HBO’s Dune: Prophecy introduces the viewers to several concepts from Frank Herbert’s Dune novel series. The show delves into the rise of Sisterhood and the Bene Gesserit, which took place 10,000 years before the events of the 2021 film.
To rise to power, the Sisterhood has to face several challenges and obstacles. However, they have some abilities that make them stand out and help them achieve their goals. Particularly, their skill to "imprint" shifts the power dynamics in the empire.
Imprinting is a special power possessed by certain members of the Sisterhood, which lets them control people through intimacy. The method is more than just seduction; it has a deep psychological effect on the target, who ends up becoming loyal to the imprinter.
Imprinting is a method used by the Sisterhood to control people in Dune: Prophecy
Imprinting is a special ability used by the Sisterhood in Dune: Prophecy and the rest of Frank Herbert’s novels lore. This power allows a member of the Sisterhood, called an imprinter, to control powerful people by changing their biology through intimacy.
The procedure starts as seduction but soon becomes a scientific process that forces the target’s body to become loyal to the imprinter. In Dune: Prophecy, imprinting is described as a type of molecular influence.
Showrunner Alison Schapker explained what imprinting is in a behind-the-scenes video from the show and said:
“Through imprinting, sisters can exert a kind of molecular influence over another person through intimacy.”
When a Sister uses the ability, the target becomes biologically altered, which makes them loyal to the imprinter. Learning this process is not easy and requires a lot of training, just like other skills possessed by the Sisterhood, including the Voice.
Imprinting is rare, and only a few members of the Sisterhood can do it. In Dune: Prophecy, Sister Francesca is the only character shown to have this power, and she uses it on Emperor Javicco Corrino. The power was first mentioned in the 1984 novel Heretics of Dune, the fifth book in the series.
Imprinting gives the Sisterhood an effective tool to control leaders and other important figures. By altering their target’s loyalty at a biological level, the imprinter can ensure the target stays loyal, even if others influence them.
Imprinting becomes central to the plot in Dune: Prophecy Episode 5
In Dune: Prophecy Episode 5, imprinting becomes important to the story. It is revealed that the Sisterhood has been controlling Javicco’s life for years. They planned his birth, his marriage, and even his affair with Sister Francesca.
This was all a part of a bigger plan to create the perfect ruler: Princess Ynez. The Sisterhood gains control over Javicco via Sister Francesca, who had imprinted him several years ago. As a result, Javicco deeply falls in love with Francesca, becomes loyal to her, and gets distracted from his duties as Emperor.
Meanwhile, his wife, Empress Natalya, loses influence over him, and their relationship weakens. Francesca’s effect on Javicco also impacts his political decisions. She convinces him to give their son, Constantine, a high-ranking position in the Imperial Fleet despite Constantine being seen as irresponsible.
The imprinting also causes tension between Francesca and Empress Natalya, as the latter feels humiliated by her husband's obsession with Francesca. Meanwhile, Francesca’s control over Javicco leads to political chaos in the empire.
Hence, imprinting acts as a powerful tool for the Sisterhood to manipulate the Emperor’s decisions. In the end, the bond between Francesca and Javicco causes the Emperor’s downfall.
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All episodes of Dune: Prophecy are streaming on Max.
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