As a long-time fan of Frank Herbert’s epic saga, I must say that this week’s episode of Dune: Prophecy has truly captured the essence of the original narrative while adding its own unique flavor. The intricate web of politics, manipulation, and honor is skillfully woven, and the themes resonate deeply with my own experiences in life.
Following an intense episode heavy on flashbacks, the series Dune: Prophecy returns with a vibrant kick in Episode 4 titled “Twice Born.” This installment stands out as the strongest yet, skillfully weaving together the intricate narrative threads developed over the initial three hours, culminating in a powerful third act. Unlike previous episodes, this one avoids delving into the past through flashbacks, steers clear of introducing new subplots and characters that might complicate the exposition, and minimizes lengthy previews. Instead, “Twice Born” masterfully ties together its numerous storylines in a satisfying episode that echoes the political episodes of acclaimed series like Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica, or shows like Game of Thrones. Moreover, it adeptly sets the stage for the final two episodes.
Valya’s Plan to Gain Power for the Sisterhood & House Harkonnen
In the first two-thirds of “Twice Born”, the narrative offers a well-trimmed portrayal of most major characters within the universe of Dune: Prophecy, revealing their secretive schemes. Previously, Valya was expelled from the Imperial Palace and subsequently overshadowed by the impressive Desmond Hart (played exceptionally by Travis Fimmel, who continues to shine in this series). This episode showcases Valya’s intricate scheme unfolding as she encounters her estranged kin at House Harkonnen. Here, her ailing uncle and cunning nephew reside in hiding.
Valya’s strategy revolves around the imminent assembly of the Landsraad, an entity similar to the intergalactic Senate in the Dune universe. This council is made up of leaders from each House and their associated Truthsayers from the Sisterhood. The Landsraad is due to convene with Emperor Corrino, who has been a topic of many whispers due to his suspected role in the demise of Pruwet Richese, the small betrothed of his daughter. To refresh your memory about these events, you may want to check out this article on the first episode of the series.
Valya understands that the rebellion intends to detonate the Landsraad using a costly miniature drone, due to rebel insider Keiran Atreides, the Swordmaster of House Corrino. Earlier, he had blueprinted the palace for the drone’s explosive programming, but his blossoming relationship and frequent games of kiss-and-tell with Emperor’s daughter, Princess Ynez, have caused him internal struggles over the notion of betraying her father. Despite these conflicts, it is Valya who will allow the drone access to the building. Unbeknownst to him, Ynez plans to take a stand and enter the Landsraad, revealing her father’s misdeeds.
Valya has been in contact with the rebellion and has collaborated with them, knowing full well about their plan. Her intention is to disarm the explosive device publicly, thereby saving the day, and regain favor with the Emperor. However, she’s been expelled by him; so, how can she gain entry into the Landsraad? She chooses to reunite with her family, House Harkonnen, and accompany her nephew as their personal Truthsayer at the Landsraad, a role she has long kept them from holding within the Sisterhood.
Everyone Thinks They Have a Plan in ‘Dune: Prophecy’
As a cinephile, I’ve got to admit that it’s not just Valya pulling strings behind the scenes to influence others. The rebels are under the impression they’ve got everything planned out perfectly, but as they say, the future has a wicked sense of humor when it comes to human schemes. It seems their rebellion shares some similarities with Valya, in that they’ve both overlooked Desmond Hart.
As a dedicated admirer, I’d rephrase the passage like this:
Desmond Hart and the Reckoning
The extraordinary showcase of strength by Desmond appears to have left its mark on him; his jacket stained red from grievous wounds on his back, reminiscent of whip lashes. Later, the Emperor enters his chamber and finds Desmond slouched in a corner, resembling a child, his wounded, blood-soaked back exposed. He gently pats him and praises him. The situation is peculiar, unsettling, yet it underscores the intriguing nature of Desmond Hart. There’s an innocence, devotion, and profound suffering within him that elevates him beyond a mere antagonist.
According to Lila’s prophecy during her agonizing ordeal, it appears that Desmond might be the fulfillment of that prophecy himself. This former solider, who seemingly was devoured by a sandworm and emerged with immense power, matches the description given in the prophecy.
The key to the reckoning is one born twice. Once in blood. Once in spice. A revenant full of scars. A weapon born of war, on a path too short.
It’s intriguing to delve deeper into Desmond’s character in the upcoming episodes, and I sincerely hope the producers don’t disappoint us. Many theories circulate, the most popular suggesting he could be a ghola – a type of clone made from a deceased individual. If Desmond perished during the sandworm attack, this might explain it. Gholas are produced by the Tleilaxu, a shunned group known for their intensive genetic experiments, which appears to align with Valya and Tula’s focus on breeding indexes.
