The third episode of Dune Prophecy entitled “Sisterhood Above All” largely focuses upon the backstory of Valya and Tula Harkonnen before joining the sisterhood and gives an understanding of what life was like for the Harkonnens in exile as well as a look at the noble House Atreides while still contrasting the aftermath of the events of episode two. Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) has been banished from the Corrino palace following her confrontation with Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) while her sister has sent word that Lila (Chloe Lea) did not make it through the agony.
While Tula resists carrying out the Sisterhood ceremony of bidding farewell to one of the order, Valya brainstorms what her next chess move will be after vowing not to be turned away from the Palace and the plan we know that the Sisterhood will remain committed to fulfilling ten thousand years later. Hearing what Lila’s last words were while undergoing the agony. She takes pause to think of what they may mean with regard to the prophecy and Desmond Hart’s possible role therein.
It is then that we get to go back and see planet Lankiveil and witness the harsh arctic conditions of life on the planet, which has reduced the once great house to slaughtering the native blue whales for their fur and for food as there is no other economy from which the Harkonnens can hope to survive on other than serving as Whale Fur Merchants attempting to rebuild their name all the while sustaining themselves on the meat of these creatures, which is rationed in such a way that not even Harkonnen family members of the House get a free ride. Young Valya (Jessica Barden) is disgusted at what her family has been reduced to and is shunned by her parents and grandfather who are resentful of the Attraides betrayal, but seek a more peaceful and honorable way from which to earn the elevation of their house. Young Tula is not without sympathy for her sister, but seeing as Valya is being sent away to the Sisterhood by her family, she is torn between her responsibilities between her and their overall predicament.
It is here where we learn not only that Valya was the first Sister to learn the voice, but we see her resolve when she arrives on Wallach IX and encounters resistance because of being considered a member of a disgraced family. However it is her resolve that eventually gets her noticed by the Mother Superior and sets into motion events that will eventually lead to where we see her in the series now.
Meanwhile on Caladan we witnessthe ritual surrounding the hunting of the carnivorous Salusan Bull, which is accurately betrayed as being both familiar to what we think of a bull, but yet has bony protrusions reminiscent of a reptile on it’s spine. Seeing what occurs on both worlds has a heavy impact upon the direction that House Harkonnen will take as both sisters embrace what appears to be their fated roles in the events to come.
I really liked seeing the animals that that I have only read about in the books and in particularly the blue whales with their furry bodies because I always wondered to myself what would that look like. I felt legitimate sympathy for the Harkonnens and was surprised by the ritual background and look of the inhabitants of Caladan 10,000 years in the past.
Dune Prophecy is really a series that is works very well for fans of the books who are familiar with the universe and it does at times test the patience of those unfamiliar with its developing plot that we will ultimately lead to a confrontation and yield a surprising outcome. I think the acting was top shelf and the climax of the episode still kept me wanting to see more as every episode has so far. Dune Prophecy “Sisterhood Above All” will premiere on Sunday December 1, 2024 at 9 PM (ET/PT) on HBO and MAX.
(C) Copyright 2024 By Mark A. Rivera
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