The following review contains spoilers for the fifth episode of Dune Prophecy, “In Blood, Truth”
Yes! Finally! Some drama! I really wish more of Dune: Prophecy felt like “In Blood, Truth.” It’s got big reveals, big action, and big decisions being made, and it all feels so much more exciting than everything leading up to it. Almost every element of the episode feels elevated, from how the visuals and action come together to give the audience fresh new things to look at, and an energy to the performances that feel much better now that the actors have something to really chew on. Even the boring Imperial storyline gets injected with new excitement – especially with the introduction of Mother Francesca to the mix. This is the first time Dune: Prophecy has really nailed the Game of Thrones impression it’s been trying to do this whole time, and it’s perplexing why the whole show isn’t like this. With only one episode left, it seems the excitement will be short-lived.
It’s probably easiest to see the effects of the more engaging script in how much the younger actors are able to step it up in “In Blood, Truth.” It’s really the first time Dune: Prophecy has given Josh Heuston something to work with in the role of Constantine Corrino, and he’s finally able to make the bastard son trying to win his father’s favor a more compelling part of the series. Sarah-Sofie Boussnina benefits from it as well, and with where Princess Ynez’s story is left in “In Blood, Truth,” it’ll be exciting to see where things go, and if they can pull off a good ending for the character. Chloe Lea, who’s been one of the standouts among the younger actors in the series already, gets to play a whole new character in episode 5, as her foremothers vie for control of Sister Lila’smind, and her impersonation of Mother Raquella is spot on – she expertly mirrors Cathy Tyson’s movements, quirks, and speech patterns. A rising tide lifts all boats, and a more exciting story does the same for these performances.
Visually, “In Blood, Truth” still doesn’t come close to the Dune movies, but the heightened action of the episode naturally makes it all more visually interesting. As things start to pop off (literally) with Keiran and Mikaela, we’re treated to some solid fight choreography as they fight their way through the newly minted Sardukar, and while the explosions that follow don’t always look amazing, it’s just more exciting to watch when the story more naturally works in tandem with the action. It’s a welcome change of pace for a series that has so far struggled with its more stunt-heavy scenes.
But that’s the issue: This is all too little, too late. There’s one more episode next week, and while I have relatively high hopes for it now that things seem to be coming together, this won’t save Dune: Prophecy from what it’s been. Too much time was spent setting the dominoes up, and now there’s little to no time left to enjoy watching them fall. Giving Dune: Prophecy only 6 episodes to work with does the series a huge disservice, and links it to the multitude of recent streaming series (maybe most notably the Disney+ MCU shows) to follow the same trajectory: feeling sluggish in the beginning, only to have to rush the ending.
