Dune: Prophecy Is Not Making A Game of Thrones-Sized Impact

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As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the fantastical worlds of both Dune and Game of Thrones, I must say that Dune: Prophecy seems to be striving for greatness but falling short. While it’s an intriguing introduction to the Duniverse, it lacks the captivating narrative, relatable characters, and eventful episodes that made Game of Thrones a phenomenon.

Dune: Prophecy was another possibility that often came up in response to the question frequently asked on TV: “What will be the next ‘Game of Thrones’?” However, as the sci-fi series is nearing its conclusion, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that it may not effectively fill the shoes of the groundbreaking fantasy drama.

Since “Game of Thrones” concluded, HBO hasn’t hesitated to invest heavily in the next blockbuster TV series. Shows like “Dune: Prophecy”, the upcoming Harry Potter series on TV, and even “House of the Dragon”, a prequel to “Game of Thrones”, are part of this strategy. Although it might not be accurate to directly compare two separate shows with somewhat similar themes, their cultural influences can certainly be considered. At present, “Dune: Prophecy” has some ground to cover before it rivals the popularity of “Game of Thrones”.

Game Of Thrones Vs. Dune: Prophecy

Comparing Their Premiere Reception

Comparing and evaluating “Dune: Prophecy” and “Game of Thrones” (GOT) solely on viewership metrics or general critical response might not be entirely fair, given that they were aired in almost disparate periods of television and streaming. As per data from Warner Bros. Discovery, the premiere of “Dune: Prophecy” attracted around 1.2 million viewers initially. However, as more people now prefer to watch shows at their convenience, the viewership numbers have grown over time. Conversely, GOT’s premiere in 2011 drew over 2.1 million viewers.

GOT’s Landmark Status

For the show “Prophecy”, a fitting comparison in today’s context would be “House of the Dragon”. Similar to how “House of the Dragon” drew almost 10 million US viewers at its premiere due to its connection as a prequel to “Game of Thrones”, “Prophecy” also benefits from the recent success of Denis Villeneuve’s two-part “Dune” blockbusters. However, it seems that unlike “Game of Thrones”, which became an unavoidable cultural sensation due to its powerful word-of-mouth buzz, “Prophecy” has yet to achieve the same level of momentum.

Is Dune: Prophecy Trying To Be Game Of Thrones?

Political Themes And Similarities

Regardless of one story being a space-set minimalist production and the other an epic saga about a throne’s conquest, it’s evident that Dune: Prophecy aims to carry on the legacy left by Game of Thrones. Numerous similarities have been pointed out, highlighting the political and dialogue-driven atmosphere of the latest production and the unending power struggles in George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series. However, Frank Herbert’s novels were penned several years prior to A Song of Ice and Fire.

Dune isn’t like Game of Thrones set in space; instead, one could say that Game of Thrones is essentially Dune with knights and dragons. As for Dune: Prophecy, it’s not based on the original works but rather the expanded Duniverse novels such as Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. In essence, Dune: Prophecy might be seen as a space-themed equivalent to House of the Dragon at its best. Alison Schapker, the showrunner, has acknowledged comparisons of her show to Game of Thrones in an interview with TheWrap.

It could be quite fitting to draw comparisons, but I believe Dune has unique elements that set it apart. Once we move past the importance of who sits on the throne – which is significant – there are other aspects that will help distinguish it. I hope the ‘in space’ aspect becomes more developed for readers as well.

Why Dune: Prophecy Is Unable To Match GOT

Different Approach To Politics

In essence, although both series share a common theme of power, their political structures differ significantly. One might say that the world of Dune: Prophecy presents a narrative from figures working behind the scenes, rather than those who wield tangible authority. To illustrate this, consider the viewpoints of characters like Lord Varys or Littlefinger in Game of Thrones.

Lack Of Eventful Episodes

It’s clear that the series “Dune: Prophecy” seems to mimic “Game of Thrones” by incorporating adult content such as sex, violence, and nudity. However, what sets “Game of Thrones” apart is its exceptional writing that creates a captivating viewing experience. The initial season of “Game of Thrones” was groundbreaking, offering shocking, memorable moments like the beheading of Ned Stark or the unfolding of the relationship between Cersei and Jamie.

Hardly Relatable Characters

A significant drawback of “Dune: Prophecy” is that audiences find it difficult to empathize with or support the characters. In contrast, while “Game of Thrones” lacked a clear main protagonist, viewers still managed to develop connections with their preferred characters such as Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister, Arya Stark, or Daenerys Targaryen. However, the main characters in “Dune: Prophecy,” like Valya Harkonnen, Tula Harkonnen, Desmond Hart, or the Emperor, fail to evoke the same emotional response, making it challenging for viewers to become invested in their storylines.

Is Dune: Prophecy Wasting Its Prequel Factor?

The Context And Timelines Are Too Far-Fetched

In essence, the prequel aspect hasn’t significantly boosted the appeal of Dune: Prophecy. The series is set 10,000 years prior to Paul Atreides’ birth and primarily revolves around the Sisterhood’s inception, a group later known as the Bene Gesserit. Unfortunately, this timeline doesn’t seem to resonate much with viewers, particularly when considering their connections to the two Dune movies or the forthcoming Dune: Messiah production.

The Penguin Was A Better Spin-Off From HBO

Instead, one reason why The Penguin chose HBO is that the spin-off creatively expanded on the Batman villain and Matt Reeves’ universe, without ever depicting or referencing the Caped Crusader directly. Simultaneously, it offers a richer perspective on Colin Farrell’s character from the initial film. Moreover, it lays the foundation for an intriguing confrontation between him and Batman in The Batman Part 2.

Not Game Of Thrones, But Still Pretty Good

Dune: Prophecy’s Accessibility And Future

In all fairness, “Dune: Prophecy” isn’t a terrible series by any stretch. It serves as an effective entry point into the world of Dune for those who haven’t delved into the films or books. Despite being heavy on explanations, it remains engaging and easy to follow. As for its future seasons, they could potentially see a significant boost in viewership with a strong finale, turning things around for “Dune: Prophecy”. However, it’s also possible that it may face cancellation, considering the high expectations HBO has for it, similar to “Game of Thrones”.

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2024-12-17 02:06