Will the concluding episodes of HBO’s Dune: Prophecy deliver on the promise set by the initial four? They must, surely? The fate of the show’s critical and commercial appeal might rest on their ability to do so. If it turns out to be just more groundwork for subsequent seasons, more idling while the writers position their chess pieces without making significant moves, then it could render the entire season a letdown. Conversely, if the set fuses ignite some real fireworks, it could finally generate the excitement the series desperately needs. Recall how The Penguin captivated audiences with its exceptional last episode? Dune: Prophecy needs a similar spark, or it risks disappearing amid the vast desert of TV choices in the 2020s.

“Twice Born” suffers from a fragmented first half, separating its two most intriguing characters, Valya and Tula Harkonnen, and spending too much time deliberating rather than acting. Despite the narrative hesitations, the episode introduces some noteworthy themes. It begins with a scene showing two families in turmoil, mirroring the power dynamics between House Harkonnen and House Corrino. It showcases Valya’s encounter with her aging uncle Evgeny, who criticizes her for the downfall of their family’s legacy. Realizing that Harrow Harkonnen is under her influence, she offers to become the family’s Truthsayer, aiming to steer them back to the High Council and manipulate universal politics from the shadows. She’s essentially proposing to sculpt a leader from the remnants of a fallen dynasty she once helped overthrow.

Meanwhile, the Corrinos find themselves at a different end of the power spectrum but also at a pivotal point in their history. Nez is shocked to find Desmond Hart at their table, especially amid swirling rumors of his involvement in Pruwet Richese’s murder. She confronts her father, refusing to be part of his schemes if they include Desmond. In a subtle yet significant moment, when Nez leaves in anger, Constantine starts to follow her, but Javicco commands him to stay seated. Although he can’t control Nez, he refuses to lose Constantine as well.

Javicco is gearing up for a High Council meeting, acting somewhat like a Speaker of the House, listening to the grievances and issues from various factions across the universe. Simultaneously, Desmond is caught destructively tearing pages from Kasha’s sisterhood book, displaying clear signs of a “Universal Psycho.” He urges Javicco to harness this ruthless side to his advantage. “Show them who you are,” he suggests. “Use me.” Desmond positions himself as a tool to transform policy into power. Is Dune: Prophecy commenting on the political violence of the 2010s and 2020s? Maybe, but if it’s aiming to make a specific political statement, it’s thinly presented as a cautionary tale about the dangerous use of power.

While the political gears grind (or stall) behind the scenes, the rebels plot an assault during the High Council meeting with a “thinking machine,” a drone capable of approaching the emperor before detonating. Soon after, it’s revealed that Valya is aware of the drone bomb and intends to use this information to expose Atreides as a traitor and curry favor with the council. It’s a classic clash of power against politics, the central theme of the series. This plotline ends abruptly, cutting off what could have been an intriguing development—I’m getting ahead of myself, though.

Now, to the acolytes! The episode actually starts with a chilling vision related to the death of Dorotea by Valya’s command, a nightmare shared by several acolytes. In an attempt to decipher their knowledge, Tula conducts a spice ceremony with the acolytes, leading them into a visionary experience reminiscent of a psychedelic desert journey. During this futuristic trance, the acolytes feverishly start sketching circles. This eerie scene could be more impactful visually. Is it a drawing of the well where Dorotea was killed? A sandworm? A planet? A bouncing ball? Tula struggles to pull them from their trance with her voice, failing until they collectively draw what appears to be eyes in the darkness. It’s later disclosed that their drawings were not of the well, but of the Shai-Hulud, the Fremen term for a sandworm. Why? Are the sisters drawing connections to what occurred on Arrakis with Desmond Hart?

More covert activity follows—most notably, Nez collaborating with Atreides to dismantle her father’s empire—culminating in the High Council session. After some political banter and airing of grievances, Nez strikes, openly accusing Desmond of murdering Pruwet on the Council floor. It turns out that the rebels and Valya don’t need a physical bomb when they have a princess to detonate everything metaphorically. Then Desmond intervenes. He admits to killing Pruwet and bringing in a thinking machine, a crime punishable by death under the regime he aspires to establish. He also captures the rebels, though any connection to Atreides remains concealed or unmentioned. With approval from his superior, Desmond executes opposing council members and rebels alike, a harsh demonstration of power that visibly exhausts him, a detail that concerns Javicco more than the ensuing turmoil.

Back to Tula, who’s speaking with Emeline, who has pieced everything together. The Harkonnen sisters were responsible for the deaths of Dorotea and Orry. And she plans to reveal this to all. Tula reacts by slitting her throat. Valya might be seen as the more ruthless sister, but Tula is equally willing to do whatever it takes. Wait! It was a dream. Or perhaps a vision? Will she need to commit murder to protect her sister’s secrets? She wakes to a new concern when she finds Lila has returned from her spice-induced agony, disoriented and unsure of her surroundings. What will Tula tell her?

In the episode’s final moments, Evgeny dies (Mark Addy deserved better), leaving Harrow fully in control, which is precisely what Valya intended. She can manipulate him. She envisions Griffin. Or does she? Is it a shapeshifter? As Griffin morphs into another figure, Valya whispers, “Thank you, Theo.” It was Theodosia, the sister who accompanied Valya on her journey. Did she know Valya needed to see Griffin one last time to find her focus? It’s a reminder of how much of this series revolves around the demise of a Harkonnen at the hands of House Atreides and the enduring conflict spanning ten thousand years.

Additional Insights

• • Edward Davis shines as Harrow Harkonnen, transforming a potentially bland, manipulable role into a complex and empathetic character. Hopefully, the writers will provide him with more substantial material than they did for Mark Addy.
• • Standout performances this season also come from less familiar names like Sarah-Sofie Boussinina (Nez), Emma Canning (Young Tula), and Shalom Brune-Franklin (Mikaela).
• • Prophecy sometimes uses jargon that might be obscure to casual viewers (like Shai-Hulud). What does “Making the Imperium comes at a cost” imply? In the original books, it refers to the Corrino Empire, also known as the Imperium, or the ruling authority based on Salusa Secundus. It’s an eloquent term for supreme authority, a concept dating back to ancient Rome.
• • This week’s underrated recommendation goes to Mark Strong. Although often cast as villains—he recently portrayed Carmine Falcone in HBO’s other big-budget late 2024 show The Penguin—his acting range is noteworthy, especially in roles that require nuanced performance with minimal dialogue (as in 1917). His breakthrough roles were in films directed by Matthew Vaughn and Danny Boyle, but his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is especially worth watching.