Show Name: Dune (1984)
Season/Episode: N/A
Date Aired: 14 December 1984
Where Aired:
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Plot Summary in a sentence
In the distant future, destiny brings a kid named Paul to a sand planet with dangerous giant worms to break control of Spice.
Or: Paul is destined to become the One, and that is what happens.
The Heroes Journey, but it’s all political, and there are really big worms
What’s your word?
Sand
Spice!
Favorite character this episode?
The creepy little sister (name starts with an a)
(^Alia^) And she creepy as heck.
Gurney, but also maybe Alia… I also like Paul… So… maybe I can’t choose. Omg Yueh
Technical Talking Points (music, lighting, editing):
Again we are in the 80’s where much is laid out on a platter for us, with narration and hearing thoughts.
The special effects seemed to be the star of the show. (At the cost of character development)
Soundtrack was super enjoyable.
I know I am always complaining about this, but why do so many scenes have to be so dark?
This is the first excursion of ours into soft science fiction! WOOT WOOT!
Herbert designed this book (and series) in a very careful manner, but ultimately didn’t really think of the series as science fiction. He considered it an epic adventure, and while he was very careful to include the steps of the Hero’s Journey, fitting each role perfectly, he also relied heavily on Arthurian legend.
Great Dragons I mean Sand worms, protect the precious treasure OMG I meant Melange the spice. The Dragons worms have massive teeth and bellow fire cinnamon. If this reminds you of Beowulf, well it should!
Much of the Dune Universe is alien and outlandish at first but if you replace some words, you end up with something that is far closer to home.
Water = Oil for example
Re: Hero’s Journey - Herbert wanted his Hero/Messiah to do something other superheroes don’t, which is to gain power slowly, and through much trial, he also gains powers through mystics and careful technique. Paul never gets bit by a spider, isn’t a crazy powerful alien or anything of the sort. He’s a hard working human. That’s the first thing we learn about him, he’ human. Which of course implies that most of the people we see in this show are inhuman.
Movie was made 20 years or so after the book, and it was kinda a ‘clock is running out scenario’ but they still made something cool which is unusual. Often when we see things rushed, they do a poor job, but even Herbert was pleased with this film saying that it ‘said everything he wanted it to say’. I agree btw. It was a box office bomb though. It’s one of those movies that they did a good job, but it wasn’t appreciated for a while. It had a lot of negativity which is partially why it’s getting a reboot, but also to keep those rights to keep the money. I have mixed feelings about the new version. The cast seems promising, but I wish they’d stop redoing things that don’t deserve it.
I just looked up 1984 films and it isn’t surprising it bombed when you look at all of the movies it was up against! So many great films that year!!! The director himself actually disowned it. (David Lynch) because he felt in the end he didn’t have much control. It was criticized for being unfaithful to the source material (which… is somewhat true, but ultimately I think that you need to pay attention to what happens, and line it up with the book, It’s still right. Maybe I’m biased because I’m so used to my favorite books being destroyed for film, but Dune book to movie doesn’t bother me much at all. It was also criticized for its pacing, visual affects, score, acting… it goes on and on. I have more thoughts i can share later.
So in 1982 Herbert was interviewed about Dune and said that the message novel is “Don’t trust leaders to always be right” and I just feel like we gotta say this again for people in the back!
2-3 favorite moments in the show:
Well, I wish I had read the books. I felt like I didn’t get to know any of the characters. The only ones I felt like I got to know were Gurney, and the Barron. Likely because of the actors skill with little time.
I am not a fan of things that are gross. The Barron’s world was so icky. But I did love the way they all seemed to be just a little psycho and so in a quirky happy mood. (I think it might have been some of the ridiculousness that the actors were dealing with showing in their acting, but it was fun.)
I had to pause the show when Alia? Came and was warning them at the end about her brother. When she used to voice I had to laugh for a minute.
The moment when Gurney is running in the fight with the little pug dog. Wish we had seen it one more time at the end, I wonder how he fared…
Overall story was super interesting, I just feel the need to connect with characters to really enjoy the story. I am really looking forward to the remake.
I was super confused when the mom drank the water of life, I didn’t realize there was more than one of the ladies. I guess I am confused about all of that stuff.
Literally anytime the weirding way comes about. This reinforces the idea that words are more powerful than we give them credit and I love that about this series. Dune gives power to the ordinary, rather than the extraordinary. Which is the shit.
Paul’s Gom Jabbar was good. I mean bad… but it was done perfectly. It’s everything I hoped for.
The Barron’s actor who I can’t think of the name of the actor was just the perfect freaking crazy.
The Water of life was crazy but good. Like… daymn son. (Both times)
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