text: As a long-time fan of the Dune universe, I find myself intrigued by the enigmatic character of Desmond Hart in the new series, Dune: Prophecy. With a background steeped in science fiction and fantasy, I’ve always appreciated the unique blend of technology, politics, and human drama that Frank Herbert masterfully crafted in his original works.
  This article contains major spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Episodes 1 & 2.
  As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the chilling anticipation that Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part II” leaves me with. The story unfolds with Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) undergoing a profound transformation after consuming the Water of Life, and it’s clear he’s not the same man anymore. He’s seized the opportunity presented by the Bene Gesserit’s foretold prophecy of Arrakis and claimed leadership. The plot is thickening, but before we get to “Dune 3”, HBO’s “Dune: Prophecy” delves into the same universe as Villeneuve’s “Dune”, but it’s set in the past. This prequel series, inspired by Frank Herbert’s world and Brian Herbert’s “Sisterhood of Dune”, takes us about 10,000 years before Paul Atreides, promising an intriguing exploration of events that led to the story we know.
  It’s great to be back in a world I know well. The anticipation for the prequel series is high, and I must say that Dune: Prophecy captures the essence of Villeneuve’s Dune remarkably well. I’m impressed by its quality, but just like everyone else, I had a moment of confusion when Desmond Hart seemingly used his mind to melt Pruwet Richese in the premiere.
  Desmond Hart Is an Important Figure in the Dune Universe
  In essence, there isn’t much background information available about Desmond Hart as he was specifically crafted for the series “Dune: Prophecy.” This means that fans must rely solely on the HBO series for insights into his character. Since its premiere, Desmond Hart has been enveloped in mystery, but one notable similarity with Paul Atreides stands out. Given the connection between “Dune: Prophecy” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” films, it’s plausible that Desmond Hart was developed as an earlier iteration of Paul Atreides. Both characters experienced rebirth on Arrakis. Although the specific changes Desmond Hart underwent remain unclear, Episode 2 suggests that his abilities might be linked to spice, whether directly or symbolically. In a pivotal scene, when Lila endures the Agony, Mother Requella imparts a message to guide the Sisters through the judgment. Her words are:
  The key to the reckoning is one born twice.
  Once in blood, once in spice.
  A revenant full of scars.
  A weapon born of war on a path too short.
  In the narrative of Dune: Prophecy, the Sisterhood encounters a unique prophecy known as the Reckoning, which foretells the emergence of a ruthless ruler endangering their existence; however, Mother Requella’s predictions hint that this prophecy could encompass both Desmond Hart and Paul Atreides. Desmond Hart bears the physical marks, while Paul Atreides seems to embody the description of “a weapon forged in war with a path too brief” more accurately. The former is sowing discord between the Sisterhood and the Emperor, whereas the latter disregards Bene Gesserit teachings. Regardless of their actions, it appears that Desmond Hart’s creation serves a purpose beyond merely being an adversary that the Sisterhood will ultimately vanquish.
  Is Desmond Hart Responsible for the Lisan al Gaib Prophecy?
  In the fictional universe of Dune, the Lisan al Gaib is a belief held by the Fremen, though its origins can be traced back to the Bene Gesserit. The significance of Arrakis, the spice planet, holds equal importance in both Dune and Dune: Prophecy. As early as 10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ time, the Sisterhood had already been manipulating the rebels’ power for their political gain, recognizing that Arrakis is where the true power lies – whoever controls Arrakis controls spice, and spice is in everything. The Bene Gesserit’s interest in Arrakis is evident, as they planted a false prophecy to control the Fremen. At this point in Dune: Prophecy, there’s no mention of Lisan al Gaib’s existence. It’s plausible that it was created later on. Interestingly, the Lisan al Gaib bears some resemblance to a character named Desmond Hart. One might question why the Bene Gesserit would create a prophecy that resembles such a powerful enemy as Desmond Hart. However, given the intricate nature of their machinations, it may not be entirely surprising.
  One key thing about the Lisan al Gaib that shouldn’t be missed is the fact that the false prophecy is created to serve the Kwisatz Haderach, which is the ultimate goal of their breeding system. While the core idea of the breeding system exists in Dune: Prophecy, the system isn’t designed to create the Kwisatz Haderach but to spread the influence of the Sisterhood in the entire universe through blood relations. So far, Desmond Hart’s source of power is a mystery, and so is the exact extent of his power. Dune: Prophecy shows that he’s able to resist Valya Harkonnen when she uses the Voice. Since the Voice can be learned, it’s also possible that a person can be trained to resist the Voice. However, Desmond Hart doesn’t strike me as a person who has spent a long time training himself to resist Bene Gesserit’s influence. His power and knowledge seem to be acquired instantly, and he talks about being able to see through the Sisterhood’s lies. The explanation could be simple — Desmond Hart’s skills might just be more advanced than the ones the Sisterhood possesses, which could potentially open the door to why the Bene Gesserit is so obsessed with creating a Kwisatz Haderach. At some point, the Sisterhood must have realized that if a male Bene Gesserit survives the Agony, he’s more powerful than a female one, and during the time of Dune: Prophecy, the Sisterhood is exclusively female.
  Is Desmond Hart Responsible for Kasha’s Death?
  The situation becomes complicated as Desmond Hart might be linked to both Kasha’s and Pruwet Richese’s deaths. The young boy was fatally wounded in close proximity, while Desmond Hart appears to be the origin of the symptoms that burn him. He touches his temple to halt these symptoms, suggesting a control mechanism of some sort, like a switch being turned on and off. In Dune: Prophecy Episode 2, Desmond Hart tried to incinerate Duke Ferdinand Richese, the ruler of Dune, but was stopped by the Emperor. It’s the staring from Desmond Hart that directly causes the burning symptoms in both Richeses. Conversely, Kasha died within the Sisterhood’s headquarters, far from Desmond Hart. Her death could be a premonition to warn other Sisters about impending events. However, if Desmond Hart is responsible for her death, it might disprove the theory that the figure is advanced technology, hinting at Desmond Hart possessing supernatural abilities or magic.
  One captivating aspect of the Dune universe lies in its non-reliance on magic. Instead, abilities such as The Voice and resistance to poison are honed through training, making them attainable skills rather than supernatural powers or magic. Additionally, the use of poisons and spice to manipulate genetics is more a matter of technique than invoking actual magic or extraordinary abilities. Furthermore, the ability to tap into a person’s consciousness and ancestral traces signifies advanced technology. While an element of mystery fuels inspiration and motivation, it must be handled with care to prevent the delicate balance of the Dune universe from unraveling in an instant.
  In a nutshell, Desmond Hart presents both a potential advantage and a risk for the franchise. He could potentially fill in gaps within the storyline, but his mysterious power source could also pose a threat. If Desmond Hart is indeed a “thinking machine,” as some fans speculate, then introducing him to Dune: Prophecy might limit its creative potential. Conversely, incorporating magic and superpowers could compromise the distinctive elements that make Dune stand out. It appears the most sensible course of action might be to keep Desmond Hart’s power source a secret.
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