Overview
- The new HBO Max series, Dune: Prophecy, delves into the emergence of the Bene Gesserit and the Padishah Emperors following the Butlerian Jihad.
- The series showcases a multi-generational breeding program designed to produce a supreme being endowed with the abilities of both a Mentat and a Bene Gesserit.
- The Sisters of the Bene Gesserit master a technique called Truth Saying, which becomes an essential political tool for survival within the Landsraad.
The epic saga of Dune continues to expand as a franchise, now featuring a prequel series that enriches the existing lore of books, films, comics, and video games. The first season of Dune: Prophecy has recently concluded on HBO Max, illustrating the rise of the Bene Gesserit, who, at this time, are known as the Sisterhood, alongside the reign of the Padishah Emperors in the post-Butlerian Jihad era.
During this period, the Sisters don’t refer to themselves as the Bene Gesserit yet, but they are already developing their unique abilities related to Truth Saying, political manipulation, and covert assassination, guided by the wisdom of Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen.
The Breeding Program
A Multi-Generational Effort
- The breeding initiative spanned an impressive 10,000 years to manifest the Supreme Being.
A cornerstone of the Bene Gesserit Order’s ambitions is a long-term breeding program that seeks to create a human capable of harnessing the strengths of both a Mentat and a Bene Gesserit. This ideal candidate would be under the Order’s control and potentially ascend to the throne of Emperor, prompting the selection of key individuals from the Landsraad as prime breeding candidates.
The inaugural episode showcases the political maneuvers of the Sisterhood as they orchestrate strategic marriages while maintaining the breeding initiative under the watchful eye of Mother Superior Raquella. She confides in Valya about the program’s complexities, recognizing Sister Dorotea’s extremist views against thinking machines, like Anirul, which secretly underpins the breeding initiative.
A Vision of Arafel
Valya’s “Burning Truth”
- The AI threat may have been subdued, but it remains unvanquished.
Though the Machine Wars abolished the immediate AI threat, its remnants lingered. Mother Raquella’s prophetic vision of a force known as “Arafel”unveils potential dangers of this resurgence. Despite her reservations about thinking machines, Raquella utilizes the computer Anirul to analyze the intricacies of the breeding program.
Arafel symbolizes a catastrophic fate foreseen by Paul Atreides and Leto II, representing a conflict that could lead to humanity’s extinction. It takes over a millennium post the God Emperor’s demise before the Bene Gesserit and humanity at large comprehend the essence of Arafel.
Truth Sayers
The Supreme Weapon of the Bene Gesserit
- A critical technique for the great houses.
Truth Saying, akin to advanced interrogation methods or body language scrutiny in contemporary society, transforms into an invaluable asset for the Sisterhood, reaching a level of supernatural proficiency. Valya’s ability to provide a Truth Sayer to the influential families of the Landsraad becomes a vital part of their political stability.
Maintaining a Truth Sayer close to prominent family figures is essential for survival in the politically charged atmosphere of the Landsraad. This tradition persists into the modern narrative of Dune, where a Truth Sayer remains a steadfast companion to the Emperor.
The Orange Catholic Bible
Created in the Aftermath of the Machine Wars
- A synthesis of diverse religious doctrines originating from Earth.
The term “Catholic”denotes universality, and thus this collection of sacred texts encompasses a wide range of beliefs that extend beyond what modern audiences may regard as early Christianity. Its creation served as a means for humanity to adapt and thrive without reliance on computers post-Butlerian Jihad.
While all Sisterhood members would be familiar with the Orange Catholic Bible, followers of Dorotea are often depicted engaging with these texts. Sister Emeline, a devout acolyte committed to traditional Sisterhood values, frequently reads from the Bible in the company of her peers.
The Gom Jabbar
Equipped with Lethal Metacyanide
- The iconic weapon of the Bene Gesserit.
While the term “Gom Jabbar”is not explicitly mentioned in episode six of Dune: Prophecy, the weapon itself is recognizable and embodies the same purpose familiar to viewers of previous adaptations. Valya entrusts Francesca with this weapon, intending for her to execute the Emperor.
Valya concludes that the time has come to terminate Javicco’s ineffective rule. Francesca, whom the Emperor trusts implicitly due to an imprinting technique, is assigned the task of ending his reign. However, her mission fails, leading to her being fatally stabbed by Empress Natalya.
Imprinting
A Technique for Ensuring Loyalty
- Francesca is tasked with seducing the Emperor.
This method bears resemblance to the skills employed by historical figures like Lady Fenrig, showcasing various techniques the Bene Gesserit have honed to manipulate influential figures. The practice was already established prior to Valya’s entry into the Order, making it a logical choice for her strategy concerning the Emperor.
Francesca, being a younger recruit, quickly grasps Valya’s vision for leveraging imprinting as part of the larger breeding strategy as the acolytes debate how to gain control over the Imperium.
The Litany Against Fear
Fear: The Mind-Killer
- The inception of the Litany Against Fear.
The Litany Against Fear stands as one of the most recognized chants associated with the Bene Gesserit within the Dune universe. This significant phrase emerged as a response to the deadly virus introduced by Desmond Hart.
Throughout a harrowing journey that led to the demise of fellow Sisters Tula and Valya, the duo uncovers that the more a victim resists the virus, the more potent it grows. In a decisive act, Valya chooses to allow the virus to “flow through her,”ultimately enabling her to survive and unveil Desmond’s secret.
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