Anderson’s Great Schools of Dune trilogy
Tale
Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and form the fabled sect that becomes known as the Bene Gesserit. Whether they’re exploring the stars, escaping dystopias, or making the world a better place, these women are what science fiction is all about. This series uses material from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. A prequel to the original Dune film, it tells how the Sisterhood of Rossak evolved into the Bene Gesserit.
Quoted in AniMat’s Crazy Cartoon Cast: The New Normal (2020)
The incident in which Valya Harkonnen uses her voice comes from a book called Mentats of Dune. All three books weave together the evolution of the Sisterhood, the Mentats, the Navigators, and the Suk doctors. The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max’s new foray into the world of Frank Herbert’s universe, unfortunately feels monotonous and uninspired. Despite the ambitious source material, the episode fails to capture the charm and depth that make Dune so popular.
The most glaring problem is the editing
The pacing is all over the place, scenes feel rushed, and lack the necessary space to build tension or atmosphere. In an effort to cram too much story into a single hour, the episode becomes a chaotic barrage of nonstop dialogue, with narrative flow and engagement falling by the wayside. Moments that should have been meaningful are undermined by hasty cuts, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance. Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the gray, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective world-building
The set and costume design feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the complex, 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. While the episode focuses heavily on expository dialogue to set up the plot, it fails to build the world itself. The complicated political and cultural dynamics that make up Dune feel superficial, and the lack of atmospheric “vibes” makes the setting feel hollow and uninteresting.
Without significant adjustments to pacing, editing, and world-building, there’s a risk of losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story
Ultimately, Dune Prophecy struggles to strike a balance between explanation and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a hasty recap than a compelling introduction to the series.