‘Dune: Prophecy’ Season 1 is a bold, but uneven journey into the origins of the Bene Gesserit

Published Jan. 27, 2025, 11:53 p.m., last updated Jan. 27, 2025, 11:54 p.m.

It is quite a daunting task to predict a show’s future solely on its debut season, and “Dune: Prophecy” is no exception. Set over 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides (the protagonist in the “Dune” films), “Prophecy” follows the early days of the Bene Gesserit, a sisterhood endowed with superhuman powers, as they expand and reclaim their power across the Imperium amid a newly introduced and mysteriously resurrected war veteran Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel). 

Like the other “Dune” films, the highly addictive and extremely powerful, life-extending drug, Spice, takes center stage in “Prophecy.” As the houses vie for control of Arrakis — the only planet where Spice is found naturally — we’re afforded a firsthand glimpse of the early days of the Imperium’s now-famous Houses: Harkonnen, Atreides and Corrino, among others.

After six hour-long episodes packed with action, death and reveals, I’d consider this season a mixed bag that ultimately delivers a compelling, though uneven addition to the Dune universe. The series delivers moments of brilliance, such as the advanced “thinking machine” stored in the catacombs of the Bene Gesserit’s home base on Wallach IX. 

However, the show struggles with pacing issues, particularly in its early episodes, which are stacked with characters and flashbacks. Instead of devoting entire episodes to the protagonist’s past (Valya Harkonnen), a more focused character introduction would have better prepared viewers for the complex political landscape of the Imperium. Who are the rebels? Where do the Atreides stand? What is going on on Arrakis? Questions like these deserve more screen time. Without those answers, we feel slightly rushed into the final two episodes, a feeling that lends itself to Desmond Hart’s powers feeling underdeveloped and poorly explained. 

Desmond Hart is undoubtedly the season’s standout element, with his mother — yes, mother — Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) finishing as a close second. It is Desmond’s mysterious powers and complex backstory that drive much of the narrative, especially as he emerges as the only credible threat to Valya and the Bene Gesserit. In forcing Valya to her wit’s end and outsmarting her on many occasions, Desmond reveals her questionable moral code. As Valya adopts extreme measures to regain the Emperor’s favour and trust, it becomes increasingly unclear who the true villain is.

Emily Watson, who plays Valya, consistently dazzles opposite Fimmel to deliver a character far more nuanced than the woman who viewers expect. While Tula’s development also aids to sow doubt around Valya’s reliability, it is really Desmond who forces us to consider Valya’s character as a leader. The finale, arguably the season’s best episode, hooks the viewer with revelations about Desmond’s background and abilities, opening up fascinating possibilities for the Harkonnen sisters in future seasons. 

Despite its redeeming ending, the show’s focus still remains somewhat muddled, with the history of the Bene Gesserit often relegated to the background in favor of Imperium politics. The season ends without addressing some of its most shocking events, while leaving certain twists unresolved. This left me questioning the series’ true focus and yearning for more exploration of the elements that are not only quintessential to the Dune universe, but were also heavily featured in the opening episodes.

Visually, the series excels: it maintains aesthetic fidelity to the minimalistic, industrial grey moods found in recent Dune adaptations. The set design, costume and music are equally faithful to viewers’ expectations about the Dune franchise. While this is not enough to carry a show alone, it certainly adds a familiar warmth. With a little bit more work to carve out an individual identity, Prophecy could really flourish without relying on the existing power of the “Dune” brand. 

Overall, and despite its flaws, “Dune: Prophecy” provides more than enough intrigue to warrant continued viewing. If Valya’s reaction to the final sequence of events is not intriguing enough, Tula and Desmond’s relationship is certainly worth following. The Bene Gesserit stand on the brink of disarray, arguably more so than the Imperium itself, thus adding an irresistible element to the mix of power struggles at play. While future episodes will benefit from a brisker pace, the increasingly complicated relationship between the Harkonnen sisters and Desmond Hart’s true identity compel viewers to return for round two. An improved balance between world-building, character development and pacing will launch “Prophecy” towards its riveting potential within the rich “Dune” universe.

Editor’s Note: This article is a review and includes subjective thoughts, opinions and critiques.



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