IR TV Review: DUNE - PROPHECY - EPISODE 2 (“The Two Wolves”) [HBO/Max]
The context of seeing has to do with motivation and understanding where the puzzle pieces lie. As Episode 2: "The Two Wolves" of "Dune Prophecy” unfolds, it reflects the idea that control always shifts. Mother Superior Kayla Harkonnen (Emily Walson) as a preponent of power is hangiing on too tight to what she believes is the right path. Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) having supposedly been eaten by a worm and returned to life sees the light differently. He speaks in riddles but his progression is not based in training but more in loyalty. But like Paul Atreides many thousands of years later, the aspect of power can overwhelm even if one believes they are doing it for good.
Meanwhile the aspect of power through the Emperor is not as decisive as one might think since it is attached to ego. His wife understands what he does not: to take advantage at every point because power is fleeting. Behind the scenes, the daughter of a scorned father has a tryst with another royal who is connected as well. The reality of the progression in the bigger context is that the scene is not needed and is used to add a flavor of sexual politics that while effective is not completely necessary. It actually is almost out of tone for the series so far. This is not “Game Of Thrones” in that way. That said, its intention is true. The daughter is like a snake wrapping her coils around her prey. The question though is if she is Bene Gesserit or simply angling for power as the whole concept of the breeding program is not necessarily at the forefront.
The daughter of the Emperor is the real focal point but we don't yet know what her power is or if she can wield it. She also may be a target. Rebellion is swelling in a certain way but is an interesting but not altogether unlikely force. The problem is with this traitor we see is why his vengeance but his actual motivation creates an interesting parallel to the Dune storyline itself. The backstory that necessitates that rage is not made clear. There is also an interesting symbol with one Bene Gesserit during a morgue scene. It says much about the intrinsic intelligence capabilities of the sisterhood.
By far the most interesting power play functions within Hart and Kayla. One scene shows the tug back and forth of power but not really the motivation (on his end at least). At one point you do see fear in Watson's eyes which is an interesting but necessary acting choice which hopefully gives a reactive force to the proceedings. It also brings forth the context again of the Voice. The other approach which is both intriguing but also not fully formed is the approach of the Agony, which is almost a percursor to the Water of Life in terms of transmutation but IT has to do with accessing family trajectories of Reverend Mothers through regression (not disimilar to the WOL).
The Acolyte in question who undergoes the ritual has the most to lose but her would-be intention either way will have a power reflection within the Sisterhood. There seems to be more emotion than not populating what the Sisterhood does...and yet they already seem to have corrolation to Arrakis in some way shape or form. This interaction of power almost seems trite in the long game depending on what end it is seeking. The episode moves a little more decisively than Episode 1 but the reality is that it is trying to unload alot of exposition without necessarily saying much. B+
By Tim Wassberg
