Everything You Need to Know About the Bene Gesserit in Dune: Prophecy

As I delve into the captivating world of “Dune: Prophecy”, I find myself utterly enamored by the resilient and cunning Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen. Her life experience, steeped in the tumultuous history of the Bene Gesserit order, is a testament to the power of determination and the indomitable spirit of women.

10,000 years prior to Paul Atreides’ birth and his emergence as the prophesied messiah called Lisan-al-Gaib, HBO’s new “Dune: Prophecy” series delves into the early development of the Bene Gesserit order, which began as a small school for gifted young women, eventually transforming into the powerful and mystical sisterhood that manipulates the imperial government at the onset of “Dune”.

The television series “Dune: Prophecy” is derived from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s 2012 novel “Sisterhood of Dune,” which initiates the prequel trilogy called “Great Schools of Dune.” This work was penned by Brian, son of the original “Dune” author Frank Herbert, following Frank’s demise, with showrunner Alison Schapker at the helm. The series primarily focuses on sisters Valya and Tula, portrayed as adults by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, respectively, while Jessica Barden and Emma Canning depict them in flashbacks. These characters are born around 60 years post the Butlerian Jihad, a significant conflict within the Dune universe often referred to as the great machine wars. The Harkonnen sisters are distant relatives of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, his nephews Feyd-Rautha and Beast Rabban, Paul’s mother Jessica, and Paul himself, as revealed in “Dune Part II” the movie.

According to tales from Imperium’s historical records, House Atreides’ ancestor Vorian Atreides led humans to win against machines during the last stages of war, while Abulard Harkonnen, the great-grandfather of Valya and Tula, abandoned the battle and was labeled a coward. This act brought disgrace upon House Harkonnen, forcing them into exile on the barren planet Lankiveil. However, Valya claims that the Atreides’ version of history is filled with falsehoods. Determined to challenge the established order at a tender age, she sets out to gain power through the Bene Gesserit.

A rift within the sisterhood

In the debut of “Prophecy”, Valya and Tula are initially portrayed as young siblings. Interestingly, Valya is being groomed to succeed Raquella Berto-Anirul, the first Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit order, a role that was originally intended for Raquella’s granddaughter, Reverend Mother Dorotea. Raquella, who was a celebrated hero in past wars, established this order to cultivate its members as Truthsayers, individuals with the ability to discern truth from falsehood, which they would then use to assist the Great Houses in distinguishing fact from fiction.

Yet, in a narration from an older Valya, it was revealed that there was discord among the Bene Gesserit order regarding Raquella’s ambition to initiate a clandestine breeding program. This program aimed to facilitate suitable royal marriages and nurture rulers who could be manipulated by the Bene Gesserit. While Valya shared Raquella’s perspective, Dorotea, whom Valya described as fervent, perceived this breeding program as blasphemy. She believed that the order’s role was to guide the Imperium, not rule it (This is the same breeding program the Bene Gesserit later employ in an attempt to produce the Kwisatz Haderach, a uniquely powerful Bene Gesserit male capable of accessing all ancestral memories and perceiving all possible futures.).

Following Valya’s bedside summoning as Raquella lay dying, she imparted a prophecy that only strengthened Valya’s convictions. “Scarlet soil,” she declared, employing a term that signified an impending reckoning – a divine judgment triggered by a cruel ruler. “You will be the one to witness the searing truth and recognize it.

After Dorotea tries to eliminate the breeding index against her grandmother’s last wishes, Valya employs a unique talent she’s been nurturing – the Voice – to make Dorotea comply with self-destruction using her own weapon. This ability enables its user to command another person to obey anything they say.

Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen

As apprentice to both the inventor of Voice and Mother Superior Raquella, Valya stands as a likely successor to the Bene Gesserit’s highest rank when Dorotea steps down. Over three decades, it’s evident that she has significantly expanded the order’s influence within the Imperium.

As I’ve diligently worked towards Princess Ynez, the Imperial heir, transitioning into a sister upon her arranged marriage to young Pruwet Richese, I’ve been on the brink of realizing my dream: placing one of our Bene Gesserit in power as the first Empress of the Imperium. However, fate seemed to have other plans when both Princess Ynez and House Corrino’s truthsayer, Reverend Mother Kasha, met an untimely end at the hands of Desmond Hart, a soldier presumed dead who mysteriously returned from Arrakis claiming to possess a remarkable power. This ominous sign hints that the prophesied “burning truth” spoken by Raquella is finally coming to light, and I can’t help but feel my heart race at the unfolding events.

Desmond is connected to the prophecy which plays a significant role in the series, as revealed by Schapker to IGN. Essentially, Desmond remains a puzzle within the show, and understanding who or what gave him his power is a key mystery that the characters need to unravel.

Starting this Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on HBO, you can catch the final five episodes of Dune: Prophecy. These episodes will also be made available for streaming simultaneously on Max.

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2024-11-18 07:06