Dune, The Most Important Sci Fi Series Ever? (Feat. Princess Weekes) | It’s Lit

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The planet is Arrakis. Also known as Dune. And y’all, it’s a mess.
December of this year, we were supposed to see the arrival of director Denis Villeneuve’s interpretation of the 1965 novel Dune, which had been previously (and rather infamously) brought to life by David Lynch in 1984, and again in a three-part miniseries on the SyFy channel in the early 2000s.
Now many sci-fi nerds were both excited and nervous about the new adaptation directed by Villeneuve, but owing to the ongoing plague of eternity, the release has been pushed back to next year.
So in lieu of that, y’all have to use this video to tide you over. What is Dune? Why must the spice flow? And what is with all the sand?
Hosted by Lindsay Ellis and Princess Weekes, It’s Lit! is a show about our favorite books, genres and why we love to read. It’s Lit has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.
Interested in using this video as a teaching resource? Check it out on PBS LearningMedia: to.pbs.org/3SU1LOm
Hosted by: Princess Weekes
Written by: Princess Weekes, Angelina Meehan
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Editors: Sara Roma
Writing Consultants: Maia Krause
Assistant Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing
Executives in Charge (PBS): Brandon Arolfo, Adam Dylewski
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
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[@keithklitses6433]

Shorty before his passing, Frank Herbert released a book called Eye, a collection of short stories. In his forward, he talks about his feelings about the movie and stated how the movie's ending was wrong and the book wasn't about a man who became a god, but about a man who plays at being god.

[@anonb4632]

I'm arguing with the author a bit here, but Paul is forced into that position by a variety of circumstances. He makes mistakes and regrets some of them.

[@derworfnet]

I read that, the ending aside, he was actually quite pleased with the Movie. As far as I know, he actually provided the opening narration for the three-hour TV-Cut.

[@dordogne]

@@derworfnet that wasn't Herbert.

[@angellover02171]

@@anonb4632 yeah Herbert wrote the book to show that corrupt people love power.

[@aleleeinnaleleeinn9110]

Plays at being a god and absolutely doesn't want to be one. My take on the movie is that it was very well cast, but missied the essence of the timeing and missed Paul's internal struggles. The beginning with the "boring" procession missed the fact that everything about the Dune crisis was time critical. There simply wasn't enough time for carefully considered action. That never got into the movie. Paul didn't have time to carefully plan.

[@mimzywhimzy]

"...So that when he dies, they'll yeet into the stars and beyond." Literally perfect.

[@tariqthomas9090]

Princess is out here analyzing the philosophy and thematic elements of a Sci-fi classic while wearing a Megan The Stallion shirt. I have no choice but to stan👸🏾❤️

[@juliadandy6019]

Not just “wearing” but “ROCKING IT”! Love her look in this video!! Couldn’t agree with you more!

[@SirBlackReeds]

*cough* Imp-say.

[@mameemia]

Iiiiii loavvvv ittt

[@ZekeStaright]

12:37 Reminds me of people going to Rage Against the Machine concerts cause they like the music & start complaining about all the politics between songs. What machine do you people think they're raging against?

[@shelliupshaw3405]

One of my favorite bands of all time.

[@Involution88]

What machine do you people think they're raging against? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGrapJ2opLufq5o

[@anonb4632]

The world is full of contradictions. They are a rich band who has played Israel (which is controversial in some left wing quarters because of the Palestine issue). Likewise, we see corporations rushing to back BLM, while its founders are on record as calling themselves "trained Marxists", meaning that they want to destroy said businesses.

[@daustin8888]

@@anonb4632 LOL. These so called Marxists are living in mansions now. They are champagne socialists at best.

[@JohnHawkins-he7mg]

Now that a Democrat is back in the White House they are raging FOR the machine, not against it.

[@grandsome1]

The first book will get you chanting: "Mouad'ib! Mouad'ib!" The second will get you say: "Maybe not Mouad'ib?" The rest of the books will get you to say: "I'm not sure wtf I've just read, but f*** leaders, anarchy it is."

[@viperswhip]

I loved the 1st book and didn't hate the rest until Leto was killed by Duncan Idaho, I cannot tell you how much I hate Duncan Idaho. He kills Leto basically because this big slug is making moves on this cute human lady. Waaaahhhhhh. Now, Leto had to die, but that was the justification.

[@tsav32]

@@viperswhip, no offense, but I think you kinda missed the point.

[@erikrungemadsen2081]

“Atreides Atreides Atreides!” “Gurney man… are we the baddies?”

[@snoozley853]

'At 15, Paul is ready to become the protagonist in a Science Fiction series.' Amazing line.

[@HigherMammal]

"That's the trap of Dune, only seeing the surface level entertainment that is meant to deliver these intense messages." NAILED IT. That one sentence sums up the fundamental challenge with getting a good movie made, even with a director who's a huge fan. Struggling with the studio's execs and decision makers to make sure the point isn't blunted for the sake of more pew pew sci-fi.

