Dune: Prophecy Episode 1 recap – Sisterhood, a royal wedding & death

As a seasoned spacefarer who has traversed the cosmos on countless voyages, I find myself deeply troubled by the events unfolding in the Dune: Prophecy series. The intrigue and mystery that surrounds the characters and their motivations are reminiscent of the labyrinthine politics I’ve encountered among the galaxies’ most powerful factions.

As a gamer, I’ve just dived into Dune: Prophecy Episode 1, where the narrative is thick and ruthless, exposing the intricate web of power plays by the Sisterhood. This game introduces me to a mysterious figure with a scheme to annihilate the Bene Gesserit, before it even comes to be!

You might share my apprehensions regarding Dune: Prophecy. I was confident that it would boast impressive production values, stellar acting, and skillfully structured elements drawn from the rich tapestry of Herbert’s source material – however, even in Denis Villeneuve’s films, it promises to be quite a substantial undertaking.

Dune may have paved the way for Star Wars, but its world is more complex; more nuanced politics, unfamiliar factions and houses, and its on-screen story now spans millennia.

Fortunately, the show, Dune: Prophecy Episode 1, purposefully leaves some mysteries unsolved, setting the stage for a compelling, potentially chilling series unfoldment.

Dune: Prophecy gets its exposition dump out of the way

The opening quote of the show encapsulates the essence perfectly: “Victory is triumphantly displayed in light, but it’s achieved in the shadows.” In the Dune films, we witness the Bene Gesserit – a mysterious, incredibly potent group – wielding control over all aspects of the universe. This is their tale.

Through storytelling, Valya ponders whether truth resides in history or prophecy. She points out the conflict against the “thinking machines” (referred to as the Butlerian Jihad), which, much like in the Terminator series, subjugated humanity.

I’m a descendant of the Atreides lineage, but sadly, my great-grandfather chose not to join the final battle. The war concluded, and with it, all advanced AI technology was forbidden. Our family, labeled as cowards by history due to our absence during the conflict, were exiled to a barren planet,” I recount.

In the face of their disgrace, the Harkonnens harbored an increasing anger towards what they perceived as deceit from the Atreides. Valya swore vengeance and established a new lineage, populated by women unafraid to wield their power, on the planet Wallach IX.

She met the first Mother Superior, Raquella Berto-Anirul, a war hero who trained women in the art of Truthsaying (they’re basically human lie detectors) and assigned them to the universe’s Great Houses. Their influence stretched across the Imperium, allowing Raquella to govern the future.

She had a wild idea: in order to “breed” better leaders, she amassed a genetic archive to “foster the right royal unions and cultivate rulers they could control.” The zealots branded it heresy, but Valya believed it was the only way forward.

Valya becomes the second Mother Superior of the Sisterhood

On her dying breath, Raquella cries out for Valya, pushing aside the prayer books of her sisters. She shares with Valya her vision: Tiran-Arafel, a “judgment, a divine reckoning instigated by a tyrant, an unthinkable darkness”, and we witness one of the sandworms of Arrakis consuming their foundation.

Nurture us, protect our strength. Utilize all resources at your disposal. The Sisterhood needs reinforcement lest it crumbles. It is you who will discern the fiery reality in its truest form,” she whispers to Valya as her life ebbs away (this detail will prove significant later on).

Valya argues that a Sister should ascend to the throne, whereas Dorotea, who holds the second-highest position among them, expresses dissent. This contrast becomes evident during Raquella’s funeral, where Valya encourages everyone to “continue her legacy and explore new frontiers of humanity,” while Dorotea emphasizes the importance of humility, reminding them, “Do not distort the essence of one’s soul.

Valya insists on progress, even in challenging circumstances, which leads her to seize leadership within the Sisterhood aggressively. In an attempt to prevent Dorotea from damaging Raquella’s breeding record, Valya defends her actions. On departing, she employs a power she has been cultivating, known as the Voice.

If she yields, she’ll be granted the power, and when she resists, Valya orders Dorotea to take her own life with her sword. In an instant, Valya earned the title “condemned by history,” but the destiny of the Sisterhood was driven by a greater force: prophecy.

30 years later, Valya scouts a princess

116 years post the conclusion of the colossal machine wars, or approximately 10,148 years prior to Paul Atreides’ birth.

Valya tightly holds sway over the Sisterhood, making all decisions herself; no action is taken without her explicit approval or disapproval. For instance, she bestows a Truthsayer upon House Varick, but repeatedly denies the requests of House Harkonnen (for reasons as yet unexplained… for now).

In the study hall below, the Sisterhood’s acolytes are gathered, chatting about the approaching visit of Princess Ynez. “Her new spouse must be quite elusive, running away so swiftly,” Emeline quips. Spying Lord Constantine, the princess’ half-brother, she remarks, “A man without a clear goal is bound to stir up trouble.

