The Problem with Dune Prophecy (Episode 1 SPOILERS)

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I'm more worried about the Dune Universe - The Dune-iverse - than ever before. Dune Prophecy Season 1 Episode 1 Was it as good as we hoped? Did it live up to YOUR hype? The project is not overseen by Denis Villeneuve in the same way Matt Reeves oversaw The Penguin. Does this sow suffer because the connections are loose and the timeframe is millennia? As a Massive Denis Villeneuve fan and doubly of his Dune films, I truly do care about the health of the Dune-iverse. Here's hoping I fall in love with the show and it becomes a vital piece of the Dune lore... But I'm worried it won't... What are your thoughts? -FSD

[@Brad84L]

I keep getting hung up on the idea that they've essentially made zero progress in 10,000 years...

[@calum696]

"Thou shall not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind" Would put a cap on your technological progress. It's the reason the spacing guild exists. Because complex navigation systems would require more computational power than a human brain.. And also why no robots... I mean you've heard of the butlerian jihad?

[@FilmSchoolDad]

This is a fair response. Technologically. I think people would have made some aesthetic changes over such a drastic amount of time, but I can wrap my brain around this. Oooh, just got an interesting thought. The technology that progresses isn't mechanical it's genetic! It's the creation over the next 10,000 years of The kwisatz haderach. Best, -FSD

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I just had this aphony in the other comment but it was while reading both of your comments. The technology thad advances is The kwisatz haderach. But aesthetically I agree with you. 100% -FSD

[@Vkiller711]

@@calum696idk if Op meant technology wise. Its insane to think that they’ve the same type of society even 10k years ago

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I totally agree with that. It does feel more like 50 years before Paul Atreides, and not 10k.

[@scottbones]

"It sniffs its own farts." Sums it up.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

This guy gets it. Rock on. -FSD

[@originalsainthood]

yep. I felt the same. this show felt like a CW version of Dune and it bothered me they were allowed to play on that connective tissue. I know its a Legendary production but still... I hold Dune P1 & P2 in such high regard - I don't want this series contaminating it, if that makes sense. Even though I love the two female leads. The one chick was from Chernobyl and was phenomenal - and the other chick just got done playing two season on The Crown - also phenomenal. But this Dune series....ehhhh iono man.... that club scene at the end was hella cringe. also - what didn't make sense is, if this is 10,000 years before the movies, you're still using the same costume designs? the same architecture? the shield hasn't change in 10,000 years? cmon.... this should been its own thing.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Yeah, I agree with everything you're saying. It would have been bold to charge the art direction. The club stuff and the sex stuff was all cringe, for sure and felt out of place. ...All acted well. No real issues with the performances, just the motivations. -FSD

[@바보Queen]

at least CW has hot chicks, this doesn't have anything!

[@FilmSchoolDad]

🤣

[@lippemartinsm]

To sum it up: they definitely had the cash to embelish it but not the brains to give it substance. I still can't believe in 10000 years and everything still stayed the same: same technology, same culture, same architecture, same fashion. Like... do you want THIS BAD to try and copy Dennis Villeneuve's work that u are willing to discard this basic human principle: things change. Hell, just look at us now and how it was in 100 years before. It's that easy to see. Anyway, just my rant.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

🤘💪 I hear ya friend. So frustrating to watch garbage in 2024 based off a best picture probable winner.

[@Shiznaft1]

I would say they are quoting the books and not the movies... as the origin of all of this is the books.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I understand. I just don't like where Brian Herbert took those old books and where he strayed from his father, Frank Herbert's philosophy. Im a fan of The Dune Chronicles, but like many haven't read the countless continued novels via his son. I don't blame Brian. I blame HBO for not understanding most NEW Dune fans are like me, and not the readers. We need vital information that is being treated as canon. Dune isn't Star Wars (yet) and my qualms are with the writers of the show, not respecting NEW viewers. To us, this show is confusing and not to mention poorly acted. It's been rough for Fans of the films. Where DVs DUNE part 1&2 is this epic transformative experience, HBOs Dune Prophecy feels more a kin to the WB/CW shows of old. But I hear ya. -FSD

[@Shiznaft1]

@@FilmSchoolDad That makes perfect sense. There is a clear line amongst the fans. I get it. Too bad he couldn't have "finished" his masterpiece. I get the movie fans would be really lost with this esoteric Dune history, and not only that but there is the whole canon vs non canon arguments. Your Star wars concerns are fair and kinda scary that Dune too could be "ruined" by suits in a board room. The only thing that seperates this show from WB/CW shows is the cinematography. The acting is in that first season limbo were the actors clearly aren't comfortable with the characters yet. Hopefully it will get better.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

you know what? I like your season one actors aren't comfortable theory. 'll give you that because there's plenty of shows (Battlestar Galactica) that really suffer during the first two or three episodes, but then come into their own. I do miss the old days of 22-24 episode seasons where we had the time and space for the the writers and actors to grow and get comfortable. Good point. Best, -FSD

[@isaytheenay5961]

The time has never been worse to make a movie about the sisterhood seeking power in society, through the manipulation and warping of the culture. The time has never been better to explore the dangers of AI. The first few minutes of this show introduce you to the show you REALLY wanted to see right now. But won't.

