As a seasoned viewer of science fiction and fantasy series, I must say that Dune: Prophecy has been quite a captivating ride this season. It’s not every day we get to witness such a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own intricate backstories and motivations, unfold against the grandeur of the Dune universe.
Fundamentally, the series Dune: Prophecy was destined to explore the connection between past and current events. Taking place 10,000 years prior to the happenings in Frank Herbert’s initial novel, Dune, Dune: Prophecy boasts a cast of characters bearing surnames like “Harkonnen” and “Atreides.” The storyline frequently hints at future events. Here, you’ll notice the Bene Gesserit already exerting their influence through a chosen one. There, a young Atreides attempting to rally a rebellion can be observed.
This series also delves into the interplay between the past and present within its own timeline, revealing how secrets often come to light. For example, when young Valya ordered Dorotea to end her life, we didn’t know that this wasn’t a private event. In fact, Tula, who later became a key member of the Sisterhood under Valya’s leadership, was among those who witnessed it. (It’s also worth noting that this incident significantly reduced the number of Bene Gesserit members, but we’ll discuss that in more detail later.)
In the season finale, the past decisions made by Valya and Tula’s deception will come back to haunt them. Tula’s strategy, initially built on a technically accurate narrative, has kept them from telling outright lies but withholding the complete truth. To put it in Stephen Colbert’s terms, their story is “truth-y.” This approach has allowed Valya’s group to maintain power for years, but the longevity of their rule may be threatened as secrets unravel.
One obvious threat: the virus that’s been causing the Bene Gesserit to experience a shared nightmare built around a handful of recurring images. Kazir (Karima Adebibe), a Bene Gesserit doctor, rightly concludes that this is a bioweapon that feeds off fear — and that Desmond Hart might be its first victim, not its creator. Also, it may be cured with an antiviral. What Kazir doesn’t conclude is that she won’t survive her experience serving as the potential cure’s guinea pig, but not before identifying their true foe as “The Monster of Arakkis.” Unfortunately, she’s burnt to a crisp before clarifying what that monster is apart from being “not human.” That’s only sort of helpful.
Regarding matters of Arrakis and unsavory actions, at the royal court, Desmond Hart contemplates a direct method to acquire info beneficial to Keiran Atreides, specifically about the duration of the insurgents’ alliance with the Sisterhood. This information clashes with Keiran’s deeply ingrained dislike for the Harkonnens, as he was brought up believing them to be monsters who nearly destroyed his family lineage. Any hint of an alliance is unthinkable to him. Desmond offers Keiran an opportunity for revenge by revealing secrets about the insurgency, but their mutual animosity hinders him from doing so. However, if Keiran had expectations that Ynez would rescue him, those appear to be misguided. She’s found out by Natalya, who then arrests her. “This is a lesson in power,” Natalya tells her daughter. “So let this serve as your education.” It appears doubtful, though, that the stern words of caution from Natalya will deter Ynez so quickly.
Natalya has good reason to be upset since Javicco is openly seeing his ex-lover, Francesca. Despite the Bene Gesserit’s influence over people, it seems Javicco may not have had much choice in this matter. Francesca’s intentions extend beyond merely spending time with the Emperor. Upon learning about Ynez’s arrest, she promptly shares the news with Valya, who swiftly formulates a plan using Theodosia’s shape-shifting abilities and Francesca’s skill to secretly assassinate Javicco without him being aware of it. Although Francesca isn’t particularly fond of this scheme, she doesn’t have much power to object.
Following the sequence of events, it’s revealed that Valya has been devising this strategy for surrender. The marriage of Natalya and Javicco, Javicco’s affair with Francesca, Ynez’s rise, and even Anirul’s involvement have all been part of a strategic game orchestrated by Valya. Yes, the mysterious entity behind the scenes goes by the name Anirul, showing signs of both thoughtfulness and character, as Valya explains to Tula in private. According to Anirul, there are indications that Tula’s child with Orry Atreides, who was conceived just before she took the lives of Orry and his family, possesses extraordinary power. Interestingly enough, this child is a boy. By this point, it becomes apparent that Tula has given birth to none other than Desmond Hart. In time, Tula engages in her own discussion with Anirul about the virus affecting the Bene Gesserit and discovers that there exists a straightforward method for halting the virus: by eliminating Desmond. However, this is not a solution she welcomes or intends to carry out.
In another part of Bene Gesserit headquarters, Jen encounters an unexpected reminiscence from the past. Moved by sympathy for Lila, she decides to release her restraints unknowingly triggering a series of unfortunate events. As it turns out, this action awakens in Lila an ancestor, Dorotea, who is highly irate. In search of her former followers, Dorotea discovers that they believe she took her own life (although technically true) and that the Butlerians, her followers, disbanded following her death. However, this isn’t all negative news for Dorotea; she quickly finds a receptive ear in Emmeline, who has been advocating for some of the old Butlerian practices amidst the current turmoil. Despite Jen’s apprehension towards the resurrected Dorotea due to her ordeal, she also learns about the secrets that Valya had been concealing.
Notably, these secrets encompass a significant aspect – a mass grave containing the remains of Dorotea’s followers, forced by Valya to take their own lives when they refused to comply with her. This secret has been guarded by Valya’s devoted followers for quite some time and by Avila, whose devotion to Valya seems more driven by fear than admiration. When Jen urges Avila to “retrieve Tula,” Avila expresses loyalty towards the resurrected Dorotea, who pledges to “lead us back to our righteous path.” Her immediate action: attacking Anirul with a crowbar.