Theodosia the Face Dancer?
In Episode 4 of Dune: Prophecy, there’s an increasing hint that the Tleilaxu are playing a larger role. For several episodes now, Valya has been accompanied by the acolyte Theodosia, and they’ve stayed together at House Harkonnen. A mysterious discussion unfolds about a hidden ability of Theo’s, one she seems reluctant to use again, yet it appears Valya might need this power. The episode concludes with an unexpected visit from Valya’s deceased brother, Griffin, which brings her immense joy. However, as it turns out, this isn’t actually Griffin; instead, we see that Theodosia possesses the ability to change her appearance, a skill known as shapeshifting.
In the Dune universe, Theo could be a “Face Dancer,” which are beings capable of transforming into exact replicas created by the Tleilaxu. Although the term isn’t used in the episode, it seems most fitting as Griffin turns back into Theo at the end. This raises intriguing possibilities: Did Valya employ Theodosia’s abilities during the Landsraad? Was Theo impersonating someone there, since she was not present in the scene? If so, who was she mimicking and why? These questions are among several thought-provoking mysteries left by Dune: Prophecy in this well-crafted episode.
Dreaming of the the Eyes of God with Tula & Lila
In Episode 4, there’s a secondary plot that momentarily hinders the pace, but it remains captivating and skillfully executed. While Valya was away, Tula took charge of the Sisterhood at their stronghold, and things have taken a bleak turn. Lila appears to be deceased following the Agony, her body stored in a secret underground preservation pod. The novitiates all seem to share a troubling dream, reminiscent of the recurring circular visions from Episode 1 – the well, the worm’s mouth, and the radiant blue eyes staring back.
One follower, under the influence of a trance-like state, makes his way to the location where Dorotea was fatally attacked by Valya’s Voice, and seems poised to repeat the same action (self-inflicting a wound with a knife), but is prevented by the lone follower who hadn’t been affected by the unsettling dream. Tula attempts to unravel this mystery by gathering all the girls in a room furnished with desks and art supplies. She places them under a form of hypnosis, encouraging them to draw what they had witnessed in the room. This results in some dramatic overacting but overall creates an intense, chilling scene that is expertly captured on film by director Richard J. Lewis.
The girls are individually sketching various subjects, eventually synchronizing and producing similar ominous drawings involving rapid charcoal circles followed by a solid black page featuring only two piercing blue eyes. Tula fails to break the spell, but it appears that the collective dread of this recurring image – the haunting blue eyes in the darkness – abruptly snaps the apprentices out of their trance-like state.
We’ve discussed the importance of circles in our recaps, and it’s a thrilling thematic moment to see all the Sisters madly drawing circles, before we get to see those terrifying blue eyes. We’re still not sure who they belong to. Desmond? If he is a ghola, they are supposed to possess “metallic eyes” that shine. Or are they the eyes of Paul Atreides in the future? Or the God-Emperor? Or the eyes of God itself, judging them, as one Sister mentions? We should find out more, whatever it is, considering at the end of the episode, Lila wakes up. Twice born, you could say.
The Bloody Horror of Honor and Respect
Trying to control the future will backfire, and pursuing honor at the price of morality is a doomed game. Those are the major themes of this episode and of the franchise in general, and they’re brilliantly fleshed out through imagery, dialogue, and narrative here. While the Sisterhood are guilty of trying to engineer the future, we see the men of Dune all succumb to the devilish desires of honor and pride. It’s how Valya and Theodosia manipulate young Baron Harkonnen. “Aren’t you tired of the way they look at you? Harkonnen, the cowards of Corrin?” Valya asked him.
The reason behind this is that Emperor Corrino consistently prefers Desmond Hart’s strong authority over his children’s objections, opting for fascism instead of democracy. In his words to Desmond, “When my father walked into a room, everyone looked at him. My ancestors fought giants, built a new empire,” he says. However, he feels that they only view him as a mere beneficiary of his bloodline, not recognizing any other worth. This craving for respect and pride can be perilous, as Swordmaster Keiran Atreides cautions Princess Ynez in the episode.
You give any person that much power, the only path becomes to try and preserve it.
In essence, the dialogue in Dune: Prophecy might not mirror real-life conversations, but it effectively reinforces the series’ themes, much like how Immanuel Kant’s saying, “Power corrupts the free use of reason,” illustrates a profound truth. With his power amplified, Desmond Hart is poised for an exciting journey that we can’t wait to witness, not just for him, but also for the show itself.
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2024-12-09 06:34