Predecessor of the Water of Life from Prophecy Episode 2 explained by Showrunner

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy episode 2!Dune: Prophecy showrunner Alison Schapker explained episode 2’s Water of Life predecessor, revealing why the choice was made to differentiate it from the film version. In Dune: Prophecy episode 2, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) asks one of her students, Lila (Chloe Lea) to unlock her genetic memory, trying to investigate who killed Kasha (Jihae) in the previous episode. To do this, she uses Rossak poison, an ancient predecessor to the Water of Life used by the Bene Gesserit during the Dune films.

Talking to The Hollywood ReporterSchapker explained how Dune: ProphecyThe use of Rossak’s poison as a predecessor to the Water of Life came from the books. She explained how, just like the origins of The Voice, everything in the prequel series comes from the source material, expanding the story of the sci-fi world in the process. She also explained how this made the series a potential starting point for newcomers to the franchise. Check out what Schapker had to say below:

It was all in the books. I’m as interested as anyone in where the Bene Gesserit got the idea that they can commune with the wisdom of their female ancestors. So it all goes back to Rossak’s poison and the Water of Life that you will see later in the films. And where did the Voice come from? This is also in the books and it was something we really enjoyed bringing to life in a specific circumstance. The brotherhood has this motto: “Crisis. Survival Advancement”, and what the crisis gives rise to is that you can take a moment, like a near-death experience, and unlock a new ability. So this is all in the books and we were exploring our source material.

Of course we were aware that there are things that fans of the films might like to learn more about, but we also tried to thread the needle so that someone could get started with the TV show as well. This was a conscious choice. HBO and we all wanted that. We wanted Dune: Prophecy be rich enough for the people who care Dune and know about Dunebut open enough that it could be a starting point.

What Schapker’s Statement About Rossak’s Poison Says About Dune: Prophecy

This makes the investigation even more dangerous

Rossak’s venom is clearly dangerous before it even appears on screen, with the cast of Dune: Prophecy afraid of the negative effects it could have on Lila, despite the need to use it. Poison also behaves differently than the Water of Lifewith the young acolyte seeing horrific visions of the dead, some of whom speak through her. This includes a woman revealed to be Dorotea (Camilla Beeput), who a young Valya Harkonnen (Jessica Barden/Emily Watson) murdered. She apparently kills the young apprentice, a vengeful act to prevent the Brotherhood from getting answers about Kasha’s death.

In the films, the Water of Life is still deadly if used by the uninitiated, although it does not appear to involve direct confrontation with ancestors thousands of years old. While the next Dune: Part Three could change that, Lila’s experiences appear to be unique to Rossak’s poison. This could pose a danger to anyone else going through it, with some students likely to be disheartened considering their friend died under its influence. Schapker’s words emphasize this danger, while also drawing a line between the TV series and the events of the films.

Our take on Dune: Prophecy’s use of Rossak’s poison

The program is a starting point for many future developments

Rossak venom is just one of many early developments Dune: Prophecy explores, with the Brotherhood not even being the Bene Gesserit yet, and the Harkonnens still considered disgraced after the war with the thinking machines. The initial version of Water of Life shows how much it still needs to refine its potency, emphasizing the developments that are yet to come. However, now that a major danger has presented itself in its use, it is unclear what this means for the venom’s appearance in future episodes.

Source: THR