WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for the Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale.
The season 1 finale of Dune: Prophecy has laid the groundwork for numerous storylines that are poised to evolve in season 2. Set over 10,000 years before the events surrounding Paul Atreides, the series unravels the origins of the influential Bene Gesserit sisterhood and their intricate manipulation of humanity’s fate.
The first episode, titled “The Hidden Hand,”introduces Valya Harkonnen, a formidable leader with a calculating nature, alongside her sister Tula Harkonnen. Episode 2 delves into the fate of Lila and her grandmother, Reverend Mother Dorotea, as Tula and Valya encourage Lila to withstand a dangerous trial known as The Agony. By episode 3, Tula attempts to save Lila after her apparent death during the ritual using forbidden technology. In episode 4, viewers learn that Lila was brought back to life by the Thinking Machine, Anirul. As the narrative progresses, episode 5 showcases Desmond Hart’s ascendance to power, while episode 6 highlights Tula’s reunion with her estranged half-Atreides child, Desmond.
HBO/MAX has officially announced that production for Dune: Prophecy season 2 is already underway.
10 Valya, Ynez & Keiran Seek Refuge on Arrakis
Valya will likely seek the creator of the virus here
Image via Max
In the thrilling conclusion of season 1, Valya Harkonnen, Princess Ynez Corrino, and swordmaster Keiran Atreides successfully evade Desmond Hart and his Sardaukar soldiers, finding refuge on Arrakis. Here, Valya is resolved to ensure that Ynez ascends to the title of Empress, taking on the role of her protector and Truthsayer, rather than treating her merely as another Sisterhood acolyte.
Upon their arrival on Arrakis, Valya asserts, “The path to our enemy begins here.” After having a vision of Desmond undergoing an operation involving Thinking Machines—responsible for his mechanical virus that endows him with supernatural abilities—Valya is driven to unmask the individual behind this plot. Her vision also suggests that a shadowy figure controlling the operation is potentially linked to Arrakis. In addition, Valya is expected to maneuver strategies to restore Ynez’s claim to the throne, likely with Sister Mikaela’s assistance.
9 Tula & Theo Are Held Prisoner by the Imperium
Desmond will have to determine their fate
Image via Max
Desmond Hart remains a pivotal character heading into season 2. He seemingly acknowledges Tula Harkonnen as his mother while discovering that Theo is a shape-shifting Face Dancer, resulting in their arrest. Like Desmond and Keiran in season 1, Tula and Theo are expected to be held “in suspension.”
In the upcoming season, Tula will likely elucidate why she forsook Desmond as a child, linking it back to Valya’s overarching schemes. Theo may stay loyal to Valya and the Sisterhood unless she uncovers Valya’s role in Reverend Mother Dorotea’s demise, which could fracture their alliance. There’s a strong likelihood that Desmond and Tula could find common ground and even collaborate to dismantle Valya’s control over the Sisterhood.
8 Emperor Javicco’s Death Opens the Imperial Throne
Desmond may serve as interim Emperor alongside Natalya
Image via Max
The unexpected death of Emperor Javicco is pivotal to Valya’s schemes, despite her potential lack of foresight regarding its execution. Although she recruited Francesca for the assassination, it is ironic that Javicco ultimately took his own life upon realizing he had never known true freedom.
Equally striking is Empress Natalya’s act of revenge against Sister Francesca, further complicating the political landscape. It’s anticipated that Natalya and Desmond will find themselves jointly navigating the Imperial Throne at the start of season 2, although Desmond may hesitate to assume full responsibility. This situation could pave the way for Ynez, her paramour Keiran Atreides, or even Constantine to claim the Imperial throne.
7 Desmond Hart is Implanted with Thinking Machine Technology
Desmond may remain unaware of his own power
Image via Max
The Thinking Machines have implanted a fear-based virus in Desmond’s eye, making him a powerful yet volatile figure. Throughout the season, Desmond appears to wield control over the virus’s effects, showcasing his ability to eliminate threats simultaneously, as seen when he kills Pruwett Richese and Sister Kasha with a mere gesture.
