

[13][14] In the season two finale "Creation Myths", Mallow's capture is revealed to have been a ruse to smuggle a special jump sequence to She-Bends-Light, a Spacer on Riose's flagship, Shining Destiny.

[15] Sean T. Collins of Decider wrote, "Dimitri Leonidas actually has that roguish Han Solo charm so many actors and characters have tried and failed to recapture.