The Origin of the Atreides-Harkonnen Feud at the Heart of Dune: Prophecy

As a seasoned fan of the Dune universe, I must say that delving into the intricate history of the Atreides and Harkonnen families has always been a captivating journey for me. The Battle of Corrin, as depicted in Brian Herbert’s non-canonical works, adds an interesting twist to the longstanding feud between these two powerful clans.

The television series “HBO’s Dune: Prophecy” is set approximately 10,000 years prior to the birth of Paul Atreides, the main character from Frank Herbert’s original “Dune” books. Unfortunately, this means Timothée Chalamet, who portrays Paul in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the “Dune” novels, won’t be appearing as a prophet in the six-episode season. However, there is some positive news: his ancestors play significant roles in the show, just like the ancestors of Paul’s rival, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (played by Austin Butler without eyebrows in “Dune: Part 2”), and those of his fiancée, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh, who was onscreen for a brief 7 minutes and 47 seconds in the “Dune” sequel).

Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the book Sisterhood of Dune, a collaboration between Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The series primarily focuses on Valya Harkonnen, portrayed first by Jessica Barden and later by Emily Watson. She becomes involved with a coven of witches and ultimately rises to the position of Mother Superior within this group. This organization will eventually evolve into the Bene Gesserit, the mystical order that includes Paul’s mother, Jessica, played by Rebecca Ferguson.

Valya is not a kind individual. Right from the beginning of the series, it’s evident that she employs the Voice – a powerful, ominous tone she can manipulate to make others obey her commands. In fact, we witness her using this ability to coerce another Sister into self-harm, inflicting a throat wound upon herself. However, considering her lineage, it’s perhaps not surprising; her kin are known for their eerie, hairless appearance and enjoyment of inflicting pain on others.

Nevertheless, the story Dune: Prophecy attempts to evoke some empathy towards the Harkonnens, who, as per their family legend, were unfairly punished by an Atreides and subsequently exiled to a desolate icy realm. Their livelihood is confined to selling foul-smelling whale meat.

If the conflict between the Atreides and Harkonnens seems familiar, it’s likely because this power struggle is a central theme in both versions of the film “Dune”. In “Dune: Part 1”, the cruel Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård in an almost unrecognizable manner, tormented the noble Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac, who for some reason appeared nude). And in “Dune: Part 2”, Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen clash in a confrontation reminiscent of “West Side Story”.

It’s fascinating to ponder over how this longstanding family feud has endured for over 10,000 years, hasn’t it? Interestingly, not much seems to have evolved in the Imperium between the timelines of Dune: Prophecy and Dune. Mark Strong portrays Emperor Javicco Corrino in Dune: Prophecy, and his line will eventually give birth to Christopher Walken’s Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV and Pugh’s Princess Irulan Corrino. Arrakis remains a formidable yet valuable planet due to the presence of Spice, a rare resource. The combat technology used in battles appears strikingly similar as well. Although the characters in Dune express fear towards artificial intelligence, it’s important to remember that the fall of Rome occurred only 1,548 years ago. On the other hand, 10,000 years ago marked the end of the Ice Age. (It’s quite surprising that technology, ruling dynasty, or even clothing in the Dune universe have remained unchanged for 10 millennia. But let’s move on!)

The ongoing conflict between the Atreides and Harkonnens, as depicted from Dune: Prophecy to Dune, underscores its significance within Herbert’s fictional universe. However, the root causes of this enmity remain largely undisclosed in Herbert’s initial series. While characters hint at its origin during a major war, they don’t delve into specific details. Here’s an overview of the Harkonnen-Atreides rivalry and its history.

The original Dune book offers only hints about the origin of the feud

Lady Jessica briefly alludes to the origins of this blood feud in the pages of Frank Herbert’s Dune upon which Villeneuve’s movies are based. As a political power struggle builds between the Atreides and the Harkonnen families, Jessica observes, “The Harkonnens won’t rest until they’re dead or my Duke destroyed… The poison in [Baron Harkonnen], deep in his mind, is the knowledge that an Atreides had a Harkonnen banished for cowardice after, the Battle of Corrin.”

Frank Herbert doesn’t delve deeply into the specifics of the cowardly act in question. His son, Brian Herbert, expanded on his father’s work by writing additional books set within the Dune universe, such as “The Battle of Corrin.” While some Dune enthusiasts don’t consider Brian Herbert’s books to be canonical, they may still have relevance due to their influence on “Dune: Prophecy.” Therefore, it might be beneficial to touch upon them here, regardless of their literary value.

What went down at the Battle of Corrin

In the distant past, as described by Brian Herbert, humans were subjected to slavery by artificial intelligence, much like the scenarios portrayed in science fiction stories such as “Terminator,” “The Matrix,” “Battlestar Galactica” or other popular sci-fi works of the last century.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In a world dominated by artificial intelligence, I led the resistance against the so-called “thinking machines.” On the planet of Corrin, our final stand was against an army that had imprisoned two million humans in explosive cargo containers. Vorian Atreides was my comrade, standing beside me in the decisive battle that would determine the fate of mankind.

In a war that had already claimed countless lives numbering in the billions, Vorian proposed sacrificing two million hostages as a means to bring the conflict to an end. However, this idea was met with disagreement by Bashar Abulurd Harkonnen, who served under Vorian. The two engaged in a heated debate, but in the end, Vorian chose to ignore Abulurd’s objections. Determined to save the captives, Abulurd disabled all the weapons on the entire human fleet, effectively rendering them powerless against the machines.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the treachery of Abulurd led to a gruesome, intense battle that left its mark. The war’s conclusion saw Vorian publicly labeling Abulurd a coward and exiling him to a barren planet, where his kin survive by peddling whale meat. It’s safe to say that this is another dark twist in the storyline.

Where the Harkonnens and Atreides stand at the time of Dune: Prophecy

Among Dune enthusiasts, the given account of the feud is often seen as non-standard lore, but it appears to serve as the foundation for Valya’s grudge in Dune: Prophecy. Throughout the series premiere, Valya expresses her family history with a chilling fervor. Additionally, she mentions restoring her family’s reputation as the motive behind her murder of another Sisterhood member.

In an isolated situation, Valya’s actions may appear irrational or even insane. However, she firmly believes that Abulurd displayed heroism rather than cowardice and harbors resentment towards his downfall. While the public shaming of her ancestor doesn’t justify her willingness to deceive and commit murder to become the Mother Superior of the Sisterhood, it does shed light on why she is so relentless in her pursuit to reinstate the family’s reputation.

Valya’s intense animosity towards the Atreides family, particularly Keiran Atreides (Chris Mason), the imperial swordmaster we’ve encountered so far on the show, could lead to trouble. Given that Valya likely knows of his presence in the Emperor’s court and might even be aware of his growing affections for Princess Ynez Corrino (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), it’s probable that their past enmity will continue to unfold.

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself drawn more to the captivating pursuit of the princess’ heart by Keiran, rather than delving into Valya’s ongoing feud – at least for the moment.

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2024-11-18 07:07