Tag: Prophecy

Dune: Prophecy unfolds approximately 10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ rise to power. The series centers on the Harkonnen sisters, Valya and Tula, as they ascend to the leadership of the relatively new Bene Gesserit order, with Valya becoming the Mother Superior. Although these characters are created for the show, showrunner Alison Schapker skillfully bridges the ancient past with events familiar from the Dune novels and films.

The complex world of Dune presents challenges for any adaptation, and Dune: Prophecy tackles its time period with notable ambition. While diverging from the books in certain areas, the series incorporates gripping elements to captivate viewers. Its production quality is exceptional, and the morally complex characters evoke comparisons to Game of Thrones. The season finale wraps up some storylines, yet boldly leaves others unfinished, compelling fans to anticipate what Season 2 will bring. This list features the most burning (pun intended) questions.

6

Is Desmond Hart Really Just a Puppet?

Desmond Hart’s survival from sandworm ingestion has allegedly gifted him unique powers, such as the ability to burn people from the inside and resist the Bene Gesserit’s Voice. In the Season 1 finale, Desmond confronts Valya once more. Valya demands that he reveals details of her death, a vision he previously claimed to foresee. Despite being weakened by Theodosia’s knife attack, Desmond retaliates by burning Valya as both collapse. Tula arrives just in time to meet her son and save her sister. During her vision, Valya confronts her fear of her brother’s death and sees a flash of Desmond’s origins. She witnesses a thinking machine extracting one of his eyes, implanting a device behind his pupil, and reinserting the eye. A hooded figure observes the procedure from a platform. Valya survives the burning by confronting her fears instead of fighting them. She is now determined to kill Desmond, because he seems to be a pawn of the thinking machines. However, Tula persuades her to spare him and reveals that he is her son. After a moment of unfiltered honesty, Valya agrees to let Tula deal with Desmond. Tula faces her son, and in an emotional moment, they embrace before Desmond arrests her.

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Dune: Prophecy’s Season 1 Finale Reveals a Dark Secret About the Sisterhood’s Past (And It’s Disturbing)

The Season 1 finale of Dune: Prophecy reveals a nasty secret and confirms that Valya Harkonnen has a lot more deadly skeletons in her closet.

Desmond’s story hints at him being a tool of whoever controls the thinking machines, possibly with implanted memories, including his sandworm ordeal. His abilities seem far-reaching, as evidenced by his capacity to resist the Bene Gesserit’s Voice, a power that has always been near-universal in its effectiveness. This deviation alone sets Desmond apart as an unpredictable wild card in the narrative. As a fictional character not featured in the books, Desmond’s trajectory is unpredictable, making his arc one of the most intriguing aspects of the series. Desmond’s potential connection to the thinking machines also raises broader implications for the universe of Dune: Prophecy. The thinking machines’ history of rebellion against humanity is a foundational element of the Dune lore. Desmond might represent a resurgence of this long-dormant threat. Yet it seems foreshadowed that there is more to Desmond than just being a puppet. Valya and Tula spoke about his immense potential after their thinking machine analyzed his DNA. It seems highly unlikely that the implant is his only asset.

5

Who Will Sit the Golden Lion Throne in Season 2?

With Javicco dead and his daughter Ynez on Arrakis with Valya and Kieran, the fate of the Golden Lion Throne remains uncertain. Theodosia’s temporary role is jeopardized after she reveals herself to Desmond by shapeshifting into a soldier and attempting to kill him. Given the Sardaukar’s presence during her act, returning to her guise as Ynez seems unlikely.

Speculation surrounds Empress Natalya ascending the throne, given her history of uniting thousands of worlds into the Corrino Empire. Alternatively, Carrino’s son with the late Francesca or another ambitious house could claim power.

The throne’s fate promises high-stakes political drama, particularly if factions within the empire begin fighting for control. The possibility of a power vacuum invites intrigue and betrayals reminiscent of the political schemes that defined Game of Thrones. The Golden Lion Throne’s precarious position also opens the door for external threats to exploit the empire’s vulnerabilities. Whether through rebellion, covert manipulation, or outright invasion, the power struggles within could destabilize the entire empire.

4

Why did Kasha and Pruwet Richese Burn Simultaneously?

In the premiere, Desmond Hart uses his powers to burn 9-year-old Pruwet Richese, son of Ferdinand Richese, from the inside out. Ferdinand’s vast fleet is crucial to Emperor Javicco’s rule on Arrakis. Pruwet’s engagement to Princess Ynez falters after he reveals a forbidden thinking machine toy during the ceremony. That evening, Desmond encounters Pruwet with the toy. The boy’s nonchalance about thinking machines seals his fate as Desmond declares him a “worthy sacrifice” before he burns him.

Simultaneously, on Wallach IX, Reverend Mother Kasha advises Valya against the marriage of Ynez and Pruwett because she had a horrifying vision. After Valya dismisses her, Kasha dies from internal burning, coinciding with Pruwet’s demise. The synchronicity suggests a deeper connection, potentially implying shared elements between Kasha and Pruwet or hinting at the wider reach of Desmond’s abilities. The apparent distance between the two events raises questions about whether his abilities are purely physical or if they extend into the realm of psychic or quantum manipulation.