[@SirBlackReeds]

But does Princess Weekes actually see the intense messages or did she just read from someone else's script? After all, according to her ideology, Dune is problematic.

[@artemisvsvenus]

I would love to see you guys tackle Ursula K. LeGuin's work.

[@lianalobinha]

She's my favourite!

[@BrazilianAnarchy]

She's a monolith of scifi!

[@mrdragon5142]

So very this

[@maryumgardner5958]

I never read her; but she looks good

[@amellirizarry9503]

she’s great

[@NTA_Luciana]

So Dune has the Bojack Horseman problem of people nope-ing out after the setup and missing out entirely on the payoff

[@BrazilianAnarchy]

Excellently put

[@breimalislobodnoime]

My library only had the first part for YEARS. Imagine my surprise... lol

[@timwhite5562]

This is an issue with several books, films, etc. Apologists will say it's the reader's problem for giving up to early. Many times, and I think this definitely the case with Dune, it's either bad writing or possibly editing. There will always be people that for one reason or another just can't get into a book or story. When it's a common criticism, it's the writing. I hadn't read these books since highschool, so I got the audiobooks. I was able to get through until about the halfway point of the third, and remembered why I hadn't read them a second time sooner. For me its the characters, they're all so one-note any in all honesty I could care less what happened to any of them. All of the characters that were remotely interesting were killed halfway through the first book.

[@luciferangelica]

@@timwhite5562 the first couple books were hard to get through, but every book except the second is better that the one before it, and yeah, i hated all the characters - atreides only look good when there are harkonnens around - except maybe sheanna, odrade, duncan idaho (sometimes) and miles teg

[@luciferangelica]

@@timwhite5562 anyway, duncan idaho isn't one to fall off just cause he dies in the first book

[@Weazel1]

"Lets never have another authoritarian again. Yeah!" Princess, you are a delight.

[@jonathonpolk3592]

We learned that lesson well. Yup, move along. Nothing to see here...

[@anonb4632]

@@jonathonpolk3592 Yet she starts quoting Marxist theory against authoritarianism, when it has always led to it. 🤦

[@theundaunt]

@@anonb4632 Qanon begone.

[@bhbrodrigues]

nervously laughing in brazilian

[@archer1949]

The first book is just a prologue. The real meat is in the sequels. Leto II is one of the most interesting, complex and ambiguous characters in fiction.

[@AdrianWolf_in_TO]

@Steve Jakubowski I think Lew is referring to the fact that Leto II is both a "benevolent dictator/protector" since he was willing to do what Paul would not in order to ensure that Mankind went down the Golden Path. Leto is certainly no hero -- but nor is he fully the villain despite the atrocities done in the name of the God Emperor. He is fully aware of what he is doing (hey, he is prescient after all) and what must be done to ensure humanity's survival. Do the ends justify the means? I guess that is a question everyone must answer on their own after reading the book.

[@POOOOOOOO416]

The sequel trilogy seemed to be about deconstructing letos godhood. Just as the first trilogy was about deconstructing Paul's hero. I think this would have been made more explicit in the final novel. I'm unsure that letos path was necessary and due to analogues in the real world I mistrust the decision making of one who chooses to miserable for the aparent benefit of others

[@jacksonfurlong3757]

I wouldn't call him ambiguous to us the readers

[@anonb4632]

I found the sequels uneven to be honest. Never attempted his son's work.

[@lilren2021]

Does he ever get referred to as just Leto or is it always Leto II?

[@christopherdonoyan3257]

I love how this series is so deep and so open to interpretation. Paul always knew the Jihad couldnt be prevented but he actively tried to prevent it, always wanted to, Paul is the protagonist of books 1 and 2 only, i argue that much like Middle Earth is the "main character" of the lord of the rings, the Golden Path is in fact the main character and main thrust of Dune.

[@damianrives563]

Every decision Paul has made is boiled down to a human instinct level..from survival, falling in love to wanting revenge..Leto ii is beyond any such things and thats why he more or less succeeds

[@MauDib]

I don't think Paul is the protagonist of any of the books. Herbert was trying to warn us against following charismatic leaders, like Paul, and I think in a lot of ways he's an antagonist. A very sympathetic antagonist, but not the protagonist.

[@damianrives563]

@@MauDib he reads like a tragic hero of the modern era..its why his last name is Atreides, its specifically suppose to be a direct correlation with Atreus from Greek Myth. Paul did not want people to die in his name but he chose that path because it was the only path where humanity didnt stagnate further into extinction..he failed because he didnt take it further like his son did

[@crcurran]

@@MauDib if this was the 1960s and the only book released was Dune, yes, you too would think Paul is the protagonist.

[@MauDib]

@@crcurran agreed. Book 1 he reads as the protagonist. Thru books 2&3, seeing billions of people die in Paul's jihad, Paul fail to guide humanity to the Golden Path, and ultimately run away from the Golden Path due to his fear of what it would cost him, he steadily becomes more of a tragic figure than hero.

