Dune: Prophecy’s latest episode, “In Blood, Truth,” features many decisive developments that have long been brewing in the series. For one, Mikaela’s (Shalom Brune-Franklin) cover is finally blown andher identity as a member of the Bene Gesserit revealedto Keiran Atreides (Chris Mason), who himself is taken into custody after learning the hard way not to leave evidence of intergalactic conspiracy out in the open. Yet,Episode 5’s greatest revelationdoesn’t come until its final moments, and the latest turn inAlison Schapker’s prequel completely redefines everything we know about Desmond Hart’s (Travis Fimmel) role in the show.
’Dune: Prophecy’s Latest Episode Drops a Bombshell About Desmond Hart’s True Heritage
The beginning of Episode 5 makes it clear that it’s a great time to be Desmond Hart in the Imperium. Following his successful protection of the royal familyduring Episode 4’s Landsraad, Hart is giventhe prestigious title of “Bashar"to illustrate the Emperor Javicco’s (Mark Strong) faith in his judgment, which Hart subsequently usesto carry out sweeping raids on suspected insurgent activitiesacross Salusa Secundus. His incursion into Mikaela’s activities is cut short, however,when the Fremen Bene Gesseritdetonates explosives given to her by Valya (Emily Watson). Hart’s recovery from his attack subsequently coincides with the Sisterhood receiving Valya’s sample of Hart’s DNA on Wallach IX, where an analysis by the Bene Gesserit’s thinking machine, Anirul, revealsHart is descended from both an Atreides and Harkonnen bloodline.
Judging from Tula’s (Olivia Williams) shocked expression as she listens to Anirul’s analysis, as well as Hart’s own admission that he was abandoned on Arrakis by a sister,Dune: Prophecyheavily implies Hart is Tula’s son fromher bloody relationship with Orry Atreides(Milo Callaghan). This familial connectionalters the course of the series in a major way.For one, the knowledge that Tula is now being forced to oppose her own son means we’re in for an incredibly personal confrontation in next week’s finale, and Hart’s relationship to Tula furthersDune: Prophecy’s exploration ofwhat it means to be a Harkonnen. In fact, Hart’s fixation on the Sisterhood’s destruction can now be compared to Valya’s ownfeud with the Atreides, demonstrating howHouse Harkonnen is perpetually defined by its insatiable lust for revenge.
Before ‘Dune: Prophecy,’ Travis Fimmel Had His TV Breakout in This Adventure Drama From Eric Kripke
Fimmel brought a literary icon to life in this short-lived CW series.
The Revelations of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 5 Give Us Greater Insight Into Desmond Hart’s Motivations
On a more personal level, Episode 5’s revelations about Desmond Hart’s past also allow us to gain a firmer grasp on his internal motivations. Throughout the series, Hart’s hatred of the Bene Gesserit has been explainedby his own self-righteousness, with Hart repeatedly reiterating thathe hates Valya’s sisters because he sees how they undermine Emperor Javicco’s ability to governwith strength. This position is undermined by our new knowledge of Hart’s backstory, however. Knowing now that Hart was abandoned by a sister to fend for himself on Arrakis, Hart all but admits to Empress Natalya (Jodhi May) thathis attacks against the Bene Gesserit stem more from a personal vendetta than ideological position, and Hart’s subsequent intimacy with the Empress could even represent a search for the maternal figure he lacked as a child.
Yet, with all that in mind, Episode 5 also gives us plenty of reasons to be skeptical of its biggest bombshell, and this is because we still can’t be sure that Desmond Hart is actually Desmond Hart.Dune: Prophecyhas already given us evidenceto suggest Hart might currently be controlled by thinking machines, and Episode 5 certainly fuels those theoretical flames. Not only cananother mechanical whirring be heard faintly in the background as Hart kisses the Empress, but Mother Raquella (Cathy Tyson) alsocompares Hart’s power to the Omnius Plaguewhile in possession of Lila’s (Chloe Lea) body. This resemblance raises further questions about what exactly happened to Hart after his abandonment on Arrakis, while Episode 5’s insights implythe Sisterhood and House Harkonnen are both in greater dangerthan anyone knew in next week’s finale.
Dune: Prophecyis available to stream on Max in the U.S. New episodes air every Sunday night.
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Dune: Prophecy
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, this 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.
