36/25
Two Harkonnen sisters battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and establish the legendary sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. Whether they’re exploring the stars, escaping dystopias, or making the world a better place, these women are what science fiction is all about. This series uses material from the Great Schools of Dune trilogy, by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. A prequel to the original Dune, it tells the story of how the Rossak Brotherhood evolved into the Bene Gesserit. The incident with Valya Harkonnen using the voice is from an incident called “Mentats of Dune.” The three books intertwine the development of the Brotherhood, the Mentats, the Navigators, and the Suk Doctors. Referenced in AniMat’s Crazy Cartoon Cast: The New Normal (2020). I wanted to keep it short and sweet, but felt compelled to expand my thoughts. So here it is. There was a time when writers knew how to weave exposition into the narrative without it feeling forced and contrived. I understand that this is a first episode, but do they have to explain everything like it’s not common knowledge? Watson (Valya), Mark Strong (Emperor), Travis Fimmel (Hart), and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (Princess) deliver strong performances. I feel like the show is in good hands. The rest of the characters didn’t engage me. They move the story forward but are forgettable. I guess we’ll see how that plays out. I had a hard time staying focused on the first episode. It felt like part of a whole that couldn’t be broken up. I’ll wait until the full season before consuming more episodes. They did a wonderful job on the visuals. The CGI is top notch, the costumes are perfect, the tone of Villeneuve’s vision is maintained and developed. The art department should be getting awards for its beauty.