Dune: Prophecy

Dune: Prophecy brings us back to Frank Herbert's universe with a different approach. Instead of grand battles, the series explores the intrigues of the Bene Gesserit and their struggle for control. It's not necessary to have seen the movies to understand it, as it builds its own rhythm and atmosphere.

It stands out for its setting and for Emily Watson's performance, which brings depth and presence to her character. However, at times, the pacing is slow, and it may feel like it lacks intensity. Even so, it manages to create interest through its conflicts and the mystery surrounding the story.

It's not a series for everyone, but for those who enjoy more political and dense science fiction, Dune: Prophecy offers an intriguing premise with great potential.

The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max's new foray into the world of Frank Herbert's universe, unfortunately feels drab and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode struggles to capture the charm and depth that make Dune so beloved.

The most glaring issue is the editing. The pacing is wildly off, with scenes feeling rushed and lacking the breathing room necessary for tension or atmosphere to develop. In their effort to cram too much story into a single hour, the episode becomes a chaotic barrage of nonstop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have felt significant are undercut by hurried jump cuts, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance.

Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the grey, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations. The set and costume design feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the intricate, lived-in feel of Herbert's universe. This lack of visual and atmospheric variety diminishes the sense of wonder and alien grandeur that Dune demands.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective world-building. While the episode focuses heavily on expositional dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The intricate political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel shallow, and the absence of atmospheric "vibes" leaves the setting hollow and unengaging.

In the end, Dune Prophecy struggles to strike a balance between exposition and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a rushed summary than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant adjustments to pacing, editing, and world-building, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.

All of my knowledge of Dune comes from the two recent movies, both of which are amazing. With that out of the way, one thing that is missing from the TV show, which both films have, is a good score or at least good use of a good score. I feel like the score or music of the films was used in such a way to emphasize the larger-than-life characterization of the Dune world or universe, so to speak. We are talking about a species that spans the universe in space after all. On the other hand, the score is barely perceptible in the TV show. This does ensure we able to hear the dialogue clearly, but also makes the TV show feel claustrophobic in spite of some of its sets or settings in comparison and therefore out-of-character. Without this, the TV show feels much less epic and engaging than the movies, unfortuantely. I am hoping they will fix this in upcoming seasons.

DOUR. So dour. Everyone glowering intensely at everyone else. Characters absolutely crippled by the artificial "weight" of how "important" what they are doing is. How do we know it's important? Because the characters state their aspirations right away, and what they aspire to is the way things are in the present of the movies. Wow. Profound. I wonder if it's going to work out in the end??? Remember Game of Thrones? Realistic people doing their best in the horrifying world, trying to find some semblance of meaning, purpose, maybe love? Joking and chiding each other like real human beings do? Remember characters being believable people? Why does every premium show have to be completely humorless and rigid? We get it, the implications are vast. We get it, setting up the world of Dune is "important." Look, I'm a huge fan of the material and the new movies. But even in those they chide each other. "Stilgar is from the south. You didn't notice his accent?" They freaking relax for two minutes! You can't expect me to tighten up and stay rigid for the entire series. There has to be a rhythm to it! Ups and downs. Intensity and levity. Inhale, exhale. Life!

The universe of this saga was unknown to me. Last year, I tried watching the movie that came out. Honestly, I wanted to get into this world, but the movie failed to captivate me. I attempted to watch it twice and gave up both times because I found it boring and felt like I was missing an introduction.

So, when I saw the series was released, I decided to give it another chance-especially because of Ragnar, Travis Fimmel. I can't be objective when he's involved since he's my favorite actor. And honestly, I found the series very good. It drew me into the universe, and I think it has a lot of potential to keep growing.

If I had to be completely objective with my score, it might be a 6 or 7. But since I see so much potential and factor in Ragnar's presence, I'm giving it an 8. I look forward to continuing and finally diving into this world.

I believe the series format and the way it was approached make it much more accessible for viewers unfamiliar with the saga. This allows for a more enjoyable experience while watching.