Did we like Dune’s prophecy? We have seen the first episodes of the science fiction series!

what are you talking about

In a future where humanity has traveled across a galaxy of a thousand planets, a mysterious sorority called the Bene Gesserit navigates political battles and the imbroglios of the Imperium, pursuing a very specific goal that leads its members to mysteries. Dune Planet…

who is he with

Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson (Chernobyl), Travis Fimmel (Vikings), Mark Strong (Kingsman), Olivia Williams (The Crown), Sara-Sophie Busnina (1864), Chris Mason (Broadchurch) and Jodie May (The Witcher ) and Josh Heuston (Hartley, Hearts on Fire).

Supporting Cast: Jessica Burden (The End of the F***ing World), Emma Canning (Masters of the Air), Chloe Lea (Foundation), Jade Anouka (Her Dark Materials), Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Shalom Brun-Franklin (My Little Reindeer), Edward Davis (Little Drummer Girl), Jihae (Legacy) and Indian Actress Tabu.

is it worth watching

A true box office success, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise quickly became one of the most popular recent sagas in cinema. This adaptation of Frank Herbert’s literary work won over fans of science fiction, fans of the work, but also a wider audience thanks to the director’s vision, colossal resources and XXL actors.

Although the third installment, which continues the adventures of Paul (Timothee Chalamet) and Chan (Zendaya), is expected in 2026 or even 2027, fans of the franchise have the right to wait for the spin-off series, Dune: Prophecy, which returns to the beginning. of Bene Gesserit. Does this spin-off live up to the movies?

“Dune” has already won the series for fans

Four of the six episodes that make up this Dune: Prophecy series have been made available to the press, giving us a pretty broad idea of ​​it. And it’s understandable that this fiction is mainly aimed at already acquired fans of the Dune universe, since it is a fairly faithful continuation of it.

Already in its very rich and detailed visual world, which is very close to what Denis Villeneuve created in his feature films. This artistic direction is appreciated for the aesthetic consistency of the world, always as stunning and magnetic cold and its surgical and controlled aspect.

Those who loved the Dune movies will appreciate going back in time to learn about the origins and aspirations of the Bene Gesserit, the main female community in the Dune universe, already well-represented in the feature films, but still shrouded in mystery.

Fans should not be left disappointed or disoriented when watching Dune: Prophecy and should find many answers to their questions, which will lead to other deep questions on political, scientific, moral, ethical and religious aspects.

But can it attract a wider audience?

We still have to admit that the series is difficult to understand with fresh eyes, because its pilot is slow and very busy. The first episode introduces a number of characters and subplots as it relies on the inherent understanding and investment of its established fan base.

We wonder if such a tense and slow series that relies too much on flashbacks to fill in the gaps can attract a wider audience. But the political intrigue, conspiracies and twists and turns that avoid Manichaeism can attract fans of political-family soaps like Game of Thrones or Succession, which also had busy pilots.

If some of the dialogue sometimes rings true in this aspect, it’s the heart of the series that fascinates me the most. This mystical and fascinating journey into Bene Gesserit is worth watching both for its analysis of its sometimes depressing but often saving brotherhood, and for its exploration of the perils of myth, genetics and the all-powerful control of technology.

Because Dune: Prophecy goes back to the origins of the prophecy about Lisan al-Ghaib, aka Muad’dib, who reveals himself as Paul Atreides in the movies. How did the Bene Gesserit take centuries to achieve their goal? What is the real motivation behind this uncompromising organization? How does this sect’s ambivalence ultimately threaten the perfect, ethical future it so desperately wants to create?

All of these fascinating questions are answered in this series, which, if given time to settle, will prove to be very engaging as it places its pawns in meticulous, progressively more substantial and frontal episodes.

The reason, of course, is the reason for the many creative changes during the production process, with a succession of showrunners and directors leaving artistic differences. In the end, it was Alison Shapker (Alias, Fringe) who served as showrunner, writer and producer on Dune: Prophecy, but the first episode was signed by her predecessor Diane Ademu-John.

Even if the series is solid and rich with entertainment and dramatic intrigue, we still wonder about the number of chapters devoted to this ambitious enterprise, and it would definitely need more than 6 episodes to be fully adequate.

If the last two episodes, which we will discover later, do not bring a clear and transcendent result to this dark and violent origin story, which relies especially on the skillful performances of its female actors, from the main actors to the supporting actors, the real beacons are strong. And dangerous in an uncertain but exciting night.

The first episode of the series “Dune: Prophecy” is available on the MAX platform. The rest of the series will be available at the rate of one episode per week.