Dune: Prophecy Episode 2 Review
The second episode of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ has released, and the Mother Superior took it upon herself to visit Salusa Secundus to see what’s happening with the Emperor and his court, only to find that her plans are now in ruins thanks to Desmond Hart, who is shaping up to be the main antagonist off the show, at least as far as the Sisterhood is concerned. Back on Wallach IX, the remaining sisters prepare one of the young acolytes to undergo a painful ritual, where she ends up learning a dangerous truth and paying the ultimate price.
Episode two is largely about the Mother Superior’s visit to Salusa Secundus, and the horrors that await her there. Desmond has surprisingly been imprisoned, as Corrino has learned that he murdered Duke Ferdinand Richese’s son. Corrino shows more the same indecision as in the first episode, though is starting to grow a backbone of his own. He attempts to keep Desmond’s capture a secret, though that doesn’t get past the Mother Superior, who demands to interogate him.
She doesn’t learn much here, though it is clear Desmond has an incredible will, something demonstrated later when he resists Mother Superior’s Voice, much to her shock and surprise. It’s a moment that will likely take the audience off guard too, as they’re trained to to say the Voice as unwavering. This of course raises the question of how Desmond managed to resist, though this is likely coming.
Corrino’s wife begins to take advantage of the situation (and her husband), by manipulating him into using Desmond as a tool loyal only to him, instead of the Sisterhood. The latter are of course using the Emperor for their own gain, much like his wife now is. It’s unclear if Desmond seeks to usurp the throne, but he comes to heel when the Emperor demands it, suggesting not. It’s weaving a complex narrative of who is really in control in this palace, and that keeps things intriguing.
Who is definitely not in control is Valya. She gets barred from the palace at the end of the episode, seemingly on Corrino’s orders. It’s another setback for the Mother Superior. Elsewhere on Salusa Secundus, a rebellion ferments, as the blademaster Atreides gives the designs to the palace to other rebels, which is a bit haphazardly introduced as it’s nothing deeper than first glimpse.
This is something that gets immediately reported to Valya, which deflates some of its tension. This could have been a moment that catches everyone off guard. The show is certainly building Valya up as a Palpatine-like character, someone who can operate in the shadows with multiple plans for world domination. Emily Watson pulls this off well. What remains to be seen is how well she can adapt plans.
Back on Wallach IX, Sister Tula prepares one of the younger acolytes for a ritual known as the Agony, in a desperate attempt to find out about more about the Tiran-Arafael. Olivia Williams’ performance here is subtle and brilliant, as it’s very clear she cares for Lila, the girl forced to go through the procedure. But duty compels Tula to go forward. Chloe Lea, Lila’s actress, is believable as someone who wants to do right by her sisters, and is offered multiple perspectives of whether it’s worth being a martyr or better to be selfish. Lila chooses martyr, and it’s surprising that the episosde goes through with her death. One slight though is that the Agony scene isn’t brilliant to look at, not matching up to similar vision-based scenes in ‘Dune: Part One’ or ‘Part Two’.
Episode two ramps up the complexity of the show, with competing motivations for visions of the empire. The episode nearly buckles under the weight of this, with a rebellion to Corrino revealed and deflated almost immediately, but luckily this doesn’t bring everything crashing down. The events on Wallach IX are equally as compelling, with strong performances from Williams and Lea.
