Who Is the Real Villain in ‘Dune: Prophecy?’

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As a seasoned viewer of epic fantasies and political dramas, I must say that the villains in Dune: Prophecy have truly captured my attention. While Desmond Hartley, the mysterious figure with questionable intentions, is indeed a formidable character, it’s Valya and Tula who leave me awestruck.

Warning: Spoilers for Dune: Prophecy

The new prequel TV show set in the expansive Dune universe delves into the early history of the Bene Gesserit, a secretive sisterhood that subtly influenced the course of the Imperium. Unlike Denis Villeneuve’s films, this series unfolds in realms beyond Arrakis and its sandy dunes, with scarcely a worm in sight. Instead, it presents an assortment of villains, each seeking dominance and power. In the premiere episode, we meet Desmond Hart (played by Travis Fimmel), a character who ruthlessly employs his abilities to kill Lord Pruwet Richeseand (Charlie Hodson-Prior) and is suspected of similarly eliminating Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo (Jihae). This makes him a strong candidate for the main antagonist, but viewers may find their assumptions challenged as the series progresses.

In a series like Dune: Prophecy, where characters often appear sinister, it’s challenging to determine who the audience should support. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the distinction between good and evil is becoming murky, with no one character being entirely innocent. However, Valya (Emily Watson/Jessica Barden) and Tula (Olivia Williams/Emma Canning), central figures in House Harkonnen, seem to be the ones to watch out for. Based on what we’ve seen as the story progresses, it’s difficult to label their actions anything other than villainous. While Desmond may have suddenly appeared and killed a young lord with unclear motives, Valya and Tula have questionable deeds of their own. Without a doubt, Valya and Tula are the main antagonists in Dune: Prophecy.

Who Is Desmond Hart?

Desmond Hart, a seasoned soldier in the Imperium, served on Arrakis for 12 tours and was honored multiple times for his service. He swiftly makes an appearance in the series and endeavors to earn the trust of Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong). He holds the Sisterhood in contempt and strives to minimize their power within the palace, a stance that aligns with Empress Natalya’s (Jodhi May) feelings. Following a secretive chat with Emperor Corrino where he voiced his disapproval of Princess Ynez’s (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) upcoming wedding, Desmond decides to assassinate the bridegroom-to-be, thereby relieving the Emperor of the marriage’s obligations.

At first, the Emperor regarded Desmond as a betrayer and a burden, but eventually recognized and utilized his unique abilities to serve his own interests. After observing an incident where Desmond was swallowed by a sand worm on Arrakis and miraculously survived, the Emperor found it hard to ignore the mysterious talent bestowed upon him. Although Desmond seems to be allied with the Imperium, the specifics of his allegiance remain unclear. He harbors intense disdain for the Sisterhood and their values, but the motivations behind this antipathy have yet to be revealed as well.

What Makes Valya and Tula so Dangerous?

The heart of “Dune: Prophecy” and its story revolves around characters Valya and Tula, who are increasingly showing themselves as the main antagonists throughout the series. From the start, Valya’s harshness was evident when she ordered Reverend Mother Dorotea (Camilla Beeput) to plunge a knife into her own throat. Her relentless ambition has always been apparent, driven by her desire to restore her family’s honor after they were dishonored by House Atreides and eventually banished. With unyielding determination, Valya did not hesitate to exact revenge. Born with a sense of grievance, she used this resentment as fuel to climb the ranks within the Sisterhood. What makes her particularly dangerous is her conviction that she has superior knowledge about how the Imperium should function and aims to leverage the influence of the Sisterhood to shape the Imperium according to her designs. Above all, she yearns for control over everything.

In a contrasting manner, Tula possesses an extraordinary capacity for action, partly due to the fact that most, with the exception of her sister, have consistently underestimated her abilities. Although she appears to follow her sister’s instructions, her choices are made freely. It may appear to some that Valya is manipulating Tula into her current path, but this could not be further from reality. While she may not be the one devising the plans, she carries them out without question.

How Do Valya and Tula Compare to Desmond?

Let me clarify this for you: Don’t be fooled, Desmond certainly plays a villainous role in the story, but he isn’t the chief antagonist of the series, especially considering what we’ve learned about the universe of Dune. Instead, Desmond and the sisters can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Both are aiming to influence the Emperor, yet their reasons for doing so differ greatly. Vayla and Tula seek total control over the Imperium, wanting to dictate the course of its future and managing the Sisterhood’s evolution. On the other hand, Desmond’s motivations may be more complex, but it’s evident that his primary objective is to dismantle the Imperium’s Sisterhood, although we’re still unclear about the exact reasons behind this.

In comparison to Valya and Tula, Desmond’s aspirations appear small and temporary. The sisters are strategizing for future generations using technology banned post-Machine Wars, whereas Desmond merely seeks to eliminate the Sisterhood. Unlike them, Desmond openly admits his actions and doesn’t conceal his goals. While there might be more to Desmond that viewers haven’t seen yet, it seems unlikely he aspires to control the Imperium like Valya and Tula do. In essence, Valya and Tula are the true antagonists in Dune: Prophecy.

New episodes of Dune: Prophecy premiere every Sunday on HBO and stream on Max.

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2024-12-04 01:32