WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy.
The first episode of origins of the powerful shadow sisterhood known as the Bene Gesserit and how they manipulated the fate of humankind.
Dune: Prophecy introduces three of the Corrino family lineage, with whom the Bene Gesserit formed a tight alliance over the course of the 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides. The current emperor in Dune: Prophecy is Mark Strong's Javicco Corrino who shares the Imperial throne with his wife Empress Natalya (Jodhi May). Their daughter, Princess Ynez Corrino (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), is among the first of the Corrino royal line to become enrolled to learn the teachings of the Bene Gesserit. Typically, the women who enter the Sisterhood are assigned to a Great House once they've graduated but Ynez would become the first Empress to be a fellow Sister.
New episodes of Dune: Prophecy release every Sunday at 9 PM on HBO & MAX.
House Corrino's Importance & Power In Dune's Universe
House Corrino had ruled the Empire for 10,000 years before the first Dune novel
House Corrino has held the throne of the Dune universe for as many as 10,000 years. They are the faces of rulership and governmental order across the various planets and Great Houses. As the most elite and respected Great House in the known universe, as created by Frank Herbert's Dune novels, the Corrinos were thought to be impossible to take power away from. This is why the rise of Paul Atreides becomes such a prophetic event in the Dune films and novel since a shift in power dynamics of that magnitude hadn't occurred for millennia. Before Paul, House Corrino maintained a firm grip on the Empire.
According to the war against the thinking machines that took place before the events of the original Dune novel. The Bene Gesserit had also established their more secretive power over the Empire through their alliance with House Corrino, which is why they were able to ensure House Corrino's lineage for so many years. Emperor Shaddam IV, played by Christopher Walken in Dune: Part Two, is a descendant of Emperor Javicco.
What Happens To Salusa Secundus After Dune: Prophecy
It eventually became the exiled home planet of the Imperial Army
Salusa Secundas was the ancient home planet of House Corrino before it was eventually transferred to Kaitain. According to Dune Wiki, "The seat of the empire was moved from the original House Corrino seat, Salusa Secundus, which became the prison and training ground for the imperial Sardaukar. After the fall of Corrino Empire in the Desert War, House Corrino left Kaitain and moved back to live in Salusa Secunduss." While Salusa Secundas is presented as being quite idyllic in Dune: Prophecy, it eventually became the exiled planet where the Imperial Army, the Sardaukar, trained and held its military forces.
There's no clear explanation as to why House Corrino had originally migrated from Salusa Secundas to Kaitain other than the fact that the latter was a more paradisiacal place to live. Dune: Prophecy makes a major change from the canon lore of the Dune novels in making Salusa Decundas appear to be a lucrative, desirable home planet full of peace and life. According to Dune Wiki, "Salusa Secundus is a harsh place, full of wild beasts, extreme temperatures, and difficult terrain. Due to the harshness of Salusa Secundus, it became the Corrino prison planet. Those who broke imperial law and were judged guilty were sentenced to be imprisoned on the planet."
The Dune Movies Show The Downfall Of House Corrino
Paul Atreides defeats Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and took the throne
Before Paul Atriedes rose to defeat Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and claim the Emperor's throne for himself, House Corrino had ruled the empire for 10,000 years. It was in the year 10,193 AG that Paul Atreides removed Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV from his reign and demanded that he marry his daughter, Princess Irulan Corrino (Florence Pugh), at the end of Dune: Part Two. Paul sought to seek revenge against the Corrinos after what they had done to his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Issac), in the first Dune film. The Emperor had "promoted" Duke Leto to oversee spice production on Arrakis, setting him up for the Harkonenn to take back control of their planet.
In Dune: Part Two, House Corrino had been designated to extend their rule over the empire and form a new royal line with the Bene Gesserit's help. The Bene Gesserit had deemed Feyd-Rautha Harkoennen to be their genetically favorite candidate to marry Princess Irulan Corrino. However, Paul Atreides became an underdog who also had proven himself to be the Lisan al-Gaib in the eyes of the Fremen on Arrakis. The son of Mother Reverend Lady Jessica, Paul defeated Feyd-Rautha and House Corrino after proving to be the first known man to use Bene Gesserit's powers, including the power of Voice.
Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV Is Imprisoned On Salusa Secundus
Paul banishes him after promising him a throne on the prison planet
Following the events of Dune: Part Two as described in Herbert's second novel Dune: Messiah, Paul allows Shaddam Corrino IV to return to Salusa Secundus. According to Dune Wiki, "Before taking the throne, Paul promised Shaddam IV that he would keep a throne on Salusa Secundus, and that the planet would be transformed into a pleasant and beautiful world. This move was outwardly to show that he maintained respect for Shaddam, but in truth the move was to rob the deposed Emperor of the training grounds for his Sardaukar."
It's unclear if Shaddam IV will return for Dune: Part Three, which is expected to adapt Dune: Messiah. Although he wasn't featured very much, he was still a pivotal character in Dune: Part Two and his fate could be mentioned even in ing even if Walken does not return to reprise the role. He may be present for the wedding between Paul and Princess Irulan. Considering that Paul essentially banishes him to his home prison planet in Dune: Messiah, he likely won't play much more of a part than what has already been written in the books. Dune: Prophecy establishes early on the origins of the royal lineage that Paul Atreides put a fierce end to.
Valya's Plan In Dune: Prophecy Explained - How She's Preventing "The Reckoning"
Valya Harkonnen takes drastic measures as the Reverend Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit to prevent a holy judgment day scenario from happening.
Dune: Prophecy
- Release Date
- November 17, 2024
- Showrunner
- Alison Schapker
- Directors
- Anna Foerster
Cast
Emily WatsonMother Superior Valya Harkonnen
Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert's Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
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