[@josephkolar3443]

I think Paul is also basically T. E. Lawrence in space - a foreigner who adapts to desert life and culture and becomes a military leader, uniting various factions to overthrow an occupying imperial force.

[@Borderose]

He was also Mohammed.

[@toh786]

That was definitely an inspiration for the series!

[@JB-1138]

Paul of Arrakis.

[@DefenestrateYourself]

Lawrence of Arabia

[@ChrisWilliamsDallas]

This helped so much! I had a HUGE problem with how Dune played out and couldn't bring myself to read the other books. What I didn't realise was, that was the point.

[@mizknack5082]

Exactly this! I read the first one years ago, and was all "This dude SUCKS" re: Paul, and I never went any further with the series. I still have a rule about spending excessive time with horrible people (even fictional ones), so I likely won't read the rest, but at least I feel better about my reaction it.

[@quintoblanco8746]

The signs are there in the first book. But the first book mimics conventional storytelling so well, that it's easy to miss. If you plan on reading all six book, prepare for a wild ride!

[@shaepsycho]

Frank designed Paul as the protagonist but not necessarily the hero but we as readers struggle to separate the two.

[@Smile-ni9nc]

SAME, though I have to say these were not the only problems for me. But I am glad I now understand a bit better why this series is considered a classic

[@quintoblanco8746]

@@mizknack5082 The books move away from Paul. The second book (which is relatively short) is sort of a coda to the first book, and is his swan song. The books might still not be for you, but the Dune novels are not the saga of Paul Atreides, and book 5 and 6 take the books in a surprising new direction.

[@morganjones1566]

1:05 Frank Herbert wrote 6 Dune books; God Emperor of Dune is missing from your list (the books are also shown out of order)

[@derek8856]

This, plus the pronunciation issues, really turned me off to this summary.

[@CaedenV]

@@derek8856 yeah... more research was needed before sending this video out lol I mean, yes, the "Free Men" were freed from their mechanical overlords in days gone by, but you do not pronounce it as 'free men'... that would ruin the surprise lol.

[@eclipse7968]

Thank you

[@MangaMattReviews]

@@Grimloxz Comicbookgirl19 does this novel series better; in summation, in context and history, and in explaining the significance and impact in storytelling and genre.

[@DenGigantiske]

@@MangaMattReviews I'm sure she did. Should be noted that Lindsat Ellis actually hates Dune. No wonder not a lot of work went into this.

[@Shazistic]

Never be a prisoner of your past,it was just a lesson not a life sentence -Shazistic

[@colehalford1893]

“What could go wrong she said.” 😂

[@alexanderjames5714]

There’s always a Paul

[@TrueYellowDart]

3,000 years later...

[@burningflurber]

I'm always surprised when people say the story doesn't get reflective of its tropes until the sequel books. When reading dune it felt kinda clear that the bene gesserit were an insidious colonizing force and that paul's rise was to some degree exploitative and shortsighted. My strongest thought on putting the book down was "man, stilgar sure got a raw deal..."

[@EmpereurHector]

I want to thank you for your excellent pronunciation of Denis Villeneuve’s name. My Québécois ears are soothed.

[@toh786]

My brother pronounces it as "Denis Venezuela".

[@anonb4632]

@Tem Fremen, rhymes with male fluids.

[@madelinebiever5800]

@Tem how would reading the books help you pronounce the words correctly? There is literally nothing in the text that tells you how to pronounce it.

[@slangislayer]

Aside from all the philosophical stuff, Dune was the first book to show me the importance of tight world building. Dune was always less of a classic adventure and more of an interessting "sandbox" to play in

[@AnMuiren]

Thanks, great episode. My first reading of Dune was in 1970, and I wholeheartedly agree with your analysis, particularly regarding Caste, Caste, Colonialism, the Noble Savage, and White Saviorism, tropes that are in no danger of dying out any time soon. I saw spice as a metaphor for oil, water, and every other critical resource, natural or engineered scarcity, with one of my favourite relevant lines "It is said in the desert that possession of water in great amount can inflict a man with fatal carelessness." However, if I were to pick a single line summed the book for me originally, that among the many subtexts of environmentalism and politics resonated most it was "No more terrible disaster could befall your people than for them to fall into the hands of a Hero.” Regardless of how I may now critique the narrative from the perspective distance of a half-century since that first reading, Dune was the beginning of the end, for my faith in the "ideal" of heroic leadership, the myth of redemptive violence. No Gods, No Masters, No Bosses.

[@scottbutler5]

This 13-minute video is as good a summary of Dune as any of the 4-hour versions that have been attempted. Better than some.

[@eclipse7968]

Really? They said it was 5 books instead of 6. Got the order of books wrong. And pronounced fremen as free men

[@eclipse7968]

@@Grimloxz I agree

[@anonb4632]

The first half was good, then she started trying to indoctrinate us into Marxist critical theory without irony. A book about an anti-colonial death cult and a cult of personality? Could be Mao, Stalin, or even that murderer Che Guevara who executed gay people in Cuba. These people never learn.