However, it remains unclear whether Desmond acts out of free will or if he is being maneuvered as a pawn within a larger game orchestrated by the Thinking Machines, framing him as a doomsday figure for their sinister purposes. Valya interprets this situation as a critical threat that must be contained. Desmond may either harness this power to further his objectives or suffer under the control of those who orchestrated it in season 2.
6 Lila/Dorotea Resumes Leadership of the Sisterhood
She may mobilize the Sisterhood against Valya
Image via Max
With Valya and Tula sidelined at the end of season 1, the Sisterhood now seems to have regained governance under Dorotea, emerging through her granddaughter Lila. The finale unveils Dorotea’s revelation regarding Valya’s manipulations to the Sisterhood, swiftly galvanizing her own supporters. Additionally, Lila possesses the ability to channel the original Mother Superior, Raquella, granting her significant influence. Valya may find her attempts to dominate the Sisterhood increasingly challenging as Dorotea and her followers discover the concealed Thinking Machine technology Valya has concealed for their breeding index.
5 The Creator of the Thinking Machine Virus Remains Unknown
Valya is determined to expose the other “hidden hand”in season 2
Image via Max
Valya’s foremost objective in season 2, aside from previously established goals, will be to uncover and eradicate the source of the fear-based airborne virus afflicting Desmond. Since she opts not to kill Desmond—believing him to be Tula’s lost son—her focus must shift to locating the virus’s origin, which she presumes may be on Arrakis. By the season’s finale, Valya is still in the dark regarding the adversary she faces. There are also hints that the “hidden hand” behind this technology has programmed Desmond to misunderstand his circumstances, particularly in regard to the malevolent Shai-Hulud.
4 Empress Natalya Will Try to Disempower the Sisterhood
Francesca may only mark the beginning of her reign of terror
Image via Max
Natalya’s underlying motives are unveiled in episode 5, revealing her willingness to eliminate members of the Sisterhood one by one. With blood now on her hands after the assassination of Sister Francesca, she is expected to make it increasingly difficult for the Sisterhood to operate on Salusa Secundus, unless she devises a covert plan to lure and eliminate them. Natalya’s power will largely depend on her alliance with Desmond, who could prove to be a formidable asset on the Imperial Throne—but whether he will support her remains uncertain and could shift dramatically upon realizing Tula is his mother.
3 Harrow Has Recorded Evidence of Valya & Francesca’s Plan
He may use it to leverage a high-ranking position within the Empire
Image via Max
Among the undercurrents in the Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale is Harrow Harkonnen, Valya’s ambitious nephew, who enters season 2 with a significant advantage. Harrow possesses a piece of Thinking Machines technology—a luminous orb that functions as a covert recording device. The finale reveals that he utilized this orb to document Valya’s conversations with Francesca and Theo regarding their plot to eliminate Emperor Corrino. As he seeks his own accolades and understands the inherent risks Valya poses, Harrow is likely to present this evidence to Empress Natalya and Desmond, positioning Valya as a formidable adversary to the Imperium.
2 Constantine Could Be a Wildcard After His Parents’ Death
His character may shift dramatically following recent events
Image via Max
Prince Constantine Corrino’s role in the finale is relatively subdued, leaving much to be discovered about his ambitions within the intricate web of power and betrayal. With assistance from Francesca, he has been tasked with overseeing spice production on Arrakis, which is expected to facilitate his interactions with the Dune planet and a potential reunion with his sister.
Viewers will be intrigued to see where Constantine’s loyalties lie in season 2. His previous actions included exposing Keiran for insurgency, and with a newfound Imperial standing, he might become antagonistic towards Ynez. However, following the death of both of his parents, he is likely to seek vengeance and clarity regarding his family’s legacy.
1 Valya’s Anriul Breeding Index Could Be Destroyed
Lila/Dorotea may have destroyed it—at a personal cost
The exposure of Valya’s Thinking Machine breeding index put her at risk of losing her power, particularly as Dorotea, through Lila, has reclaimed authority over the Sisterhood. The season 1 finale depicts Lila/Dorotea destroying the Thinking Machine Anirul, leading to the machine’s system failure. If successful, this act could undermine Valya’s plans significantly concerning the Sisterhood’s ambitions regarding bloodlines. However, if Lila’s actions resulted in her own demise, it raises questions about the future of her character, given her dependency on the Thinking Machine technology for her resurrection.
Leave a Reply