WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy episode 2.
Lila shockingly said “Harkonnen” to Mother Tula during her Agony ritual in Dune: Prophecy episode 2. 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. Dune: Prophecy Episode 2 reveals what happened to Lila and her grandmother, Reverend Mother Dorotea, after Tula and Valya Harkoennen encouraged her to prematurely endure a life-threatening ritual known as The Agony. Valya was anticipating The Reckoning aka Tiran Arafelyears ago, and wanted Lila to visit the spirit of her great-grandmother, Mother Superior Raquella, for guidance. The Tiran Arafel involves “a sacred judgment brought about by a tyrant.“
Lila said “Harkonnen” before dying in Dune: Prophecy Episode 2 – What does it mean
Lila channeled her grandmother Dorotea, who had a chilling message
One of the most impressive developments in Dune: Prophecy episode 2 is Lila’s tragic death during the Agony ritual. Sister Tula Harkonnen, biological sister of Mother Reverend Superior Valya Harkoennen, welcomed Lila as one of her most exceptional and promising students. Despite their closeness, Tula never revealed the true nature of the death of Lila’s mother, who died during childbirth, and the death of Dorotea, who was killed years ago by Valya using the Bene Gesserit power known as the Voice. Tula is initially hesitant about Lila going through the Agony ritual without proper training.. However, Valya insists that it is necessary to ask Raquella about the impending Reckoning known as Tiran Arafel.
Tula tells Lila to “follow the light“when she is lost in the sinister spiritual realm with her entire ancestral lineage. While reconnecting with her ancestors may have seemed like a pleasant experience, it was especially harrowing for the inexperienced Lila, who was unaware of Valya’s betrayal of her mother, Doroeta, until it is too late, at first, Lila completes the mission and channels Raquella, who warns that “the key to the Reckoning” is “.one was born twice. Once in the blood, once in the spice. A scarred ghost. A weapon born of war on a very short path.” Soon after, Lila meets her grandmother, who has a scary message for Tula and Valya.
Which Harkonnen Lila was referring to during the agony ritual
She was speaking directly to Valya and the entire Harkonnen family line
During the final moments of Dune: Prophecy episode 2, Lila becomes fully possessed by the despised spirit of her grandmother, who was previously in line to be Mother Superior after Raquella’s death. Lila looks directly at Tula and says with an aggressive sneer, “Harkonnen”, addressing Tula, but also, more specifically, Valya. Dorotea announces in front of the room of sisters-in-training that she plans to take the “hope” of the Bene Gesserit in the form of Lila as revenge for Valya taking her life and stealing her rightful place as Mother Superior. After this message is delivered, Lila is seen in the dark spirit realm hugging her grandmother as she dies in Tula’s arms.
Lila was raised by Tula in the Brotherhood. She was told that her mother died during childbirth. She knew that her great-grandmother was the powerful Raquella, but she was never told the truth about her grandmother Dorotea, as it would have completely destroyed her belief in Valya, Tula, and the Bene Gesserit Brotherhood. Tula basically raised Lila as her own, but she’s not her real mother. Now that the Harkonnens have lost one of their students in the Sisterhood, the integrity of their school will likely be questioned and some of the other Sisters-in-training may want to leave. Dorotea taking Lila’s life protected her, in a way, from being controlled and used by the Harkonnen and may end up sparing her from the imminent “Reckoning”.
Is Lila really dead in Dune: Prophecy?
The poison from the Agony ritual took her life
Unfortunately, Lila is actually dead at the end of Dune: Prophecy. Before the Agony ritual begins, she is informed that there is no antidote for the blue poison. which incites the experience of Agony. It is notable how insensitive Valya was towards Lila’s life when she instructed Tula to conduct the ritual while she attended to Salusa Secundus’ affairs. Regrettably, Tula continued with the ceremony, despite Lila’s lack of preparation. As Valya thinks about the future of the Brotherhood and the Empire, Lila’s blood, as well as Dorotea’s, are on her hands. She may be forced to answer for Lila’s death in future episodes of Dune: Prophecy.