As I find myself in the presence of Valya, she assures me there’s no risk to her with the Sisterhood. Yet, it’s important to remember, she isn’t just any royal – she’s the inheritor of the Golden Lion Throne, the cosmos itself. I humbly request a private chamber for her, but Valya refuses. We share a tense moment, yet I manage a smile, hiding my unease, and put my signature on the agreement.

In another part of their community, Tula instructs the younger members about deception; explaining it as a means for survival, helping them understand how to bypass their bodies’ resistance to falsehoods, and emphasizing that Truthsayers must be adept at recognizing any indication when someone is not truthful. Valya then interjects, advising the women to take some time off for rest before they are put to a hands-on test the following day.

“This time next week, [the princess] shall be ours,” she tells Tula.

Welcome to Salusa Secundus

The scene shifts to Salusa Secundus, home planet of House Corrino, the imperial family. Here, Ynez practices swordplay with Keiran, their personal master-at-arms. There’s an undercurrent of affection between them, yet it’s important to note that Ynez is not betrothed to him (further details to follow).

Additionally, we encounter Emperor Javvico Corrino, who receives a gift of ballista-equipped motherships for his wedding from House Richese, to which Ynez is set to marry. The head of House Richese guarantees these ships will aid Emperor Javvico in managing the usual troubles on Arrakis, such as Fremen raids and similar incidents.

Additionally, he seeks permission from Javicco for a room in the palace to facilitate the change, causing him some concern, yet his confidant Kasha reassures him that it’s all right – unbeknownst to him, she had granted the covert demand of the Duke’s advisor instead.

The Sisterhood trials

On the planet Wallach IX, the novice acolytes are taught, “You should master yourself… Mental and physical self-control is crucial; only then can you perceive the truth,” as Valya puts it.

Valya puts forward five individuals and challenges them to showcase a basic understanding of truth-telling.

One sister, Jen, criticizes the quality of the subjects. Valya seizes her arm and queries her reason for being there, and she reveals that her parents had essentially sold her to a man who made his fortune exploiting children. She waited until he became careless with his knives. In his sleep, she slashed his throat. Upon returning home, she did the same to her parents.

Everyone appears troubled, except for Valya and Tula who seem intrigued, yet Sister Lila seems skeptical about Jen’s tale.

Desmond Hart returns

While Ynez prepares for her wedding (donning a veil reminiscent of Florence Pugh’s princess in Dune: Part Two), Natalya expresses her worries about the wedding and Ynez entering the Sisterhood. Later, it’s disclosed that Pruwet Richese, Ynez’s future spouse, is merely nine years old.

Year by year, until he reaches adulthood, it’s within my control to decide his fate. If only I could, I would keep him young, Ynez clarifies.

Beyond the palace, an enigmatic figure makes his appearance: Desmond Hart, a highly respected Imperium soldier who had been believed to have perished during the Fremen assault on Arrakis. He unveils that it wasn’t a Fremen ambush that took him down – instead, they were rebels from Javvico’s allied realms, armed with weaponry from off-world. “It was stolen,” he asserts.

I’m hesitant, but Kasha insists that he’s speaking truthfully, and it seems like an isolated event. He requests a role at the palace, and luckily for him, Javvico seems agreeable. So, he asks him to stay for tonight’s gathering. As Desmond departs, he casts a foreboding glance at Kasha, hinting at something else (and potentially sinister) unfolding.

Shortly thereafter, Kasha experiences a terrifying vision where Ynez is swallowed by a sandworm, crying out “It was you!” before vanishing. She then rouses the princess, assuring her that she will guide the Imperium towards a brighter tomorrow and vowing to return promptly.

I, as a fervent admirer, am struggling to reach Javvico regarding my apprehensions about our upcoming nuptials and the Sisterhood’s interference in our daughter’s fate. However, it seems his focus lies with Arrakis, for if Ynez marries Pruwet Richese, it will provide him with the necessary weaponry to counteract the threats to Spice mining operations, be they from the Fremen or others.

Kasha tells Valya and Tula about her dream

As a gamer, I found myself back at the Sisterhood, where Tula and Valya were deep in discussion about who Ynez should be partnered with. Emeline seemed like a devout one, and Valya didn’t seem keen on expanding her horizons – she just wanted Ynez to stick to the Sisterhood’s way of thinking.

There are two potential individuals: Theodosia, who appears to be Valya’s preferred student, and Lila, described as a genuine empath, and Tula suggests that due to her ancestry, Lila will naturally become a Truthsayer. Despite Valya’s doubts about her strength, Tula predicts that she will grow stronger over time.

Kasha comes over to share with Tula and Valya her disturbing dream. “The terror I experienced, it’s still lingering,” she expresses, fearing that their strategy – placing Ynez on the throne once she’s been trained as a Truthsayer – might inadvertently trigger what we aim to avoid. “Could it be,” she queries, “that we may have unwittingly set into motion the events Raquella warned about?

Valya puts aside her worries and instructs her to spend the night, reminding her of their mission. “The wedding must proceed,” she insists. Tula requests Valya to look up the index, simply to verify that Kasha’s troubling vision was just a futile dream – what’s the risk?