3

How Will Theodosia’s Mysterious Origins Influence the Storyline?

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‘She’s Prepared to Take Out Anyone’: Dune: Prophecy’s Jodhi May on Natalya’s Fatal Move

Dune: Prophecy’s Jodhi May talks to CBR about Natalya Corrino’s alliance with Desmond Hart and how two deaths shape Natalya’s future in Season 2.

Introduced as an acolyte of the Sisterhood, Theodosia initially appears unremarkable. However, her unique ability as a Face Dancer is revealed in Episode 4, when she transforms into Valya’s brother Griffin to help Valya confront her guilt. It’s implied that Theodosia was subjected to Tleilaxu experiments, as she possesses abilities beyond those of ordinary humans. In the finale, Theodosia shapeshifts into Ynez to aid Valya in rescuing the princess but later assumes a soldier’s form to attack Desmond. Her parentage and connection to the Tleilaxu remain undisclosed, fueling speculation about her origins.

Face Dancers are essentially Tleilaxu slaves, ranking lowest in their hierarchy. Theodosia’s human features opposed to the Tleilaxu appearance suggest she was part of a significant experiment and perhaps one of the first Face Dancers ever. Her storyline likely sets the stage for the Tleilaxu’s introduction in Villeneuve’s planned third Dune film. Theodosia’s relationship with Valya also provides emotional depth to her character. Both women share a bond rooted in their broken pasts, which creates a powerful bond between the two. Theodosia’s willingness to embrace her abilities despite her reluctance speaks to her loyalty and determination, making her Valya’s favorite acolyte.

2

What Are Harrow Harkonnen’s Real Motivations?

In the premiere of Dune: Prophecy, House Harkonnen struggles with the harsh conditions on planet Lankiveil under Evgeny’s leadership. When Griffin, nephew to Evgeny and his heir, dies, the tensions between Valya and Evgeny rise even higher. Many years go by until they meet again, but when they do, Valya finds a frail uncle. In a moment alone, Valya’s refusal to assist Evgeny’s breathing crisis leads to his demise, allowing Harrow to take control. Valya sees Harrow as a pliable puppet, but her plans falter when Desmond Hart intervenes.

Harrow pretends to ally with Valya while secretly collaborating with Desmond. However, his duplicitous nature becomes evident in the finale, as his sinister grin hints at betrayal when he watches recorded events with Valya which he most likely will use against her. Harrow’s true intentions remain unclear, adding intrigue to the Harkonnen subplot. The Harkonnen narrative also serves as a microcosm of the broader themes of power and control in Dune: Prophecy. Harrow’s struggle to assert his identity within the shadow of his family’s legacy mirrors the larger battles playing out across the universe. His evolving role is likely to remain a key focus in the series’ future.

1

How Will Lila/Dorotea Change the Bene Gesserit’s Path?

Lila, the great-great-granddaughter of Sisterhood founder Raquella Berto-Anirul, embarks on a transformative journey during the Agony, seeking to connect with her ancestral lineage and aid Tula and Valya in communicating with Raquella. This process initially results in Raquella briefly taking over Lila’s body, before Lila falls into a hibernative state, kept alive through the intervention of a thinking machine initiated by Tula. However, when Lila eventually awakens, she finds herself overtaken by the spirit of her grandmother, Dorotea. For the remainder of the episode, Dorotea, now inhabiting Lila’s body, takes command of the Sisterhood. She rallies the sisters against Valya and shatters the thinking machine, signaling a dramatic shift in the direction of the Bene Gesserit. These actions set the stage for what promises to be an intense power struggle involving Lila/Dorotea, Valya, and Tula.

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“You Feel a Sense of Belonging” – Tabu Discusses Feeling Empowered by Dune: Prophecy

Tabu talks to CBR about the one reason she wanted to join Dune: Prophecy, and the empowerment she felt on set beside other celebrated female actors.

During the Agony, Dorotea contradicts Tula’s earlier claim that Lila’s mother had died, hinting instead that she might still be alive. This revelation fueled several fan theories, including one speculating that the hooded figure seen during Desmond’s eye implant could be Lila’s mother. The identity of Lila’s father remains equally enigmatic. Lila’s storyline also introduces questions about the Sisterhood’s practices and traditions. Raquella and Dorotea did not see eye to eye regarding the future of the Sisterhood, yet Raquella wanted her to co-lead alongside Valya. Lila’s deep connection to Raquella and Dorotea suggests that her lineage could unlock additional revelations about the Bene Gesserit in the coming seasons.

Release Date

November 17, 2024

Creator(s)

Diane Ademu-John
, Alison Schapker

Cast

Emily Watson
, Olivia Williams
, Jodhi May
, Travis Fimmel
, Mark Strong
, Jade Anouka
, Chris Mason
, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina
, Shalom Brune-Franklin
, Faoileann Cunningham
, Aoife Hinds
, Chloe Lea
, Josh Heuston
, Edward Davis
, Tabu
, Yerin Ha

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Writers

Diane Ademu-John
, Kevin J. Anderson
, Brian Herbert
, Frank Herbert

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