Two Harkonnen sisters combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
“Dune: Prophecy” opens with references far into the future after the House Atreides had dispatched the Harkonnen hordes to ignominy in “Dune,” the ever-popular Hugo Award-winning novel by Frank Herbert. After the death of the first-ever Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit Order, Raquella Berto-Anirul (Cathy Tyson), a mysterious power grab by Valya Harkonnen (Jessica Barden) unfolds. The narrative then leaps thirty years ahead, but still more than 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.
We learn that House Corrino led the charge eighty years previously to defeat the thinking machines that had subjugated humans. During the War, House Harkonnen unfairly acquired a reputation as cowards – a stain that Valya (Emily Watson) and her sister Tula (Olivia Williamson) desperately seek to erase.
Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart plays a central role in the drama, possessing, as he does, strange powers acquired during his time on the treacherous desert planet Arrakis. His abilities bear some resemblance to those of Paul Atreides, though his motives might be less than pure.
The untimely and mysterious death of Imperial Truthsayer Kasha Jingo (Jihae) draws Valya to Emperor Javicco Corrino’s (Mark Strong) court to seek answers. Corrino and Empress Natalya (Johdi May) conspire to maintain their tenuous hold on power. The numerous plot twists make for an engaging account of the events that lead up to Herbert’s masterwork, so familiar to so many.
The casting contains some nice touches, such as Johdi May, perhaps best known for her role as Alice Munro in “The Last of the Mohicans.” Emily Watson and Olivia Williams also add flavor to the comparative unknowns, complementing the remainder of the acting talent. And of course, Mark Strong, as always, provides a formidable on-screen presence.
Lavish production values make the visual effects a feast for the eyes, whether observing gargantuan spacecraft emerging from a wormhole or the grandiose architecture that boasts seemingly infinitely high ceilings in one scene after another.
A key strength of the series lies in the elaboration of the role of the Bene Gesserit, who seek to shape the leadership of the great houses to establish greater harmony and less corruption. While their power was more subtly portrayed in “Dune,” here their behind-the-scenes maneuvers are more fully on display as they unapologetically counsel the heads of all the great houses that rule the known universe, in tacit cooperation with the emperor. The Bene Gesserit’s use of DNA and forbidden technology further aids in the order’s efforts to promote their own version of order and stability.
The flashbacks to Valya’s early days as the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother provide helpful insight that links together missing pieces of the conflict between the Harkonnens and Atreides. In addition, the contrasts in character between Valya and Tula sharpen the focus of the proceedings in later episodes.
While the action may be somewhat sporadic, the politics and intrigue keep things more than a little interesting over the six episodes now available in 4K UltraHD on three discs, sporting an additional ninety minutes-plus of bonus content. In December of last year, HBO green-lighted a second season, so fans will have an opportunity to savor more of what led to the epic conflicts contained within the original and widely acclaimed “Dune” novel.
Now available on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD
11k
19.8k
1.5k
1.8k