Bene Gesserit. Mostly based on the novel Dune Sisterhood by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, Dune: Prophecy has also developed several storylines of its own, many of which resolve in the season 1 finale.
Emily Watson leads Dune: Prophecy's cast as Valya Harkonnen, an ambitious woman who leads the Sisterhood in its mission to establish control and their secret genetic breeding plan throughout the Imperium. Her season 1 narrative ends with a confrontation with Desmond Hart, alongside her sister Tula, who's also Desmond's mother. After discovering that his whole life has been controlled by the Sisterhood, Emperor Javicco Corrino takes his own life. Lastly, the season 1 finale saw Keiran Atreides and Princess Ynez flee the capital.
Why Valya Harkonnen Goes To Arrakis With Ynez & Keiran In Dune: Prophecy's Ending
Valya Will Continue To Unearth The Enemy Behind Desmond Hart
Valya Harkonnen has ended Dune: Prophecy season 1 at a compelling destination with even more compelling traveling companions, and all of that is important to break down. First off, Valya's interest in Arrakis stems from Desmond Hart's original confrontation with the sandworm. At some point before season 1, an unknown player retrieved Desmond's body and implanted a Thinking Machine in him, hoping to spread the new version of the Omnius Plague. This version of the plague is activated by fear, killing Sister Kasha and Pruwet Richese, and slowly spreading among the Sisterhood, causing their nightmares.
Keiran Atreides doesn't trust Valya or any Harkonnen, which he made clear, but his sole purpose now is to protect Ynez.
Valya's intention is to figure out who exactly put Desmond Hart up to this task, and Arrakis is the prime location to begin the search. She's brought along Princess Ynez to keep her safe, as Ynez is the Sisterhood's ideal candidate to be planted on the Imperium throne, securing their control and influence over the Known Universe. Keiran Atreides doesn't trust Valya or any Harkonnen, which he made clear, but his sole purpose now is to protect Ynez. He still disagrees with the overwhelming power of the Imperium, but he loves Ynez and wants to help her.
Who Was Behind Desmond Hart's Capture & Thinking Machine Implant?
A Hidden Enemy Is Lurking About In The Dune Universe
Much of Desmond Hart's origin was cleared up by the show's final two episodes, with him being revealed as the son of Tula Harkonnen and Orry Atreides. At some point on Arrakis, he was swallowed up by a sandworm and woke up with new powers, and the season 1 finale shows that the abilities were given to him by a Thinking Machine Implant, which allowed him to spread the Omnius Plague. As for who specifically selected Desmond as a candidate, operated the procedure, and sent him along on his mission, it's probably a character we haven't seen yet.
With that being said, there's still room to speculate on what this unknown assailant wants. Their goal is to destroy the Sisterhood, and they selected Desmond Hart to use his already-existent hatred for the organization as a weapon. The figure would be someone who's been wronged by the Sisterhood, possibly during or just after the Butlerian Jihad. There's also the possibility that it could be the Thinking Machines themselves, angry with the Sisterhood for replacing their standing in society, though season 1's finale seems to imply a human being.
Why Desmond Hart Arrests His Mother, Tula Harkonnen
Desmond Still Doesn't Trust Tula
Image via Max
Desmond Hart and Tula Harkonnen, finally reunited after being separated at his birth, have a rather tender scene for a brief moment before he decides to arrest her. The audience knows that Tula has a profound love for Desmond and that the only reason she sent him away was for the honest intention of him having a better life rather than being a tool for Valya and the Sisterhood. However, all Desmond knows is that he was sent away and lived an awful life, so it's going to take some more convincing before they have a proper mother-son relationship.
What's Going To Happen With The Sisterhood Now That Dorotea Is Back?
Who Knows How Long Dorotea Will Control Lila's Body
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Lila's procedure resulted in her genetic ancestors taking over her body, with episode 5 showing Mother Superior Raquella returning to help Tula Harkonnen. The season finale showed Dorotea returning, who's been... far less helpful. Dorotea, channeled through Lila's body, essentially leads the Sisterhood in a mutiny against Valya Harkonnen, destroying Raquella's banned Thinking Machine tech that allowed them access to the genetic archive. It's unclear how long Dorotea will be in control of Lila's body, but the Sisterhood is lost to the Harkonnen sisters for the time being.
Why Tula Lied To Valya About Her Baby
Tula Didn't Want Her Baby To Be A Tool For The Sisterhood
Tula Harkonnen has been in a conflicted state throughout Dune: Prophecy season 1. She's deeply loyal to her sister, but even though she committed the atrocities against House Atreides on behalf of Valya's wishes, she's not 100% certain of her sister's character. In the episode 6 flashback scene where Valya makes the remaining sisters swear undying loyalty to her, Tula shows a conflicted expression before doing so. Like sca with Javicco, Tula is loyal to the Sisterhood, but even she has lines she's unwilling to cross, and her child's life being dictated by Valya's plotting is one of them.
What's The Glowing Ball Desmond Hart Gave Harrow Harkonnen In Dune: Prophecy Episode 5?
Dune: Prophecy episode 6 sees Desmond Hart give Harrow Harkonnen a strange spherical object. Here's what we know about it and what it means.
Who Will Replace Javicco Corrino As Emperor?
Constantine & Natalya Will Both Vie For Power
Image via Max
The future of the Imperium is one of the most significant question marks going forward now that Javicco Corrino is dead. Javicco's only true-born child is Ynez, but she's run off with Valya Harkonnen. That leaves two potential options: Prince Constantine Corrino was Javicco's bastard son, or Empress Natalya could try to pull off a Cersei Lannister-like situation where she becomes queen. Given that Natalya just killed Sister sca, she probably won't want the walking reminder of her husband's infidelity ascending as the new emperor, so that could put her in conflict with Constantine, who now controls the fleet.
Is Dune: Prophecy Returning For Season 2?
HBO Confirmed Dune: Prophecy's Renewal
As of December 20, 2024, HBO has confirmed the renewal of Dune: Prophecy for season 2. Previously, at New York Comic Con, co-creator/showrunner Alison Schapker and executive producer Jordan Goldberg expressed enthusiasm about continuing the series with more stories, and season 1 proved worthwhile for Warner Bros. With Dune being one of their primary ongoing franchises, they likely want to keep developing the narrative in anticipation for Dune: Part 3 grows. Dune: Prophecy will be back.
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.
- Cast
- Emily Watson, Jade Anouka, Chris Mason, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds, Chloe Lea, Josh Heuston, Edward Davis, Tabu, Yerin Ha
- Franchise(s)
- Dune
- Seasons
- 1
