Spice World

Messiah - Chapter 17 Nov 18, 2024

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

Messiah - Chapter 16 Sep 12, 2024

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.

B2D: Rivalry in Guilt of Every Kind Jul 18, 2024

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 Kind

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25700365

Other Dune Inspired Works by svegliatevi

https://archiveofourown.org/users/svegliatevi/pseuds/svegliatevi/works?fandom_id=683316

B2D: Twisted Mentats Jul 04, 2024

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.

B2D: Minotaurus Jun 20, 2024

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.

B2D: Crompton Ruins Jun 06, 2024

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.

B2D: Ladies of House Corrino May 23, 2024

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.

B2D: Famous Harkonnens May 09, 2024

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.

B2D: Fremen Culture Apr 25, 2024

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.

B2D: The Cevna - Venport Story Apr 11, 2024

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.

B2D: Trip to Gamont Mar 28, 2024

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.

B2D: Heighliners Mar 14, 2024

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.

B2D: Ampoliros Feb 29, 2024

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.

Distrans: What Happened to the Pod? Apr 01, 2023

Let's talk about the last 2 years.

Spice World within Spice World within Spice World Apr 01, 2023

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?

B2D: A Muad'Dib Folktale Dec 24, 2021

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.

Messiah - Chapter 15 Aug 05, 2021

We're discussing chapter 15 in Dune Messiah.

Messiah - Chapter 14 Jul 29, 2021

We're discussing chapter 14 of Dune Messiah.

Emergency Distrans: Dune News and New Trailer Jul 24, 2021

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.

Messiah - Chapter 13 Jul 22, 2021

We're discussing chapter 13 of Dune Messiah.

Messiah - Chapter 12 Jul 15, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 11 Jul 08, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 10 Jul 01, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 9 Jun 24, 2021

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 …

Messiah - Chapter 8 Jun 17, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 7 Jun 10, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 6 Jun 03, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 5 May 27, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 4 May 20, 2021

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

Messiah - Chapter 3 May 13, 2021

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 Guide

01:00 Chapter Summary

01:42:15 Face Dancers

02:33:25 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology

02:45:15 Distrans

Need More to Read?

“Hyperion” by Dan Simmons

Messiah - Chapter 2 May 06, 2021

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 Guide

03:20 Chapter Summary

01:43:55 Lady Chani of House Atreides

02:01:50 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology

02:09:30 Distrans

Need More to Read?

“The Name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss

Messiah - Chapter 1 Apr 29, 2021

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 Guide

04:05 Chapter Summary

01:47:20 Tleilax

02:25:50 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology

Need More to Read?

“The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, Book One of the Dark Tower Series

Messiah - Prologue Apr 22, 2021

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!

Dune - Chaos Theory Apr 08, 2021

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

Dune - Chapter 48 (Part 2) Apr 01, 2021

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 Guide

04:05 Chapter Summary Begins

02:18:55 Was Paul Atreides an historical personage?

02:39:15 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Arrakis

03:26:55 Distrans

Wine

King 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

Dune - Chapter 48 (Part 1) Mar 25, 2021

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 week

Episode Guide

04:25 Chapter Summary Begins

02:02:35 Was Paul Atreides an historical personage?

02:36:00 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Arrakis

03:13:20 Distrans

Wine

Kim Crawford

Rose

Need More to Read?

“Destination: Void” by Frank Herbert

Dune - Chapter 47 Mar 18, 2021

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 IX

Episode Guide

02:35 Chapter Summary Begins

01:44:30 Anuril Corrino

02:23:20 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Wallach IX

02:36:15 Distrans

Wine

Hogwashed

Rose

“Nice crisp bite to it, a little bit dry.”

Need More To Read?

“Space Chronicles: Facing The Ultimate Frontier” By Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Dune - Chapter 46 Mar 11, 2021

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 Guide

03:45 Chapter Summary Begins

01:45:05 History of Family Atomics

02:09:35 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Kaitan

02:22:25 Distrans

Wine

Villa Wolf https://villawolf.de/de/

Rose

“Zippy”

Need More To Listen To?

“Reverse Transmission” By Ben O'Brien and Param Anand Singh

Dune - Chapter 45 Mar 04, 2021

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 stars

Episode Guide

05:10 Chapter Summary Begins

02:21:15 Otheym and Uliet

02:43:10 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Bene Tlielax

Wine

Band of Roses

Rose

“It's got a great tang to it, it's great.”

