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I've been looking forward to Dune: Prophecy ever since I first heard about it. Then I saw the trailers and my excitement grew even more. Well, after seeing it I can say that it without a doubt lived up to my expectations. Your expectations have to be realistic though, if you're expecting something as perfect as the Dennis Villenueve directed films then you're going to be disappointed, but if you go into it just expecting a perfectly paced, fascinating series that will keep you thoroughly invested every episode then you'll love it. The world building that takes place and the attention to every detail is as good as it gets for a tv show. This series is best watched binged because I can promise when you finish an episode you can't wait to start the next. You're not going to want to wait a week between episodes, it's that good.

DOUR. So dour. Everyone glowering intensely at everyone else. Characters absolutely crippled by the artificial "weight" of how "important" what they are doing is. How do we know it's important? Because the characters state their aspirations right away, and what they aspire to is the way things are in the present of the movies. Wow. Profound. I wonder if it's going to work out in the end??? Remember Game of Thrones? Realistic people doing their best in the horrifying world, trying to find some semblance of meaning, purpose, maybe love? Joking and chiding each other like real human beings do? Remember characters being believable people? Why does every premium show have to be completely humorless and rigid? We get it, the implications are vast. We get it, setting up the world of Dune is "important." Look, I'm a huge fan of the material and the new movies. But even in those they chide each other. "Stilgar is from the south. You didn't notice his accent?" They freaking relax for two minutes! You can't expect me to tighten up and stay rigid for the entire series. There has to be a rhythm to it! Ups and downs. Intensity and levity. Inhale, exhale. Life!

The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max's new foray into the world of Frank Herbert's universe, unfortunately feels drab 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 wildly off, with scenes feeling rushed and lacking the breathing room necessary for tension or atmosphere to develop. In their 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 have felt significant are undercut by hurried jump 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 feel sterile and monotonous, failing 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 demands.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the lack of effective world-building. While the episode focuses heavily on expositional dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects to establish the world itself. The intricate political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel shallow, and the absence of atmospheric "vibes" leaves the setting hollow and unengaging.

In the end, Dune Prophecy struggles to strike 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 pacing, editing, and world-building, it risks losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.

All of my knowledge of Dune comes from the two recent movies, both of which are amazing. With that out of the way, one thing that is missing from the TV show, which both films have, is a good score or at least good use of a good score. I feel like the score or music of the films was used in such a way to emphasize the larger-than-life characterization of the Dune world or universe, so to speak. We are talking about a species that spans the universe in space after all. On the other hand, the score is barely perceptible in the TV show. This does ensure we able to hear the dialogue clearly, but also makes the TV show feel claustrophobic in spite of some of its sets or settings in comparison and therefore out-of-character. Without this, the TV show feels much less epic and engaging than the movies, unfortuantely. I am hoping they will fix this in upcoming seasons.

I wanted to be brief and to the point, but felt compelled to expand my thoughts. So here it goes. There was a time when writers knew how to weave exposition into narrative without it feeling forced and contrived. I get that it's a first episode, but do they have to spell everything out like they aren't common knowledge.

Watson(Valya), Mark Strong(Emperor), Travis Fimmel(Hart) and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina(Princess) deliver good performances. I feel like the show is in good hands. The rest of the characters left me uninterested. They move the story but are forgettable. I guess we'll see how it evolves.

I found it hard to stay focused on the first episode. It seemed to be part of a whole that can't be divided. I will wait for the full season before consuming more episodes.

They did a marvelous job on the visuals. The CGI is high quality, the costumes are perfect, the tone from Villeneuve's vision is maintained and expanded from. The art dept should get awards for how beautiful it looks.

Dune: Prophecy is everything i hoped it would be and more. It's a great spin-off from a beloved movie franchise. I have to start by saying I've never read the source material or saw the original movie. My experience of Dune is predicated on the two Dune movies that have come out the last few years starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Those two movies (especially Dune: Part Two) are two of my favorite movies I've seen over the last few years. I absolutely love both of them so I had high expectations for this series. Dune: Prophecy is a series that takes place 10,000 years before the Dune movies start and about how the Harkonnen sisters started the Bene Gesserit as they fight off forces that threaten the future of mankind. The show may feel more like Game of Thrones than Dune but either way...it's very entertaining. The most important thing about this show is it does exactly what it set out to do in the fact that it deepens our understanding of the Bene Gesserit. You don't have to have watched the two Dune movies to enjoy this but you'll definitely enjoy it more if you have.

I don't want to be critical on just the first episode of a TV show, but this was just average on every level.

