13/29
Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and establish the legendary sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.. Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show made the cut.. This series uses material from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Great Schools of Dune trilogy. A prequel to the original Dune, it tells the story of how the Sisterhood of Rossak evolved into the Bene Gesserit. The incident with Valya Harkonnen using her voice is from one of the so-called ‘Mentats of Dune’. All three books intertwine the development of the Sisterhood, the Mentats, the Navigators, and the Suk Doctors. Referenced in AniMat’s Crazy Cartoon Cast: The New Normal (2020). The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max’s new foray into the world of Frank Herbert’s universe, unfortunately feels dull and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode struggles to capture the charm and depth that makes Dune so beloved. The most glaring issue is the editing. The pacing is all wrong, with scenes feeling rushed and lacking the breathing room needed to build tension or atmosphere. In its 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 feel significant 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. The set and costumes feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the intricate, lived-in feel of Herbert’s universe. This lack of visual and atmospheric variety detracts from the sense of wonder and alien grandeur that Dune demands. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective worldbuilding. While the episode focuses heavily on expository dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The intricate political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel superficial, and the lack of atmospheric “vibes” feels perfunctory. It leaves the setting feeling empty and uninvolving. In the end, Dune Prophecy struggles to find 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 the pacing, editing, and world-building, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.