[@anonb4632]

@@Grimloxz Quinn's ideas has an excellent take on it. This is far left critical theory posing as academic fact and missing several points along the way.

[@DefenestrateYourself]

Feel free to contribute your own totally not biased interpretation, sweetie

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Leto II living his best Hutt life.

[@rodneykelly8768]

“Dune” is the “Foundation Series,” but with R. Daneel Olivaw standing In for Paul. Psychohistory is the spice Melange.

[@damianrives563]

Yea, the author said he wanted to flip Foundation on its head & make the Mule the hero

[@diegowushu]

Holy crap you're right. How did I never thought it that way.

[@BombshellCelluloid]

I was going to reply something very similar. Dune is a masterpiece. No question but the greatest? I think there are a few other series that have a very solid stake to that claim as well. I think I would probably put four or five in that list and not in any order because it would be WAY too hard to decide which is better than the others. :D

[@anonb4632]

Very different series. Foundation is a classic series but never had the cultural depth or spiritual aspect.

[@federicomunoz1842]

CGI was invented so that we could have Leto II in a film adaptation of God Emperor of Dune

[@anonb4632]

Lucas ripped him off for Jabba.

[@aumelb]

@@anonb4632 noope, he is nothing like Jabba, he is a worm!

[@anonb4632]

@@aumelb Jabba is a worm.

[@aumelb]

@@anonb4632 Jabba is a slug

[@anonb4632]

@@aumelb Slugs have eyes on stalks.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

Yeah, You didn't watch Quinn's Ideas about the savior thing.

[@jacobscott2473]

I'm currently up to the last of the 6 written by Frank Herbert and it's just incredible how many different concepts and scenarios are discussed. The only problem is that I can't find anyone to talk about it with in my small, rural Australian town

[@klatte3351]

"Who wants T-Rex arms?" 😂

[@JB-1138]

You mean the sexual act right?

[@ethenallen1388]

Something that occurred to me after seeing the mini-series version of Dune was how much Paul had become like the Harconins who had killed his father.

[@Cutieyum4]

Because he is one. His thirst of avenging the death of his father is all consuming, he guilt his mother, who he knew was pregnant, to aid him in converting the Frehmen to his cause. Jessica does as her child wishes, condemning her unborn daughter to a life of tragedy. The whole first book is about high jacking the Frehmen's culture for their aims, and once they obtain their revenge, the 2nd book is about the socio-political disaster cascade Paul started with that revenge, and his unwillingness to take responsibility and reign in the aftermath of his coup, due to his cowardice; he didn't want Channi (his love) and his family to pay the price. He supports whatever political maneuvering keeps his family safest, and then Channi gives birth to the expected heir Ghamina, and the surprise twin brother, Leto II, he realizes he is off the hook, he abandons his newborns and everything to become a walking crazy man in the desert. He could not see Leto II in his visions, his son was beyond the genetic capacity to be scryed, guessed and be manipulated. Paul had been a genetic mistake, he was conceived against the will of the Bene Geserit, Jessica was told never to have boys, so Paul's parents went against the religious order and protected him, a KH born a generation too early, a ticking bomb, a man not reafy for his destiny, too much power, too little sense. Jessica was engineered and educated to be the maternal grandmother of the KH. Paul stole his sister Aria's future, the moment he was conceived, because his mother is also a coward who was swayed by her love and devotion for Duke Leto. Jessica, like Paul her son, are Harkonnen, people who are swayed and controlled by their passions. Jessica's grandson Leo II became the KH, not the expected one, the perfect male Bene Geserit, but nevertheless the one to bring forth The Golden Path, that the female Bene Geserit wanted, but could not see. Afterwards, both Leto II and the Bene Geserit worked hard never to allow the genetic combination that gave rise to Paul ever to happen again. Leto II instead takes over the breeding program to recreate in mass, the one genetic trait he found in himself to be useful to ensure the Golden Path, the ability to never be predicted, or being seen in the future, like he was, and his assassin was.

[@williamozier918]

Every 20 years or so society feels the need to make a Dune movie. I can't wait to see Dune 2040!

[@PogieJoe]

I've only ever read the first book and now I'm like 😮😮😮

[@vrinnmetagen]

this explenation isnt the best. i mean its kind of insultingly wrong that she said the fremen are black coded when its blatantly obvious they are based on arabic peoples and calling them "black coded" comes across as either personal bias or the complete lack of remembering that Arabic people exist..i mean Jihad? that is an Arabic word.

[@DenGigantiske]

@@vrinnmetagen it's to be expected Lindsay Ellis not only dislikes Dune she actively disrespects it.

[@grapeshot]

When the 1984 Dune came out that is one movie I never could wrap my head around I know I was young but I did like the sandworms.

[@DrVectrex]

Too be fair though even having read the book I can barely follow the movie half the time

[@toh786]

To be fair, the 1984 version was not accurate to the books in the first place. But the 2000 miniseries on the other hand was pretty good!

