Shocking revelations came to light in the penultimate episode of Dune: Prophecy, setting up an epic confrontation in the final episode. The Max series is a spin-off of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune and Dune: Part Two, which centers around the origins of the Bene Gesserit and how they acquired their powerful influence over the Imperium to steer politics from the shadows. The six-part prequel series is about to end and has focused on the growing tension between Desmond Hart and the Sisterhood, but has kept the reason behind Hart’s hatred for them a secret until the latest episode. The episode ends with the shocking reveal that Desmond Hart is both an Atreides and a Harkonnen. This means the unthinkable for Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) exists; the Atreides and Harkonnen bloodlines have mixed, forever binding the two warring houses together.
The episode also reveals Valya’s attempts to undermine Desmond’s influence over Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) as it sabotages the Bene Gesserit’s plans for the Imperium. The Sisterhood’s fall from grace in terms of influence over Corrino creates instability in the Mother Superior’s eyes, and the assassination attempt on Desmond fails, motivating him to come back with a vengeance unlike any other. The chaos doesn’t stop there, as Valya is in for another rude awakening from her sister Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) because she might be Desmond’s mother and the one who crossed the bloodlines.
Release Date
November 17, 2024
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
Seasons
1
Cast
Emily Watson
, Olivia Williams
, Jodhi May
, Travis Fimmel
, Mark Strong
, Jade Anouka
, Chris Mason
, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina
, Shalom Brune-Franklin
, Faoileann Cunningham
, Aoife Hinds
, Chloe Lea
, Josh Heuston
, Edward Davis
, Tabu
, Yerin Ha
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Desmond Hart Is of Atreides and Harkonnen Descent
Episode 5 of Dune: Prophecy had a major twist for Dune fans when it was revealed that Desmond Hart is related to both Kieran Atreides and the Harkonnen sisters. The revelation came from a blood sample Valya acquired in Episode 4. Tula takes this sample and discovers Desmond’s origins, which pose a threat to the Sisterhood and their efforts to manipulate the politics of the Imperium. His existence thwarts every effort of the Bene Gesserit as he possesses an unknown power and, on a personal level, twists the knife in old wounds because he unites House Atreides and House Harkonnen, but, most of all, is a descendant of Vorian Atreides who Valya despises for his role in her family’s demise.
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It appears that Desmond might be the son of Tula and Orry Atreides, and upon this discovery, Valya will come face-to-face with the ultimate betrayal. Since the reveal in Dune: Part Two that Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) are of Harkonnen descent, fans have been theorizing if this was the first time the Harkonnen and Atreides crossed their bloodlines, but Dune: Prophecy has confirmed that these two families have been connected, not just in hatred of each other but in familial ties, for over 10,000 years. It was a major twist that sets up an epic finale.
What Does Desmond’s Quest for Revenge Mean for the Sisterhood?
From the beginning of the six-part Dune series, it was made clear that Desmond has a vendetta against the Sisterhood stemming from his resentment towards his mother, who he knows abandoned him to join the Bene Gesserit. While this episode didn’t confirm his parentage, the preview for the final episode shows a young Tula holding her newborn baby. It’s unclear if Desmond knows Tula is his mother and that she killed his father, but once this truth comes to light, it will only fuel his anger, and the threat to the Bene Gesserit will grow even more.
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The episode gave fans a heartbreaking insight into Desmond’s childhood and his struggle to survive after his mother handed him over to scavengers. One of the many Bene Gesserit practices is that when sisters give birth, their newborns are taken away from them to prevent any sort of attachment so these children can fulfill their larger purpose. This also prevents any members of the Sisterhood from forming bonds that would stir a shift in their loyalty. It is, after all, “Sisterhood Above All.” Desmond confides in Empress Natalya (Jodhi May) and gains an unlikely ally in her, as she also detests the Sisterhood for their influence over the Emperor, which casts her and her council aside in his eyes. Their allyship creates even more problems for the Sisterhood that will certainly unfold in the finale.
How Will This Storyline Wrap Up in the ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Finale?
While this shocking revelation gives Dune: Prophecy an exciting edge, it feels a bit rushed, given that the reveal came in the penultimate episode of the Max show. There’s only one episode left, and with no confirmation of a Season 2 for the series, the finale has to tie up all the loose ends to then lead into the next project of the Dune franchise. Who the confrontation against Desmond takes place remains to be seen as fans speculate he’ll go toe-to-toe with Sister Lila (Chloe Lea) thanks to the prophecy of the Reckoning, which says a tyrant “born from blood and spice,” pointing to a fight between two of Tula’s children.
As of right now, it seems the finale will be rushed to answer the questions that audiences have and how the Sisterhood will deal with Desmond if he turns out to be Tula’s son. Dune: Prophecy has felt a bit lackluster at some points, but there’s no doubt this twist will have viewers tuning in to see the downfall of Desmond Hart or the Harkonnen sisters. Dune: Prophecy is streaming on Max.
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