Paul takes charge as the spice hits the fan in downtown Arrakeen.

Is this really a new episode? Yes! Join Mike and a couple of troublemakers as we return to Dune Messiah and have a chat with Otheym.

The 11th and final installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. It's an interesting look and interpretation of what an interaction between Piter and Rabban might look like. The time period isn't specific but it clearly in the years approaching the events of Dune.Rivalry in Guilt of Every Kindhttps://archiveofourown.org/works/25700365 Other Dune Inspired Works by svegliatevihttps://archiveofourown.org/users/svegliatevi/pseuds/svegliatevi/works?fandom_id=683316 

The 10th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Next week will be the final B2D and it's a bit of a special one.

The 9th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 8th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 7th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 6th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 5th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 4th installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 3rd installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

The 2nd installment of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

While Mike embarks on a 6-month Hajj on the Appalacian Trail, please enjoy this 11 part series of our secret Between 2 Dunes catalog. This is a series Derek and Mike produced for Patreon while reading the first Dune book. Look out for a new episode every 2 weeks.

Let's talk about the last 2 years.

On this special April 1st, Mike steps out to make morning coffee while two spice smugglers break into the studio to record the Spice World episode nobody asked for. This episode we ask ourselves...Who are these hosts?Why does our episode art slap so much?What's the conversion from Kph to Mph?Which Spice Girl sang it best?

Happy Holidays from the sietch! Come join us for a special Muad'Dib Folktale presented by the famous traveling face dancer troupe, Lord Giovanni's Men.

We're discussing chapter 15 in Dune Messiah.

We're discussing chapter 14 of Dune Messiah.

We get an incoming cielago from San Francisco with the hot goss from the 30-minute Dune feature held in cities across the states. Then, listen to our "Frank Takeaways" about the newest trailer.

We're discussing chapter 13 of Dune Messiah.

Whoa, make some room for Edric in chapter 12. He may still be in his pajamas, but the new ambassador is not pulling any punches. The conspirators begin suspecting one another of treachery; Edric is playing coy, Scytale is on edge, Gaius Helen is in jail, and Irulan has been missing in action for a few chapters. We ponder the state of our Ghola, and just what Scytale hopes to achieve. Then see what Mike can scry from the windpoles about Alia’s fate. Need More to Read? “Mort(e)” by Robert Repino

Paul continues to chip away at the Conspiracy in chapter 11. We take a long walk for a small drink of water, so to speak. Quickly moving this conversation into a more private setting Paul finds himself more alone than ever. Following the many motivations in the room, we start to see divisions forming. Just what are Alia’s powers?Need More to Read?“Berlin 1961” by Frederick Kempe

With enough spice you can see anything in chapter 10. The fates have decided on some course for Paul, and Chani for that matter. We tackle the meaning of the falling moon, and grasp at straws with Paul's vision. It seems the Zensunni way is to come out as confused as you went in.Need More to Read?“The Once and Future King” by T.H. White

We’ve been through the desert, and saw a girl with no name. It just felt good to fly with Duncan again. Over the desert, there was a tomb he could name, but I think those memories caused as much good as pain. Le-to Le-to Le-to …

Say what you will about him, and Derek will, Edric shows up in chapter 8. The Guild Navigator does not give an inch during his discussion with Paul. All this happens with the face dancer watching pleasantly from behind the tank. We see a Paul Atreides who is surrounded on all fronts. As he dismisses the exterior enemies, he has to confront the interior enemies Korba and Irulan. This is why we have Bannerjee.Need More to Read?Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

We start to see just what powers Alia does have in chapter 7. Hormones and prescience are a dangerous combination. This manifests in a shadow form as Alia’s own Terrible Purpose. Irulan is able to maneuver the siblings together and things get sufficiently weird. Thank the Maker Stilgar is there to offer advice to the maiden. Need More To Listen To?“Q & A” by Ben H. Winters

You could say there is scheming happening right under Paul’s nose in chapter 6. Irulan sneaks down to the basement jail to exchange hollow words with Gaius Helen Mohiam. We meet a new side of the Reverend Mother as no mercy is spared for Irulan. Cracks are starting to show in the conspiracy. I bet with the Dune Tarot we could see who comes out ahead.Need More to Read?"Locke and Key" by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez

Love him or hayt him, the Duncan Ghola is here in chapter 5. Paul knows the game has started, but was this the right move? Even with two mentats we can’t get an answer to that question. Need More to Read?“The Three Musketeers” by Alexander Dumas

Alia makes her debut in chapter 4! Stilgar fills us in on the state of the universe via his many folders. These issues barely register on Paul who once more weighs the fate of everyone with each word. It's not the jihad this time, but something deeply personal. Does Paul know a way out of the trap or is his fate sealed?Need More to Read?“The Wizard of Oz” by Frank Baum

