Podcast Summary: "The 7 Deadly Sins of Brian Herbert"

Podcast: Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast
Hosts: Abu & Leo (Lore Party Media)
Episode: The 7 Deadly Sins of Brian Herbert
Date: September 12, 2025

Overview

In this incisive and deeply entertaining episode, Abu and Leo dissect the core flaws of the Dune prequel novels authored by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, focusing on "House Harkonnen" (and its comic adaptation). Departing from their usual review format, the hosts structure their critique as a "seven deadly sins" countdown, articulating why these books fail to do justice to Frank Herbert's seminal original series. Their aim is to offer a clear, respectful, but honest critique that long-time fans and newcomers alike can understand.

Structure of the Episode

• [00:00–04:05] Lighthearted banter, introductory context, spoiler warnings, and community shoutouts
• [04:05–06:33] Explanation of departure from typical review format and rationale for the critical approach
• [06:59–72:02] The main feature: detailed breakdown of the "Seven Deadly Sins" with examples and passionate analysis
• [72:02–end] Community engagement pitches, closing thoughts, and episode wrap-up

(Timestamps for notable moments and quotes appear throughout.)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Seven Deadly Sins of Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson

1. The Writing is Bad

Timestamp: [06:59–13:22]

• Sin #7: The language itself is technically and stylistically subpar, especially when compared to Frank Herbert's "legendary" prose.

• Examples: The passages are literal, simplistic, and lack poetry or allusion. Poetry and metaphor are largely absent.

  "We're not talking about plot arcs or payoffs... We're talking about the words. We are talking about the letters that have been assembled... No, they're bad. They're not very good from a technical standpoint." – Leo [07:20]

• Notable quote:

  "Let pressure pass over and through you. That way you can't be harmed by it. Okay, have more fun." (Paulus Atreides in "House Atreides") – as cited by Leo [10:59]

• The hosts clarify that comparing anyone to Frank Herbert is harsh, but even without that bar, the writing falls short.

2. The Characters Lack Depth

Timestamp: [13:27–23:11]

• Sin #6: Iconic and original characters become one-dimensional, losing the nuanced ambiguity found in Frank’s originals.

• Example: Duke Leto is portrayed as an infallibly honorable "goody two shoes," with no inner conflict or shades of grey.

• The Harkonnens are simply evil and the Atreides practically saintly; subtlety is lost.

• Rabban becomes a simple "meathead," with little thought given to giving him an introspective or layered backstory.

  "The good characters all could be kind of the good characters... A Beast Rabban chapter could be a Baron Harkonnen chapter, and you wouldn't really notice..." – Leo [19:26]

  "He's a meathead. Violent. Just murder and direct assault is always the solution... that's it. And that's such a wasted opportunity." – Leo [22:31]

3. No Subtlety or Nuance

Timestamp: [23:11–30:29]

• Sin #5: The narrative approaches everything with sledgehammer obviousness.

• "Good" and "bad" are drawn with no shades of grey, undermining serious moral discussion.

• Everything is over-explained; characters announce their intentions or nature directly to readers.

  "Baron is bad because he's killed a lot of his doctors because they're not good." – Abu [24:44]

• Absurd example:

  "I declare Conley against you." (Ambassador, then proceeds to shoot rival four times at dinner) – [28:00]

  "If it's that fucking simple... why doesn't it happen all the time?" – Leo [29:01]

  • Hosts note that in Frank's universe, rituals like kanly have cultural and legal nuance that is completely ignored here, played instead for hammy, repetitive drama.

4. Bad & Boring Storytelling

Timestamp: [30:29–39:36]

• Sin #4: The books feature "mind numbingly simple plots," stale world-building, and heavy reliance on improbable coincidences or deus ex machina.

• The expanded universe never surprises or challenges as Frank's originals do; it rehashes generic sci-fi tropes rather than adding to Dune's rich tapestry.

• Example: Both Abelard Harkonnen and Liet Kynes, independent of one another, "just happen" to stumble across secret iceberg bases in different locations, within the same book.

  "He literally just accidentally stumbles upon the fake iceberg... there is no reason for him to suspect anything." – Abu [35:17]

  • This reliance on implausible plot development—stumbling upon "hidden" things by chance—makes large events feel unearned and childish.

5. The Books Have Nothing to Say

Timestamp: [39:36–48:15]

• Sin #3: Unlike Frank Herbert, whose Dune novels are full of deep philosophical, political, and ecological commentary, the prequels seem vacant of purpose or philosophy.

• Brian Herbert acknowledges his father's "messages," like governments lie and make stupid decisions, but he fails to embed any new ideas or viewpoints into his own work.