[@tenorenstrom]

Made it through half the first episode. It was surprisingly badly written. So far it doesn’t deserve my attention.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I know what you mean. Not excited for episode 3. Usually a bad sign 🤣... -FSD

[@trailermedia5757]

Love your take on the first ep on who’s perspective we should be on

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Thanks! While the opening narration suggests it should be Valya's POV... it isn't - and storytelling 101 should always be about perspective.

[@juvjar]

Honestly, this episode felt like Bridgerton but in a Dune universe setting. The direction and story felt really cheap.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

For a show with a good budget it definitely feels like a low budget when on set. The CGI isn't "horrible" but it doesn't match or even compare to Villeneuve's vision. Plus - YES - the story... what story even? We all know we're getting the kwisatz haderach so this isn't (yet) intriguing.

[@chipious9736]

I stop at God Emperor for my head canon. I personally find a tight story between the first four novels. The show lost me when the kids went clubbing. I’ve always found the son and his buddy take on Dune as ham fisted

[@SK4Madhi_Freal]

💯% agree.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I love this take. I do the exact same thing. The First four books ending at God Emperor tell a massive and yet succinct story. From Leto to Leto II, this specific era of The House of Atreides is Dune's Skywalker Saga. The last two Gene Gesserit books are IMO, as you stated, not in my "head cannon." -FSD

[@SK4Madhi_Freal]

@@chipious9736 It got too wierd for me after Children. I did like God Emperor but yeah Id reached my limit, I was always into Dune (1st book) as one complete story, then Messiah changed that but Honored Matre's and No-ships amd charterhouse got a bit to much for me.

[@SK4Madhi_Freal]

@@chipious9736 and also what Ive read on Wikipedia about the plots of the Son and his friend books was more than enough to let me Franks Duniverse end at G.E.O.D..

[@FilmSchoolDad]

A million percent. Honored Matres were a bit too much for me too.

[@dvanhorne3592]

Why do so many KZbinrs edit-out the parts of their speaking where they breathe? It sounds like Film School Dad speaks for 13 minutes without ever inhaling.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

You definitely don't want to hear me breathe. Trust me 🤣 -FSD

[@giants2k8]

It’s difficult to judge a show based off of simply one episode. But it’s not off to a great start, it feels very lethargic in its storytelling and spent too much time on certain scenes where it wasn’t warranted. Making the episode feel somewhat bloated. However, I’ll reserve my judgement until I’ve seen a couple more episodes. Yet I don’t have high hopes if the initial episode felt so lackluster. The first episode should feel engaging and interesting- piquing your curiosity.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I wonder if they had to create a true pilot episode or not. Back in the day pilot episodes needed to engage viewers and execs to want to see and PAY for the rest of the season. A show like this - which was in development for some time - seems like it got fast tracked after Dune Part Two performed better than WB had imagined. I'll also reserve my full judgment for the final episode of the season - but I sure am worried. The most interesting person isn't even a canon character.... and he's not that interesting anyway. -FSD

[@giants2k8]

@ That’s actually a very valid and interesting point. You’re probably right, I’d imagine they were given the green light for an entire season. I agree that back in the day when they created pilots that had to immediately capture the attention of the audience. Dune has so much potential as a television series; the political intrigue and plotting should feel like peak GOT. But unfortunately we haven’t gotten anything close to that. I personally don’t find Mark Strong’s character at all interesting nor do I like the casting choice. He’s not a good enough actor to portray someone who should feel layered. Don’t get me wrong, I respect him and enjoy some of his work. I just don’t think he was the right actor for this role. One bright spot is that Travis Fimmel is great as he is in almost everything. He’s the only interesting character we’ve seen thus far.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Strong in Dune Vs Strong in Penguin. In role role he at least had a little meat to dig into, but I can agree. He's not my first choice for anything. His characterization of a weak conflicted Emperor feels flat and 2 dimensional. I do expect more from my prestige show actors. -FSD

[@tiredaf6706]

video for 2nd episode?

