[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of Dune: Prophecy episode 1.]
In our world, most Dune lore is understood. Whereas Dune, as a narrative, is rooted in choosing aside the messy intricacies of propaganda and prophecy, we — as readers and watchers of the Dune franchise — kind of know what the world comprises (give or take a brand new entry right here or there).
However then this motherfucker named Desmond Hart walks into Dune: Prophecy and every part modifications.
Desmond, performed by Travis Fimmel, is a little bit of an enigma on this planet of Dune: Prophecy: He’s come from Arrakis, the place he claims his crew was attacked by the emperor’s enemies in an effort to hurt his standing. He’s invited to remain, though the emperor’s truthsayer is aware of he’s mendacity — she sees him on the spice-filled deserts of Arrakis staring down a large sandworm, although we don’t know far more about her imaginative and prescient. He saunters across the palace and, in the end, burns a child utilizing solely his thoughts. In our world, such pyrokinesis isn’t a identified component in Dune’s mythos, making Desmond a really curious specimen certainly.
Like all issues Prophecy, it’s secure to say his telekinetic powers are an extension of the guide’s lore, somewhat than one thing truly present in them. Which all units up the most important mysteries of Prophecy after only a single episode: Who’s he, how did he get these powers, and the way will his life discover its place among the many annals of historical past? With Dune coming 10,000 years after the occasions right here, what would possibly Desmond be right here to introduce to the on-screen lore of the franchise?
This early there’s a number of alternative ways we might take it — so right here’s a few of our greatest guesses as to what Desmond may be right here to do (and, in the end, what that may imply he’s able to).
He’s the beginning of the Sardaukar
Picture: Warner Media
A desert-trained warrior who was not born into court docket life however whose expertise and prowess earn the respect of these of upper rank, with a traditional human particular person title? Possibly a bit of too regular?
That’s your Duncan Idaho kind, my good friend. A personality who started life as Home Atreides’ swordmaster ultimately turned one thing of a mascot for wider Dune canon. Regardless of what number of instances Idaho dies, Brian Herbert retains discovering methods to carry him again and put him on the heart of galactic considerations once more (normally by way of cloning).
Which is simply to say: In the event you’re doing a Dune story, you gotta have a Duncan Idaho. However what’s Desmond Hart truly doing on this story? I haven’t a clue, but when I needed to take a rip of the bong and guess one thing, it might be this:
Dune: Prophecy has promised us the rise of the Bene Gesserit order, however there are many different pillars of Dune’s setting which can be as but unformed in its time interval. And for the reason that present is absolutely leaning into the other of expectations — rooting for the Harkonnens, making the Atreides kinda shifty — what if as a substitute Duncan Idaho befriending the Fremen, Desmond Hart winds up changing into a pivotal determine within the creation of the Emperor’s notorious Sardaukar military? —Susana Polo
He’s the Kwisatz Haderach (sorta)
Picture: Warner Bros.
Only one episode in, this present already appears very inquisitive about offering the origin story for a number of the most vital tenets of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. With that in thoughts, I’m going to throw out a wild card thought on Desmond: Possibly he’s the proto-Kwisatz Haderach.
Not that he’s the actual factor, and even what the Bene Gesserit would ultimately evolve the idea into, however somewhat that he’s the primary inkling the Sisterhood has {that a} male might acquire magical powers from unusual interactions with Shai-Hulud.
Possibly no matter occurs in Dune: Prophecy will lead the Bene Gesserit to determine that pursuing a Desmond Hart of their very own, one which’s been completely and selectively bred in order that they might have most management over him, may be a mission value pursuing. On prime of that, perhaps the concept of Desmond as a robust supernatural drive might assist encourage the Sisterhood to create the Missionaria Protectiva, too, giving them the concept to plant the seeds of supernatural perception all through the universe, together with on Arrakis itself. —Austen Goslin
Picture: Sony Footage
Hear, my equation’s easy. Desmond Hart spent some essential time on Arrakis. Arrakis, famously, is crammed with desert. Deserts, famously, are sizzling. And so is no matter cursed fireplace magic Desmond used on that poor baby. Desert is sizzling + fireplace is sizzling = Desmond’s utilizing desert energy. It’s simply basic math. —Pete Volk