In the climactic sixth episode of HBO’s sci-fi drama series “Dune: Prophecy,” the tension escalates dramatically on Salusa Secundus as various factions vie for dominance.
This installment also explores flashbacks that delve into the Sisterhood’s past, particularly highlighting the ruthless methods employed by Valya Harkonnen to dominate the Bene Gesserit.
Valya Harkonnen’s relentless ambition alters the Sisterhood’s fate (Photo: Dune Art/HBO and Legendary Television)As historical bloodshed and secrets resurface, shocking revelations emerge, paving the way for the impending conflict set to extend in the upcoming season.
Power Dynamics Shift on Salusa Secundus
Despite her parents’ increasing influence from Desmond Hart, Princess Ynez chooses to deviate from the norm by aiding Kieran, who has been wrongfully imprisoned on treason charges.
In her attempt to rescue him, Ynez finds herself captured, prompting Valya Harkonnen to drastically alter her strategy. Initially focused on placing a Sister on the throne with Ynez as the chosen candidate, Valya and her followers have faced numerous obstacles to ensure Ynez’s compliance.
However, with Ynez now incarcerated, Valya recognizes that subtle manipulation is no longer sufficient. Valya has already ensnared Emperor Corrino through Francesca’s imprinting but now sees the necessity to eliminate him.
She instructs Francesca to execute the Emperor and, upon arriving at the palace, arranges to be arrested so she can visit Ynez in prison. Securing her own arrest is straightforward for Valya; she simply needs to confront the Emperor about his incompetence and how the Sisterhood has orchestrated every aspect of his reign, including his marriage.
Consumed by grief over Francesca’s betrayal, the Emperor takes his own life, while Francesca is subsequently killed by Empress Natalya, who resolves to seize control of the Imperium.
Valya Faces Escalating Challenges
The urgency to escape the palace becomes paramount for Valya, leading Sister Theodosia to become involved. The initial plan was to quietly extricate Ynez while Theo took her place, ensuring no one would notice Ynez’s absence, thereby allowing Valya to progress with her agenda.
However, Ynez insists on remaining with Kieran, compelling the Sisters to revise their strategy. Theo resolves to remain behind to buy them time as the trio attempts to flee.
Their escape efforts are complicated when Desmond Hart learns of Valya’s arrest; he quickly recognizes her deception and pursues her. He manages to catch up, but Valya proves to be a far more formidable opponent than he anticipated.
Control of the Sisterhood Is Up for Grabs
While events spread out on Salusa Secundus, Wallach IX sees a sharp decline in circumstances. Tula embarks on a mission to locate Desmond, believing he holds the key to change. Yet, her impulsive choice leads to disastrous consequences, spiraling out of control.
Leaving Sister Lila, who is in a fragile state, under Sister Jen’s care—who has a soft spot for Lila—proves to be a grave mistake. Unbeknownst to Sister Jen, Lila is currently possessed by Sister Dorotea’s spirit, which allows her to escape captivity after rendering Jen unconscious.
When Lila, now with blue eyes, appears, the Sisters are taken aback. They had been on high alert, grappling with a haunting shared vision. Seeing Lila alive feels miraculous, as they had presumed her dead following the Agony.
It quickly becomes clear that it is not Lila before them but Sister Dorotea, prompting them to address her accordingly. Dorotea is astonished to learn that Valya has assumed control of the Sisterhood since her demise, leaving her to ponder why her followers did not take action.
Upon discovering that most of her loyalists were killed and discarded in the well at the center of their abode, she recognizes that the truth has always been evident.
This revelation acts as a catalyst for the Sisters, convincing them they have been misled. They resolve to realign with Sister Dorotea, who intends to fulfill what she could not accomplish before her death.
On the day Valya killed her, Dorotea was en route to destroy the thinking machine Anirul. With the truth finally uncovered and all Sisters rallying behind her, she storms in and obliterates the machine.
Desmond’s Origins as a Weapon Revealed
From the series’ inception, the mystery surrounding Desmond Hart’s unusual abilities has intrigued viewers. However, the penultimate episode clarifies that his power is not supernatural.
Instead, it stems from a virus that causes the deaths of those he kills. Sister Nazir steps in to investigate the virus and seeks a method to combat it, discovering that it exists within Desmond’s body, marking him as its first victim.
This suggests that someone intentionally infected him with the virus, yet the identity of this individual remains elusive. The virus appears to prey on its host’s fears, compelling Sister Nazir to leverage her Sisterhood training and manipulate her body’s chemistry to eradicate the virus from within.
