After 6 short weeks, we have reached the end of Dune: Prophecy's first season. The season finale of the epic origin story is just as epic with strangely satisfying and heartbreaking twists, drama, political intrigue, and espionage that can only exist in The Known Universe.
In this episode, "The High-Handed Enemy," every conspirator reveals their hand just as Mother Tula faces a ghost from her tragic past, the Sisterhood faces a ghost from theirs, and Mother Valya plots to take down Desmond Hart once and for all. Secrets come to light, alliances shift, and Emperor Corrino finally awakens to the truth of how hopelessly powerless and outnumbered he is.
The true nature of the series is cemented in this finale. Dune: Prophecy is not simply an origin story. It is an extensive tale about war, both external and internal. Throughout the season I have been rooting for our protagonists, Valya and Tula Harkonnen. Despite the blood on their hands, they are the protagonists, and Desmond Hart is the antagonist. After watching this episode I am not so sure. The sins of the Harkonnen sisters are examined intimately through fresh eyes including their own, especially Tula's.
Tula mirrors my feelings about the Harkonnens throughout the episode, seeming more remorseful than Valya upon discovering how she's responsible for a demon from her past. She experiences a whirlwind of emotions with sorrow and guilt being the most dominant. Valya on the other hand is another story. She is a warrior who never hesitated to commit heinous acts for the Sisterhood above all, as their mantra says. She never showcased much of her feelings other than an intense yet solemn rage until now in beautiful Shakespearean fashion, in other words, tragic. She confronts the evils she has committed, seeing the hurt she caused her family, but remains strong in her resolve to do them again.
To say Desmond Hart is the "big bad" of Dune: Prophecy's first season is no longer that simple, then again it never was. His origins reveal him to be a victim of conspiracy and tragedy, which is why he stands against the Sisterhood and the Imperium. I was wrong to think he was a deranged sociopath after the throne, smirking all the time. He shows a different side to him, revealing his fear and vulnerability. As it turns out, he is just like Valya and Tula, only on the opposite side.
The resolutions for the Sisterhood and the Imperium do not disappoint. Their arcs for this season come to a close with tears and blood. To no one's surprise, The Sisterhood learns the truth about their mothers Valya and Tula. I won't get into the specifics about how. All you need to know is that seeing it play out left me in an emotional wreck so it will more than likely do the same for you. The Imperium collapses as expected, Emperor Corrino finds out about those conspiring against him only because they tell him right to his face. If that's not an indication of how powerless he has always been I do not know what is.
The only problem with this finale is the physical action. The fight scenes lack the fluidity and momentum of Denis Villeneuve's Dune films, making it hard to be invested in them. Fortunately, the brilliant writing and acting make the episode amazing; otherwise, this would be a different review.
Dune: Prophecy delivers a great finale to the excellent first season with a clever story deeply rooted in philosophical and political natures. The ensemble cast is full of amazing actors, with Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, and Travis Fimmel standing among them. It was a pleasure watching this series. I can't wait for season two and I look forward to rewatching season one in the meantime.
RATING: 4.5/5
About Dune: Prophecy
Premiere Date:Â November 17th, 2024
Episode Count:Â 6
Executive Producer / Showrunner: Alison Schapker
Inspired by:Â Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
Executive Producers: Diane Ademu-John, Anna Foerster, Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, Jon Spaihts, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert
Production:Â Warner Bros. and Legendary Television
Distribution:Â Warner Bros.
Cast:Â Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.
Synopsis:Â From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, DUNE: PROPHECYÂ follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
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