  "When you pick up a Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson book, what are you being told? What part of the human condition is being explored further? It seems like the answer is none." – Abu [41:16]

• The hosts highlight that for all the opportunity to explore new themes (e.g., AI, war, social change), the prequels fall back on tepid pop-sci-fi warnings (e.g., "technology is dangerous") with no subtlety, profundity, or modern relevance.

6. The Books Break the Lore

Timestamp: [48:15–64:58]

• Sin #2: The authors' disregard for, or misunderstanding of, the original six-book canon results in contradictions and "plot holes so unbelievably large, you could pilot two or three highliners abreast through them." – Leo [48:32]
• Examples:
  • "No-ships" thousands of years before their invention; the Bene Gesserit can detect them, violating the main premise of books 5 and 6.
  • Mass mind control and invisibility powers randomly ascribed to the Bene Gesserit, never used in the original series.
  • Dr. Yueh doing bizarre "cyborg research" and discovering the Bene Gesserit’s virus in "the records," despite no computers existing in the Dune universe.
• The hosts point out these lore breaks not only contradict the original series, they would make large swathes of Frank's books impossible.

7. Why Are These Stories Being Told at All?

Timestamp: [64:58–72:02]

• Sin #1: The ultimate critique: none of these stories feel necessary, illuminating, or additive. The prequels simply fill in "blanks" with unearned drama, unnecessary backstory, or restatement, making the universe smaller and less interesting.

• Instead of venturing into entirely new corners of Dune’s world or using the opportunity to expand meaningfully, the books circle endlessly around the same major players, flattening rather than enriching the mythos.

  "Did we need to get some convoluted Gurney backstory... None of these things that we're adding... give any new meaning or any new subtlety to the characters and the worlds and the original stories that Frank wrote." – Abu [66:58]

  "Why not tell one of those [other stories]?" – Abu [67:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Frank Herbert was a legendary writer... The larger truth is that almost no author since Frank has had the Frank Herbert juice. Right. Like, it can come off as a little unfair to criticize them for not being as great as the most legendary sci fi... But I think our criticisms are still valid." – Abu [12:18]

• "You wouldn't believe it. You wouldn't fucking believe how good this guy is." (re: Duke Leto) – Leo [16:06]

• "Subtlety died at the grave of these novels." – Abu [30:29]

• (On iceberg secret bases:) "Consider the odds of that randomly happening. I mean, how many icebergs are out there on the fucking ocean?" – Abu [35:52]

• "You have the benefit of being at the head of the Herbert estate in a time where AI development is at its most perilous. What a chance to write a book that really explores that..." – Leo [44:30]

• "Plot holes so unbelievably large, you could pilot two or three highliners abreast through them." – Leo [48:32]

• "(Referencing Jessica’s motivation) 'I did it for him.' Like, whatever subtle bullshit Frank had in mind. Fuck that." – Leo [63:50]

• Abu's moment of change:

  "I don't think more Dune is good Dune anymore." – Abu [70:14]

Flow, Engagement & Tone

• Flow: The episode is clear, methodical, and escalates cleanly from general writing complaints up to the existential question of the necessity of the prequels. The hosts move seamlessly from one critical point to the next, supporting every claim with well-chosen examples.
• Tone: Passionate, irreverent, deeply informed, and often very funny. The hosts' frustration is palpable but always comes from a place of love for the Dune universe and the craft of science fiction.

Key Timestamps

• [06:59] – Launch of the "Seven Deadly Sins"
• [10:59] – Example of simplistic writing
• [13:27] – On character flattening
• [22:39] – How Rabban earns his nickname "Beast"
• [24:39] – Demonstrating absence of subtlety
• [28:00] – Absurd use of "Conley" ritual at dinner
• [34:59, 37:07] – Iceberg secret bases found, twice
• [41:16–45:20] – Lack of any genuine thematic purpose/philosophy
• [48:32–54:49] – Canon/lore-breaking elements (no-ships, Bene Gesserit powers)
• [57:22] – Dr. Yueh as "cyborg researcher" and nonsensical "records"
• [62:15, 63:48] – Jessica’s new backstory contradicts original
• [66:58–70:14] – "Why are we even getting these stories?" and Abu's change of heart

Conclusion

The episode is a must-listen (or, thanks to this summary, a must-read) for Dune fans grappling with the legitimacy or value of the expanded universe. Abu and Leo's critique is sharp, comprehensive, and delivered with both humor and deep reverence for Frank Herbert’s legacy. Their concluding reflection: after so many lackluster prequels, perhaps it’s time for Dune’s literary universe to aim higher—or, as Abu puts it, “More Dune is no longer enough. I want good Dune.”