Need More To Read?

“The Rum Diaries” by Hunter S. Thompson

Dune - Chapter 44 Feb 25, 2021

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 Harmonthep

Episode Guide

04:25 Chapter Summary Begins

02:14:40 Semuta (aka Starsong)

02:33:05 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Caladan

02:58:30 Distrans

Wine

Madame Liberte

Sparkling Rose

“Thank you, France!”

Need More To Read?

"Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia" by Micheal Korda

Dune - Chapter 43 Feb 18, 2021

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 Planet

Episode Guide

03:00 Chapter Summary Begins

02:16:40 Captain Otto Aramsham, Imperial Sardaukar

02:23:30 Saulsa Secundas As A Prison Planet

02:40:55 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Saulsa Secundas

03:00:00 Distrans

Wine

Cellar Door

Rose Grenache 2019

“It's bone dry at the end.”

Need More To Listen To?

“Heist with Michael Caine” By Michael Caine

Dune - Chapter 42 Feb 11, 2021

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 Worm

Chakobsa was an ancient language right?

Pardot bends it; Paul breaks it

Then we take a trip to the old Imperial stomping grounds

Episode Guide

02:50 Chapter Summary Begins

01:24:45 Fremen Education

01:45:48 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Corrin

02:10:45 Distrans

Wine

La Crema

Pinot Noir Rose 2019

"This is an evening wine..."

Need More To Read?

“The Quiet American” by Graham Greene

Dune - Chapter 41 Feb 04, 2021

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 Gazetteer

Episode Guide

03:10 Chapter Summary Begins

01:33:45 Harah

01:50:30 Fremen Menstruation

02:01:30 Daniels Dune Gazetteer: Bela Tegeuse

02:13:15 Distrans

Wine

Ninety Plus Cellars

Rose 2019

“On the backswing I get that feeling of melting ice…”

Need More To Read?

“The Three Body Problem” by Cixin Liu

Dune - Chapter 40 Jan 28, 2021

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 Gazetteer

Episode Guide

06:00 Chapter Summary Begins

02:04:45 Maker Hooks

02:16:30 Wormriding

02:30:10 Daniel’s Dune Gazetteer: Richese and IX

03:01:55 Distrans

Wine

Meiomi

Rose 2019

"Raspberry...somehting like currant...and along the lines of apricot"

Need More To Read?

"Midnight Rising" by Tony Horwitz

Dune - Chapter 39 Jan 21, 2021

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 Guide

Episode Guide

02:30 Chapter Summary Begins

59:30 Mentats, History of the Order

01:32:55 Daniel’s Dune Gazetteer: Geidi Prime

02:00:05 Distrans

Wine

Summer Water

Rose 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

Dune - Chapter 38 Jan 14, 2021

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, Halleck

Episode Guide

04:35 Chapter Summary Begins

58:05 Cheops

01:51:15 Halleck, Halleck, Halleck

01:57:30 Major General Henry W. Halleck

02:37:45 Distrans

Wine

Mirival

2019 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

B2D: Butlerian Jihad Jan 07, 2021

Episode Guide

03:50 What Mike knows about the Great Revolt

07:20 Butlerian Jihad or The Great Revolt; Its Cause and Effect

37:50 Komos; History Prior to the Great Revolt

55:25 Jehanne Butler; The Life and Legend

02:21:25 Komos to IX

Dune - Chapter 37 Dec 31, 2020

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 Gurney

Episode Guide

07:15 Chapter Summary Begins

42:35 Jessica takes Water of Life

01:55:05 Paul drinks

02:20:50 Mike's predictions on Alia

02:33:50 Water of Life Ritual

02:51:30 Chani Part 2

02:57:15 Reverend Mother Alynda Ramallo

03:22:20 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

03:29:20 Distrans

Wine

Kris

2019 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

Dune - Chapter 36 Dec 17, 2020

Close that door seal and relax that stilsuit, we've made it to Sietch Tabr. Mike and Derek reflect on just how damn long that took to get here with Farok. Meanwhile Paul is lead by Harrah to check out his Fremen Preoder Bundle. Paul's got a servant, a house, coffee service, not to bad for an outcast Duke. Since Paul's busy we get spice coffee with Farok and talk Tabr...