The acting was below par, barring some of the well-known actors like Mark Strong, Emily Watson, Olivia Williams and maybe Travis Fimmel. Rest of the actors felt like were just out of movie academy or something. The story was very loose, and the dialogue was not dune worthy. I love slow-moving dramas that takes forever to build up because I know the reward is worth the wait. But this wasn't just slow, lot of things happened, but it was just boring, I don't know how else to put it. The soundtrack that did wanders in the movies were ripped off a bit here, some familiar sounds appearing here and there but it's just that the timing wasn't good. Like I heard a lot of music here that didn't make any effect. I remembered how long in the movies we would go with just people talking and then boom, Hans Zimmer does his magic, and I would just get so pumped up. But I know that he wasn't a part of doing any sounds here and I don't even have to check that.

I am not sure Denis Villeneuve was involved in this production, I hope not. My question is that did he even like this to have been made? Would an average tv show like this after two epic films have an effect on the much awaited third film? The reason I am wondering is that because The Penguin was so good that it made me appreciate The Batman even more than I did after my watching it and can't wait for the 2nd film. So how would Dune: Prophecy impact the 3rd film if there will be any at all. Food for thought.

Good storytelling and visuals. As others mentioned, the show is confused about it's setting. Even though this is like some 10000 years before the events of Dune, the technology and life seem far more advanced. Hi-fi laboratories, cyberpunk nightclubs and so on. Some action scenes make no sense like an injured soldier easily fighting off multiple guards without breaking a sweat. The guards seem as useless as stormtroopers.

Although the movie mostly revolves around women, the feminist themes are minimal although there are some subtle hints. The main cast is excellent but the DEI cast brings the performance down significantly impacting the experience. Overall it was a good watch.

Let's clear this up right away: the backlash over perceived "DEI politics" in this series is not just tiresome, it's fundamentally misguided. Anyone familiar with Frank Herbert's Dune universe knows that women, and particularly the Sisterhood, have always been central to the story. This isn't some modern "rewrite" to appease audiences-it's baked into the very DNA of the lore. Complaining about women in power here is like criticizing sand for showing up in the desert. If this somehow makes you uncomfortable, it's worth reflecting on why that might be.

With that said, let's focus on what matters: the series itself. Visually, it's stunning. The art direction pays homage to the bold aesthetic established in Denis Villeneuve's films, creating a seamless visual connection to the wider Dune universe. The scope feels ambitious yet intimate, balancing grand, sweeping shots with more personal, tightly framed moments. Sure, the CGI occasionally shows its budget constraints, but the overall design is so sharp and deliberate that it hardly matters. It's not perfect, but it's close enough to feel immersive.

The writing, while not as philosophically dense as the core Dune saga, respects its audience's intelligence. It doesn't overly simplify or dilute the complexities of Herbert's world to cater to newcomers. Instead, it leans into the power dynamics and political intrigue that make the Sisterhood so fascinating. It's a cerebral, slow-burn narrative that rewards attention without ever feeling overly self-indulgent. The final 20 minutes of the first episode, in particular, deliver a level of tension and payoff that captures the spirit of Dune at its best-layered, gripping, and quietly monumental.

What sets this series apart is how it uses the Sisterhood to explore a different dimension of Dune's sprawling universe. The political machinations are more front-and-center here, offering a fresh perspective on the undercurrents of power that often drive the larger narrative. It's got shades of early Game of Thrones, but with a distinctly Dune sensibility: less gratuitous, more thoughtful, and deeply tied to the philosophical questions that define Herbert's work.

The cast is a compelling mix of seasoned performers and rising stars, with a few standout performances that hint at bigger things to come. As for the adaptation itself, it's clear the creators took great care not to compromise the integrity of Herbert's vision. This is no watered-down reimagining-it's an earnest, ambitious continuation of the world he built. Granted, newcomers might find the dense lore and shadowy politics daunting, but for fans of the books or Villeneuve's films, that's part of the appeal.

For those already invested in Dune, this series feels like a meaningful expansion-a chance to delve deeper into the nuances of Herbert's universe. If you're new, this is a worthy entry point, though you might have to work a little harder to keep up. Trust me, the effort is worth it.

To the detractors clinging to outdated critiques: strong female protagonists aren't a threat to the story-they're its foundation. Maybe instead of railing against them, take a moment to reconsider why their strength feels like a challenge. Growth begins with asking the hard questions, after all.

So far, the show feels like it's to Dune what The Rings of Power is to The Lord of the Rings-a confused retelling that struggles with its storytelling and leans too heavily on exposition through narration. The material seems poorly researched or inadequately adapted. The timeline is particularly jarring: the series portrays a world just over a century after the war against the thinking machines, yet it feels far more advanced and developed than the source material suggests.

By this point in the lore, the Dune universe should resemble something akin to a post-apocalyptic medieval dark age, where humanity is grappling with the void left by the elimination of all intelligent machinery. The power structures of the Imperium, the Sisterhood, and the Mentats were not instantaneously formed-they were painstakingly built over centuries, emerging as replacements for the machines that had once dominated human society. However, the show seems to skip this crucial developmental arc, making the universe feel more like a slick sci-fi dystopia than the richly layered and evolving world described in Frank Herbert's work.