Unfortunately, the more she resists, the more aggressively the virus attacks, overpowering Nazir’s defenses. Later, Valya confronts Desmond with the same tactic, risking everything to secure Ynez and Kieran Atreides’ escape.
Despite her confidence in her strength, she finds the virus increasingly formidable. Just as she nears defeat, Tula appears to guide her through the turmoil.
Within her mind, Valya relives the painful memory of her brother’s near-drowning, wherein he accuses her of causing his death after he pursued Vorian Atreides on her advice.
Valya’s arrival on Arrakis sparks a quest to unearth hidden truths (Photo: Valya/HBO and Legendary Television)This fear manifests vividly, yet Tula’s reassuring voice helps her break free. Upon surrendering, the virus engulfs Valya, leading her to confront the Sandworm approaching her.
Inside the creature, she glimpses two blue eyes that reveal themselves to be a thinking machine. Despite the tragic toll on others, Valya’s journey continues.
The Identity of the Shadowy Figure Revealed
Valya observes several thinking machines operating on Desmond Hart, performing a procedure that involves extracting his right eyeball and implanting chips on his nerves.
This clarifies why he touches his temple when utilizing his power. However, the most intriguing aspect is a shadowy figure overseeing the operation, indicating that this person orchestrates everything involving the thinking machines and is responsible for Desmond’s current plight and the chaos he has caused.
Viewing the scene from Desmond’s perspective prevents Valya from discerning the shadowy figure’s identity, yet she gathers sufficient information to confront them.
Tula’s Fate: A Question of Survival
The previous episode concluded with the shocking revelation that Tula is Desmond’s mother. In this episode, it is revealed that Tula intentionally relinquished her son. Shortly after Valya usurped the Sisterhood by eliminating Sister Dorotea, Tula learned of her pregnancy.
Despite Dorotea’s followers remaining skeptical of the circumstances surrounding her death, they believed the Harkonnen sisters were involved. Knowing that Valya’s rise to power depended on their support, they faced a grim choice: submit to Valya or end their lives. Tragically, most Sisters opted for the latter.
When Tula disclosed her pregnancy to Valya, the latter analyzed the baby’s genetic profile to determine the potential of a child born from the Harkonnen and Atreides lineage. Valya was thrilled at the prospect of the child’s power and offered her sister support throughout her pregnancy.
However, as time passed, Tula realized that her child would eventually become another pawn in Valya’s ambitions, a future she could not accept. To prevent Valya from controlling her son’s destiny, Tula decided to give him away, unaware that this choice would set him on a collision course with the Sisterhood.
On Wallach IX, Tula learns that Desmond executes people by activating a dormant virus within their bodies, a consequence of the thinking machines’ machinations. To unleash this ability, he became the virus’s initial victim, implying that he is under the influence of a greater force.
Under ordinary circumstances, Tula might have agreed that eliminating Desmond was the optimal solution, as it would eradicate the root of the issue. However, she refuses to allow the Sisterhood to bear her son’s blood, prompting her to offer him assistance instead.
Upon arriving at Salusa Secundus, Tula is relieved to find both Desmond and Valya alive. Tula confesses to Valya that she faked her child’s death years ago, stressing that she cannot let Desmond perish. Instead, she resolves to remain in Salusa Secundus to aid him.
After Valya departs, Tula approaches her wounded son, who has long been aware of his mother’s abandonment. They share a brief embrace, disrupted when soldiers arrive to arrest Desmond.
Nevertheless, this does not signify his intent to execute her; there are still unresolved issues between them. It’s evident that using his powers to kill weighs heavily on Desmond. When he finally chooses to relinquish this ability, Tula will be the only one he can turn to for support.
The Purpose of Ynez, Kieran, and Valya’s Journey to Arrakis
In the episode’s closing moments, Valya, Ynez, and Kieran arrive on Arrakis, motivated by several factors. Foremost among them is Valya’s vision of the thinking machines and the enigmatic figure orchestrating their actions.
She deduces that the person responsible for Desmond’s condition is on Arrakis, as he was last seen there prior to his arrival at Salusa Secundus.
The procedure that transformed him into a weapon occurred after his encounter with a Sandworm, indicating that those who discovered him intended to exploit him to disrupt the Imperium’s power balance. Thus, Arrakis becomes the pivotal location for Valya’s mission.