-Farok's Sweeping

-That big kids your dad

-Dune's Old Ben

-Then Earl Gurney is a man who lives inside the faufreluches

Episode Guide

04:05 Chapter Summary Begins

01:08:10 Silgar Ben Fifrawi

01:49:00 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

01:54:30 The Ruling Class

02:21:25 Distrans

Wine

Cavaliere D'Oro

Campanile Pinot Grigio

"Its delicious super smooth... its got the perfect blend of sweets and dry."

Need More to Read?

"The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft" by H.P. Lovecraft

Dune - Chapter 35 Dec 10, 2020

The Fenring's take us as their plus one to Feyd's birthday extravaganza. We get to mingle with some terrified nobles before grabbing box seats with the Baron. It takes us some time to unravel each character's plan. Distracted by the intrigue, Derek loses track of which blade holds the poison. Impressed that Mike did not, Hasmir refills our glasses and hums…

-Baron Blunders

-Leto's favorite conspiracy

-Thufir's got skin in the game

-Then the Gurney Game speeds up

Episode Guide

05:15 Chapter Summary Begins

02:28:00 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

02:34:00 Daniel Sexton Gurney

Wine

Baron Herzog

Need more to read?

"The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell

Dune - Chapter 34 Dec 03, 2020

Straight from the fight to a funeral. Things are more somber this week at Cave of Riches. We help the tribe placate the shade of Jamis, and learn he was a pretty popular guy. Stilgar directs the ceremony and takes us deep into the cave for the final rites. Mike and Derek find out first hand why this is Cave of "Riches". We're moved to silence but have to ask...

-Where did Jamis keep that baliset?

-What the hell is a brid?

-The rite way to handle water.

-Then it's got to be one of three, it's Gurney!

Episode Guide

03:40 Chapter Summary Begins

02:11:05 Fremen Water Customs

02:51:20 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

Wine

Autoritas

2018 Chadonnay

"Peach and apricot is a fair descriptions for it..."

Need More to Read?

"Leviathan Wakes" by James S.A. Corey

Dune - Chapter 33 Nov 19, 2020

Set your glow globes to yellow because it's fight night at Cave of Riches! The Caladan Kid steps into the ring with the Angry Arrakeen. Mike and Derek got front row seats for this one. Jamis is determined to throw down, and won’t let Jessica or Stilgar deter him. The tension is thick but at the same time everyone gets caught up in the moment. Crysknives clash and the fight is on. We cheer Paul on with Farok and Shimoon. They explain the customs to us and let us get into...

-Derek’s unfinished business

-Fremen undies

-A spicy deep dive

-Then we deal with some Gurney Guilt

Episode Guide

07:00 Chapter Summary Begins

02:04:10 Melange

02:24:55 Gurney. Gurney. Gurney

02:31:00 Giovani Distrans

Wine

Cellardoor

Perfect Stranger (White Blend)

"To me it's like a horse race in your mouth."

Need More to Read?

"All The Shah’s Men" by Stephen Kinzer

Dune - Chapter 32 Nov 12, 2020

We're not at sietch yet, but we set up camp at Cave of Riches with our new Fremen allies. Jessica and Stilgar take a sidebar to further negotiate her position in the tribe. Eavesdropping with the rest of the troop, we get the feeling Stilgar just wants to put up the doorseal. Then things get weird. Jessica gets everyone caught up in prayer and prophecy. We turn to Paul and... Paul how you doing buddy?

-Sirat, am I right?!,

-Spicy edibles,

-Derek's selling Jamis hard,

-Then a gooey Gurney is almost killed by guano!

Episode Guide

04:20 Chapter Summary Begins

02:05:15 Jamis

02:30:00 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

02:34:30 Steven Bruce Gurney

Wine

Chateau La Rame

Bordeaux Blanc Sec

"I think it smells worse than it tastes."

Need More to Read?

"Talking to Strangers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Dune - Chapter 31 Nov 05, 2020

With chakobsa and kung-fu Jessica takes control of a delicate situation. Mike and Derek brush up on their glossary game while a flurry of words are exchanged. Once Jessica orders Paul to climb down, it seems she's won us passage with the Fremen after all. Plans and expectations are shifting like the dunes. Before long Stilgar has us packing up and marching out single file. We take one look back at Fairyland and crack open a literjon. Farrukh joins us for a lively talk about...