[@FilmSchoolDad]

To be honest I disliked the second episode so much I don't have much to say. I may do a video at the halfway point or maybe when the series wraps, but I'll tell you my opinion here: I'm bored and uninterested in the purported mystery. I don't find the second episode engaging and I'm not sure of the characters' motivations. For example. WHY does Valya want to follow in her Mother superiors footsteps. She says it's important to her but never WHY. Without true story I feel uninterested.

[@rmongiovi]

If shai hulud have the power to create psychic killers then dune doesn't make any sense.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Something is definitely off about the whole "can burn people with mind" skill.... Seems out of place and not as impactful as the writers would have liked.

[@bobbyschannel349]

No.. the Game of Thrones was relatively good. It was a very popular show...... there were issues with the ending, I think the writers wanted to rush and end it quickly. Yeah. A lot of people were upset about that. But other than that the story was pretty good, especially the first three seasons.....

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Exactly. The first... I'd say 6 seasons were great on GOT. But my issue is this show acts like it deserves to be a great show... instead of doing the hard work and "being" a great show. GOT may have failed in the end but it always did the work. That's what makes a great show. I've been enjoying our debate 🤘🏆 Best, -FSD

[@dliston1]

Nothing beats the books. The 80s movie was closer

[@Shiznaft1]

I really enjoyed the 80's version, but it was really far from the books. The Weirding modules were completely fabricated for the movie and were a huge part of the film

[@FilmSchoolDad]

The Books (The Dune Chronicles) are definitely the best versions of this story bar none.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Yes, the Weirding modules. I forgot about those weird Lynchian things.

[@OMA407]

Long disclaimer...People are really sensitive these days...

[@FilmSchoolDad]

🤣

[@obscuresoundz]

i suggest u check the dune minis series and the follow up children of dune mini series from the early 2000's much better storytelling, daialogues and character/plot development, also that is more faithful herberts orginal books

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I actually really want to but they seem hard to come by. Any tips on how to stream? -FSD

[@solarydays]

this show has amazing production quality and incredibly plain story and interactions. I don't know what is the aim. if they wanna target science fictions fans they shouldn't mishandle lore. if wanna target non science fiction people, well they will have little to no interest in this

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I totally get what you mean. Taking a known entity people love and changing everything about it never works. While I get the time shift it still doesn't change the how Dune film fans aren't gonna enjoy or understand this show. Just funny how two WB Shows on HBO both connected to popular recent movies ( Penguin and dune ) but Penguin gets its so right and Dune so wrong. Who's the boss here?

[@solarydays]

@@FilmSchoolDad HBO executives probably don't have much artistic merit and can't really tell that a script is not good if you slap enough cgi on it. I would be very interested in watching fictional Dune spinoffs but they are not trying to do any world building here.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Same here, I'd love to be a fly on the wall during those conversations. I probably sound like a broken record but it completely confounds me how The Penguin and Dune Prophecy can come out in the same half year and be so utterly different and yet have som much of the same DNA ( prestige HBO show based on a "continuing" story from a hugely popular film franchise. It makes no sense.

[@braveconcepts]

Shilleneuve sux too. He hates storytelling and is merely an Instagram director.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Tell me more. I'm a fan but I'd like to hear why he's not for you. I'm into it. Lemme hear.

[@chadhetzel]

Tee Lax , phonetic for Tleilax...I think 😊

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Teelax. Ok, thank YOU! I can wrap my brain around that. (I remember reading through the chronicles and every time that word came up I was happy I wasn't reading it aloud) And thanks for seeing my S.O.S in the video and giving me the pronunciation. Making the video was worth it just for THIS interaction. Much appreciated! Best, -FSD

[@chadhetzel]

@ you’re most welcome! Although I’m now thinking it may be pronounced Tey Lax, like they lax, and sometimes there’s a U at the end, so Tey Lax U 😁

[@FilmSchoolDad]

It's a mental tongue twister.

[@TheRogBG]

Dude didn't read the books if he thinks a navigator is tleilaxu lmao.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Note on the screen with an asterisk saying guild navigator. *Guild Navigator

[@TheRogBG]

@FilmSchoolDad my b I was listening to this in the car. Regardless, navigators are integral to the dune universe and you shouldve known the difference between them and tleilaxu (seeing as how they are nothing alike at all) when you were doing the audio.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I hear ya but I was riffin brother and in that very moment I reached for the word. I wanted to leave the audio in that way for authenticity and I left the asterisk on vid for posterity. Anywho - THANKS for listening and commenting. Legit I appreciate. Let me ask you this: what are your thoughts so far? I watched Ep 2 last night and I'm even more underwhelmed. Best, -FSD

[@TheRogBG]

