As we dive into the latest installment of Dune: Prophecy, it’s clear this series isn’t afraid to explore new territory that the movies haven’t ventured into before. Right from the start, the show shocked viewers by eliminating its youngest character in the pilot. Now, in a daring twist, it showcases a major power struggle over 10,000 years before the events of the films.
In the Dune universe, all the deadly tools of war, from poison-laced teeth to laser beams and atomic missiles, don’t quite measure up to the formidable influence of The Voice—a power wielded by the Bene Gesserit that can compel anyone to obey a single command. This incredible ability has been vividly demonstrated by Lady Jessica Atreides, who has used it to deadly effect. In this episode, we meet Valya Harkonnen, skillfully portrayed by Jessica Barden, who is revealed to be the mastermind behind The Voice. She first employs this power to make Reverend Mother Dorotea self-inflict a fatal wound, all in an effort to protect the Sisterhood’s precious genetic records established by Reverend Mother Raquella.
Up until now, no one in the Dune universe has ever managed to resist The Voice’s iron grip. That changes with Desmond Hart, a character brought to life by Travis Fimmel. In a gripping scene, Hart does the unimaginable: confronting Valya, he becomes the first to defy her commands during a pivotal attempt to re-exert control over Emperor Javicco Corrino’s domain, following the murder of his advisor, Reverend Mother Kasha.
Valya’s private negotiation with the Emperor takes a surprising turn when Hart intervenes. Relying on her usual last-resort tactic, she attempts to have Hart end his own life—a decision that backfires spectacularly. As Hart raises his blade to his neck, seemingly under her spell, he instead delivers a chilling rebuke: “I always wondered what your greatest fear would be. Now I have seen it. It’s not that no one will hear you. It’s that they’ll hear you and just won’t care.”
Turning our attention to another age-old conflict: Shai-Hulud versus The Bene Gesserit. Despite Hart’s surprising immunity, it’s a reminder of the ancient and primal force that Shai-Hulud represents. Fremen venerate these colossal sandworms, and their existence dates back further than even The Voice. As Dr. Liet-Kynes once pointed out, Shai-Hulud is the only true authority. The Bene Gesserit’s own ascension hinges on surviving the Water of Life, drawn from a dying sandworm. So, it stands to reason that the very powers of the sandworms might be the only thing capable of undermining the Bene Gesserit’s might.
Hart’s journey involves surviving being swallowed by Shai-Hulud, which somehow granted him unique abilities. Despite his declaration of a mission to obliterate every trace of the Bene Gesserit, established lore tells us that they remain robust forces centuries later. What Dune: Prophecy tantalizes us with is the notion that individuals like Hart, imbued with Shai-Hulud’s essence, pose legitimate threats. It raises intriguing questions about how the Bene Gesserit adapted to, and survived, such existential challenges.
Ultimately, Dune: Prophecy is dedicated to upending everything you thought you knew about the Dune saga. Brace yourself for what’s next!