-Judo Chop!

-The Fremen want to get Weird,

-Chani, a hill Mike is willing to die on,

-Then it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a GURNEY!

Episode Guide

04:25 Chapter Summary Begins

01:18:40 Chani, Daughter of Liet

01:42:10 Gurney, Gurney, Gurney

01:46:30 Charles Raymond Gurney a.k.a. Bob Gurney

02:06:20 Giovani Distrans and Package Delivery

Wine

Kung Fu Girl

Riesling

"A kung-fu kick to the face."

Need More to Read?

"Failure Is Not An Option" by Gene Kranz

Dune - Chapter 30 Oct 29, 2020

We witness the end of a great man today; Liet-Kynes. We have a toast to the fallen and reflect on the last manic ramblings of a once precise man. We also learn a few interesting facts that lead us down the proverbial worm hole. Join us as we talk about...

Kynes' knowledge of the mysterious ecosystem on Dune,
The origin and mystique behind the name Liet-Kynes,
Derek reveals (almost) all about worms and Mike has a mental break,
A short, yet familiar Gurney Quote.

Dune - Chapter 29 Oct 22, 2020

Run! Paul and Jessica make their way across the sands with shia-hulud right behind them. The desert throws everything it's got at them. We meet them across the drum sands. Huddling in the rocks we get up close...too close to a sand worm. Sitting in silence and awe, presumably refilling our water caches, we pray to the great mother. Something more interesting gets the worms attention thankfully. We don't waste any time and start up the rocks, and we're struck with another kind of awe when we find fairy land. Mike’s got big plans for fairy land and Derek’s got other ideas...

Thumper 101
Naked and afraid on arrakis
Why Rabban hates camping
Then we get a Guerilla Gurney this week!

Dune - Chapter 28 Oct 15, 2020

Gurney Halleck, troubadour warrior and Mike's hero, has reached the smugglers. A new Tuek is running the show here and sets the terms for his asylum. Mike and Derek take Tuek up on his offer of wine and join them for the negotiation. Gurney's decision is made up when news of the Beast Rabban reaches his ears. We negotiate the finer details while we finish our glass...

Detective Gurney,
Son of Kynes,
Everyone's got a Harkonnen joke,
Then, the Gurney Game gets spooky with a murder mystery!

Dune - Chapter 27 Oct 08, 2020

Our tired beaten thopter crash-lands deep in the southern desert. We run for our lives with Paul and Jessica as the biggest worm yet searches in vain for the thumper. From there the desert is our enemy this chapter. Mike and Derek almost lose it when they realize the wine was in the lost pack. They throw themselves into the sand digging wildly. Before they come across the pack, they dig up…

Paul the Science Guy,
A Study in Saguaro,
Swamis with MBA's,
Then the Gurney Game where any quote Mike reads could be from a damn dinosaur

Dune - Chapter 26 Oct 01, 2020

Brushing the dust off our stillsuits we head back to civilization and check on the Baron. After he fully emasculates Nefud, we try to get into the Barons head while he's adjusting Piter's plan on the fly. Then we finally meet Mudir Nahya himself, Count Rabban of Lankiveil, and Mike rallies to his defense. We can't find any chairs, so we huddle in the corner with some very fine Geidi Prime wine. Before the door field is lowered we talk about…

Nefud's impossible mission;
How Harkonnen's handle family business;
Why the Baron loves his mentats;
And then we play Gurney, Gurney, Gurney but we talk Gurney Pigs.

Featuring the music of Gurney Hall

'Scorched' by Gurney Hall on Soundcloud

Dune - Chapter 25 Sep 24, 2020

Say what you will about Duncan Idaho, but the man knows how to make an entrance. As the mushroom cloud in the distance dissipates, Kynes invites us in for spice coffee. Of course that coffee never comes. In all the chaos we make it through the labyrinth and to the ornithopter. Jumping into the back, we’re barely seated before Paul grabs the controls and gets us airborne. As the craft climbs into the night Mike and Derek give a toast to the fallen swordmaster who first bloodied his blade on Grumman...