Things really take shape when Scytale meets the greatest sweeper of all Sietch Tabr, Farok. We get to settle down for a dark tale from the jihad in chapter 3. Any time Scytale is present the intrigue gets kicked up to a ten. By the time the baliset ends and the darts have flown, we are left trying to figure just what the plan is.Episode Guide01:00 Chapter Summary01:42:15 Face Dancers02:33:25 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology02:45:15 DistransNeed More to Read?“Hyperion” by Dan Simmons

Arrakis. Dune. Desert Planet. It's good to be home. We check in on Paul with chapter 2. While Paul’s with Chani we get to see good ol’ Usul from the block, but the fedaykin comes out when Irulan is around. Once more he readies to walk into the corrida. We see his free will slip away as terrible purpose emerges yet again. Leaving us with just one question: what is the price?Episode Guide03:20 Chapter Summary01:43:55 Lady Chani of House Atreides02:01:50 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology02:09:30 DistransNeed More to Read?“The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss

We’re digging into the conspiracy and the conspirators this week in chapter 1! We get to meet two of the most mysterious factions in Dune right off the cielago; a Guild Steersman and a Bene Tleilaxu Face Dancer. They outline their plans, and bring Irulan into the fold. We get lost in the possible foreshadowing.Episode Guide04:05 Chapter Summary01:47:20 Tleilax02:25:50 Edric’s Etymology on OnomatologyNeed More to Read?“The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, Book One of the Dark Tower Series

We’re back! Mike and Derek are cracking open Dune Messiah and continuing the saga of Paul Atreides. Before we can get deep in the story, Frank has a prologue to set the stage. A certain Ixian has a lot of spoilers to share. We hope you’re all ready to come along for a wild ride. Will Mike fill that Piter shaped hole in his heart? Will Derek find a hill to die on? Will Giovani come back from retirement? Hit play to find out!

We're not ready to leave Dune just yet. In this special retrospective, Mike and Derek look back on the major events and players in Dune. We talk about the overarching themes, alternate histories, and the plot lines Frank lost track of. Then we unpack chaos theory in Dune, and its echoes throughout the series.Featuring: “Plots within Plots...Patterns within patterns” Chaos Theory Concepts in Frank Herbert's Dune Novels by Donald Palumbo

Mike and Derek are ready to close the book on this one. We rejoin the imperial negotiations just in time for kanly. Paul sees his chance to enter the corrida and takes it with “harlequin abandon”. Count Fenring, after all Derek’s build up, finally has his moment in the spotlight. We take our time examining where all the pieces land when Paul claims total victory over the universe...-Red rover, red rover-Dueling Haderachs-Fremen Imposters-Apollo...Ah-Paul-Oh!Episode Guide04:05 Chapter Summary Begins02:18:55 Was Paul Atreides an historical personage?02:39:15 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Arrakis03:26:55 DistransWineKing Rabbit Rose“Fresh, juicy, and so pink.”Need More to Read?"The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name" by Brian C. Muraresku

We did it! We made it to the end of our journey. The battle has been won and now we must divide the spoils. Paul assumes his role as emperor, and Mike and Derek start seeing him in a different light. Hawat makes his final sacrifice for House Atreides. As Shaddam accepts his defeat we get down to negotiations. That is of course until Gurney sees a Harkonnen…-Don’t tell Gurney-Not Giaus Helen’s best day-Historians take Paul to task-Daniel keeps it local this weekEpisode Guide04:25 Chapter Summary Begins02:02:35 Was Paul Atreides an historical personage?02:36:00 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Arrakis03:13:20 DistransWineKim CrawfordRoseNeed More to Read?“Destination: Void” by Frank Herbert

It's one minute until midnight, so we check in with the other side one last time. The Emperor is scolding the Baron, but Alia steals the show upon her entrance. Alia is meeting her grandparents for the first time. She gives grandpa a great big hug before she runs outside to “play”. When the storm hits and the explosions tear the tent down around us, Mike and Derek run into the desert with Alia. We see the rest of the imperial entourage retreat within the ship.-Where is Rabban?-Atreides Gom Jabbar-Possible Gurney Romance-The Mystery of Wallach IXEpisode Guide02:35 Chapter Summary Begins01:44:30 Anuril Corrino02:23:20 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Wallach IX02:36:15 DistransWineHogwashedRose“Nice crisp bite to it, a little bit dry.”Need More To Read?“Space Chronicles: Facing The Ultimate Frontier” By Neil DeGrasse Tyson