[@shinankoku2]

Yes. It is the most important sci-fi ever. It influenced everything that came after.

[@speelbergo]

At first I was like "where's Lindsay?" And by the end I was like "more of this excellent Princess, please!"

[@DaFinkingOrk]

"They must call me Shaitan, Emperor of Gehenna."

[@toh786]

I am SUPER HYPED for this movie! I've read almost the entire franchise (all originals and almost all of the expanded series) and I've never been more hyped for a movie!

[@tophers3756]

One quibble: spice isn't sandworm poop exactly.

[@Kat-iv1pv]

the alleged delay of dune gives me time to read that copy i bought earlier this year

[@shaepsycho]

I bought a copy of God emperor that I continue to lose that I'm just about to start over again.

[@irrationalmoon]

You are in for a treat!

[@Luzarioth]

12:49 i wish someone would have said that to Chris Chibnall... I read the first book recently and it feels... unfinished. For example: Thufir Hawat, there are multiple chapters that focus on him still being alive as something important, for what ? "We have no idea where Thufir is !" at the start of the battle, nothing happened, "oh he just manifested out of nowhere to die". Btw: The first thing i think of when i hear something Dune related is "The Spice must flow", which IS NOT IN THE BOOKS.

[@nathanprime2434]

There are a lot of quotable lines that come exclusively from the film adaptations. Like "THE SLEEPER HAS AWAKENED" When that was a passing reference to something else in the books.

[@eclipse7968]

You said there were 5 books of Dune. Consisting of Messiah,Chapterhouse, Heretics,and Children There is also God Emperor of Dune. You missed that

[@crgvino1]

Poor work on the part of the producers, writers and actress. No one seemed to do their homework on the topic.

[@eclipse7968]

@@crgvino1 thank you, they pry haven’t even read the book

[@crgvino1]

@@eclipse7968 I agree, heartbreaking that PBS allowed this.

[@eclipse7968]

@@crgvino1 exactly

[@eclipse7968]

They even got the order of the books wrong

[@MarioLanzas.]

Denis Villeneuve hasn't released a bad movie yet. He will deliver and I can´t wait

[@3geargamesstudios]

Before I watch this can I just say Children Of Dune Scifi Mini was just ...James McAvoy

[@LaineyBug2020]

He's what hooked me when I was 19...

[@commiespriggan]

Dune was the only representation I (as the only Arab kid in my school) had in sci fi! Love books criticizing colonialism in ME/NA.

[@damianrives563]

Fun fact: Frank Herbert is cousins to Joe Mccarthy

[@fishpastethe4th340]

YOOO , Weekes covering Dune??!! LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[@tmack11]

I like Lynch's version for the fever dream that it is.

[@caspasesumo]

Interesting comments about the white Savior concept. However, how does it compute that this savior was created by generations of selective breeding. He had little choice in his fate.Also, his path to savior-hood was paved by centuries of indoctrination of the fremen via the "Missionaria Protectiva project"

[@LC-sc3en]

Well, I see it as reflective of the methods through which historical leaders have come to power. Thought political machinations, through myth and religion, and through selective breeding (nobility and kings). Just because leaders are installed using these methods rather than springing fully formed from the ether of happenstance doesn't make them any less legitimately kings or Presidents. Paul is a white teenager, who is dropped into a very Arabic coded culture and through one way or another ends up being better at all the traditional things they do, is accepted as the leader, and leads them to take back their planet (something they were unable to do without him). In other words no matter the circumstances that led to it he is a white savior of people who couldn't do for themselves. Why should it matter whether the reason he becomes the savior is human meddling as opposed to random chance or actual divine selection?

[@nathanprime2434]

@@LC-sc3en But then why does it matter hes white? Also, race is never even implied in any form in the books?(yes coding is real I get that but then it seems a leap to go to the "white Saviour" when the story has nothing to do with race but rather culture and those are not the same thing.)

[@LC-sc3en]

@@nathanprime2434 If the coding were any stronger Frank would have to write it directly onto Paul's forehead. Paul is a rich boy from a culture that considers the Dune natives inferior and savage. But in actuality they live in a careful and respectful religious balance with the natural habitats of Arrakis. The Fremen have language and names directly pulled from Arabic while the Bene Gesserit are strongly Catholic coded. Paul proceeds to come in as an outsider to a "savage land", outdoes all the natives, becomes leader of the people in short order, and leads them in a fight against the "bad colonizing power". Which they had been attempting somewhat and failing before he arrived. The history and mass popularity of the white savior trope in undeniable in western literature and media. It showed up in one of the first American novels and *continues to be a popular story today*. These stories follow the same basic pattern as Paul's story every single time. I can't think of a single story which follows this pattern where the savior is not white. But there are some variations on the theme. Sometimes the white savior just ends up inspiring rather than leading a rebellion or sometimes there is a tragic ending and the rebellion fails (though even in failure the story is about how much such failure hurts the savior character). But variations on a theme does not mean that the stories are not part of the white savior tropes. Herbert was a very well read and intelligent man. It would be an insult to say that he didn't know or intend his work to evoke the popular trope. Especially since he spends so much time deconstructing it and emphasizing how much manipulation of not only Paul but also the culture he plays savior to in order for such a scenario to play out.