Liet Kynes makes no sense.
When do you get your ornithopter permit?
Shuck Yeah! We're talking mollusks.
Then three Gurneys enter, one Gurney leaves; welcome to the Gurney Dome!

Dune - Chapter 24 Sep 17, 2020

Thufir Hawat has been busy. We catch up with the old mentat while he is talking to a fremen. No one is surprised when the fremen is never named, but we do something about it this time. They keep talking past each other, so we mingle with the remaining troopers. They’re passing around a little something from the Caladan Wine Cellar. We all end up eavesdropping on Thufir, but we also overhear...

Spaceships and Spacebricks,
The Fremen fight by their own rules,
Secret bats with simple passwords,
Then Gurney, Gurney, Gurney gets upstaged by Giovanni!

Dune – Chapter 23 Sep 10, 2020

Even camping on Arrakis is dangerous. We kick off book two buried in the tent with Paul and Jessica. They are adapting quickly to a life on the run. While Paul works to dig us out, we sit and listen to Jessica recall her dream. Drawing from our wine caches, and not thinking about how they refill, we interpret...

Sphincter is always funny,
Prescience Paradox,
Wandering Zensunni,
Then... wait, the Glossary Game is over. What does Mike have up his stillsuit sleeve?

B2D: Ibrahim Vaughn Holtzman Sep 03, 2020

We're taking a trip back in time for the story of Ibrahim Holtzman in a special episode of Spice World: Between Two Dunes! There are so many stories from the Encyclopedia we want to get to, but for one reason or another we cannot fit them in the normal show and must consign them to Shai-Hulud. With Between Two Dunes (B2D) we can give those stories the spotlight they need. This week we trace the tragic life of Holtzman from the thopter tracks on Liesco II in the Dark Ages, to the closing days of the Butlarian Jihad. While we turn back time and enjoy our wine…

You Guys Look Busy,
The Mad Holtzman,
Stavian’s Avians,
A Glossary Game for old times’ sake

Dune - Chapter 22 Aug 27, 2020

Terrible Purpose rears its ugly head in the final chapter of book one. Paul’s abilities are taken to the next level, and we get our first taste of full on prescience. All the while, Mike and Derek sit with the Lady Jessica in terrified awe. Paul starts telling us about the future, and spoils a book he is going to read. Before the last drop of wine leaves the literjon...

Frank meets Mike in a dark alley,
Bill and Ted’s Rules Apply,
Atreides are always the exception,
Then Mike applies the Amtal Rule to Derek in the final Glossary Game.

Dune - Chapter 21 Aug 20, 2020

Like a Las-Gun hitting an active shield, Piter’s plan meets Yueh’s plotting. The catastrophic results leave Mike heartbroken. We make it out the door with the Baron and get to work on our dirges (for Piter of course). While promotions are handed out we find Piter’s sapho stash. We toast and try to distract ourselves with…

One last “That’s so Piter.”
00Mapes,
Monkey Bites,
Then Derek can’t win this one, but his spiritual standing in the Glossary Game is still within reach.

Dune - Chapter 20 Aug 13, 2020

The first Sardaukar shows up, but leaves Mike a little disappointed. He basically has a clipboard and does not seem too invested in his job. Yueh makes the rounds while Arrakeen burns. Once his job is done Mike and Derek pull out that fremkit and take a closer look. With literjons of wine we rummage through its contents. Mike’s speculation runs rampant until it spills over into Worm Theory and…

Yueh’s Many Hats,
Sardaukar are lousy interrogators,
Mapes' room,
Then the Glossary Game takes pity on Derek.

Dune - Chapter 19 Aug 06, 2020

It’s Piter’s special day! Mike and Derek spare no expense celebrating Piter’s promotion to Duke* of Arrakis. Long live the Duke*! This makes Jessica a loose end that has to be taken care of. Naturally the Harkonnens bring in the ‘C’ Team to get the job done. Once we get everyone's name straight it's a quick thopter ride over the shield wall.

Derek does a Hasmir Fenring impression.
Jessica, like all Atreides, pretends to sleep.
The Harkonnens are a hot mess.
Then the Glossary Game runs the gamut from supreme beings to Mike's grocery list.

