‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 3 Recap | Slow but Surprising

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As a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast who’s traversed countless galaxies and parallel universes, I must say that “Sisterhood Above All” was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me. On one hand, it delved deeper into the complex characters of Tula and Valya, offering intriguing insights that enriched their narratives. Jessica Barden’s portrayal of young Valya was particularly captivating, while Emma Canning brought a depth to young Tula that I hadn’t anticipated. Olivia Williams, as always, was a delightful presence on the screen.

It appears that the show “Dune: Prophecy” may have peaked at the conclusion of Episode 2, “Two Wolves,” unfortunately. Instead of continuing its forward momentum, it seems to regress by delving excessively into past events rather than advancing the storyline further. The narrative does advance slightly after the tense encounter between Valya and Desmond Hart in the previous episode, resulting in Emperor Corrino banishing the Sisterhood. However, the plot jumps back and forth between the present and about 30 years ago, focusing on the schemes of Valya and Tula during each time frame.

In typical fashion for Dune, Episode 3, titled “Sisterhood Above All,” encounters a conundrum often referred to as the exposition dilemma. There’s an overabundance of explanatory information that hinders smooth pacing and keeps it from being consistently engaging, yet there’s insufficient exposition for the emotional and dramatic scenes to seem genuinely earned. Characters are introduced, but we’re not given enough time to connect with them. For example, we barely witness Valya and Tula’s brother before he engages in a conversation with Valya; the subsequent scene is his funeral. We’re expected to empathize with the effects of his death on Tula and Valya’s lives, but it comes off as contrived. This pattern recurs frequently.

Nonetheless, the world-building, production design, and juicy reveals keep the episode afloat, and the show further develops Valya and Tula. If it isn’t apparent by now, it’s these literal sisters (compared and contrasted with the Sisterhood) who are the main characters of this show, so Episode 3 is definitely important in rounding out their characters ahead of the season’s second half.

Young Valya Harkonnen Plots Her Revenge

In ‘Sisterhood Above All’, Valya departs House Corrino, shamed by Desmond’s humiliation that she hasn’t felt in years. Simultaneously, Tula grapples with the loss of young acolyte Lila, who succumbed to the Agony. These events trigger memories of past tragedies and humiliations they experienced during their youth. We journey back three decades into the frigid, desolate world of Lankiviel, where the Harkonnens were exiled. The cinematography is breathtaking here, with aerial views of snow-covered beaches dotted with dead whales being butchered by fishermen.

In simple terms, Valya and Tula dine with their kin, and the Harkonnens’ history is subtly suggested – they claim their forefather was a valiant warrior who attempted to prevent a massacre, but due to Vorian Atreides’ deceit, he was portrayed as a coward and the family was exiled to Lankiviel. A part of their past that remains untold is the split between Vorian Atreides and Abulurd Harkonnen. Originally allies, they disagreed over the brutal Battle of Corrin during the Butlerian Jihad against intelligent machines. While Vorian opted for a decision causing mass casualties, similar to Hiroshima, Abulurd disobeyed orders. This act was labeled as cowardice, fueling the Harkonnen-Atreides rivalry. Consequently, the Harkonnens endure without honor on Lankiviel, whereas the Atreides are revered as noble warriors serving the Empire.

Valya’s family seems content with their current circumstances, but she isn’t. She expresses her dissatisfaction by saying, “I don’t want to simply accept this. This complacency is a sickness. If we don’t take action now, it will spread and affect everyone, including those who come after us.” Her mother disapproves of her strongly, telling her brother Griffin, “She’s like a wolf, and if you’re not careful, she’ll consume you.” So, in the title of Episode 2, “The Two Wolves,” it’s clear that Valya is one of them. However, this episode also delves into Tula’s storyline, so Desmond Hart might not be the second wolf as initially thought.

Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves

As Valya hones her skills within the Sisterhood, she stands out as more rebellious and enraged than any other sister. Meanwhile, Tula finds solace among a substantial Atreides clan. Over time, she forms a deep affection for Orry Atreides, a young relative of Vorian. However, acting upon Valya’s instructions, she ends up taking Orry’s life (and it’s unclear whether his family is also killed by her or by someone else; the details aren’t fully explained).

