HBO’s new Dune prequel series, ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ offers a deliberate, character-focused look at the early days of the Bene Gesserit order.
Set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ story, the show follows sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen as they help shape the secretive women’s order.
The series shifts between two timelines: the present, where the adult sisters (played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) oversee the Bene Gesserit school, and their past as young women dealing with their family’s fall from grace.
While the show includes elements of the Butlerian Jihad – a war against machines – it focuses more on personal drama and political intrigue.
The show improves upon its source material, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s ‘Sisterhood of Dune,’ by creating stronger connections between its storylines.
However, its smaller scale and slower pace might challenge viewers expecting the visual grandeur of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films.
After seeing four of the six episodes, reviewers note that while ‘Prophecy’ may not be HBO’s next big hit, it serves as an engaging exploration of Dune lore for dedicated fans.
The show particularly shines in its intimate moments and its portrayal of the Bene Gesserit’s mysterious Other Memories ability.