*in all but name

Dune - Chapter 18 Jul 30, 2020

Yueh finally takes a shot with that dart gun. It's not quite the rifle we dreamed but it will do. The Arrakeen crisis is on. We learn that Yueh has some serious plans of his own. On the upside this means Leto gets to take a nap, but on the downside we have to say goodbye to the Shadout Mapes. A toast for Mapes, not spilling a drop, to celebrate her life and influence. As Yueh bundles up his catch, we take a look at the dart gun and talk...

Mapes last words

How did everyone get in that hallway?

The “Tumble at Narcal”

Mike’s getting ready to knock Derek off the sirat that is the Glossary Game!

Dune - Chapter 17 Jul 23, 2020

After Druncan Idaho spills the spice on his secret orders, Jessica confronts the mentat assassin Thufir Hawat. It's a battle of observations versus computations. Jessica knows information is her best weapon in this fight, but having the crysknife on hand can't hurt. It only takes one thing to shatter Hawat's world... the Voice. Sitting on schlag we toast Jessica's good news and get a front row seat to...

Inebriehated Idaho,

Yueh doesn't even have to try,

Seriously, how are there any Bene Gesserit secrets?

The Glossary Game keeps the sound-wave theme going and really comes to a point.

Dune - Chapter 16 Jul 16, 2020

The long awaited dinner scene is here at last. Jessica has hastily arranged the attendance of the major power players on Arrakis. You could cut the tension with a knife, and some seem determined to do just that. By the time we realize we're the only ones without snoopers (snoopi?)...

Kynes get a free cup of water!
Only Bewt gets a name?
Mike gets into character,
Then Derek is hoping for a miracle in The Glossary Game!

Dune - Chapter 15 Jul 09, 2020

It’s a new day on Arrakis and it’s going to be a busy one! Dr. Kynes makes a striking first impression before taking us out into the desert. We climb in the back of the Duke's thopter with Paul and Gurney. We'll be careful not to spill any wine in such a fancy thopter. Plenty of time before we reach the spice sands to check on...

Our first listener recommended wine!
No one listens to Gurnery Halleck.
Mike breaks Dune with some creative Worm Theory.
Then, will Derek make a comeback in the Glossary Game or turn his back on it altogether?

Dune - Chapter 14 Jul 02, 2020

Piter's plan continues to divide House Atreides. Leto confides in his son a message for Jessica. We question Leto's ethics. Then we grab the Assassin's Handbook off the shelf. While the poison snooper checks the wine we flip through the pages making some annotations of our own on...

Arrakis keeps us moral.
Sword Masters of Gamont.
Another Fenring.
The glossary game is off to the races.
Sapho Horse for the win!

Dune - Chapter 13 Jun 25, 2020

Shadows continue to gather around Duke Leto; suspicion, intrigue, and death permeate every thought. Not many light-hearted moments in this chapter. While Thufir is telling Leto some hard truths, we help ourselves to a bottle of the good stuff. With Sapho-stained lips we switch into mentat mode and analyze...

-The worst name yet.

-Duncan Prime.

-Curse you, Louis!

-Then the glossary game gets brutal... out of necessity.

Episode Guide

03:05 Chapter Summary Begins

01:12:20 Duncan Idaho

01:35:45 Glossary Game: Istislah, Khala

Wine

Louis M Martini

Cabernet Sauvignon

"Full bodied and so smooth."

For the Holtzman story check out episode 23!

Dune - Chapter 12 Jun 18, 2020

The Duke is on day two with no sleep. Can he stay awake though what is essentially a power point presentation... in SPACE. After Spice Mining 101, Duncan Idaho shows up with good news and a new friend! We pass on the rachag and stick to our wine, checking out a few tri-d projections of our own...

-Two crysknives in two days, not bad,

-Ave Old Maria,

-Fremen Table Manners,

-The Glossary Game has a Cricket Cameo... what is this show coming to?

Episode Guide

02:25 Chapter Summary Begins

42:15 Harvester Factory

55:30 Carry All / Factory

01:14:30 Enter Idaho and Stilgar

01:55:20 Glossary Game: Cherem, Ijaz

Wine

Battle Axe

Malbec

"Plum and violet characters that mingle harmoniously with...SPICE!"

Dune - Chapter 11 Jun 11, 2020

The Harkonnens have pushed Leto too far this time! No quotation from Gurney Halleck will calm this fire. That said, there is no shortage of them in this chapter. We’ll be bible experts before we know it. Until then, we meet some grunts fresh from Caladan. We rub elbows with the new arrivals, sharing a bottle of wine, and talk all the latest gossip...

