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18/17
Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and found the legendary sect that would become known as the Bene Gesserit. Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show has reached its limit. 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 how the Rossak Sisterhood evolved into the Bene Gesserit. The incident with Valya Harkonnen using the voice is from one called “Mentats of Dune.” The three books intertwine the development of the Sisterhood, Mentats, Navigators, and 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 make Dune so beloved. The most glaring issue is the editing. The pacing is wild, with scenes 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 non-stop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have been meaningful are undermined by rushed 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 appear sterile and drab, failing to evoke the complicated feeling experienced in 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 expository dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The complicated political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel superficial, and atmospheric “vibes” are absent; it leaves the setting empty and uninviting. Ultimately, Dune Prophecy struggles to strike a balance between exposition and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a rushed recap than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant tweaks to pacing, editing, and world-building, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.