The Hidden Hand

I am amazed at the negative reviews from some that thought the first episode was too "slow" and boring. Generations raised on video games and TikTok are like goldfish with a Wi-Fi connection-if a TV show doesn't explode, meme, or dance in 15 seconds, they're already checking their phones. Try showing them a slow-burn masterpiece, and they look at you like you just handed them a VHS tape and asked them to rewind it.

As for episode 1, I think it was pretty damn good. The sets and costumes were stunning. The production values were top notch. First episodes always have the burden of introducing characters and doing some exposition but I thought they did that quite nicely and set us up for future episodes. Again if you are an adult, that has a modicum of patience, and aren't looking for car chases or intergalactic battle scenes you should ignore the twitchy generation's lament of not enough action. Looking forward to episode 2.

I enjoyed the photography and the chance to see a new take on Dune, but I feel the series misses key elements of Herbert's universe. The Voice, for example, is shown as a sudden power rather than the result of generations of genetic selection and training, which undermines the science-based approach of the Bene Gesserit. The portrayal of the Spacing Guild also falls short. Interstellar travel was supposed to be incredibly difficult at this point, requiring spice and years of exposure to develop the navigators. They were just replacing space travel by computers with space travel by spice. Moving between planets wasn't something a lone soldier could easily accomplish or be able to pay. The same goes for that fremen working the bar in another planet. People don't travel as easily as moving from one city to another. The series also makes the world feel stagnant, as if society hasn't advanced in 10,000 years, despite technological limitations like the prohibition of computers.

Finally, elements like characters with sudden new powers or the inclusion of cocaine feel out of place and disconnected from Dune's established lore. You can't add something like that to a prequel as it instantly creates a plot hole for the future portrayed in the original material. These creative liberties risk alienating fans while failing to properly explain the intricacies of the universe to newcomers. I hope future episodes dive deeper into the complexities of spice, the Guild, and the Bene Gesserit's manipulations to truly capture the richness of the story.

Okay, let's start with saying that I really like Dune, both books and the movies and they really set the bar high. "Dune: Prophecy" is a very promising show. The first episode was, well... a first episode. I have rated both Dune movies 10/10 (note that there are only few movies that I have given such rating) and "The Hidden Hand" is an 8/10 for me. It's a really good episode.

If you look for something very similar to the movies then I have to upset you, it feels different but it does feel fitting into the Dune universe. Arrakis was mentioned in this episode and even shown for a little bit but the whole story takes place on different planets. Maybe not everyone knows that "Dune" is actually a space opera, just like "Star Wars" or "Rebel Moon".

At the beginning of the episode there was a flashback that have shown us the Butlerian Jihad, which was a war that humans have led against the thinking machines. The war happened 116 years before the action of the series and since then creating thinking machines is prohibited in the Imperium. The plot revolves around Bene Gesserit trying to put their member on the imperial throne.

The whole vibe of the episode remind me a little of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace", where it's basically politics in space. And I like it.

Note that there is some nudity but it is easily skippable. It happens when Ynez and Constantine go clubbing.

The first episode of *Dune: Prophecy* sets a captivating tone, blending political intrigue, mysticism, and stunning visuals. The intricate plot explores the rise of Paul Atreides, navigating his destiny amid the harsh desert world of Arrakis. The cinematography beautifully captures the stark yet awe-inspiring landscapes, while the cast delivers compelling performances, particularly in portraying power struggles and personal dilemmas. The episode builds tension effectively, leaving viewers eager for what's next. While newcomers may feel slightly overwhelmed by the lore, it's a promising start for fans of epic sci-fi.

Started slow but worth waiting, I hope this series turns out be one of the greatest in recent time.

I mean, it's definitely more on the part of Zaslav and the HBO marketing team that this show borrows so heavily from the aesthetic of the Ville-Dune films, but even still, this felt a little less House of the Dragon and more Rings of Power-that is, a prequel series that exists to expound on the worldbuilding elements not included in the original piece of adaptational media. I mean, I guess the costumes look like they might have been borrowed from the first few season of GOT.

The episode itself isn't AWFUL-just a bit repetitive and heel-dragging in its pacing. Also, a few actors aren't necessarily up to snuff with the rest of the cast/what we've come to expect from Duneiverse Media™, so in truth, this sorta feels like it might just be the prequel to the Lynchian Dune, instead. A lot is still to be seen, of course, but it's nice to know I should, in general, lower my expectations by a LOT.