Here, Tula reveals her cruel nature quite clearly. She manages to keep Orry preoccupied in a small dwelling, and their intimate moments lead to his proposal. Remarkably, she admits to being a Harkonnen, yet this does not deter him from wanting to be with her or to put an end to the ongoing conflict between their clans. Regrettably, even after such revelations, Tula plunges a lethal syringe into Orry, all while he is fixated on the lifeless bodies of other Atreides. In truth, we haven’t had many scenes featuring Orry, so the emotional depth and dramatic tension are somewhat lacking. Instead, it feels like a sudden, jarring shift in the narrative as Dune: Prophecy swiftly moves through this plot point to wrap it up; we transition rapidly from his passionate scene to his tragic demise.

In the Sisterhood, Valya finds herself increasingly aligned with Mother Superior Raquel, which leaves Dorotea feeling displeased. While it’s already been hinted that Valya will ultimately kill Dorotea and assume leadership, here we see two potential paths for the Sisterhood following Raquel’s demise.

A.I. and the Dillema of Power in ‘Dune’

Currently, I find myself stepping back into familiar territory, unexpectedly encountering my Harkonnen kin in their opulent high-rise tower – a stark contrast to the harshness of Lankiviel. Seeking some form of alliance or political aid, I engage with my nephew and uncle, who carries the unmistakable Harkonnen pallor and moves about in a floating chair.

While Tula stealthily departs to the Sisterhood’s hidden subterranean complex, housing the breeding index, it becomes apparent that the sisters conceal far more than just that. Lila’s lifeless body is enclosed within a glass chamber, and Tula prompts an artificial voice to maintain Lila’s life. Pulsating blue lights dance on the underground walls, revealing that this entire setup functions as a thinking machine. It then dawns on us that Tula and Valya are harnessing Artificial Intelligence.

In my perspective, experiencing such a monumental and exhilarating event in Dune mirrors its core messages. It’s fascinating to observe how individuals who strive to reshape the world according to their desires often unwittingly set in motion their own downfall. This pattern unfolds through the development of thinking machines, the Sisterhood, and later Bene Gesserit, and ultimately with Paul Atreides. This, at its core, is the struggle inherent in power.

Power molds the realms it governs; those wielding power are accountable for how they transform their sphere according to their beliefs. In democracies and republics, this ideology is either upheld or replaced via voting, and power is delegated through representation. In the story of Dune, various factions, each exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, strive for control. Even rebellions can fall under the dominance of a central authority. This was the challenging position of Paul Atreides. He desired unity with the Fremen, but the Fremen sought a leader. We’ve witnessed this scenario unfold in recent global elections, as people opted for strong leaders with authoritarian tendencies. It’s simpler to relinquish personal control to a potent leader who can reshape things on your behalf.

Episode 3 Gives Good Information at the Wrong Time

The title “Sisterhood Above All” is associated with an episode in the series Dune: Prophecy that doesn’t quite live up to its potential. The exposition seems overly complex here, causing the narrative flow to feel somewhat choppy. The episode spends a considerable amount of time on characters and scenes that seem less engaging and more obligatory. However, it does provide deeper insights into Tula and Valya, though this depth may come at the cost of overall entertainment. Jessica Barden delivers an outstanding performance as young Valya, while Emma Canning offers a surprising level of complexity to her portrayal of young Tula. Olivia Williams continues to shine in her role as the older Tula, one of the show’s highlights.

This episode seems to contain material that could have been included in the extended premiere of Dune: Prophecy, making a smoother transition. The first episode has several moments that deviate from the events in Episode 3, which might have been better integrated. Unfortunately, Dune: Prophecy slows down significantly after a strong second episode, providing exposition that should have been introduced earlier. While it’s good to catch up on details, it disrupts the flow. Let’s hope the remainder of the series maintains its momentum and avoids unnecessary pauses. You can stream Dune: Prophecy using the link provided below.

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2024-12-02 06:35