It’s fortunate that Ynez is the preferred choice. Instead of taking Kasha from Salusa Secundus after the princess arrives, which Valya proposes, Tula thinks it’s a poor decision. Tula advises Valya, “You can’t simply remove pieces because they don’t agree with you,” referring to her sister. As a result, Valya requests Tula to help straighten out Kasha’s thoughts instead.

That evening, Lila confesses to Jen that the tale she spun about her parents being false, “yet there’s an underlying truth to it.

“Don’t worry, doe eyes… one way or another, our past always finds us,” Jen says.

Ynez meets Pruwet Richese

As planned, the event transpires, yet it turns out to be surprisingly chilly. When Ynez arrives, she attempts to engage with Pruwet who rudely remarks: “Apparently, we aren’t required to converse; father claims this is merely a formality.” How annoying!

At the gathering, Javvico unintentionally pays attention to Baron Harkonnen as he attempts to sell whale fur in the crowd, yet his focus is drawn elsewhere. Simultaneously, Ynez notices Pruwet handling a hazardous gadget – an outlawed thinking machine, technology prohibited throughout the Imperium. The device scuttles across the room before Desmond impales it with his knife.

Natalya is extremely angry, while Ynez shields him from her fury. The Duke requests Javvico’s patience, but defies his wife’s disapproval by permitting the festivities to persist. Pruwet acknowledges Ynez for protecting him, yet she was merely fulfilling her obligations. “Once our marriage is official,” she threatens, “if you ever do something like that again, I’ll plunge a knife into you myself, you insolent wretch,” she warns ominously.

Ynez storms off for a final night out with her brother in Division. They snort some Spice and head to a club, where Ynez meets Keiran… Atreides!

The duo move towards the rear of the nightclub, partake in an act similar to smoking a water pipe laced with Spice, and engage in intimacy. Kieran is hesitant (given the potential consequences, he could face danger if discovered), but ultimately gives in – it doesn’t require much persuasion.

Desmond and Javvico talk about faith and power

At the palace, Javvico queries Desmond if a group of fighter ships would alleviate his issues on Arrakis. “Indeed,” Desmond replies, “yet, it won’t address the escalating rebellion within the Imperium.

Javvico considers the spice theft an isolated occurrence, while Desmond sees it as a sign of deeper problems. He suggests that their troubles extend beyond just Arrakis, and many are questioning whether we moved too hastily in abandoning technology. Furthermore, there’s growing concern that only the Great Houses are reaping the benefits from spice.

Javvico admits he’s hesitant about the wedding, yet feels trapped because if he backs out, he might lose Arrakis, and in his words, “The Great Houses will devour me instead.

Desmond inquires about Javvico’s religious beliefs, implying that he himself thought he should have perished. When he found himself being pulled towards the sand, he pleaded for the ability to remain numb, only to find himself clawing his way back out of the sand shortly afterward. Upon taking his first breath post-ordeal, he felt a sense of rebirth and transformation. He was no longer filled with fear. It seemed as though the deities were attentive to his prayers.

Javvico playfully hints that he’d wholeheartedly embrace his faith if the deities could miraculously release him from the bond of matrimony.

After finding it hard to sleep, Javvico rises from bed instead and decides to watch a recording of an assault on a Spice operation in Arrakis, the same one that came close to claiming Desmond’s life. In this recording, he observes a hologram of Desmond confronting a worm and appearing to be consumed whole – leaving Javvico puzzled about how he managed to survive such an ordeal.

Desmond kills Pruwet!

In another part of the palace, Pruwet engages with his (very risky yet thrilling) gadget. When Desmond locates him, Pruwet inquires as to why he’s arrived at Salusa Secundus. “There’s a war disguised as peace, instigated by an adversary who has ingratiated themselves. It’s here to manipulate our decisions for us,” Desmond clarifies.

Pruwet seems to be discussing mechanical devices, but Desmond appears to be referring to the Sisterhood instead. This is what makes his statement, ‘It’s so distressing that we seem to be back under someone else’s control,’ all the more intriguing.

Desmond informs Pruwet that he’s been bestowed with an extraordinary ability, and winning this battle will demand significant sacrifices. “Yours… it won’t go unrewarded,” he assures him. In that instant, Pruwet notices his toy is missing and finds himself drenched in sweat. He begins to experience a horrifying transformation, pleading with Desmond to halt the process. Before long, all that remains is a charred body of Pruwet lying in the hallway.

Additionally, on Wallach IX, Kasha suffers similarly, crying out in torment as her body is engulfed by flames. As Valya witnesses, this was what Raquella beheld: the fiery truth isn’t some cataclysmic occurrence, it’s a person, and his identity is Desmond Hart.

In two days time, tune in to HBO for the second episode of “Dune: Prophecy” on Sunday, November 24th. Before then, discover why this series is adapted from a contentious novel and stay updated about the progress of “Dune 3”.

2024-11-18 06:19