The new HBO Original Series Dune: Prophecy is a prequel from Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune. However, the series is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Which centers around the Sisterhood - the origins of the Bene Gesserit that is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.
Episode 1: The Hidden Hand is a sci-fi fantasy drama with amazing special effects and fascinating scenery. The episode introduces Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), and how she becomes the leader of the Sisterhood. Valya trains young women as truthsayers by putting them through rigorous physical and mental conditioning to develop supernatural abilities. They believe the tools to survive is strength - the power of humanity and lies - human's greatest weapon. Valya also has a sister, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), who is the Reverend Mother. A power struggle emerges between the sisters. Tula uses power to guide, but Valya uses it to rule.
Meanwhile, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) is entrusted to govern peacefulness in the Imperium, but is faced with his own struggles to maintain power and control by reluctantly deciding to allow the young son (literally a kid) of Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) to marry his daughter Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) to secure an alliance for when she becomes successor to the Golden Lion Throne. Matters intensify with Princess Ynez being influenced by her egocentric brother Constantine Corrino (Josh Heuston) and her lust for control over the Swordmaster Kieran Atreides. Throughout the turmoil, a mysterious solider Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) eases his way into the Imperium with the intention to gain Emperor Javicco Corrino's trust.
It was truly exciting to watch the preview of the first episode Dune: Prophecy on the big screen. Showrunner Alison Schapker is known to emphasize the cinematic visual effects of the imaginative sci-fi world to the screen as evidenced in TV series Lost, The Flash, to critically acclaimed HBO's series Westworld, and now Dune: Prophecy. Going with a high caliber ensemble accompanied by fresh promising actors will appeal to broader audiences due to the variety of characters and trajectory storyline. Viewers will definitely relate to the premise of the Sisterhood against "thinking machines" (AI technology) to preserve the power of humanity.