-Gurney wears his emotions on his scar

-We shed some light on Glow Globes

-Derek's world is shattered by Tupali

-Then the Glossary Game is back...Wait what?!? It's Worm Theory Time!

Episode Guide

02:20 Chapter Summary Begins

01:07:20 Imperial Titles

01:12:45 Glow Globes

01:27:05 Glossary Game: El Sayal, Mushtamal

Wine

Dogajolo

"One of those smooth types of wine you can drink like water..."

Dune - Chapter 10 Jun 04, 2020

Derek's adding "ovals" to the conspiracy board this week. We spend the chapter in a veritable Garden of Eden with Jessica and a Servok. There is a lot to decipher in this chapter. Before someone else knocks over Hawat’s door stop we cover…

The Wrinkly Owl,

Shadout Door Closer,

What hath God wrought? Not Gamont,

And The Glossary Game outshines the competition, but is overshadowed by a special surprise!

Episode Guide

02:50 Chapter Summary Begins

01:28:45 Lady Margot Fenring

01:35:20 Gamont

01:28:00 Glossary Game: Chaumas, Al-Lat

Wine

Dreaming Tree

Pinot Noir

"This is really good, it's very strong."

Dune - Chapter 9 May 28, 2020

Does Paul ever sleep? We certainly haven't seen it. Paul evades the reaper's grasp, and even saves ol’ Shadout Mapes in the process. I've got a feeling things are starting to get weird(ing) in this book. To cleanse the wine burden between us, be they red wines or white wines, we offer…

-Paul's stash of sedatives,

-A hunter who seeks,

-A debt paid in full,

-And the most famous game on Tupile... The Glossary Game!

Episode Guide

03:15 Chapter Summary Begins

57:30 Arrakis and its moons

01:28:00 Glossary Game: Sihaya, Bled

Wine

Undaunted

Malbec

"This one is lovely."

Dune - Chapter 8 May 21, 2020

Don’t get too excited that we’re on Arrakis, or Dr. Yueh will tranq you. We follow Jessica to the south wing of the house. She encounters Yueh, and he will have to employ all of the tricks his Wanna taught him to avoid detection as the traitor. Wait, she only taught him one?!? The wine servok is up and running giving us more time to talk about…

-Wellington Yueh, Big Game Hunter.

-Jessica missing some red flags.

-Is Tupile a package deal?

-And more controversial than ever, the Glossary Game!

Episode Guide

02:10 Chapter Summary Begins

01:14:10 Suk Diamond Tatoo

01:22:50 Worm Theory

01:28:00 Glossary Game: Servok, Schlag

Wine

Intrinsic

Red Blend

“A perfect blend of dryness and full flavor body that we expect at Spice World.”

Dune - Chapter 7 May 14, 2020

Farewell Caladan, Hello Arrakis. Our shuttle just arrived this morning, but everyone is already busy as can be. We get our first glimpse of the Atreides' new home and check in on Lady Jessica. Honestly, she just can’t catch a break today, and I fear for the next person who reminds her she is not married to the Duke. We take care of our “wine-burden” and keep coming back to that bull…

-El Muerte is here!

-Our first Fremen

-Romani Curses

-The Glossary Game is deceptively simple, and Derek does not like it

Episode Guide

02:40 Chapter Summary Begins

01:16:10 Chakobsa and Romani Curses

02:04:20 Glossary Game: Fanmetal, Stunner

Wine

Meinklang

Burgenland Red 2018

“We literally picked it because there's a picture of a cow on the front it.”

Dune - Chapter 6 May 07, 2020

We’ve been talking a lot about him so it's about time we meet Duke Leto. Paul and his dad spend some quality time together before the big move. The Duke spins some wild conspiracy theories, and, once our glasses are topped off we have our own conspiracies to go over…

-The Mentat Duke to be.

-Prison planets and conspiracies.

-The Atreides love bullfighting, and so does the Emperor.

-Will this tie ever break? Find out in the Glossary Game!

Episode Guide

03:05 Chapter Summary Begins

01:16:20 Castle Caladan

01:23:50 Duke Leto Atreides

01:30:15 El Muerte

01:47:15 Glossary Game: Ampoliros, Taqwa, Spotter Control, Tahaddi Al-Burhan

Wine

Noble Vines 337

Cabernet Sauvignon

"It is a delicious cab sauv."

