This post contains full spoilers forDune: Prophecyepisode 2.
Two Wolves,the second episode ofDune: Prophecy, offers more forward plot momentum thanthe series exposition-heavy premiere.
You might not recognize the name Suk, but youll probably notice the grey triangle on the doctors forehead.
The same symbol appeared on Dr. Wellington Yueh inDune, where he was played by Chang Chen.
To prepare for the agony, we see Tula preparing something called a Rossak poison.
Fans of theDenis Villeneuvemovies might recall something called the Spice Agony, which Paul undergoes inDune: Part Two.
Although the Sisters inProphecyjust refer to the agony, the basic process remains the same.
If the subject survives the poison, they emerge with special powers, including access to genetic memories.
Candidates spend years preparing their minds and bodies with techniques to resist the poison.
Over the centuries, as the Zensunni changed into the Sisterhood, the Water of Life replaced the Rossak.
But the older method isnt completely forgotten, as Tula demonstrates.
But Two Wolves gives viewers the first full depiction of the process.
These women represent all of Lilas female ancestors, the people whose essence still lives within her.
The scene makes literal something only hinted at inFrank Herberts books.
The more literal portrayal inProphecyreminds viewers that memories arent just echoes in the mind of the living.
Rather, they operate as distinct and full people, often with their own motivations.
Because Dorotea did not share her concern for stopping Tiran-Arafel, Valya killed her.
So when Dorotea has access to the present via Lila, she doesnt miss the opportunity for revenge.
If the name Butler sounds familiar, its because we talked about it inlast weeks explainer.
Vorian Atreides establishes himself as a hero in the battle, while Abulurd Harkonnen betrays humanity to the machines.
At least, thats the official story, a story that Valya Harkonnen despises as an Atriedes lie.
Lady Shannons statement tracks with the basic themes ofDune; He who controls the spice controls the universe!
goes an unusually straightforward line from David Lynchs adaptation.
Sure, we see him (almost) toast someone alive again.
But the real shock involves his second face off with Valya.
According to Desmond, he gained his powers after an encounter with a sandworm on Arrakis.
After all, the Water of Life is partially derived from the bile of sandworms.
However, book readers may suspect another, less mystical force at play: the Bene Tleilax.
Like the Bene Gesserit, the Tleilaxu seek to control the Imperium through their extreme genetic manipulation.
These practices lead to the creation of Axlotl Tanks, through which the Masters grow gholas or clones.
The Tleilaxu also develop a method of shapeshifting, called face dancing in the world of Dune.
Both gholas and face dancers serve the ruling class on Tleilax, the Tleilaxu Masters.
Because of their unethical experiments, the Tleilaxu are held in low regard by most in the Imperium.
Thats particularly true of the Bene Gesserit, with whom the Bene Tleilax have a long-standing rivalry.
But is that enough to make him Tiran-Arafel?
The word tyrant has a lot of meaning for readers of Frank Herberts novels.
Could Tiran-Arafel be a machine, or a cyborg Titan, come back for revenge?
Could Desmond Harts abilities be the result of machine interference, even more than the gift of the sandworm?
Dune: Prophecy airs Sundays at 9pm EST on HBO and Max.
