Many fans feel Dune: Prophecy’s bad writing dragged Valya Harkonnen’s story, leaving the character not as powerful as she’s supposed to be.
It is not even a secret anymore that many fans feel disappointed with HBO’s Dune: Prophecy. Sure, the set designs, costumes, and visual effects make it look simply enthralling to watch, but as one follows the story, it becomes a chore to stay focused.
Credits: Emily Watson in Dune: Prophecy / HBO
Perhaps what drags the story down is the characterizations of figures that viewers expect to dominate the show. No one likes to watch a character pose as domineering and powerful and not deliver that promise at all. This is exactly what many feel about Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen.
Fans aren’t satisfied with Valya Harkonnen’s portrayal in Dune: Prophecy
Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen did not have a lot of screen time in the penultimate episode, but viewers will be expecting that she would come up with something grand for the epic finale. Hopefully, this is what she would do since her storyline for the past couple of episodes seemed to tell that she’s one step behind the entire time when she’s supposed to be a really strong force in the show.
What makes the character so difficult to believe in is perhaps the lack of distinct traits that make a true manipulator of the mind. Valya is poised to be this type of figure, but she appears profoundly weak especially when she’s angry most of the time. She immediately browbeats anyone who dissents from her, and she fails to demonstrate the kind of cunning that a leader of the Sisterhood should possess.
Credits: Emily Watson in Dune: Prophecy / HBO
Another trait that makes her unconvincing, perhaps we could blame this on the poor writing, is that she appears to be openly more ruthless than her sister Tula. The latter projects this cautious and sensible yet more sinister monster between them, making her more menacing than Valya. Here are some of the viewers’ sentiments about the character:
Fans are evidently not impressed with Valya’s interpretation in the show, although Watson delivered a terrific performance which seems to have been wasted due to terrible scriptwriting.
Dune: Prophecy isn’t giving an outstanding performance as anticipated
Credits: Dune: Prophecy / HBO
Since there is only one episode left in the chamber, fans are definitely hoping for some miraculous twist on Valya’s portrayal. Watson once described her role as “a complex, morally ambiguous, powerful woman” via her interview at the Emmys, so this is what the audience expects to see in the finale.
Dune: Prophecy has received mixed reactions from viewers since its premiere last November. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an average approval rating of 70%, which seemingly reflects the lack of spice that is found in the movie adaptations.
The sixth and final episode of Dune: Prophecy will arrive on HBO this December 22.
