Dune: Prophecy Episode 1 Review
The first episode of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ was released on HBO Max, to tell the story of the Sisterhood long before Paul Atreides. It focuses on the origins of the Bene Gesserit and how they became the key players throughout the Imperium. It’s a series steeped in political machinations, where the words and what people say are key to follow. The first episode starts the series off on the right foot, setting up a compelling conflict, and introducing its many characters. While some of the lore can feel heavy handed, it doesn’t derail the episode.
First off, is how the series looks. Denis Villeneuve has set an extremely high bar for any ‘Dune’ media to hit with how stunning ‘Dune: Part One’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’ look, which this series has to try and hit, else risk the audience thinking they’re not the part of the same franchise. And the first episode does an admirable job at this, with the opening wowing the audience with its visuals. Locations such as the Emperor’s home on Salusa Secundus and the Bene Gesserit stronghold on Wallach IX are stunning, with sharp and pointed architecture matching the films. This is managed on a budget far smaller than the films too! It’s in the costumes where this falls slightly apart, as the Emperor and his forces look like they’re wearing basic black military garb, and Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) doesn’t look as frazzled and worn as a warrior who barely survived on a war-torn planet should. The Bene Gesserit are also quite basic in their wear.
The episode spends its time establishing key players with their wants and goals, all while getting audiences up to speed on the requisite lore. It’s not an easy balance, and ‘Prophecy’ doesn’t always get it right, but it’s not overwhelming. What helps the show is leaning on the importance of Arrakis, something fans will be familiar with and can latch onto. Not a lot happens beyond this, leading to a slower and quieter episode. There are a few questions seeded into the audience’s mind throughout, like why does Duke Ferdinand Richese’s (Brendan Cowell) son have a thinking machine? There’s certainly more going on below the surface.
The main plot follows Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) as she reforms the Bene Gesserit into the all powerful organisation that audiences see in ‘Dune’, aiming to take full control. Watson makes this heavy sci-fi and politics filled material look effortless, though episode one has her start far away from the action on Wallach IX. Here Salusa Secundus is the key world, with Mark Strong playing Emperor Javicco Corrino, a weak man who has become ever-reliant on his Bene Gesserit for advice, and is visibly out of his depth when he’s forced to make decisions for himself, pulled between many interests. He has to navigate the marriage of his daughter, Ynez Corrino (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), to the Duke’s young son, largely so he can gain access to a large fleet of warships to help on Arrakis.
It’s an arena that gets turned upside down with the entrance of Desmond Hart, a veteran of Arrakis. He’s convinced subterfuge is going on hampering spice production, and seems to have tension with the Bene Gesserit. Fimmel has a commanding presence whenever he’s onscreen, though his performance also makes it clear that Hart has his secrets. Hart throws a wrench in the wedding, burning the Duke’s son at night in a terribly effective scene, an act that also cremates the Reverend Mother Kasha (Yerin Ha/Jihae) in front of Valya. This hard-hitting ending is what will (pardon the pun) spice things up for the show going forward, as this first episode was an introduction to this part of the world.
‘Dune: Prophecy’ starts off well, with visuals that almost match the big screen movies, and it has the potential of the backstabbing political scenes that this franchise is known for. Its lore does feel a bit cumbersome at times, but tying things back to Arrakis will help with easing audiences into this dense world. With its characters now set on the board, and an incident that will throw things into high-gear, ‘Prophecy’ has a bright future ahead.