[@MylaMinoki]

I'm always puzzled when talking about Dune, more people don't talk about how Herbert was inspired to make Dune a desert planet by living near the Oregon Dunes, a beautiful place on the coast of Oregon and does, in fact, look like an alien world. I should know, I live here!

[@LaineyBug2020]

It was his first experience with teraforming, watching them replant the dunes to prevent them from being eroded. We owe everything to those dunes, lol!

[@photoklarno]

M’LAAAANGE

[@lloroshastar6347]

Lol I was wondering who would be leading this video because Lindsay famously hates the book

[@devildham]

It would be interesting to see her take on it now that she's finally published her own scifi novel. She distanced herself from that review, for good reason.

[@DenGigantiske]

@@devildham well her book is literal trash.

[@whimsicalhamster88]

Great video. Only small note: Fremen is pronounced “Freh-men” not “Freemen.” Thanks for all you do!

[@dhindaravrel8712]

Just one of many mispronunciations in this video.

[@toh786]

@@dhindaravrel8712 Actually, the etymology of the Fremen originates from 'Free-Men', since some of the Zensunnis Wanderers were slaves originally. They're explored in the Legends of Dune trilogy.

[@dhindaravrel8712]

@@toh786 Etymology does not equal pronunciation, though.

[@aidanjames7271]

I’ve heard from an avid dune fan and academic archeologist that it’s pronounced freh-men and is derive from an arabic word unrelated to the words free and men

[@ashlyninthetardis5680]

When the books were shown out of order my brain short circuited

[@DenGigantiske]

Well Lindsay has no love or respect for Dune so dont be surprised

[@toh786]

As a reader of the entire Dune franchise, this is very well detailed and researched video. You covered the inner meaning of the books and all of the information was accurate. Keep up with the great work and I do hope that the upcoming Dune movie spawns a successful series!

[@lazarusanthony9527]

"Controversial" is a nice way of saying haht gahbage. Also known as cashing out on dad's rep. Friggin Brian Herbert

[@tannisbhee7444]

My introduction to Brian Herbert and K.J. Andersons' work was buying a signed book (both signatures) at a used book store for 4$. In hindsight I payed too much for the book.

[@devildham]

It's was a SPECTACULAR example of generosity.

[@pvtpain66k]

"Shade on Star Wars" Yes, the rest of this has nothing to do with the leaves we're basking under. :> edit: "yeet into the stars, and beyond"

[@Sadigziggi]

Paul being a teenager doesn’t really matter because he has the minds of eons worth of humans in his head. That collective knowledge unfortunately robs him of any childhood he may have been able to enjoy. =(

[@Treiundzwanzig]

You're confusing him with Leto II and Ghanima

[@FRMJD1996]

Please do another video breaking down the next portion of the Dune Series😁😁😁 👏🏼PLEASE👏🏼

[@nathanprime2434]

I would recommend she actually read the books first. From the way she talked about the subject matter, it strongly implied she got all the info from reading synopsis and reviews and cobbled together he own version.

[@fealca1622]

@@nathanprime2434 Yeah, I noticed that too. Especially when she started saying that it's not a subversive story until the sequel, which just isn't accurate. Along with it being a white guy power fantasy, which also isn't what the book is. It seems like 80% of the people who talk about what Dune was about didn't actually read it.

[@Surllio]

Beautiful breakdown. But I think you missed on the subtle text throughout the first novel, just a hair. Its also interpretation to play into it as well. The original Dune has the underlining of something much darker on the horizon if Paul kept going on this path. He can see the universe burning in his name, but he feels powerless to stop it. He is fully aware of his exploiting of religion, but justifies it in the name of survival and revenge. Every savior trope he embodies is giving a ticking reminder to the audience that he knows this won't end well. The book even has a bit of a downer ending. Herbert went to great lengths to tear down the hero of a thousand faces, charismatic leaders, and saviors, but only really planted the seeds. All the possible bad is laid before us but we sympathize with his plight. After the key event towards the back of the novel, Paul gives in to his emotions and dives headlong in despite the dangers he sees coming.

[@nathanprime2434]

I think it's a poor breakdown when the person doing it clearly didnt read the books. The tone and way she spoke about things displayed her ignorance and it made(to me) the whole video ridiculous. She must have just read a synopsis and reviews and cobbled together her own version.

