The second episode of Dune: Prophecy begins with a new opening credit sequence very similar to Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. I kind of prefer the more feature film like opening of the premiere episode, but understand the needs for a television series to establish itself over a long time to presumably come.
There was one scene however that felt out of place where one of the characters is engaged in R-rated love making with bare breasts and full rear end nudity. It was not that the scene was distasteful, but somehow it did not feel right as far as my recollections of the Dune universe. This felt as though it was meant to serve as some kind of adult eye candy, but honestly did nothing to forward the plot or define the characters involved beyond what we know from episode one so I felt it could have been edited out with little effect to the progression of the episode and hope HBO will not fall on scenes like this because viewers tune in for character and story and not for nudity. At least not as far as Dune is concerned.
I was surprised at the pace the plot involving Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) was brought ahead. I thought there would be more denial, but am glad they did not dance around the subject and got to the point fast. There is a scene between Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and Desmond Hart that illustrates how formidable both characters are. There is an effect involving “suspensors” that looked really bad. I mean fake and not up to the high standards one expects from an HBO original series.
Mark Strong as the Emperor seems rather weak at times. I am not used to seeing that actor playing a character that at times seems almost lost lost in the headlights whereever he’s standing however, I do have hopes that his character will become stronger as the series progresses.
We learn a bit more visually regarding the right that the sisterhood goes through to obtain greater prescience, and it is both a frightening and enlightening sequence that is a highlight of the episode. Overall, I thought this was a good installment with nice pacing for the most part, good effects and fine acting performances. May The Spice Flow.
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