Taking a blockbuster larger-than-life epic fantasy like the Dune trilogy and making it into a spin-off which is difficult to sit through, is blasphemous. The first episode of HBO's prequel to the sci-fi epic opens 10,781 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. The sisters at Bene Gesserit are joined by Valya Harkonnen (younger Valya, played by Jessica Brandon) and her sister Tula Harkonnen.
Dune Prophecy: Plot (Episode 1)
Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul (Cathy Tyson) is on her death bed when she calls for Valya (elder Valya, played by Emily Watson), warning her about the Red Sand, an upcoming sandstorm which threatens civilization and life in the Imperium. Raquella urges Valya to lead, much to the dismay of Mother Dorotea (Camilla Beeput) who feels Bene Gesserit sisters are meant to “guide the imperium, not rule it”.
Valya uses The Voice, causing Dorotea to die by suicide. 30 years later, Valya is the Mother Supreme. Prince Constantine (Josh Heuston) asks Valya to provide separate quarters for his sister, Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) who will be training with the Sisters to acquire superhuman powers and become a Truthsayer. A stern Valya turns down the request.
Dune Prophecy: Performances
As Princess Ynez arrives at the Bene Gesserit, Tula (Olivia Williams) and Valya look for a mentor who can prepare her to take the throne and rule the imperium. Will Valya's plan succeed? As for this critic, I just couldn't care less. Truth be told, getting through the 1 hour, 5 minute long episode of Dune: Prophecy seems like a survival sport. At no point do the events unfolding on the screen keep your attention from wavering.
Dune Prophecy: Writing And Direction
If Dune: Part Two was gripping and sucked you straight into the world of sandworms and explosions, Dune: Prophecy is simply too dull and lackluster to make you the slightest bit of emotion for the characters on-screen. The show does a rather shoddy job at introducing the characters. Who is Valya? What do we know about her apart from the fact that she is from House Harkonnen (and that she has The Voice)?
The series relies too much on the already loved and celebrated Dune universe than actually offering character arcs and plot points that stand their own ground and fascinate the viewers on their own merit. After all, you can't just piggyback on the already-established world and not offer anything substantial to the viewers.
Dune Prophecy: What Works, What Doesn't
Everything from the sword fighting scene between Princess Ynez and her half-brother to the visions of Mother Kasha falls entirely flat. You don't want to see what happens next because you don't care much about what has happened already. Must prequels be like this? A straight-up cash grab opportunity meant to capitalize on the popularity of an already revered franchise (looking at you, House of the Dragon)?
In what can be called a double whammy of sorts, Tabu does not appear as Sister Francesca in the first episode. While this review is based only on the first episode of Dune: Prophecy, the show (s0 far) looks like a slogfest through and through. Yes, it is entirely possible that over the course of the remaining episodes, Dune: Prophecy might have a 180 degree turn but, well, that's just wishful thinking.
Star rating: 1 / 5 stars
The first episode of Dune: Prophecy is now streaming on JioCinema.
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