Desmond Hart and His Mysterious Powers in Dune: Prophecy, Explained

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As a longtime fan of the Dune universe, I must say that the introduction of Desmond Hart in Dune: Prophecy has been nothing short of captivating. Travis Fimmel brings an enigmatic charm to this complex character, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and suspense with every scene he graces.

In 2024 on Max, the series “Dune: Prophecy” will unfold, taking place before Denis Villeneuve’s epic sci-fi adventure “Dune: Part 2”. This six-part tale delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful socio-religious order. Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) are central figures in this story as they lay the foundation for this order, which empowers its members with supernatural abilities through rigorous mental training.

10,000 years prior to the Dune storyline, a new character named Desmond Hart (portrayed by Travis Fimmel) is introduced in the show. This character does not exist in the original Dune novels and was specifically developed for this TV prequel, leaving viewers curious about his background, intentions, and any extraordinary abilities or superhuman strengths he might possess to aid him in his mission.

‘Dune: Prophecy’ Centers Around the Bene Gesserit

In “Dune: Prophecy,” we trace back the roots of the enigmatic Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, focusing on sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen. As they band together against forces jeopardizing mankind’s destiny, they forge a secretive sisterhood of women who have been rigorously trained in mental prowess to harness supernatural abilities. In Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” the Bene Gesserit aim at breeding a unique male individual known as Kwisatz Haderach. In “Dune: Prophecy,” Valya and Tula are tasked with safeguarding the traditional Breeding Program after Reverend Mother Dorotea (Camilla Beput) seeks to dismantle it.

In order to safeguard the Breeding Program, Valya employs her persuasive powers to persuade Dorotea to take her own life. Three decades down the line, Valya ascends to the position of Reverend Mother and endeavors to preserve the bloodline by arranging a romantic liaison between Sisterhood trainee Princess Ynez (portrayed by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) and Pruwet Richese (played by Charlie Hodson-Prior). This strategic union aims to maintain Emperor Javicco Corrino’s (performed by Mark Strong) grip on The Imperium, thereby guaranteeing his eternal rule over Arrakis.

As you progress through “Dune: Prophecy,” approximately halfway into the pilot episode, a Truthsayer named Kasha Jinjo (Jihae) experiences peculiar visions following her meeting with an enigmatic individual named Desmond Hart. This character is not present in the original source novels.

Who Is Desmond Hart in ‘Dune: Prophecy’

When Kasha encounters Desmond Hart, he confides in her that the Fremen didn’t launch the attack on the old government. Instead, he admits it was a group linked to Imperium who carried out the ambush. Kasha shares this with Valya, the Mother Reverend, but her warning is disregarded, giving Desmond free rein for his plans. It transpires that Desmond intends to weaken the Sisterhood in order to win over Emperor Corrino, employing his refined charm to insinuate himself into the Sisterhood and gain the ruler’s favor.

In the pilot’s last moments, Emperor Corrino expresses his dislike for Ynez’s marriage to Pruwet Richese to Desmond. Being the Emperor’s ruthless enforcer, Desmond employs a mystical ability to ignite Pruwet and cause him to burn alive. Hart, who is not present in the original series, has been likened to Duncan Idaho by ScreenRant, although Desmond conceals more mysteries regarding his motives. According to Travis Fimmel, speaking with Business Insider:

Desmond isn’t keen on having full authority over everything. However, he desires the Imperium to be under reliable management. He’s prepared to use any means necessary to steer things towards that goal.

As a cinephile, I find myself reflecting upon the immense power that Desmond possesses, which he demonstrates by igniting Pruwet with his pyrokinesis. This force, as he puts it, is a “Great Power,” deserving of deeper examination and understanding.

Desmond Hart’s Powers of Pyrokinesis and Voice Resistance

In the initial two installments of the series Dune: Prophecy, Desmond Hart has exhibited numerous extraordinary abilities. He showcases the psychokinetic power to incinerate individuals with his mind, as seen in his assassination of Pruwet on behalf of the Emperor. Remarkably, Desmond seems immune to The Voice. In Episode 2, titled “Two Wolves,” Desmond hints at having been devoured by a Sandworm, potentially shedding light on how he acquired his demonic powers.

When Desmond confesses to the Emperor that he murdered Pruwet on his behalf, thereby annulling Princess Ynez’s marriage, Corrino apprehends Desmond. With imprisonment looming, Empress Natalya pleads with her husband to preserve Desmond and exploit his enigmatic abilities for their advantage. Moved by her words, the Emperor concurs and conceals Desmond’s guilt in Pruwet’s death.

In the upcoming four episodes of “Dune: Prophecy,” more about Desmond’s abilities will be revealed. However, in the current episode titled “Two Wolves,” Desmond warns Valya that he plans to eliminate The Sisterhood. In response, Valya attempts to persuade him to take his own life using her ability known as The Voice. By the end of the episode, Desmond successfully withstands The Voice’s influence, leaving Valya bewildered and disheartened.

For those unfamiliar, The Voice is a powerful ability from the world of Dune, where certain vocal tones can influence and manipulate people on a subconscious level. This power doesn’t affect those who are deaf to the speaker. While The Voice is a significant aspect in the story, some characters have shown resistance to it, such as Desmond in ‘Dune: Prophecy’, Baron Harkonnen in ‘Dune’, and House Corrino in ‘Children of Dune’. Interestingly, since Desmond shares a connection with Emperor Corrino in ‘Dune: Prophecy’, it’s suggested that this resistance to The Voice could become a weapon for House Corrino in the future.

Dune: Prophecy is available to stream on Max

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2024-11-27 04:04