We are staring down an oil lens at the end of the book. Paul had gathered everyone, fremen and sandworm alike, along the shield wall for one last battle. When the storm hits, Paul will leave his mark on the shield wall and history. The day of maximum struggle. Everyone begins to make their way down, and we see Paul stop by the radio operator. By the look on his face and the muffled words from the speaker, we know it's all bad news...-Hotel Sardaukar-Atomic Semantics-Don’t test the Great Convention-The problem is: What is Kaitan?Episode Guide03:45 Chapter Summary Begins01:45:05 History of Family Atomics02:09:35 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Kaitan02:22:25 DistransWineVilla Wolf https://villawolf.de/de/Rose“Zippy”Need More To Listen To?“Reverse Transmission” By Ben O'Brien and Param Anand Singh

Detective Chani arrives in style because she's allowed to use a thopter. We meet her with Otheym and get her caught up on the last thirty days. Inside, Jessica makes Chani jump through some formalities for no real reason before we get to Paul. Chani solves the problem in about the same amount of time that Jessica wasted. Paul steals the scene when he wakes up though; the Kwisatz Haderach has arrived. We eavesdrop with Otheym at the doorway and hear Paul’s plan...-Oh I get it, Cave of Birds-Melange Spicebeard is still here-Otheym son of...Uliet!-We relax in some Axolotl tanks for our trip to the starsEpisode Guide05:10 Chapter Summary Begins02:21:15 Otheym and Uliet02:43:10 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Bene TlielaxWineBand of RosesRose“It's got a great tang to it, it's great.”Need More To Read?“The Rum Diaries” by Hunter S. Thompson

We get deja vu as Paul deals with the Stilgar matter yet again. He does have that fancy piece of paper this time though. With little resistance the room burst into “Ya hya chouhada! Muad’Dib!” in no time. Paul gives us a signal to follow him and Jessica for a reunion with Gurney Halleck. The tension of the encounter is undercut by Paul’s odd entrance, but he uses that great control to keep us focused on the matter at hand. Gurney’s knife. Threats are exchanged, feelings are shared, and a bond is restored. Gurney comes back into the fold with a song. While Paul withdraws we’re left to listen to the words of Gurney’s song... -A little spritz of the Voice-You can’t put a Muad’Dib on a Muad’Dib-Nefud’s stash-Frank so thoroughly destroyed HarmonthepEpisode Guide04:25 Chapter Summary Begins02:14:40 Semuta (aka Starsong)02:33:05 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Caladan02:58:30 DistransWineMadame LiberteSparkling Rose“Thank you, France!”Need More To Read?"Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia" by Micheal Korda

Paul's getting the band back together! With a storm oncoming, and Gurney by his side, the captured smuggler band is marched into the caves. Korba learns a lesson on saudaukar ingenuity that will result in many bald sardaukar before this war is over. Paul settles the matter with Stilgar and we all watch a Naib kneel to a Duke. Before the storm has passed we chat with the smugglers to hear the latest out of the Imperium...-Captain Spicebeard-Frank or the Encyclopedia?-A Secret Sardaukar Society-Then we get to the root of the Emperor’s Prison PlanetEpisode Guide03:00 Chapter Summary Begins02:16:40 Captain Otto Aramsham, Imperial Sardaukar02:23:30 Saulsa Secundas As A Prison Planet02:40:55 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Saulsa Secundas03:00:00 DistransWineCellar DoorRose Grenache 2019“It's bone dry at the end.”Need More To Listen To?“Heist with Michael Caine” By Michael Caine

Great Mother Kubebe! That's a big worm! Once Paul mounted the great worm we climbed up with the rest of the fremen. Tensions rose as Stilgar made his way up through the ranks. He took Paul down a notch with everyone listening in. Shucks we all make mistakes, Paul. We offer some driving school anecdotes of our own to cheer up our favorite mahdi. Fortunately some smugglers show up to give us all a common enemy again. We help sprinkle some spice on the sands for the trap. While Farok sweeps it perfectly even, we go over the plan…Wasted WormChakobsa was an ancient language right?Pardot bends it; Paul breaks itThen we take a trip to the old Imperial stomping groundsEpisode Guide02:50 Chapter Summary Begins01:24:45 Fremen Education01:45:48 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Corrin02:10:45 DistransWineLa CremaPinot Noir Rose 2019"This is an evening wine..."Need More To Read?“The Quiet American” by Graham Greene

