‘Dune: The Prophecy’ review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper

2024 has been the year of witch predictions on television, since The Acolyte‘s Brendok Force users to Agatha Everything GoesAbandoned agreement. Now, Dune: Prophecy he’s here to wrap us up with a look at some of science fiction’s most magical characters: the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert’s. A mound.

With their supernatural control over their minds and bodies, the Bene Gesserit Sisters are a force to be reckoned with, and one of the most prominent A mound the whole place. However, traditionally, they operate in the shadows, using the Imperium’s politics with a firm touch. That they are able to make such an impact from the edges of both originals A mound novels and films speak volumes about their influence. So it should come as no surprise that they shine in that specific light Dune: Prophecy he casts upon them. Not only do you deepen our understanding of the Bene Gesserit, – too he throws us into a meticulously crafted world that finds the perfect balance between palace intrigue and cosmic intrigue A mound‘s bread and butter.

What Dune: Prophecy about?

Inspired by Sister of Dune by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson, Dune: Prophecy it begins more than 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. That means the Imperium – the garage empire of prestigious houses – that we see in the show is very different from what we know from both the original novels by Frank Herbert and the films by David Lynch and Denis Villeneuve. (And although familiar names like Atreides, Harkonnen, and Corrino appear, they’re not really familiar families.) At this point in time, the Imperium is still reeling from the Butlerian Jihad, a war against “thinking machines” that make all artificial intelligence illegal.

Since then, new forms of energy have arisen to fill the void left by thinking machines. Among them are the Bene Gesserit – now known as the “Sisterhood” – who have yet to grow into their power. A mound. These sisters still wield great influence, serving the Great Houses as Guardians of Truth. However, abilities like the commanding voice are still commonplace, and the Kwistatz Haderach breeding project is not moving.

Leading the Sisterhood is High Mother Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), who is determined to use her status to push the boundaries of what it means to be human. He also wishes to increase the power of the Sisterhood in the Imperium, conspiring with his sister Tula (Olivia Williams) to place Sisterhood on the throne. What was behind all these tactics? A prophecy from Sisterhood founder Mother Raquella (Cathy Tyson), who foresaw the coming of an evil tyrant who would bring the Sisterhood to its knees.

However, after a brutal attack on the Sisterhood, Valya finds herself faced with a difficult question. Does all her work to improve the Sisterhood’s standing in the Imperium bring about the doom that Mother Raquella warned her about?

Dune: Prophecy dense, but very tasty

Jodhi May and Mark Strong in “Dune: Prophecy.”
Credit: Attila Szvacsek/HBO

Valya’s concern with prophecy is only one branch Dune: Prophecyextensive narrative. Elsewhere, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) is trying to control the planet Arrakis. (With A mound(there are some things even 10,000 years can’t change.) And she welcomes the lovable, Sisterhood-hating soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) into her inner circle, causing a rift between Valya and her daughter Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), who hopes to one day become a Sister herself. .

During that time, the young acolytes of the Sisterhood undergo rigorous physical and mental training. Others, like the slippery Sister Jen (Faoileann Cunningham), question the Sisterhood’s control over its members. Others, like Sister Theodosia (Jade Anouka) or Sister Lila (Chloe Lea), remain faithful, even if that means overstepping their bounds. But do they make these decisions of their own free will? Or are they just a handful of prophecies?

These many intertwining stories are a lot to take in, especially when paired with a deep, unusual story A mound. Also, the bombshell of actual exposition in the first 10 minutes of the show is enough to make it seem like Dune: Prophecy accessible only to the strong A mound lovers.

But once you get past those first-heavy scenes (and yes, there are a lot), Dune: Prophecy opens up a fantastically diverse sci-fi episode with a little something for everyone. If you like political intrigue, you will be blessed with scenes of intrigue and dialogue. (Of course, this is the closest TV has come to the concept of “Game of Thrones…in space!”) If you want to understand more about what it takes to become a Sister, prepare yourself for the rigorous training of the acolytes, which sounds like A mound‘s take on the “magic school” trope. And of course, if you want more A moundAmazing sci-fi wonder (we’re talking about a series where one becomes a worm, after all), you’re in luck. Dune: Prophecy makes a feast for the many strange visions of the Sisters, in some cases even Villeneuve’s descriptions of the inner strength of the Bene Gesserit. Also, we get a visit from time to time from the almighty sandworm, whose appearance doesn’t seem quite as generous. A mound Easter eggs but an important part of the story to come.

With such a great story to tell, it’s probably easy to ignore Dune: Prophecybig mistakes. Also, its first few minutes are a bunch of plot points that don’t give you time to sink into the world of the show. Elsewhere, the occasional bleak sex scene can feel like an old stereotype of what a 2010s HBO sex scene should look like.

Overall, however, runner-up Alison Schapker (Westworld, It is lost) cleverly navigates the bombed areas and fixes anything related A mound. Following its original champion of getting us up to speed on all things Sisterhood, Dune: Prophecy he pulls back from the fantasy filler and instead focuses on the characters – mostly women – who make it iconic. A mound as the series is full of complex women, some, like Chani, find more nuance and agency in Villeneuve’s films. But seeing the Sisterhood takes center stage Dune: Prophecy adding more depth to the women who will follow in their footsteps thousands of years down the line – especially since we know how their plans will one day come to fruition.

It’s fun, too, to turn the clock back to the world A moundas Dune: Prophecy delivers some of the best sets and costumes on television this year. Between the opulent halls of Emperor Corrino’s palace, the austere library of the Sisterhood, and the dark delights of the spice den, each area is stunning. As brutal as the Imperium can be, there’s something attractive about it, too – just as the power the Sisterhood wields can be a double-edged sword. You will want it, you will fear it, but most of all, you will emerge the need to continue watching it.

Dune: Prophecy premieres November 17 at 9 pm ET on HBO and Max.