Dune: Prophecy - Episode 1

HBO series is drawn from the Great Schools of Dune novel trilogy (2012-2016) and serves as a prequel to Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021).

The Hidden Hand

Written by Diana Ademu-John

Directed by Anna Foerster

On her deathbed, Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul calls for a young Valya Harkonnen and envisions a burning body, warning Tiran-Arafel is coming.

Knowing Raquella's granddaughter and successor Dorotea will destroy the Sisterhood's breeding program, Valya forces her to commit suicide with the Voice.

30 years later

116 years after the end of the Great Machine Wars

10,148 years before the birth of Paul Atreides

Mother Superior Valya arranges for Emperor Javicco Corrino's daughter Princess Ynez to marry Duke Ferdinand Richese's young son Pruwet Richese to stabilize the Imperial bloodline, whilst also allowing Javicco to maintain control of Arrakis and its spice.

Grizzled soldier Desmond Hart visits Javicco and tells him that a recent attack on Arrakis that wiped out an entire regiment wasn't orchestrated by Fremen, but insurgents from Javicco's own allied worlds.

Desmond immolates Pruwet with a 'great power', with Truthsayer Kasha Jinjo suffering the same fate.

Valya finds Kasha's body, prompting her to recall Raquella's vision.

Hard layers

Opening episode does a good job of introducing characters and production values are predictably top notch, but overall - pretty slow.

Having said that, I remain positive, and look forward to seeing more of Wallach IX and Salusa Secundus.

I just hope it doesn't take long before getting into the origins of Bene Gesserit.