[@golfer435]

@@nathanprime2434 I haven't read them yet myself, gonna be starting on the 1st book probably today, but I get the sense from the video that she is is projecting a bit of her own ideas and beliefs onto what was written. I got the sense more that the book is about the corrupting influence of absolute power and less about Imperialism

[@colleenorourke6934]

😳 that moment when you realize why your 90s-highschool-white-boy-nerd friends told you, “everything past the first book is trash, don’t bother”

[@damianrives563]

Which is funny cause Paul is described as having olive skin & black hair

[@unfortun8ely]

Talking sci-fi in a Megan Thee Stallion shirt we HAVE to stan

[@coolnegative]

I actually like the 1984 movie. I mean, if you think of the sheer sweeping scope of the book and give consideration for when the movie was made, it is amazing that it came out as well as it did.

[@DemitriVladMaximov]

Try to find the nearly 3 hour cut as it shows that David Lynch actually had a good adaptation, but the producers and studios forced him to cut half his movie out for the theatrical release.

[@coolnegative]

@@DemitriVladMaximov thanx for the heads up! I'll have to hunt it down.

[@DemitriVladMaximov]

@@coolnegative Best of luck. I found it uploaded online last year and even then they site got taken down. There is an extended cut on DVD but is missing a lot of scenes that were never polished. Still good hunting.

[@redsands1001]

Appreciation for the star wars shade

[@reed1159]

wait i'm NOT supposed to have little t-rex arms???

[@sonikmuff]

I've been waiting for Princess Weekes to talk about Dune.

[@MangaMattReviews]

The impression I get from Princess Weekes reaction to some of the story details and plot revelations is that maybe she didn’t read the book and instead either read or watched some kind of summation or something. The revelation that Vlademeer Harkonan is Paul’s grandfather makes sense in the story and ties into a lot of stuff. Paul’s mom was supposed to have a daughter so that she could be married to the Harkonans who only had sons to further unite all families under one lineage and eventually that would lead to a later descendent to become the messiah for the Bene Geserate. Jessica instead had Paul because Leto wanted a son and Jessica so loved Leto she would use her training with controlling her body to give him one which, of course, changed centeries and millennia long planning. Just one example.

[@williamrobinson4265]

agreed felt like this was a project they -had- to do more than one they were -qualified- to do

[@edjosef7936]

“I will bend like a reed in the wind.” -Paul Atreides Muad’Dib

[@sayjinpat4life]

Im glad you we're given a chance to host a PBS episode

[@sarahherbison5419]

I always viewed Dune as an allegory for the Middle East.

[@damianrives563]

You dont know how many times I heard people say that the Fremen are isis & the spice is oil lol

[@ericepperson8409]

His inspiration was efforts in Oregon to control sand dunes there from threatening coastal towns. The political undertones are regarded as a result of his reaction to learning about the actions of his Cousin - Joe McCarthy. YES that Joe McCarthy. The Freman are based upon Taureg, which are from Eastern North Africa, not the Middle East. These books were released in the late 60's before the Oil crisis drove home the importance of petroleum to the world. That a lot of people read into it as a Middle East allegory don't realize how universal some of these themes are.

[@CSGraves]

i mean, CHOAM is pretty analogous to OPEC, no?

[@ericepperson8409]

@@CSGraves Herbert started these books in the early 60's. OPEC was founded in 1960. There are numerous colonial trading organizations that are just as analogous: East Indian Trading Company, Dutch trading companies, Hudson's Bay, etc.

[@toh786]

It ain't surprising. Frank Herbert was inspired by Lawrence of Arabia

[@boerepompie8244]

Oh my word, I remember subscribing when you guys had 3k or so 😲 good job on growing the channel

[@miskatoniclibraryreference3002]

This isn't to rain on the parade but the pronunciations I'm this video needed some work. Also some of the points/ideas presented in this video were contrary to the novels themselves. Trying to tackle a synopsis of these books is hard but I feel the sources they cited were of a bias nature that cloud the description.

[@crgvino1]

Thank you for your post. I am heartbroken PBS allowed this trash to be posted.

[@nekiddo]

What points?

[@chansesturm7103]

As someone currently reading through the original Dune Chronicles (on Heretics at the moment), I am surprised you managed to make such an amazing summary of the series and its themes without once mentioning the Bene Gesserit by name, considering how big a role they play in the series. Admittedly that would just be opening up a whole 'nother can of worms, especially once you get to Heretics and (presumably) Chapterhouse, where the reader gets a deeper look into how they operate, but I'm still impressed.

[@NostalgiaBrit]

I didn't think Fremen was pronounced Free-Men… I thought it was pronounced Fremm'n, like in the Lynch movie?

[@crgvino1]

It is, this is reflective of the poor quality overall of this vid.

[@mathpin]

Just ine of the many errors if this video. Same with some of the interpretations they have presented, just flatout wrong

[@ethanomcbride]

This was a really great video. You’re interpretation is spot on

[@thedivabetic]

I just watched the 2021 movie and came back to rewatch this- thank you for this video!

[@shockofthenew]

This was a fantastic video! I saw the David Lynch film years ago and enjoyed the spectacle, but I think it's time for a re-watch with a new perspective...

