“Based on a Lie”: Why House Harkonnen Are the Heroes in the Dunes: Prophecy Explained by the Stars

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy episode 1!Dune: Prophecy stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams explained why House Harkonnen are the heroes of the prequel series, unraveling their story. Dune ProphecyThe story begins by revealing that Valya (Watson) and Tula’s (Williams) great-grandfather abandoned the war against thinking machines, led by House Atreides, forcing the Harkonnens to live on a cold, isolated planet. With both sisters acting as early versions of the Bene Gesserit, however, they now have the ability to influence the galaxy to their liking, especially as Valya tries to carve one out for herself as Empress of the Known Universe.

Talking to VarietyWatson and Williams explained how the Harkonnens are the heroes in Dune: Prophecy reflects the complex history of the franchise. Watson postulated that not everyone in the series is good or badbut it’s a matter of perspective, as Williams unpacks how the rivalry between the families reflects real-world politics in his presentation. Check out what the main actors said below:

Watson: The name Atreides makes us shudder because they, based on a lie, ruined our reputation and our fortune. That’s how I’m counting it. In the “Dune” universe, there is nothing that adequately qualifies as good or bad. We think we are very good. Not everyone would agree.

Williams: If you look back at any war for land, power and family feuds, where does it begin? Science fiction from the 60s has this honorable tradition of reflecting what you see in real politics now. Who was there first? Who owns this land? Which family spat on which goat first? It’s human nature in any generation, 10,000 or 20,000 years from now. Unfortunately, people don’t forget.

What the main actors’ statements mean for Dune: Prophecy

The show could present the Harkonnens in a sympathetic light

The show’s current plot involves Valya leading the Brotherhood in their attempt to put one of their own on the throne.that being Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina). However, despite her marriage to the young Prince Pruwet Richese (Charlie Hodson-Prior), Dune: Prophecy episode 1 ended with Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) burning him to death with an invisible power. This emphasizes a hidden agenda against the sisters’ will, which threatens to leave the Golden Lion Throne empty, or with an unchecked ruler having power over the entire galaxy.

While Dune: ProphecyThe characters of can be seen trying to control the galaxy to gain secret influence, the Harkonnen sisters apparently believe that having the Sisterhood in power will redeem their House. Despite the family’s villainy in Dune films, their motives in the prequel emphasize how wronged they feel by House Atreides, wanting to ensure that their influence brings their family back from disgrace. As the films show them in alliance with Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), it seems the sisters’ actions will set the stage for their family’s redemption.

Our Take on Dune: Prophecy Portraying Harkonnens as the Heroes

The new perspective fleshes out the science fiction universe

The Harkonnen sisters in the spotlight Dune: Prophecy offers a new perspective on the family’s antagonism towards House Atreides, showing how their future actions against them will actually play out. It also appears that their plan to put Ynez on the throne is what redeems his family in the eyes of the Empire.potentially leading to how they end up controlling the spice harvest on Arrakis. With five episodes left to explore his intentions, it won’t be long before the prequel series offers more details about his unique point of view.

Source: Variety