Dune: Prophecy is a very complicated show. Sure, part of that is the fact that it has so many characters, plots, and counterplots commingling in each scene. But more straightforwardly, it’s just very difficult to explain to people whether or not I like this show. Put simply: Watching it feels like a chore, the line-to-line writing isn’t particularly fun, interesting, or engaging — and yet, for every thudding character or dull line, the show has also introduced a brief strand of plot or Dune universe-building that I can’t help but be fascinated with.

But the show can’t keep running on the fumes of these ideas forever, and with the season 1 finale approaching, it seems to me that there are two paths forward for Dune: Prophecy. And in fitting franchise fashion, only a narrow and complicated path will let it come out the other side clean.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy season 1 episode 5.]

The show’s future — or at least our indications of what it might be — all hinge on Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel). The first option, and the one I fear the show is moving toward, is the simple option that Desmond Hart is the........

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