[@nihildomini]

8 months from now "Is Foundation the most important sci fi series ever?"

[@doll_dress_swap1269]

Lol. I’ve read the foundation books but not dune, and I kept thinking of it throughout the video.

[@ronbo11]

I've read both, and I prefer the original Frank Herbert Dune books more than the Foundation books. Dune might not have existed without the earlier Foundation books, but for readability, character development, complexity and detailed world building, Dune seems superior to me.

[@ig7157]

Great video! It captures the series so well. Also I’m now have some reading ahead of me, I want to read what those critics wrote as those quotes were amazing. If you all have time I would be very interested in hearing your critical review of of chapter-house and Heretic of dune. Pedantic part of me is raising its head, aren’t there 6 books in the original series?

[@lsjansen]

Yes: Dune, Messiah, Children, God Emperor, Heretics & Chapterhouse. I think God Emperor would require an entire video of its own to parse out.

[@jameskane8428]

From Irulan to Weekes, very nice!

[@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw]

I love the Attack of the Clones reference at the beginning.

[@hua_tetsu_cat]

And everything change when an alien weapon took over Eros station called protomolecule.

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

Paul is ultimately killed by a member of the Jakarutu Sietch, Cast Out Fremen water thieves who bear no loyalty to the Atredies, not one of his own followers.

[@DanForbesAgain]

"Yeet into the stars and beyond 🚀" LOL great video 🙏🏻

[@moijenesaisrien7936]

wait, didn't Paul have a first son with chani that died who was also called Leto II??

[@devildham]

Yes

[@blackpyxy9583]

I bought the 6 first ebooks ( regretfully I wanted physical ones) I am going to make time to read them I hope it was a good investment( $65).

[@shapescolours8105]

I actually like the stuff is son did lol. It’s not Frank Herbert’s Dune but I found it to be pretty fun. I love the books about the thinking machines.

[@bloodmorel]

I enjoyed this! It's been a while since I've heard someone else's analysis of the series.

[@SweetBerryWine3000]

LOVE this on every level!! Thank you thank you thank you Princess Weekes!

[@aimeemariet]

I love that Lindsay didn't touch this one with a ten foot pole.

[@TheMrstates]

Fantastic summary and discussion, thank you!

[@Poppyjasper1]

I need to re read these books. I don’t remember much of anything that was covered in this video.

[@nathanprime2434]

It's worth it, The books are amazing and made better by reading them again and again. I'm re-reading them right now and am almost finshed Heretics. Oohhh its SO good. You catch so much more.

[@aangsstaff4174]

I love the shirt Princess 👸🏾

[@faithmacdonald50]

That star wars reference on sand *chefs kiss*

[@markukeley2924]

Cool auxiliary themes! Great job!

[@Influx27]

Having seen both the Sci-fi and the David Lynch versions, Lynch's is definitely more enjoyable

[@casperb4707]

Why did you exclude dune god emperor in the pictures of the books?

[@jhartley8441]

V. good [and entertaining! ] summary of the analysis of the Dune Saga. My first visit here; did you write this vid?

[@justhereforkicks8208]

I love the movie, I’ve even sat through the 4 hour version. Me and my dad would watch it anytime we saw it on tv. When I was a kid I tried reading the book, but couldn’t. I don’t know if I just didn’t grasp it or I got bored because I knew most of the story from the movie. I’d like to see more videos about the Dune series. And you’re right, Dune did influence sci-fi for years after it was written. The story sounds a lot like Star Wars, but then again so does everything else. I hope the new movie does it justice and when those giant sandworms bust onto the screen, the music is just as loud and iconic as the original! “THE SLEEPER HAS AWAKENED!!” ✊

[@isabellereid8723]

I took a philosophy of science fiction course in which we read Dune, and I think it would've gone better if the class had been aware of the later deconstruction of tropes. I was so frustrated reading Dune--I hated it! Didn't help that the prof would just cryptically respond to criticisms of the text by saying that we should read the later books in the series...

[@williamrobinson4265]

class sounds like a waste of time lol

[@CSGraves]

For me, something that made the dictatorships in Dune so uncomfortable (or rather, _more_ so) was the prescience of Paul and Leto II. It's fair game to criticize a conventional human dictator, but give them varying degrees of future-sight and suddenly you don't know what portion of their rule is unjust by way of error, and which is just for the sake of preventing some future cataclysm only they can glimpse. While I have a hard time reconciling this and other ideas in Herbert's work, at least it got me thinkin', which isn't so much the case with certain space fantasy franchises.

[@jso6790]

Cool. Thanks for this. I have never read, nor seen any of them, but I once had the PC game Dune.. which I never played because it never worked, but despite this, the world of Dune is such a part of the zeitgeist that the major features are quite familiar. It is a great (and necessary) thing to mask learning in storytelling, compelling philosophical conundrums in drama. Perhaps, one day, if humans last long enough, they will be reading Dune in those first year college seminars alongside Gilgamesh and other works of "fantasy".