Dune: Prophecy tackles horror in strong second episode, “Two Wolves”

As a longtime fan of Frank Herbert’s epic saga, I must say that this week’s episode of Dune: Prophecy left me feeling rather satisfied, much like a spice-addict after a particularly successful smuggling run through the harsh desert landscape. The intricate plotlines and character development were akin to masterfully crafted stillsuits, providing both protection and comfort in the unforgiving political landscape of the universe.

Following an unbalanced debut episode with an overload of exposition, “Dune: Prophecy” gains momentum and finds its footing in the installment titled “Two Wolves.

The narrative unfolds post the demise of Reverend Mother Kasha, played by Jihae. Somehow, from multiple planets away, Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) set her ablaze internally, a mysterious act that has left the royal family on Salusa Secundus in disarray. The series thus far hasn’t explained how Desmond possesses this power, but his ability to incinerate people mirrors “the burning truth” that Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) was cautioned about by Mother Raquella (Cathy Tyson) long ago. Consequently, she resolves to journey to Salusa Secundus to safeguard the Sisterhood’s concerns.

On the planet Wallach IX, Valya’s sister Tula (Olivia Williams) continues her duties. Her task is to guide the young acolyte Lila (Chloe Lea) through an ordeal involving spice, which will transform her into a Reverend Mother. As a relative of Raquella, Lila can communicate with ancient Mother Superior to learn about the essence of the burning truth and how the Sisterhood can combat it.

Once more, I’m tasked with sharing a wealth of background details, yet it all flows cohesively thanks to well-timed acting from Watson and Williams. In this installment, the narrative splits into two threads – Tula maintaining order on Wallach IX while Valya meets with the royal family. The plot construction feels stronger in this instance.

The Walking Dune

In Wallach IX, Lila is confronted with a tough decision: endure the torment of the spice ordeal – essentially consuming a potion that could either enlighten her mind or be fatal – to become a Reverend Mother and aid her adopted family within the Sisterhood, or decline, leaving them to find another solution for this emerging danger. Valya encourages Tula to compel Lila to experience the ordeal, but Tula advocates for Lila’s self-determination. Their bond is complex, with both struggling through this challenging situation that resembles a surrogate mother-daughter relationship.

The show leaves it up in the air whether Lila’s decision to endure the spice pain would be an act of noble self-sacrifice or if Valya and Tula are exploiting her. It’s uncertain if Tula’s feelings for Lila are sincere, given that she is essentially asking this young girl to drink a potentially lethal substance in the name of their cause.

Eventually, Lila chooses to carry out the plan, and that’s when things become particularly intriguing. We’ve witnessed the torment of the spice in Dune movies earlier, but nothing quite like this. Alongside Lila, we journey into her genetic past. You might expect a reunion with your grandmother or something similar to be a heartwarming moment, but Lila’s ancestors awaken “untamed and ravenous,” eager to utilize their descendant as a vessel for their resurrection. They are like zombies with dance skills, their faces appearing as if they were made of fabric.

Eventually, Lila locates Raquella who imparts some additional cryptic predictions that will likely prove significant later on. More interestingly, Lila encounters Dorotea (Camilla Beeput), the woman Valya had murdered years ago to ascend as the Mother Superior of the Sisterhood. It transpires that Lila is Dorotea’s granddaughter. Remarkably, Dorotea seizes control over Lila and addresses Tula, one of the people responsible for her death, indirectly through Lila using her own granddaughter’s voice. Seeking vengeance, she intends to take away Tula’s hope. As a result, Lila falls silent, appearing lifeless in that peculiar medical bay area for everyone to witness.

The whole sequence is a really effective blend of sci-fi nonsense and Dune lore with good old-fashioned horror. I really enjoyed it, and felt terrible for Lila and Tula both.

Moves within moves

While Valya is attempting to understand the events unfolding within the royal family on Salusa Secundus, the storyline becomes intricate with multiple interwoven plots and strategies, much like a chess game with hidden maneuvers. To illustrate this complexity, one could say that Frank Herbert, the author of Dune, might describe it as “actions within actions.

It’s enjoyable to peel back these hidden aspects. Moreover, it sparks debate about whether we ought to support the Bene Gesserit from the outset. Is Desmond Hart correct in suggesting that the sisters exert too much control over the great houses? We find ourselves sympathetic towards Valya and Tula, hoping their motives are noble, but the series refuses to absolve them entirely. Indeed, they’re orchestrating events, and while opinions may differ on whether this is something that should persist, it’s undeniable that they’re manipulating the situation.

In this specific episode, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) eventually adopts his wife’s perspective and takes action against the Bene Gesserit. This decision is made after he receives advice from Desmond Hart, who manages to gain the emperor’s favor by employing his abilities of mental destruction to suppress Javicco’s adversaries.

The emperor is an intriguing personality, leaving one wondering about his rule. Is he a feeble leader due to his quick changes of stance, a powerful one for accepting Hart’s assistance, or is his adaptability a strength? It seems Empress Natalya (Jodhi May) yearns for control, while their daughter Inez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) persists in her desire to join the Bene Gesserit. There appears to be much turbulence and whirlpools within this family, suggesting that something will eventually break loose.

As a film critic, let me express that the antagonist in Valya’s story is undeniably Desmond Hart. The episode concludes with an intense standoff where she attempts to manipulate him verbally, demanding he unsheathes his sword and plunges it into his own neck…yet he remains unfazed. Despite this unexpected turn of events, Valya departs, seemingly bewildered yet resolute, signaling the commencement of an intriguing narrative journey ahead.

I found this episode quite powerful, representing an upgrade compared to the premiere. The series Dune: Prophecy is skillfully crafted and boasts impressive acting performances, making it a reliable source of captivating scenes. However, this installment provided more clarity regarding the characters and their struggles. Furthermore, the spice agony scene was truly intense. Let’s move forward to Episode 3!

Dune: Bullet Points

• Using sci-fi magic to suspend Desmond Hart high in the air is a creative take on a prison.
• The powerful Richese family is still reelng following the death of young Pruitt Richese (Charlie Hodson-Prior), Inez’s fiancee. The incident has thrown the Corrino-Richese reliance into question. Inez’s brother Constantine (Josh Heuston) tries to get information on the situation out of Pruitt’s older sister using the timeless art of seduction. I’ve seen my fair share of HBO shows, but their sex scene bordered on outright pornography. That was surprising even by this network’s standards…although I haven’t seen Euphoria, so maybe I’m just not caught up.

Episode Grade: B+

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2024-11-25 06:41