The third episode of Dune Prophecy is now streaming on Max Malaysia.

Check out my breakdown of Dune Prophecy Episode 1 and Episode 2 here.

Set within the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the novel Sisterhood Of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

Cast includes Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha. Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer. Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and serves as executive producer. Anna Foerster executive-produced and directed multiple episodes including the first.

At the time of writing, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part Two has grossed a whopping US$$714.44 million globally. In the meantime, check out our glowing review of Dune Part Two by heading over here.

Max will be available in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries (replacing HBO GO) starting from 19 November 2024.

Valya Harkonnen First Used The Voice On His Brother

Valya was close with her brother, Griffin. She even saved him by using the Voice for the first time. However, Griffin later died and Valya swore to take revenge against Vorian Atreides for killing his brother. Later in the episode, it’s revealed that she was supposed to be the Truthsayer for her brother.

Tula Harkonnen Kills Orry Atreides For Revenge

Valya isn’t the only one out for revenge for the death of her brother, as Tula Harkonnen pretends to fall in love with a member of the Atreides family named Orry before killing Orry and his family.

Later in the episode, it’s revealed that Valya was the one who commanded Tula to commit this atrocity.

In A Flashback, Mother Superior Raquella Reveals A Secret; The Bene Gesserit Use Forbidden Thinking Machine Technology For Their Genetic Plans

It makes sense, how else could the Bene Gesserit have been able to make plans across centuries and thousands of years if not for forbidden thinking machines AKA the computers of the Dune universe?

However, since thinking machines are forbidden, this would be an extremely dangerous secret if it ever gets leaked outside of the Bene Gesserit.

I predict that Desmond Hart knows something about this, which is why he wants to take down the Bene Gesserit.

The genetic plan made possibly by the thinking machines will eventually lead to the birth of the Kwitsatz Haderach (who eventually turns out to be Paul Atreides 10,000 years later). This is achieved via a breeding campaign taking place across thousands of years and by arranging for marriages between specific families over the course of generations.

Valya Underwent The Agony

To unlock the memories of her ancestors and become the Mother Superior, she undergoes the process of the Agony.

However, Valya only does so after going back to her home planet Lankiveil and find out that her own family hates her for what she’s done. Only then is she ready to fully commit to the sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit.

In the Dune universe, Genetic memory is the concept, present in the original novel, where an individual may possess the memories of their ancestors, hidden away within their genetic code.

To access one’s genetic memory, one would have to take dangerous narcotics or drugs. For example, in Dune Part Two, both Lady Jessica and Paul Atreides undergo the process of the Agony by drinking the blood of a sandworm (Shai-Hulud), which almost kills them in the process.

Tula Wants To Revive Sister Lila Using The Forbidden Thinking Machines Somehow

If successful, that decision will definitely have consequences. The process of reviving her also apparently involves the use of the Spice melange from Arrakis.

That’s a huge ‘thinking machine’.

This episode mostly focused on the past and origins of Valya Harkonnen. Now that we know her true motivations, perhaps the next episode of Dune Prophecy will pick up on the stakes.

Until the next episode, excelsior!