Dune: Prophecy

First of all, when talking about this series, you have to know that it is not for everyone.

If Villeneuve's films seemed boring to you, this series is not for you; if they seemed slow to you, this series is not for you; if you expect to see a lot of action and effects in battles, in short, this series is not for you.

However, if the lore of Dune makes you curious and/or fascinates you, if you like the palace intrigues of GOT set in a distant future and if you like Travis Fimmel playing Ragnar (again like in Raised by Wolves), this series is definitely for you.

Perhaps a series that nobody asked for but that greatly enriches this universe and makes us think that perhaps there is more future after Dennis Villeneuve.

Dune: Prophecy introduces us to a prequel set 10 thousand years before Paul Atreides and everything we saw in the cinema.

We are 30 years after the Butlerian Jihad and the events of Dune, the Machine Crusade. It is a point where the Bene Gesserit have just begun their large-scale genetic plan and program in search of creating that super-being that would be the Kwisatz Haderach through hybridization and connections of couples with potential.

We have several points of view that are interesting, the Bene Gesserit referred to, the intrigues of Emperor Corrino, the plan of the rebels led by Keiran Atreides.

Although, as I said, the series is slow, it takes its time to develop characters: we understand the motivation of Mother Valya and Tula Harkkonen, we understand Emperor Corrino and how he was manipulated. We are even able to understand Desmond Hart and how he manages to survive the Shai-Hulud.

We have the right and necessary dose of flashbacks, the fights, although few, are well choreographed and credible in the style of the movies.

Clearly, some questions have been answered and many more remain, which I hope will be addressed in the next season.

Great bet by HBO, let's hope they continue down this path and become even more massive in later seasons. I don't think they will become the new television phenomenon like GOT was, but it does have a lot of potential to be a period series.

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.

Dune: Prophecy is everything i hoped it would be and more. It's a great spin-off from a beloved movie franchise. I have to start by saying I've never read the source material or saw the original movie. My experience of Dune is predicated on the two Dune movies that have come out the last few years starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Those two movies (especially Dune: Part Two) are two of my favorite movies I've seen over the last few years. I absolutely love both of them so I had high expectations for this series. Dune: Prophecy is a series that takes place 10,000 years before the Dune movies start and about how the Harkonnen sisters started the Bene Gesserit as they fight off forces that threaten the future of mankind. The show may feel more like Game of Thrones than Dune but either way...it's very entertaining. The most important thing about this show is it does exactly what it set out to do in the fact that it deepens our understanding of the Bene Gesserit. You don't have to have watched the two Dune movies to enjoy this but you'll definitely enjoy it more if you have.

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!