Alex Claman

In Review - Dune: Prophecy S01E04



spoilers abound

  • of course there’s a High Council – I have no idea if this is in the books, I don’t care, this is absolutely just a just a rip-off of Game of Thrones and its specific set-up of king plus ruling council
  • okay, I like this dream plotline in the Sisterhood that this episode seems to be following
  • STARLINER ALERT (or whatever the name of the massive Space Guild FTL ships are)
  • wow the Landsraad is really just the Roman Senate, isn’t it – the space, the layout, the claims to stability
  • I continue to be intrigued by the Desmond Hart stuff, but at this point (I think there are only 2 episodes left after this one?) I don’t know if I trust the show to actually pull it off, whatever it turns out to be
  • Mark Strong continues to a hilariously hapless and toothless emperor
  • …oh right, that revolution subplot that will probably ultimately go nowhere
    • “the spice will finally flow to all of us” lol sure thing buddy
  • also realizing that I don’t quite understand how Kieran is related to the Atreides who Tula murdered last episode – unless he was the one with the limp who she let go?
  • I kind of wish that the set-up wasn’t entirely this episode, but I’m enjoying the political machinations that Valya is ensnaring her nephew within
  • yes, also enjoying the sketching of the dream, even if it’s a bit contrived that so many of them are drawing at the same speed
    • YES IT’S GOING BADLY YESSSS
    • OK, back on board with the they’re all in sync now thing
    • oh no why is it still monotheism?
  • I do like that the empress is going full Julia Domna
  • once again, this show would benefit immensely from a couple more episodes so that a lot of this has more time to breathe
    • yeah WOW this is so very true
  • Javicco might be the most clueless person in this show and it’s consistently hilarious
  • I checked and this is only 6 episodes; I think this should have been at least 8, potentially 10 – then these various plot lines and characters would have more room to breathe
  • I like the imperial crowns. Nice little bit of world building there
  • …oh damn time for things to really go off the rails in a way that probably no one saw coming
  • Travis Fimmel is chewing this scenery and I’m here for it
    • …huh, a bold move on his part to try and claim that the emperor is “bold” and “strong” keep manifesting that one my guy
  • oooh neat cello cue
  • okay, another flashback, why not
    • GODSDAMMIT ERASMUS WHY DIDN’T I PUT THAT TOGETHER UNTIL NOW
  • I also wonder why no one does anything to challenge Hart? Like it clearly takes intense focus to effect the burning…
  • oh hey, more genetics via blood
  • time for more psychosexual stuff with Hart and the emperor I guess
  • I like that apparently all Reverend Mothers just casually carry concealed switchblades
  • omg slay girlboss Valya
  • oh SHIT is Sister Theodosia a Face Dancer?!
  • I still don’t think they’ll be able to tie things up decently in the remaining two episodes, but I think this was the strongest one yet. The show continues to struggle underneath the weight of GoT though