Dune: Prophecy: A Deep Dive into HBO's Enthralling Prequel

The origins of the mysterious Bene Gesserit sisterhood are uncovered in this starry and intense prequel to the fantasy saga, a show that would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago. Welcome to the Sisterhood – equal parts nunnery, finishing school, psychic gymnasium, and political thinktank. Run by wise older ladies decked out in austere black, educating impulsive young women to become the sage leaders of the future, its project is to nurture a heroine who can run the Sisterhood’s home planet, as well as all the neighboring ones. It might just save humanity.

The Bene Gesserit's Foundation Story

In 10 millennia’s time, the Sisterhood will become the Bene Gesserit, a band of women with formidable mind-control abilities who feature in Frank Herbert’s 1965 book Dune and its film adaptations. Dune: Prophecy – a six-part drama inspired by the Sisterhood of Dune spin-off book co-written by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert's son) and Kevin J. Anderson in 2012 – provides the Bene Gesserit’s foundation story. This prequel offers a fascinating exploration of their early days, laying the groundwork for their future influence in the Dune universe. The series delves into the backstory, providing context for the formidable power the Bene Gesserit will eventually wield.

A Reckoning Approaches

There is backstory to plough through, however, before we can settle into the corridors, libraries, and dojos of the Sisterhood. Two generations ago, war raged between sentient machines and humans – in the aftermath, the Sisterhood’s Mother Superior laid down a grave deathbed pronouncement, warning of a reckoning, an awful judgment by a tyrannical power. Only her anointed successor, Valya Harkonnen, could stop it. Now Valya is scheming to take over the Imperium, the region’s government, at a time when its leader, Emperor Corrino, has been weakened by military misadventure. But just as she plans the Sisterhood’s big move, it seems the reckoning might have arrived. This sets the stage for the central conflict of the series, a struggle for power that will shape the fate of the Sisterhood and the Imperium.

A Female-Dominated Sci-Fi Landscape

Dune: Prophecy, developed by Alison Schapker and Diane Ademu-John, is dominated by women at every level. As well as the community leaders being female, key characters such as rebel double agent Mikaela (Shalom Brune-Franklin), powerful clairvoyant “truthsayer” Kasha (Jihae), and the emperor’s disruptive old flame Francesca (Tabu) are women as well, something that would have been unthinkable in a show like this had it aired 20 or even 10 years ago. This conscious choice to center the narrative on powerful women is a significant departure from many science fiction stories of the past. The series offers a refreshing perspective on power dynamics, leadership, and the female experience within a complex political landscape.

Subverting Traditional Gender Roles

But its critique of patriarchy, where the men in charge are drawn to waging war as a way to compensate for personal weakness, is a subtle one – as is any assessment of the dynamics of an all-female hierarchical establishment. At its core, Dune: Prophecy is a fantasy saga much like any other, albeit with a little more thoughtfulness and a lot less machismo. The show presents a nuanced portrayal of power, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations within a genre often defined by male-dominated narratives.

The Harkonnen Sisters: A Complex Dynamic

The drama revolves around the relationship between Valya (Emily Watson) and her sister and second-in-command, Tula (Olivia Williams), siblings with temperaments that jar enough to cause perennial friction, but not enough to split them apart. Valya is the leader, restlessly ambitious, her compassion hidden behind several layers of hard-won realism; Tula is her conscience, lacking her elder sibling’s killer instinct and forever looking to temper it, without necessarily disapproving altogether. Watson and Williams, one steely but soft-centred and the other the opposite, interlock precisely: you relax into the sheer quality of both performances whenever they’re on screen together. Their compelling relationship forms the emotional core of the series, providing a powerful and relatable dynamic amidst the political intrigue.

Intrigue at the Imperial Court

The interplay between Emperor Corrino (Mark Strong), a chest-first army man who insists on being in charge but wavers at key moments, and his cannier wife, Natalya (Jodhi May), who yearns to take over and kick a few people up in the air, is fascinating as well. Their dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, highlighting the political maneuvering and power struggles within the Imperial court. The series effectively uses these relationships to explore themes of ambition, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked power.

A Measured Pace and Thought-Provoking Themes

With much of the dialogue concerning psychic insights, cryptic prophecies, religious beliefs, and political strategies, at times Dune: Prophecy feels like a show where people discuss what has happened and will happen more than they make things happen themselves. It’s slowed further when, having started by briefly introducing the young-adult Tula (Emma Canning) and Valya (Jessica Barden) in an establishing preamble, it skips back to this earlier timeline later on, in scenes that struggle to add anything not already demonstrated by the characters’ older selves. This measured pace allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their motivations, but it might not appeal to viewers who prefer a faster-paced narrative. The series prioritizes character development and thematic depth over relentless action, creating a more thoughtful and introspective viewing experience.

Visual Style and World-Building

Dune: Prophecy looks great, with its crisp monochrome styling and its nicely alien architecture, the latter based around the hairpin curves evoked by the franchise’s title font. The world it builds – intense, intellectual, unforgivingly meritocratic and yet tinged with the unpredictable and supernatural – is a template for a bracingly different kind of science fiction. But it has work to do to overcome this tentative start. The show's visual style contributes significantly to its overall atmosphere, creating a visually striking and immersive world that draws the viewer into its intricate narrative.

The Sisterhood's Legacy: A Legacy Forged in Intrigue

Dune: Prophecy offers a compelling exploration of the Bene Gesserit’s origins, providing a rich tapestry of political intrigue, psychic abilities, and complex relationships. While the measured pace and focus on dialogue might not appeal to all viewers, the show's strong performances, stunning visuals, and thoughtful exploration of its themes make it a worthwhile watch for fans of science fiction and political dramas alike. The series successfully builds a compelling world, introduces memorable characters, and sets the stage for future installments. The series is a testament to the enduring power of the Dune universe, demonstrating its adaptability to different mediums and storytelling approaches while delivering a unique and engaging viewing experience. The series is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK and on Foxtel and Binge in Australia and Max in the US.