WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy.
Valya’s plan in Dune: Prophecy revolves around trying to stop “The Reckoning”. Dune: Prophecy is a six-part series based on the 2012 novel Dune Brotherhoodwhich was written by the original Dune son of author Frank Herbert, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson. The story takes place more than 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreidies, narrated in the book by Denis Villenueve. Dune (2020) and Dune: Part Two (2024). Dune: Prophecy reveals the origins of the powerful shadow brotherhood known as the Bene Gesserit and how they manipulated the destiny of humanity.
Dune: Prophecy Episode 1 “The Hidden Hand” introduces Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen, a fierce and calculated leader, and her biological sister, Tula Harkonnen. Together, they oversee the development of highly qualified young women who learn to become Bene Gesserit sisters. The beginning of Dune: Prophecy also reveals how Valya came to power in the early days of the Bene Gesserit, which involved using the Voice’s supernatural power to kill Dorotea, the Reverend Mother Superior’s biological granddaughter, Raquella. Dorotea had a moral vision for the Bene Gesserit, but Valya had something else in mind.
Valya killed Dorotea to become Reverend Mother Superior after Raquella’s death
Dorotea got in the way of Mother Reverend Superior Raquella’s vision for the future
Valya Harkonnen killed Reverend Mother Dorotea, played by Camilla Beeput, in a flashback scene in Dune: Prophecy episode 1. After the death of the first Reverend Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul, Valya sought to gain control over the Bene Gesserit, but Dorotea stood in her way. Although Dorotea is Raquella’s granddaughter, Raquella called Valya on her deathbed, which surprised Dorotea. Raquella was a hero during the wars against machines and was the first person to train Bene Gesserit Sisters to become Truth Tellers. This caused the Bene Gesserit to become powerful tools for all of the Great Houses and allowed Raquella to rule the future.
Mother Reverend Raquella was also the one who originated the plan to create strong leaders. After accumulating a vast genetic archive, she began using it to promote ideal royal unions and instill rulers who would be easily controlled by the Bene Gesserit. Valya was the only one of the Sisters who shared Raquella’s vision of the futureThat’s why Raquella trusted her more, even more than her own granddaughter. Raquella told Valya that she would be the one to see “the burning truth”. After Raquella’s death, Valya wanted to nominate one of the Sisters to become Empress. Dorotea would not allow it, so Valya felt the need to kill her and, as a result, become Reverend Mother Superior.
Valya’s plan to protect the bloodlines explained
Valya’s plan revolves around Princess Ynez
Valya has made it her life’s mission to protect the bloodlines she orchestrated for the Bene Gesserit to maintain Imperial control. At the beginning Dune: Prophecy episode 1, Valya predicts that a female empress will come to power 30 years before the series’ main narrative takes place. Raquella warned Valya of an impending reckoning known as Tiran-Arafel, which the Sisters recognized as “a sacred judgment brought about by a tyrant.” To prevent this from happening, Valya plans to place one of the Bene Gesserit on the throne, who arrives in the form of Princess Ynez, daughter of Emperor Javicco Corrino and Empress Natalya.
Princess Ynez is admitted into the Bene Gesserit training program, where she must be treated like any other student. This will make her the first Bene Gesserit Sister to become Empress, which is in line with Valya’s master plan. Princess Ynez enters into an arranged marriage with the young Prince of House Richese in exchange for elite spice excavators that the Emperor can use on Arrakis. Princess Ynez is the key to the Bene Gesserit plan coming to fruition and preventing Tiran Arafel from happening.. Your Corrino bloodline will be protected and controlled by the Bene Gesserit for thousands of years.
What is “The Reckoning” in Dune: Prophecy and how Valya plans to avoid it
Valya tries to stop a holy judgment day
The Reckoning or Tiran Arafel would essentially be the end of a peaceful galactic order in Dune: Prophecy. By training Princess Ynez, she will prevent The Reckoning from happening against the threat of a doomsday type scenario, which would spell disaster. However, Desmond Hart’s unexpected arrival certainly threw a wrench into Valya’s grand plan, considering how Dune: Prophecy episode 1 ends. This could open the door for Princess Ynez to marry someone else and allow Iron Arafel to actually happen, despite Valya’s efforts to prevent it from happening. Dune: Prophecy.