Dune: Prophecy is a science fiction television series created by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker for HBO. The series is set in Frank Herbert's universe; the six-episode series explores how the Bene Gesserit came to be such an outsized group, wielding massive social, religious, and political power with superhuman abilities acquired through rigorous training.
Dune: Prophecy Episode 2 unfolds the fates of Lila and her grandmother, Reverend Mother Dorotea. The prequel series is set around 10,000 years before the events depicted in the films, based on the early growth of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood as it begins to assert itself within the Empire.
Episode 1 shows Emily Watson as Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, who at the end of the episode attempts to kill Desmond Hart, similar to how she killed Reverend Mother Dorotea (Lisa’s grandmother), by causing her to stab herself in the neck using the Voice.
Disclaimer: This article comprises spoilers for the show of Dune: Prophecy
Who is Reverend Mother Dorotea, and what happens to her in Dune: Prophecy?
Reverend Mother Dorotea, played by Camilla Beeput, is a rival of young Valya Harkonnen in the Sisterhood. She is the granddaughter and likely successor to Mother Superior Raquella. Dorotea is described as "devout and determined to return the Sisterhood to what she believes to be its true principles."
In "The Hidden Hand," Dorotea and Valya are at Raquella's bedside as she lies dying, listening to her last words. She urges them to "use every means" to grow, protect, and strengthen the sisterhood after she is gone. Valya exhorts the assembled sisters to take up Raquella's work, to expand their power, and to push their potential to the limit.
Dorotea calls for humility and subtle forms of power. Raquella had established a secret breeding program, training noble bloodlines to produce better, more manageable leaders. After Raquella's death, Dorotea quickly destroyed it, believing it to be sinful. Valya uses the Voice to stop her, and when Dorotea refuses to comply, she orders her to take her own life.
Also Read: What exactly is the spice in Dune: Prophecy?
Lila’s connection to Raquella and Reverend Mother Dorotea
In Dune: Prophecy Episode 2, we learn that Tula Harkonnen is raising Lila, who is descended from Mother Superior Raquella and Reverend Mother Dorotea. She meets Raquella at Tula's request in order to learn more about the Prophecy of Judgment. Despite knowing that Valya killed Dorotea, Tula lies about how Dorotea passed away.
To become a Reverend Mother in Dune, the sisters must drink the Water of Life, which gives them access to their genetic memory. This process allows them to connect with their female ancestors, but this process involves great pain, which the sisters term Agony. Lila successfully enters the genetic memory and meets Raquella and Dorotea. Raquella first gives more details about the prophecy. The prophecy states:
“The key to the reckoning is one born twice. Once in the blood, once in spice. A reverent full of scars. A weapon born of war on a path too short.”
Dorotea takes over Lila's body and destroys all hope of Tula. Lila is not trained to turn the poison into a likely savior, and as a result, she dies. Now it was clear that Tula had exploited Lila, but she also loved Lila dearly. Losing her does inflict her pain.
Also Read: Dune: Prophecy Episode 2 - Release date and time, what to expect and more
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Season 1 of Dune: Prophecy is now available for fans to stream on Prime Video.
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