Adding to the confusion is the bizarre tonal inconsistency. There are lazy references-"Easter eggs"-to iconic moments from the Dune films that feel out of place and forced. Instead of building its own identity, the show seems intent on replicating scenes from the movies but without the same care or craftsmanship. The sets, unfortunately, don't help matters either, often looking cheap and uninspired, bordering on the quality of painted cardboard. A particularly baffling scene-a snorting club sequence-feels completely out of place, evoking a modern nightclub rather than anything that belongs in the Dune universe. Oddly some scenes feel much more like the world of the Netflix's Witcher.

The casting, to its credit, is strong, with talented actors giving their all. However, even the best performers can only do so much when saddled with inconsistent scripts and weak direction. It's painful to see such potential wasted when more thoughtful adaptation could have created something extraordinary.

Finally, the theory that Desmond Hart might be a ghola raises some serious concerns about the direction of the show. If this turns out to be true, it risks undermining the narrative integrity of Dune Messiah, one of the most pivotal entries in the saga. Introducing gholas in this way at such an early stage seems not only premature but also emblematic of a larger problem: the series seems to value spectacle and shock over the patient, deliberate storytelling that made Dune a classic in the first place.

This is a frustrating miss, especially when we know what HBO before MAX was capable of, having delivered masterful productions like Chernobyl and early GoT. Sadly, this show doesn't even come close to that level of quality, feeling more like a shallow imitation than a worthy continuation of the Dune legacy.

Honestly, the whole time I was watching the show, I got the feeling that it belongs to be aired on the SyFy channel.

I have heard that to really understand this series you need to read the book so maybe that's the reason the story just didn't seem rich, nor captivating (as I found myself distracted by everything around me and that happens when my attention is lost).

Although you can tell the production value was large, it just doesn't seem like it belongs on MAX, especially with their other huge hits.

Unfortunately, I think this goes in the category of recent shows like the Rings of Power (which I would argue is actually better).

I was pleasantly surprised by this show. It started a bit slow however had some amazing dialogue that was GOT level between the two sisters. It also has an amazing aesthetic like the Dune movies. I believe strong dialogue is missing from most sci-fi and it was so refreshing to hear well crafted lines. The next necessity for sci-fi in my opinion is mystery, this is a new world to the viewer so putting together the pieces and amazing reveals are amazing the original world was well crafted which obviously helped. Again I think this could have done with less characters, I feel that many movies and TV shows simply have too many characters and there isn't the time to develop them.

If The Sisterhood is going to be the cornerstone of the show why would 90% of The Sisterhood be cast with absolute bottom-wrung actors? It's akin to watching a high school play. Sure, the story has roots, the writing is great, the cinematography is great, the effects a pretty decent, but you're pretty sure the actors have no idea what they're doing. The over-acting, over-emoting, unnatural facial expressions, and unnatural posturing is at times painful to watch. It's a shame some of these people are paid for what they are doing to such well written lines. The writing saves the show but you have to be able to put aside the below-par acting.

This HBO series is impressive.

I am absolutely astonished about the visuals, the costumes and the production itself. Although the plot is pretty much the very basics recipe, the way it is executed, sometimes, into this series, really gets the viewer.

Some parts will give you goosebumps, despite some scenes are way too heavy-handed and could have been cutted out. For example, there is no need to show human suffering, even being fictional, of a person being burned from the inside. So there is no way watching this with your family/kids.

If you are inside Dune's world you will be entertained, specially because no one can be bored watching the Bene Gesserit in action.

Worth watching, but be cautious: some scenes are unnecessarily violent.

Currently at Ep2.

I knew it cannot be the same quality as the movies but I did not expect it to be so... mediocre. I thought for a second that it is Amazon production, not HBO. No depth, conversations are at time quite cheesy. For some roles not the right casting choices; not bcs the actors are bad but just not right for the role.

Too much going on in the first episode and skipping from one scene to the next like they are rushing through. Also for some scenes I wonder why they even bothered to make them.

No real special effect, feels a bit low budget.

Not sure what camera they used but shots look too plain.

I really hope it gets better.

I enjoyed reading all the books by Frank Herbert, as well as off shoots, many years ago. And, I've also enjoyed the several attempts at movies of the Dune story over the years, least of not which is the current 3 part theater blockbuster.

So, when I learned there was going to be a Dune series I was excited because I enjoy series' much more than the one time sitting of a movie.

This series, happening thousands of years before Frank Herbert's story, reminded me of the many offshoot films there have been from the original Star Wars story.

