“In season 2 of Javascript, Node.js and io.js attempt to set aside their differences, but will they succeed?”

I don't know why I'm arguing this, but having worked as a network TV writer for some years, this is clearly a season 3 plotline. Season 1 was nodejs getting popularity, and it ends in the season finale of it splitting apart into node and io. Season 2 is nodejs and iojs each doing their own thing and their paths seemingly to diverge hopelessly (i.e. io does es6 while node gets on the raspberry pies or something). The season finale of s2 is node and io announcing they'll get back together again. Thus, season 3 is when we find out if it will work out or not.

It's this way because you necessarily need to build their getting back together by stretching and emphasizing their time apart. If you break up at the end of s1, and get back together at the beginning of s2, people will watch and think "wow, this is dumb, they're clearly just drumming up dumb drama" and then s2 is going to experience the linear slump in ratings and no one will watch s3.

By the way, the season 3 finale of Javascript can be Alex Gaynor returning with another extremely pointless and controversial pull-request that riles up bad memories.

Turns out, all this will-they/won't-they drama was really just for ratings. Good move, Joyent. Good move.

What is the advantage to creating a new foundation to manage Node.js vs joining the Apache Foundation? Or is the Apahe Foundation not an option for some reason?

The foundation is being created with help from the Linux Foundation. http://blog.nodejs.org/2015/05/15/node-leaders-are-building-...

I'm personally not clear on the history etc of the Apache foundation- why would node join them?

I presume the players involved want to decide the fate of the project for themselves.

Less charitably, it's a kind of political NIH syndrome.