Javicco’s not exactly happy these days. He’s upset about Ynez being imprisoned (which is understandable), displeased that Desmond sees through his strategy to send Natalya on a “goodwill mission,” and downright furious with Desmond’s belief that the Sisterhood aims to overthrow his rule. To put it mildly, the Javicco-Desmond relationship isn’t in the best shape. Javicco wishes to reintegrate the Sisterhood into his inner circle (with Francesca being an exception). However, Valya has her own plans, a complex scheme involving Ynez’s escape from prison and potentially Javicco’s demise at Francesca’s hands. If everything goes according to plan. But here’s where it gets interesting: Valya doesn’t anticipate a rival conspiracy working against her plans (although it doesn’t involve Javicco’s death). Natalya and Desmond are fine with him maintaining his position as an emperor in name only, but they aim to manipulate him from behind the scenes.
The likelihood of Javicco being humiliated is not really a matter of if, but rather the extent and by whom. In her encounter with Javicco, Valya plays her hand boldly without sugarcoating anything. It’s clear that he’s a vulnerable man, and it’s Ynez who should rightfully wear the crown. However, arresting the Mother Superior doesn’t resolve the issue for Javicco, as he’ll find out soon enough. Furthermore, his attempt to seek solace in Francesca backfires, as she discloses her involvement in Valya’s scheme.
Subsequently, events become increasingly heated. Simultaneously, Valya works to liberate Ynez, who will be replaced by Theodosia, as well as Keiran from prison. This operation leads to escapes and confrontations, but also results in an unforeseen transformation of Theodosia, causing Desmond a severe wound from a stab. Rather than allowing Francesca to end his life, Javicco takes his own instead. Later on, Natalya arrives and shoots Francesca with the poison meant for her spouse (Farewell, Francesca? And Javicco?).
Is it plausible to consider that the world of “Dune: Prophecy” is primarily characterized by power dynamics and lacks genuine affection? While the prevailing evidence may point towards this, a moment from Tula’s past offers a different perspective. As she arranges to give her newborn son, who will be named Desmond Hart, to an itinerant worker, her tears suggest that she cares deeply for him. Despite giving away the boy, Tula chooses to claim the worker’s stillborn child as her own, demonstrating a selfless love. However, this act of kindness has indirectly led to much of the turmoil we’ve witnessed this season, and it seems that Tula is well aware of the potential consequences of her actions as she journeys towards Salusa Secundus and Desmond.
Instead of Tula reaching Desmond first, it’s Valya who encounters him and asks for his vision of her demise. Both Desmond and his aunt (who haven’t yet discovered their relationship) are unexpectedly knocked unconscious as the scene transitions to a hallucinatory sequence triggered by the mind virus. In this sequence, Valya remembers Griffin’s death under the ice, a terrifying memory. Luckily, Tula arrives in time to help Valya break free from her hallucination, suggesting she let the fear pass. Remarkably, this advice seems to work, or at least alters the nature of Valya’s vision, which transforms first into an image of an approaching sandworm and then to familiar lights and machine noises we’ve seen in previous nightmares. However, this time, we see more details, such as robotic arms performing surgery on Desmond Hart’s eye, a procedure supervised by a mysterious robed figure.
As things become clearer, Valya informs Tula that she’s aware of what happened to Desmond – but she doesn’t know who was responsible. All she knows is that they possess intelligent machinery and have implanted one within him. It seems inevitable that Desmond must die, but an unexpected twist arises: Tula too can wield The Voice, compelling Valya to submit to her control. When Desmond is unveiled as Tula’s son, she makes it clear that he won’t be harmed and that their partnership won’t continue in its current state. Faced with this reality, Valya discloses her intention to depart and work covertly. In an attempt to reconnect with her long-lost child, Tula endeavors to introduce herself to Desmond. However, events take a turn when Tula is apprehended on Desmond’s orders. Although it could have been worse, they exchange meaningful looks and embrace, hinting at the possibility of a new chapter in their relationship.
For Valya, Ynez, and Keiran, their destiny seems to be elsewhere, specifically on Arrakis. They land on what appears to be an uninhabited planetary expanse where Valya asserts, “Our journey towards our adversary starts here.” However, this journey will have to be postponed for future episodes or seasons.
Kwisatz Haderachs
To sum up, we’ve concluded the first season of Dune: Prophecy, an overall solid season despite being cut short due to the strike. Occasionally, it felt a bit hurried, but it never failed to keep us engaged. The third and most captivating episode, titled “Sisterhood Above All,” was particularly noteworthy for its deeper exploration into the backstory of two characters, which is promising for any potential longer seasons in the future.
Without being overlooked, it’s revealed that Harrow has been secretly observing everyone, a fact that doesn’t promise a favorable outcome.
The main enigma that remains unsolved is the identity of the “secret influencer” orchestrating events, particularly those involving Desmond and the chain of actions he initiated. Although we know they possess a thinking device, it’s unclear if the figure from Desmond’s memory wearing Bene Gesserit robes (which might not even be accurate) is indeed them. However, we won’t have to wait 10,000 years for an answer; instead, we will need to be patient for a while longer.
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2024-12-23 07:54