@@FilmSchoolDad incredibly boring show that people are meat riding for no apparent reason.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I think there's just nothing on TV anymore so people are jumping on the bandwagon hoping the show will pickup... but 6 episodes doesn't bode well. And the long runtimes, while usually a good sign - I think - are, in fact the 7th and 8th episodes hidden within longer runtimes to help with such slow pacing. It's a mess is what I'm saying 🤣 Not good signs. -FSD

[@michaelnextdoor8726]

Maybe you should read all the Herbert books.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I read all Frank Herbert's

[@mikepanick9362]

Everyone I know, friends and family like the Series so far. Fimmel will be the avatar you are looking for . It’s science fiction not superhero/villain childish nonsense. I have no interest whatsoever in Penguin 🐧. Or the Joker. Or Marvel or DC.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I'm glad people are liking it. I want to. I'll keep showing up every episode.

[@AlexFairchild]

One kid singlehandedly invented the Voice! Then 10k years of no further development required. What freaking garbage writing. Frank Herbert is rolling in his grave.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

She goes "oh this old thang? Just a little something I've been working on" 🤣 agree. Super lame creation of the voice.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Also - to note - I have a huge problem in the finale with how the voice is immediately able to be harnessed by other sisters after... seeing it done? That's it. And they just say "choose" and that's good enough for the other to_______ (redacted/spoiler). But it's way too easy and ruins The Voice IMO

[@gregoryramoundos2034]

i’m not a fan of the new movies especially part two it didn’t do it for me. I thought the one from the 80s was so much better and the SYFY channel version was so much better now doing prophecy. I really try to get into it. I tried to give it a chance people told me give it a chance so far I have not been able to sit through one episode without falling asleepin the end. That’s because you say it’s great doesn’t make it great and I know crap when I see it.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I watched Episode 4 last night. At 30 min in I checked how much was left in the episode because I could have sworn it was already an hr. The show is so slow and just awful and boring. It's bad. And I was planning on making a video last night about the episode and I legitimately had nothing to say. It wasn't even offensive. It's just bad TV.

[@jaekwon1822]

Started watching it. 10 minutes into ep1... I'm seeing all sorts of red flags. Mother superior leaving no clear successor despite having a clear mission and favoring Valya. A sister explaining what should be obvious ("Tiran-Arafel") to other sisters needlessly. Every word spoken should have weight and nuance liike haikus and be tactical like chess. Instead they're just spewing out word salads while catfighting, undermining themselves at every turn. BG would not behave or talk like this. These are not BG sisters. Very bad writing.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I agree they don't feel like BG or the seed of the BG.

[@Oblivionsurveyor]

I am a huge Dune fan, with that said this show is SO BAD!! So annoyed how they took a great story and ruined it.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Right there with ya.

[@juliodusablon2470]

I was having a hard time describing why this show is so bad, because where does one start? But your point about tracking narative perspective is the damning endictment. It is poorly written, poorly storyboarded, poorly edited and the screenplay treatment is nowhere to be seen. It plods along aimlessly, looking for a story to follow and it isnt there. There is no Frank Herbert, no sense of grandiose space empire, no sense of secrets of the Dune universe.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Absolutely missing that Epic Space Saga feel

[@bobbyschannel349]

my goodness.. constantly complaining how about just sitting down watching and enjoying it... my goodness, the first damn episode LOL.. let the story play out with in the seasons...... we have seasons to go.. I remember someone said this years ago about Game of Thrones being so slow and boring..

[@FilmSchoolDad]

@@bobbyschannel349 How'd Game of Thrones end up? lol bad example. Sorry, much love but GOT is THE example of a show that started out AMAZING and wasted it all away.

[@santasa8888]

Problem of TV show is lazy world building. I don't know if prequels did the same blunder but century after Butlerian Jihad navigators were nonexistent and Arakis, worms and the spice are all irrelevant, tech is same as tech 10 millennia later(!?), and so on. This prequel is sorry copy/paste in world building, and I can't swallow it even though main story could be decent or great.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

The history feels off. Agree. -FSD

[@FeelingPoyChina]

I just found out about this show like 10 minutes ago.. decided to go ahead and start watching it was pleasantly surprised to know that its an HBO show. cause most tv shows that I love are released on HBO and then the first episode started.. and I'm hearing a harkonnen lady.. talk about another harkonnen lady.. who's talking bout another harkonnen lady and I laughed out loud when human beings were fighting huge machines ON FOOT lmaooooooooooo I just couldn't take the DEI NPC BOT WOKE stupidity anymore lolol women in the dune world are nothing but wives, mistresses and hack witches who are scared of the water of life unlike Paul. so putting so much emphasis on DEI GIRL POWER is not only stupid but unbelievably shallow and 2D no thanx lolol

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I think the problem is that is feels DEI, but in the novels it doesn't feel that way. In the books the BG are a pretty hardcore group... but here it just seems like a Serious Sorority group who just yell at everyone. Plus the BG need to develop over 10,000 years... and they seem pretty well developed even before Mother Superior dies. None of that makes any sense PLUS even if it does make sense in the Brian Herbert books the show doesn't do a good enough job explained why The Harkonnens are "good" here... all film fans know are Feyd and the Baron. Pretty much a bummer any way you look at it.