Dune - Chapter 5 Apr 30, 2020

We stick around in the training room with Paul when Dr. Yueh enters. We’ve done general studies with Thufir, some calisthenics with Gurney, so now we let Yueh take us to church. We reverently sip our communion wine in this one while we talk about…

There's more than ten fremen?

Frank did a little plagiarism*.

Writing a bible is hard.

And will the Glossary Game have a definite winner?

Episode Guide

02:00 Chapter Summary Begins

01:13:15 Orange Catholic Bible

01:38:30 Glossary Game: Ghanima, Tupile

Wine

Marque de Carceres

Rioja

"Silky smooth and elegant...in the mouth."

Dune - Chapter 4 Apr 23, 2020

Well that was a long day…. wait a week has passed? Time jumps ahead and we follow Paul during his last “school” day on Caladan. Once the glasses are filled we talk about…

-Thufir Hawat, a mentat’s mentat.

-That inkvine scar.

-Gurneys love for music.

-And of course, the Glossary Game returns.

Episode Guide

02:15 Chapter Summary Begins

01:06:50 Gurney Halleck

01:26:05 Thufir Hawat

01:37:45 Glossary Game: Plasteel, Sirat

Wine

Stellar Organics

Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

"They have grapes in the wine. Who would have guessed?"

Dune - Chapter 3 Apr 16, 2020

Last week got pretty dark fast, so we’ve high-tailed it back to the cozy morning room in Castle Caladan. The Lady Jessica, Reverend Mother G.H.M., and Paul have seemingly spent the day together and we join them at sunset. Before the bottle is done we talk about…

-Jessica’s first Bene Gesserit Oath.

-The Reverend Mother’s full title.

-C.H.O.A.M.: What is it and how many different ways does Derek pronounce it?

-The Glossary Game is heating up as we go into round 3!

Episode Guide

02:00 Chapter Summary Begins

58:15 Bene Gesserit School Curriculum

01:20:15 C.H.O.A.M. History

01:36:30 Glossary Game: Baraka, Cheops

Wine

Sebastiani

Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

“We look forward to finishing it.”

Dune - Chapter 2 Apr 09, 2020

Hopefully you did not get too comfortable on Caladan because we are on Geidi Prime this week with chapter 2 of Frank Herbert’s "Dune". We sit in on meeting with the Baron and learn his devious plan. As the wine flows we cover…

-Twisted Mentats.

-The night the Baron got his title.

-A spotlight on the Emperor’s motivations.

-The Glossary Game strikes back!

Episode Guide

01:15 Chapter Summary Begins

24:15 Harkonnen Piter's Master Plan

26:45 Piter and Twisted Mentats (This one's for Mike)

01:04:45 Feyd-Rautha Rabban

01:27:00 Verite and Semuta

01:31:00 Glossary Game: Naib, Selamlik

Dune - Chapter 1 Apr 02, 2020

Our adventure begins with episode one of Spice World! Join Mike and Derek as they sift through chapter one of Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece, "Dune".

Over a couple bottles of wine:

-Derek tries to explain the glossary terms that crop up in the first chapter.

-Spell check, surprisingly, does not know “Gom Jabbar”.

-We learn a big secret from the Dune Encyclopedia.

-And the Glossary Game (hold for applause).

Episode Guide

03:15 Chapter Summary Begins

46:00 Paul Atreides

55:45 Lady Jessica Atreides

01:09:15 Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam

01:41:15 Glossary Game: Weirding, Aql

To Dune or Not to Dune? (About Us) Mar 26, 2020

Never read Dune? No worries, neither has Mike.

Whether you are new to Dune, or you already know how to wear your stillsuit desert style; this podcast has something to offer.

Pulling from the long out of print, Dune Encyclopedia, we can tell you stories such as: Who was Holtzman? What is it like on a Guild spaceship? How did the Baron come to power?

We will be revealing some spoilers along the way, but Derek promises not to ruin any great twists in the book. After all this is Mike’s first time reading the book, and part of the fun is letting this world and its mysteries grow around you.

Get to know us a bit and see if Spice World is right for you.

(Psst… it is)

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