Notable Statistics
IntoTheBlock data indicates a remarkable 77.4% increase in large transaction volume and a 16.4% rise in daily active addresses. Transactions greater than $100,000 witnessed a significant jump from 9,585 to 13,037 in a single day. Exchanges netflows also surged by 858.2%. Coinglass data reports that 193,074 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours, amounting to $590.74 million. CryptoQuant noted that long-term holders offloaded 728,000 BTC in the past 30 days, which is the highest sell-off since April.Top Losers
In the cryptocurrency space, several assets faced substantial losses. The Sandbox SAND/USD dropped by -18.6% to $0.5954. Stellar XLM/USD saw a -14.9% decline to $0.4344. Maker MKR/USD also fell by -11.7% to $1,689.37.Trader Notes
With Bitcoin's recent price drop dragging the entire cryptocurrency market lower, chart analyst Ali Martinez drew attention to the availability of crypto assets at "discounts." According to More Crypto Online, Bitcoin's correction is still in progress. The $92,802 support level has not been invalidated, suggesting that bulls could potentially regain momentum. Key support levels include $88,650. If the downward trend persists, additional Fibonacci targets at $85,558 and $77,874 come into play. CoinDesk senior analyst James Van Straten pointed out a record-breaking $4 billion in Bitcoin panic sales to exchanges, which triggered liquidation cascades and allowed smart money to accumulate at discounted prices. Van Straten believes that the correction, which reached 10%, may now be coming to an end.The Quest for TV Show Continuations
Season 3 of “The Lincoln Lawyer” – A Cliffhanger and Beyond
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo's captivating portrayal of Mickey Haller in Season 3 of “The Lincoln Lawyer” left viewers on the edge of their seats. The cliffhanger at the end has sparked much speculation. While there has been no official confirmation of a fourth season, indications suggest its likelihood. The “What’s On Netflix” website pointed to both the cliffhanger and excellent viewership stats, along with signals from the cast and crew hinting at more to come. However, given the approximately one-year gap between previous seasons, it may not be arriving soon.There is a sense of excitement among fans as they await news of the next installment. The show's unique blend of legal drama and suspense has kept audiences hooked, and the possibility of more adventures with Mickey Haller is a tantalizing prospect.“Almost Paradise” – A Rocky TV Journey
Christian Kane's performance in “Almost Paradise” was a highlight. This crime drama saw him play a former DEA agent on a small island in the Philippines. The first season premiered in 2020 on the old WGN America. It took three years to get a second season, with streamer Freevee picking it up. Both seasons are still available on Prime Video as Amazon phases out Freevee. Since then, there has been no news about a third season. Kane has since moved on to other projects, such as “The Librarians: The Next Chapter,” set to air on TNT in 2025. The show's ups and downs have made it a topic of interest among viewers.“Poker Face” – Delayed but Expected Back
Natasha Lyonne's “Poker Face” was a hit, with the second season picked up by Peacock. However, like many shows, it faced delays during the Hollywood strikes. But good news awaits as it is expected to return sometime in 2025. According to TV Line, the guest star list is impressive, including Katie Holmes, Margo Martindale, Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, and John Mulaney. The mystery series has a dedicated fan base, and the anticipation for its return is palpable.“These United States” – A Short-Lived Comedy-Drama
Beau Bridges and Helen Shaver starred in “United States” (no “These”), a comedy-drama about a modern marriage that aired on NBC in 1980. With Larry Gelbart involved as a producer and writer, the show aimed to break away from TV-comedy conventions. While some critics were not fans, calling it “tedious, boring, and didactic,” it had a certain charm. Unfortunately, the small audience led to its cancellation before all 13 episodes were aired. Despite the efforts of fans to bring it back, it remains elusive.“The Resident” – A Six-Season Journey Comes to an End
Matt Czuchry's “The Resident” was a binge-worthy medical drama that fans thoroughly enjoyed. There were rumors of a seventh season based on a Google search, but it seems those were unfounded. The sixth season finale in 2023 marked the end of the show. The producers crafted a finale that wrapped up enough storylines to serve as a series-ender, leaving viewers with a sense of closure.Each of these shows has left a mark on television history, and the questions and answers surrounding them highlight the unpredictable nature of the industry. Whether it's waiting for a cliffhanger to be resolved or hoping for a revival, fans remain passionate about their favorite shows.Uncovering the Flaws of HBO's Dune: Prophecy
Self-Serious and Derivative - A Disappointment
Self-serious and derivative, Dune: Prophecy stands as a prime example of what can go wrong with prestige genre TV. The show, which is a spinoff of Denis Villeneuve's blue ribbon blockbuster adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic Science Fiction novel Dune and his upcoming adaptation of the sequel novel Dune Messiah, fails to bring anything new to the table. It simply takes elements from other popular shows and movies, giving a sense of déjà vu. The sex, politics, war, and murder tropes are all too familiar, making it feel like a rehash of what we've already seen. Even the filming and design resemble those of other shows, leaving little to distinguish it from the crowd.
