WARNING: Spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Episode 5Major revelations inDune: Prophecy’s penultimate episode give the series some much-needed gas before its upcoming finale. For four episodes, conflict has been brewing between the Bene Gesserit andDesmond Hart, the latter of whom has curried favor with Emperor Javico Corrino, resulting in the expulsion of the Sisterhood from the Imperium’s seat of power.
Dune: Prophecy
Cast
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
Mother Superior Valya has been at work trying to undermine Desmond from afar. Still, her efforts were foiled at theLandsraad meeting, where Desmond was able to consolidate his power further. That power is on full display in episode 5. Desmond can be seen haunting the halls of the royal palace with militarized guards, but he is not completely invulnerable. We’re treated to a major twist thanks to Valya’s behind-the-scenes plotting and the sample of Desmond’s blood she snuck from the meeting in last week’s episode.
Desmond Hart’s Identity Is Finally Revealed
What Does This Mean For Tula & Valya?
Over on Wallach IX, Tula receives Desmond’s sample and she runs it through the Sisterhood’s genealogy records, revealing him to be the son of bothan Atreides and a Harkonnen. This could really only mean one thing: Desmond is Tula’s child, conceived with Orry Atreides right before the Harkonnens slaughtered him and his entire bull-hunting party in episode 3.
This Desmond revelation is clearly the missing puzzle piece that has plaguedDune: Prophecysince its first episode.
Desmond’s anger towards the Sisterhood stems from the fact that his mother abandoned him to join theBene Gesserit. It’s unclear if he knows whether his motheralsokilled his father, but when that revelation comes out, it will only further embolden him. This Desmond revelation is clearly the missing puzzle piece that has plaguedDune: Prophecysince its first episode.
Despite being immune to Valya’s powers and his efficient politicking, Desmond has never quite been an effective villain. Still, his motivations for wanting to get rid of the Bene Gesserit remained murky and, though it was clear there was something more personal beneath this power play, his efforts rang hollow. With only one episode left, it’s unclear if this news can make up for lost time, but it’s certainly a step forward in the right direction, especially now that Desmond finds he has a secret new ally.
How Empress Natalya’s relationship with Desmond will evolve remains to be seen, but it adds layers to a part of the story that previously fell flat. The dynamics within the Corrino family were pretty standard — bastard son, rebellious daughter, dutiful wife — but the introduction of Constantine’s mother, Sister Francesca, creates a wrinkle that may have a lasting impact.
It pushes Natalya towards the extremism her husband has flirted with while isolating Javico, leading him to a potential reunion with the Sisterhood. With only one episode left, though, it seems unlikely there will even be time to explore these new dynamics. In a season that has already felt overstuffed without revealing much, it’s concerning that these changes are coming this late in the game.
The Bene Gesserit Still Search For Answers
What Is Going On With Those Dreams?
Even with Desmond’s parentage revealed, there’s still the remaining question about thecollective nightmare the Bene Gesseritacolytes are sharing. While little progress is made on that front, Reverend Mother Raquella appears via Lila and is able to help Tula discover what exactly is going on, though we may have to wait until the finale to find out.
I can’t help but wonder if the real reckoning for the Sisterhood will come from within. All season long, Desmond has been portrayed as the main villain and while he certainly has a bone to pick with the Bene Gesserit, there’s only one in particular he really has his sights set on. However, the factions within the Sisterhood remain an interesting counterpoint to their shared goals, one that really speaks to what the show is trying to say about power, fanaticism, and authoritarianism.
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This is most evident when Tula reveals Lila’s survival to a young acolyte, who balks at her secret but helps anyway. Just how much will these girls bend to their superiors before they break? And what happens when they do?Dune: Prophecycontinues to raise interesting questions about these dynamics, but it seems to have neither the follow-through nor the room to answer them adequately. Here’s hoping the finale can change that.
Dune: Prophecyepisode 5 is now streaming on Max. The finale will release on December 22.
