The project was initially called Sisterhood. It's finally under the title Dune : Prophecy what the world of Frank Herbert returns to our screens. A series directly linked to the films Dune directed by Canadian Denis Villeneuve with Timothée Chalamet in the lead. This series is not a sequel but a prequel to the films. A TV series broadcast in France on the Max platform from November 18, 2024 and which intends to serve as an appendix to delve even deeper into the very rich saga of the science fiction author.
Dune: Prophecy indeed offers a plot taking place somewhere 10,000 years ago the adventures of Paul Atréides (Timothée Chalamet) on the planet Arrakis, a desert world dominated by giant worms. As the initial code name of the series suggested, the series is particularly interested in a mysterious community of women, the Bene Gesserit. In the films, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul's mother, is one of these women who, in the shadows, manipulate the weak and powerful of the Imperium, to bring about a Messiah.
THE Well done possess supernatural powers that may seem like magic to novices but are in reality the result of many years of training. They can detect lies, control the actions of others with the Voice, resist poisons and choose even the sex of their unborn child… This all-powerful community is led by a Reverend Mother, played by Charlotte Rampling in the films… Dune: Prophecy invites us to return to the origins of this fascinating matriarchal order.
Very nice television
In the remainder of this article, we will describe the events of the first episode of this new series only. We will also discuss, without spoiling, the quality of the following episodes. The first two films, Dune Part 1 et Part 2 by Denis Villeneuve were generally praised by critics and spectators. We praised the finesse of the adaptation of the work but also the acting and the breathtaking photography of the feature films. Costumes, music, editing… The films are little gems of contemporary science fiction and the seventh art in general. The bar is therefore particularly high for a series to rise to this level.
Without achieving the ideal balance of films and the “wow” effect linked to the big screen and the sound system of dark rooms, Dune : Prophecy makes for some great television. The episodes voluntarily take up the aesthetic codes of Denis Villeneuve and the winks are numerous. Ships, flying lamps, brutalist architecture, geometric sails, jewelry inspired by oriental styles… Fans of the films will be right at home watching Prophecy. The aesthetic proximity is almost disturbing when we know that 10,000 years separate the films in the series, but what we lose in historical coherence, the public gains in quality and understanding of the universe. When we adapt a saga like Dunemaintaining some form of clarity in the story is a challenge. Succeeded in this case.
Episode 1 begins with a short introduction but doesn't linger. If the series is more talkative than the films, more contemplative, Prophecy don't overdo it. It can also, by its chronological positioning, represent an interesting entry point for the saga Dune. The prologue tells how humans rebelled against thinking machines, a highly developed form of AI, and returned to a society without robots or computers to remain free. The story is told by Valya Harkonnenthe ancestor of the big bad guy from the Dune saga. A Bene Gesserit who became the leader of the order after being commissioned by the first Reverend Mother in history to bring about a prophecy. Valya Harkonnen's takeover is in blood. She is the first to use the Voice and gets rid of an overzealous rival by forcing her to commit suicide when the latter attempts to destroy the order's genetic archives.
This genetic knowledge and the long manipulation of births in the ruling families of the Imperium are the basis of the history of Dune. The famous Messiah, who Paul Atreides thinks is, in Dune is the result of millennia of genetic crossing. The goal for the Bene Gesserit is to guide (manipulate?) humanity towards a bright future thanks to an individual capable of being omniscient. This chosen one will be able to perceive the memories of men and women born before him and will be able to predict the future… with the help of Spice, the magical drug collected on the desert planet Arrakis.
The Witches' School
The pilot's plot focuses on two axes: the presentation of the Bene Gesserit school as its headmistress Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and her sister Tula (Olivia Williams) lead the students and the complicated destiny of the Imperial family. The two axes come together since the princess must marry a child from a rich and influential family) before joining the famous school for ten years of training. Lovers ofcourt intrigue and political machinations will be over the moon. Javicco (Mark Strong) and Natalya Corrino (Jodhi May) play the imperial couple who eagerly wish to regain control and ensure their political and financial future by perfectly controlling the rebellious planet Arrakis.
Crown Princess Inez, illegitimate Prince Constantine and Keiran Atreides bring to the screen a dose of youth, beauty, action and sex which is necessary for any good HBO series. Fortunately, unions and reproduction with each other are central to the plot of Dune. The directors don't shower us with sex unnecessarily.
This first episode has the intelligence to maintain the suspense and answer certain questions while not forgetting to ask new ones. It even ends with two shocking deaths including that of a child. A death reminiscent of the end of episode 1 of Game of Thrones where the character of Bran was thrown from the top of a tower… The first in a long series of narrative shocks. This season of Prophecy will be short and we simply hope that it will have time to lift the veil on enough of the mysteries mentioned before its conclusion. After discovering the first episodes, we can only confirm that it is perfect for fans of science fiction, political-religious shenanigans and high quality TV series in general. HBO rarely misses its mark in this area. It is also perfect for waiting before returning to see the rest of the adventures of Paul Atréides at the cinema.
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