Ladies, this chapter for you. Mike and Derek stick out like a city stillsuit in the southern sietch. Jessica invites us in and offers us cushions. We get to meet Alia for the first time, and see a whole new side of Harah. Honestly, it's just nice to focus on issues other than Paul for a bit. Alia brings the room to tears when she recounts her awakening. Once the evening prayer begins we don't have much to contribute, so we step back and talk...-“I deliberately did this.”-Bootleg Adab Memory-Mama Bear Harah-Then we head to the armpit of Orion in Daniel’s GazetteerEpisode Guide03:10 Chapter Summary Begins01:33:45 Harah01:50:30 Fremen Menstruation02:01:30 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Bela Tegeuse02:13:15 DistransWineNinety Plus CellarsRose 2019“On the backswing I get that feeling of melting ice…”Need More To Read?“The Three Body Problem” by Cixin Liu

As Paul gets high before his driving test we’re reminded he is no role model. In this haze Paul fills us in on the past two years, like the new Atreides we can look forward to meeting; Alia and Leto II. We take some time to look at the plans within plans as we rush towards impending conflict. When Stilgar starts the rite, we join the troop on the ridge line to watch. We join our favorite fremen to chat over cache water before the old man of the desert shows up...-Is Paul making Super Soldiers?-Chani’s Chanty Choir-Rothar’s Wild Ride-Then we throw Mayan in the mix with Daniel’s GazetteerEpisode Guide06:00 Chapter Summary Begins02:04:45 Maker Hooks02:16:30 Wormriding02:30:10 Daniel’s Dune Gazetteer: Richese and IX03:01:55 DistransWineMeiomiRose 2019"Raspberry...somehting like currant...and along the lines of apricot"Need More To Read?"Midnight Rising" by Tony Horwitz

Did the Baron hit his head on his way to meet Hawat? We continue to piece together what has happened during the last two year on Arrakis. There is talk of spies, prophets, and old friends. While Hawat tries to explain the sardaukar for the third time, we rummage around and find a bottle of Piter’s Sapho Juice. With properly stained lips we start trying to unravel all these plans within plan, within plans...-Why the Emperor really got involved-That's what the orphan room was for!-The Rise and Fall of Mentats Gummy Bears-Then its Geidi Prime Time in the Gazetteer GuideEpisode Guide02:30 Chapter Summary Begins59:30  Mentats, History of the Order01:32:55 Daniel’s Dune Gazetteer: Geidi Prime02:00:05 DistransWineSummer WaterRose 2019“Very fruity palette on the end...strong flavor in the front.”Need More to Read?“How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship” by Ece Temelkuran

New year, new Dune everyone! Frank jumps ahead two years, and has a lot to catch us up on. We find ourselves following the Baron around while he is throwing out death sentences left and right. Once Feyd shows up things get much more interesting. Mike and Derek pine for Piter while the Baron strikes his bargain with Feyd. Once those buzzkills leave, Nefud comes back with semuta to tell us all about...-Poor Nefud-Baron's Body Count-Cheops, the slave master killer-Then the game no one is talking about...Halleck, Halleck, HalleckEpisode Guide04:35 Chapter Summary Begins58:05 Cheops01:51:15 Halleck, Halleck, Halleck01:57:30 Major General Henry W. Halleck02:37:45 DistransWineMirival2019 Rose"...bright bloom to it. Filters out to a great dry taste..."Need More to Read?“Charlatan” by Pope Brock“The Secret War Between Grant and Halleck” by Brian J. Murphy

Episode Guide03:50 What Mike knows about the Great Revolt07:20 Butlerian Jihad or The Great Revolt; Its Cause and Effect37:50 Komos; History Prior to the Great Revolt55:25 Jehanne Butler; The Life and Legend02:21:25 Komos to IX

In a lot of ways its been a long walk for for a short drink of water. Jessica literally takes center stage for the last chapter of book two. We join the fremen for their most sacred ritual and get real close to Mike's dream of a rogue Bene Gesserit; sleepy Reverend Mother Ramallo will have to do. The lines between science and magic start to blur when Jessica drinks the water of life. Minds start merging, a baby starts waking up, and Paul's got no idea what is happening the whole time. As the party begins, Paul and Chani are conspicuously absent, so Mike and Derek grab some spice wine and a table. It's not long before we've joined the crowd singing songs and telling tales of...-Sorority Pledge Week-We need a Fremen lawyer-Zambo's guide to the Water of Life-The Ramallo Connection-Then we Gurney, Gurney, Gurney one last GurneyEpisode Guide07:15 Chapter Summary Begins42:35 Jessica takes Water of Life01:55:05 Paul drinks02:20:50 Mike's predictions on Alia02:33:50 Water of Life Ritual02:51:30 Chani Part 202:57:15 Reverend Mother Alynda Ramallo03:22:20 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney03:29:20 DistransWineKris2019 Pinot Grigio"A little citrus note...a sweet start that blooms out with dryness on the tongue."Need More to Read?"Foundation" by Issac Asimov