The following contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy episode 6, "The High-Handed Enemy."Dune: Prophecy cast and showrunner discuss Desmond Hart's (Travis Fimmel) parentage reveal ahead of season 2. Led by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, who portray Valya and Tula Harkonnen, respectively, the Dune prequel series explores the Bene Gesserit sisterhood in the early days and sees them facing a major threat in the wake of the reckoning. Hart, the antagonist in the series, turns out to be Tula's son. In episode 6, Tula tells Valya the truth in front of an injured Hart.

In an interview with Cinemablend, the series cast and showrunner addressed how the revelation would affect Valya and Tula's relationship. Watson explained that the truth has "blown everything up" for Valya, who is still holding onto the idea that she's "the chosen one" and it's her mission to face the enemies. Williams itted that all Tula wants is to keep her son alive, which pushes her to a position where she can no longer stay in the shadows. The series showrunner, Alison Schapker, added that the reveal will cause Valya to "rethink" their relationship. Check out what she said below:

Watson: It’s blown everything up, but I think Valya is probably still holding "I am the chosen one, I have the destiny’ [that] is still her guide. That's her guide through this. … I think Valya's instinct is to run for the shadows. "I will stick with my mission, because that's what keeps me alive."

Williams: I think a huge thing for Tula is the moment when she says, "please don't kill my son, trust me, I've got this." … It's an interesting thing though, because sometimes people of that character like to stay in the shadows, and it will be interesting to see what happens, if she is pushed further to the front and whether she can handle it.

Schapker: I also think like any secret that comes out, the longer you keep the pain around it needs to be metabolized. It makes you have to rethink your relationship - going back over the years, [thinking] “how did I miss something?”

What Their Comments Mean For Dune: Prophecy

The Pain Has Yet To Set

Dune: Prophecy ends its first six-episode run with "The High-Handed Enemy," but HBO has given the green light for season 2, which means the series will further explore the impact of the reveal on the Harkonnen sisters. In the latest episode, Valya can see behind the veils of what's being done to Desmond Hart when she faces the deadly virus. To protect her son, Tula begs Valya not to kill Hart, revealing that she kept her son a secret all those years to protect him from Valya.

Watson's comment gives some insight into Valya's response in the scene, indicating that it's an instinctive move for her to run toward the enemy, but Valya also might be running away from the pain. Tula's priority is changing now that she has found her son, and with the secret out in the open, Valya finds out that Tula sees her as a monster, just like the rest of their family. Schapker's comment points out that the full damage to the truth is yet to settle in Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale, which is something that season 2 might explore further.

Our Take On Valya And Tula's Relationship In Dune: Prophecy

Valya And Tula Are On Different Paths

In a previous interview, Schapker shared her thoughts on the significance of Valya going to Arrakis, a key location in the Dune universe and the place where Hart "emerged with a story and a myth." Valya is bound to "find out a lot more" about what's truly going on in Arrakis, and what she'll do about it will also be very interesting to see. Check out what she said below:

It’s very significant that Valya’s there. [Desmond] emerged with a story and a myth — ‘I’m from Arrakis, I was swallowed by a worm and I survived after my whole regiment was killed’ — and all I would say is that Valya is going to find out a lot more, given that she is back where Desmond emerged as an adversary. And [it will] be interesting to see what she finds out.

On the other hand, Hart being Tula's biological son changes the dynamic for the Harkonnen sister. It might force Tula into an opposite position against Valya if the two come to a greater disagreement in Dune: Prophecy season 2, especially with Valya unaware of the Lila situation at the Sisterhood's base. It's unclear where their roads may lead at this point.

Source: Cinemablend