For instance, when watching Dune: Prophecy, one can't help but draw comparisons to Game of Thrones. The similarities are striking, from the plotlines to the visual aesthetics. It seems that the show's creators were more focused on imitating the success of other shows rather than creating something unique. This lack of originality makes the viewing experience dull and unengaging.
The "Heroes" - The Bad Guys
Dune: Prophecy employs the common HBO trope of choosing assholes as the main characters. Valya and Tula Harkonnen, along with the rest of the sisterhood, are ruthless manipulators who secretly control the power of the known universe. They act as a cross between the Church and the Mafia, plotting and murdering to get their way. But the question remains: why should we care about these terrible people? They bring nothing but chaos and destruction, and the world would likely be better off without them. The show fails to provide any compelling reasons for us to root for these characters, making them unlikable and uninteresting.
Unlike the beloved characters from shows like The Sopranos, the sisterhood in Dune: Prophecy lacks any charm or relatability. They are one-dimensional and serve only to advance the plot in a predictable manner. There is no depth or complexity to their characters, making it difficult for the audience to connect with them on an emotional level.
Boringly Derivative - A Rehash of Past Glories
As mentioned earlier, Dune: Prophecy is incredibly derivative. It takes inspiration from various sources, but fails to add any new twists or turns. The show feels like a carbon copy of other Sci-Fi and Fantasy shows, lacking any originality or creativity. Even the spirits of the dead mothers in The Agony resemble those from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, further highlighting its lack of uniqueness.
The gratuitously protracted sex and space cocaine scenes also feel like a cheap imitation of past HBO shows. It seems that the creators felt the need to include these elements simply because it's HBO, without considering whether they added any value to the story. This lack of restraint in borrowing from other shows only serves to undermine the show's own identity.
Ridiculously Humourless - A Missed Opportunity
Dune: Prophecy is incredibly po-faced and humourless, which is a surprising trait for a show that is supposed to be about Science Fiction nonsense. While the show attempts to explore themes of power, religion, and propaganda, it fails to inject any humor into the mix. The characters are so serious and their shenanigans are so portentous that it becomes unintentionally funny.
Imagine a show where every time something goes wrong, it's accompanied by the same Curb Your Enthusiasm music. It's as if the writers forgot that humor is an essential part of human nature and can help relieve tension. The Sopranos was frequently funny, and even Game of Thrones had its moments of levity. But Dune: Prophecy seems to have missed this crucial aspect, leaving the audience feeling bored and detached.
In conclusion, HBO's Dune: Prophecy is a disappointment. It fails to live up to the hype and offers little that is new or exciting. While it may have its moments, they are overshadowed by the show's many flaws. It's a reminder that even in the world of prestige TV, quality and originality still matter.
Dune: Prophecy is on HBO. Watch it for a laugh, but don't expect too much.