The Hidden Hand

To be honest i was actually pleasently surprissed with this premiere, as I am always a bit nervous for things that excites me, as I am big fan of both the DUNE movies, and the books!

This episode does a great job of introducing us to this time period, as well as the characters and the established power! Id you have read the books and seen the movies, some thibgs will be familiar!

The elements that make for a great DUNE experience, in my opinion, is present in this episode! Scheeming, conspiracies, politics, struggle for power and the visions of an uncertain dangerous future!

The visuals and Cinematography is excellent as well! Some truely amazing shots! The peopke behind this does not care that they are making a TV show, since this looks just as good as the movies!

The elements are here for this to develop into something great!

I mean, it's definitely more on the part of Zaslav and the HBO marketing team that this show borrows so heavily from the aesthetic of the Ville-Dune films, but even still, this felt a little less House of the Dragon and more Rings of Power-that is, a prequel series that exists to expound on the worldbuilding elements not included in the original piece of adaptational media. I mean, I guess the costumes look like they might have been borrowed from the first few season of GOT.

The episode itself isn't AWFUL-just a bit repetitive and heel-dragging in its pacing. Also, a few actors aren't necessarily up to snuff with the rest of the cast/what we've come to expect from Duneiverse Media™, so in truth, this sorta feels like it might just be the prequel to the Lynchian Dune, instead. A lot is still to be seen, of course, but it's nice to know I should, in general, lower my expectations by a LOT.

I enjoyed the photography and the chance to see a new take on Dune, but I feel the series misses key elements of Herbert's universe. The Voice, for example, is shown as a sudden power rather than the result of generations of genetic selection and training, which undermines the science-based approach of the Bene Gesserit. The portrayal of the Spacing Guild also falls short. Interstellar travel was supposed to be incredibly difficult at this point, requiring spice and years of exposure to develop the navigators. They were just replacing space travel by computers with space travel by spice. Moving between planets wasn't something a lone soldier could easily accomplish or be able to pay. The same goes for that fremen working the bar in another planet. People don't travel as easily as moving from one city to another. The series also makes the world feel stagnant, as if society hasn't advanced in 10,000 years, despite technological limitations like the prohibition of computers.

Finally, elements like characters with sudden new powers or the inclusion of cocaine feel out of place and disconnected from Dune's established lore. You can't add something like that to a prequel as it instantly creates a plot hole for the future portrayed in the original material. These creative liberties risk alienating fans while failing to properly explain the intricacies of the universe to newcomers. I hope future episodes dive deeper into the complexities of spice, the Guild, and the Bene Gesserit's manipulations to truly capture the richness of the story.

I am a long time DUNE fan, I have read all of Frank Herbert's books and really liked the recent two-part DUNE movies. They have done an excellent job of keeping the themes and styles of the movies, while starting to expand on the history of the universe. So fun to see references to the Butlerian Jihad put to film. Emily Watson, Mark Strong, Travis Fimmel and all the actors put in strong performances, and clearly take their characters seriously. Much like DUNE part 1, this first episode feels like it is laying the groundwork, introducing you to the characters and their various desires and the obstacles blocking them from those desires. I am excited to see where this goes. Sarah-Sofie Boussnina puts in a great performance, and I really liked her resemblance to Anya Taylor-Joy when Sarah-Sofie is in her full wedding gown, possibly a reference to the DUNE part 2 movie.

The first episode of *Dune: Prophecy* sets a captivating tone, blending political intrigue, mysticism, and stunning visuals. The intricate plot explores the rise of Paul Atreides, navigating his destiny amid the harsh desert world of Arrakis. The cinematography beautifully captures the stark yet awe-inspiring landscapes, while the cast delivers compelling performances, particularly in portraying power struggles and personal dilemmas. The episode builds tension effectively, leaving viewers eager for what's next. While newcomers may feel slightly overwhelmed by the lore, it's a promising start for fans of epic sci-fi.

Started slow but worth waiting, I hope this series turns out be one of the greatest in recent time.