32/43

Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and found a legendary sect that would become known as the Bene Gesserit.. Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show is on the list.. This series uses material from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s The Great Schools of Dune trilogy. The prequel to the original Dune tells the story of how the Sisterhood of Rossak became the Bene Gesserit. The incident with Valea Harkonnen’s voice comes from the so-called “Dune Mentats.” All three books are intertwined with the development of the Sisterhood, Mentats, Navigators, and Doctor Whores. It is mentioned in AniMat’s “Crazy Cartoon Cast: The New Normal” (2020). The first episode of The Dune Prophecy, HBO Max’s new foray into the Frank Herbert universe, unfortunately feels dull and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode fails to convey the charm and depth that make Dune so beloved. The most glaring problem is the setup. The pacing is insane, the walls feel rushed and devoid of the space needed to build tension or atmosphere. In attempting to cram too much story into one episode, the episode devolves into a chaotic flurry of nonstop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have felt meaningful are undermined by hasty frame changes, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance. Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the drab, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations. The sets and costumes feel sterile and monotonous, unable 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 requires. Perhaps most disappointing is the lack of effective worldbuilding. While the episode focuses heavily on expository dialogue to establish the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The complex political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel superficial, and the lack of atmospheric “vibrance” leaves the setting feeling empty and uninteresting. Ultimately, Dune Prophecy struggles to find a balance between exposition and immersion, and the episode feels more like a rushed recap than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant changes to the pacing, editing, and worldbuilding, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.