Dune: ProphecyisHBO’s latest attempt to fill the gap left byGame of Thrones,and it’s a reminder of how goodHouse of the Dragonactually is. Based on theA Song of Ice & Firenovelsby George R.R. Martin,Game of Thronesbecame one of the biggest TV shows of all time throughout the 2010s, achieving a level of blockbuster entertainment that’s yet to be matched on the small screen. That’s not for a lack of trying, however, as streaming services, including HBO, have tried their best to emulate the show’s success with different fantasy titles.
House of the Dragonwas HBO’s first major effort to restore their fantasy franchise’s popularity following the original series' controversial ending. As far as prequel TV shows go,HOTDgot off to a fantastic start with its first season, which was met with critical and fan acclaim, setting up the conflict known as theDance of the Dragons. The prospect of seeing Targaryen dragon riders face off in battle was enough to bring viewers back on board, but 2024’s season 2 once again left behind a more divisive taste in audiences' mouths. Still, the show’s strengths are worth acknowledging.
Dune: Prophecy Makes Prequel Mistakes That House Of The Dragon Avoids
Dune: Prophecy Has Received Criticism For Being Over-Expository
Dune: Prophecyis HBO’s latest attempt at aGame of Thronesreplacement, taking the popularity ofDenis Villeneuve’sDunemoviesand focusing on a narrative with more character focus and political intrigue. It has a lot in common withHouse of the Dragon, as it’sset long before the main story, focusing on similar family conflicts while remaining tied to the original by a prophecy. They’re both prequels that are meant to feel similar to the main story with notable differences; something new but also something comfortable and familiar.
Though it’s only been one episode,Dune: Prophecyis already off to a notably different start thanHouse of the Dragonin that it feels far more like an expository prequel. TheGame of Thronesprequel sets up a story with familiar ideas and concepts, but it has a mystical and thematic appeal of its own that differentiates it enough to immediately justify it. TheDuneprequel has already received critique for over-explaining in a way that de-mystifies elements like the Bene Gesseritand the Voice to a detriment.
Dune: Prophecy Doesn’t Have The Same Appeal As House Of The Dragon
House Of The Dragon Has A Narrative Appeal Of Its Own
It’s important to break down the strengths and weaknesses a bit further and explore why it matters. A vital aspect of a fantasy world is creating a sense of intrigue and otherworldly appeal that feels like it extends beyond the bounds of the story. George R.R. Martin is a master of this, as was J.R.R. Tolkien. George Lucas was fantastic in this regard with the originalStar Warstrilogy, creating the Force as a mysterious source of power. ThenThe Phantom Menacecame along and over-explained how it worked with midi-chlorians.
While diving into the minutiae of theDuneuniverse, the HBO series has lost some of the broader, entertaining aspects of the franchise.
Dune: Prophecyfeels a lot likeThe Phantom Menacein that sense, where it’s focused too heavily on providing answers to questions that don’t need resolution. While diving into the minutiae of theDuneuniverse, the HBO series has lost some of the broader, entertaining aspects of the franchise. Meanwhile,House of the Dragonstrikes a strong balance of character, narrative, political intrigue, and entertainment spectacle. There’s still a long way to go, butProphecy’sopening episode doesn’t feel as appealing.
Can Dune: Prophecy Become Another True Game Of Thrones Replacement Like HOTD?
Dune: Prophecy Needs To Demonstrate The Value Of Its Characters
Dune: Prophecyhas six episodes in its premiere season, and it’s possible that the first episode was purposefully heavy on exposition to set up a story. Episode 2 will be a massive indicator of what the show is going to look like and will likely be a determining factor for audiences to decide whether they want to continue the series. As of now, it’s hard to imagine theDuneprequel reaching the same size asHouse of the Dragon, asthe material feels far more dense and targeted toward a niche audience ofDunefans.
Dune Properly Explains Why There Are No Computers Or Machines In Denis Villeneuve’s Movies
Dune: Prophecy explains why there aren’t any computers in the Dune films. Here’s our breakdown of what happens in the show and the lore behind it.
After episode 1,Desmond Hartseems to have captured the most intrigue, as he’s the only character who’s a complete question mark. He’s original to the series and poses a threat that hasn’t been seen before in the books or movies. As for the other characters, it’s important that the next few episodes demonstrate qualities of their personality that aren’t directly related to the central plot.Dune: Prophecyis a chance to see a longer-form narrative in Frank Herbert’s universe, but to fulfill that promise, it needs to deliver a world that feels lived in.
Dune: Prophecy
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