[@Broooolskii]

It was like watching a bad CW show. Soooo many bad choices weree made. The casting and writing and directing.. APPLE TV “Foundation” did a much better job

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Ooph. Worse than Foundation. Love that review.

[@stevenbest1355]

I tried to give Prophecy a go.... couldnt get past the first 15 minutes. It felt like it was written by a child, like a crap generic anime

[@FilmSchoolDad]

And so utterly boring. I checked my watch halfway through the episode and remember thinking "ugh 30 more minutes..." - and I'm a HUGE dune fan so I would have hoped any content would have been satisfying. But - nope. -FSD

[@stevenbest1355]

@FilmSchoolDad absolutely agree. I'm a huge dune fan and I'm Willing to forgive a lot but jesus christ, it was boring

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Total snoozefest.

[@danielvickery1233]

If you want more high-quality storytelling, check out Arcane if you haven't already. Season 2 just dropped, and I can honestly say I haven't felt this kind of passion from everyone involved in a cinematic project since Lord of the Rings. And I've never seen such breathtaking animation in my life

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I haven't check it out yet but it sounds like I should. I'm not a huge animation buff but I'm not adverse to trying anything new that is well written and engaging. Maybe I'll give the pilot episode a shot and see where it takes me... Thank you for the recommendation! -FSD

[@timesco2167]

@@FilmSchoolDad Arcane just finished its amazing

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I'm gonna make a note and check it out.

[@solarydays]

meh. arcane s2 very much fails what it's set out to do. feels like they tried to cramp 2 whole seasons into one

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Right after this tweet I saw Arcane reviews all over KZbin 🤣

[@mogg34y]

I'm a fan of the films 🎥 just for how cinematic it is. Denis Villeneuve is a great director. But because the way he shoots Dune I couldn't get past how 90s or 2000s this series looks. And I found it jarring. So was not engaged at all. Because it is classed as prequel to those films.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I'm fully with you on that. The show absolutely feels disconnected with his world and yet they're hellbent on making sure we all link the two things together. Truth is this is nothing like how Matt Reeves oversaw The Penguin to truly be a part of his Batman's world. 90s TV is right! -FSD

[@mogg34y]

@FilmSchoolDad And yes and how Andor is so connected to Rogue One. This feels not connected at all. Just a cheap copy. Nah I will stick with the films. By the way I love the Batman and the penguin series. Outstanding!

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Andor and Penguin are great examples of doing it right. Really looking forward to Andor season 2 and interested to see who the next BECS... (Batman Epic Crime Saga) not the coolest acronym - who the next Villain might be for the next show. -FSD

[@mogg34y]

@FilmSchoolDad Andor season 2 leads straight to when Andor meets a contact in Rogue One. Making Andor and Rogue One and A New Hope one huge story!

[@FilmSchoolDad]

I'm glad they're somehow making the right choice and not milking season one's success. Staying the course is the right move. Happy to hear that. -FSD

[@cgabr4559]

I felt there was too much exposition. I get that they trying to capture viewers that are not familiar with the story but it feels rushed. Or maybe I’m just used to the Dune pace that is slowly mysterious. I agree with the sex scene. That and the mechanical toy scene were out of place and unnecessary. And for a big budget expansive universe, it felt a little sitcom fake set at a times. I’ll keep watching

[@FilmSchoolDad]

Such a good point about the pacing. I hadn't noticed that but as soon as I read this I thought back to the opening narration and yeah it's all fast paced nonsense. Exposition dump for the uninitiated, but a poor one if you know the films or books. eh. -B at best... -FSD

[@SupergirlsBF]

Leito II is prounounced "Leeto the second" not "TWO"

[@FilmSchoolDad]

🤣👍

[@BxGracia]

I don't know what makes me more angry. That they made this poor shit or the great reviews it is having all around KZbin. Will see if the audience will show the same love.

[@FilmSchoolDad]

It's all about what the audience thinks. I'm with you on that. Have you checked it out for yourself? I'd love to hear your opinion. Cause it's definitely a stinker, so far.