And, although I knew that this story centered around the powerful Bene Gisserit soothsayer organization, and that it was an all female institution, I felt that the forced Hollywood feminist characterizations of women as superhero's was not only too much to swallow, but a little to unbelievable, even for a SciFi adventure.

I mean, for a family G rated film fine. But, for a male viewer dominated action science fiction adventure audience, the lack of main male character hero's seemed lacking. I kept waiting for the Bene Gesserit to attempt the birth of a Muad'Dib, or Lisan al Gaib as a male messiah to fight against the spice mongering evil empire.

The acting was good, the production very good as were the special effects. The story was a bit ho-hum in places, but generally the writing was pretty good. And the series did a good job at sucking you in to watch episode after episode, and then wanting more, with the promise of a next season.

It's nice to see the other side of Dune Universe. Visually beautiful for a TV Show although we know this is nothing compared to Denis Villeneuve movies. Here we can see the city, the bar, etc that feels cyberpunk-ish and we don't see it in the movies.

The story itself was good and again it's nice to know more about Bene Gesserit. But I don't know why this show potrayed the main character (Bene Gesserit) looks 'evil'. Despite that I enjoyed it still.

What I hate about this show is too short. I mean comeon why only 6 episodes? I hate modern TV shows. They gave us 6 episodes and then we need to wait another 1-2 years to watch the next season. 10 Episodes is the standard unless you make it limited series with no continuation. I understand that maybe this show has big budget knowing the visual was very good.

Another uninteresting about this show is bad casting. Almost all the acolytes was so bland knowing they still had good amount of screen time. I always love Travis Fimmel as Ragnar zlothbrok in Vikings since it's my favorite show but in here he also act like Ragnar the way their bodyand eye moves was very sinilar acting

Overall I love this show since we rarely had scifi cyberpunk-ish tv show.

Dune: Prophecy is a prequel series set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert's renowned Dune saga. Premiering on HBO in November 2024, the series explores the formation of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, focusing on two Harkonnen sisters, Valya and Tula, as they navigate political and mystical challenges that shape the future of humankind.

Positives

✔ Strong Performances: Emily Watson and Olivia Williams deliver compelling portrayals of Valya and Tula Harkonnen, respectively, grounding the series with their nuanced performances.

✔ Intricate World-Building: The series delves deep into the lore of the Dune universe, offering fans a rich backstory to the enigmatic Bene Gesserit and the political machinations of the time.

✔ High Production Values: With impressive set designs and special effects, the show successfully brings the expansive and complex world of Dune to life.

Negatives

• Complex Narrative: The dense plot and extensive exposition can be overwhelming, especially for viewers not already familiar with the Dune mythology.

• Pacing Issues: Some episodes struggle with uneven pacing, oscillating between rapid developments and slower, more contemplative scenes.

• Visual Monotony: Certain critiques point out a lack of visual diversity, with the series' aesthetic leaning heavily towards grey, industrial designs that may feel sterile over time.

Conclusion

Dune: Prophecy offers a compelling expansion of the Dune universe, shedding light on the origins of the Bene Gesserit and the intricate politics of the era. While it boasts strong performances and rich world-building, the series' complexity and pacing may pose challenges for some viewers. Nonetheless, it stands as a noteworthy addition for fans eager to explore the deeper lore of Herbert's creation.

A pilot is in my opinion the most crucial episode throughout the series. It needs to have a clear hook, show original characters and set up what's to come in the series. While HBO obviously plays us a joke, putting DUNE in the cover as a money grab it sets the audience expectations of a series closely related to the core of Denis Villeneuves DUNE. While there are hints about Arrakis I seriously doubt the series will continue in that direction.

The thing that probably will backfire with a series like this is that it time after time will get compared with the original trilogy. While Denis states a more serious tone in dune this feels a lot more like a child's splay compared to it. The pace is slow and the only time I really felt hooked onto the story where in the end of the episode where the most of the pen goes down to the paper. The characters built up to this point is okay, but it is not like we never seen these characteristics before.

To be honest am I not sure if I am going to keep the watch on this but my motto stays that a series sometimes need about 2-3 episodes to clearly state its welcome. I will keep my eye on "The sisters" from the world of Dune.

Dune: Prophecy brings us back to Frank Herbert's universe with a different approach. Instead of grand battles, the series explores the intrigues of the Bene Gesserit and their struggle for control. It's not necessary to have seen the movies to understand it, as it builds its own rhythm and atmosphere.

It stands out for its setting and for Emily Watson's performance, which brings depth and presence to her character. However, at times, the pacing is slow, and it may feel like it lacks intensity. Even so, it manages to create interest through its conflicts and the mystery surrounding the story.

It's not a series for everyone, but for those who enjoy more political and dense science fiction, Dune: Prophecy offers an intriguing premise with great potential.