The Great Schools of Dune trilogy is a collection of short stories by Brian Herbert and Kevin J
Tale
Whether they’re exploring the stars, escaping dystopias, or making the world a better place, these women are what science fiction is all about. Anderson. It’s a prequel to the original Dune, telling the story of how Sister Rossak evolved into the Bene Gesserit.
The most glaring issue is the editing
The incident that uses Valya Harkonnen’s voice comes from an event called “Mentats of Dune.” All three books weave together the evolution of the Sisterhood, the Mentats, the Navigators, and the Suk Doctors. The first episode of Dune Prophecy, HBO Max’s new foray into the world of Frank Herbert’s universe, sadly feels bleak and uninspired. Despite its ambitious source material, the episode struggles to capture the charm and depth that made Dune so beloved.
Visually, Dune Prophecy suffers from a continuation of the drab, industrial aesthetic seen in recent Dune adaptations
The pacing is wildly off, the scenes feel rushed, and there’s no air of tension or atmosphere to build. In their attempt to cram too much story into a single hour, the episode becomes a chaotic barrage of non-stop dialogue, sacrificing narrative flow and engagement. Moments that should have been significant are undermined by hasty jump cuts, leaving little room for emotional or thematic resonance.
Perhaps most disappointing is the lack of effective worldbuilding
The set and costume design feel sterile and monotonous, failing to evoke the intricate, lived-in feel of Herbert’s universe. The lack of visual and atmospheric variety diminishes the sense of wonder and alien grandeur that Dune aspires to. While the episode places a heavy emphasis on expository dialogue to set up the plot, it neglects the world itself.
The complex political and cultural dynamics that define Dune feel shallow, and the lack of atmospheric “vibes” leaves the setting feeling empty and uninteresting
In the end, Dune Prophecy struggles to find a balance between exposition and immersion, resulting in an episode that feels more like a rushed recap than a compelling introduction to the series. Without significant tweaks to the pacing, editing, and worldbuilding, we risk losing the essence of what makes Dune such a rich and enduring story.
