Dune: Prophecy – The Plot Against the Landsraad, Explained

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Summary

  • Rebel plot to attack Landsraad foiled by Desmond Hart’s deadly powers.
  • Rebels hoped to control spice trade for the people through violent means.
  • Uncertain if rebellion will continue after failed attempt, facing powerful enemies.

As a seasoned viewer of science fiction and a lifelong admirer of tales that delve into the intricacies of power dynamics, I must say that “Dune: Prophecy” episode four, “Twice Born,” was a gripping installment. The rebellion’s attempt to overthrow the Landsraad, while fraught with danger and deceit, mirrored the struggles faced by many oppressed societies throughout history.

In the fourth episode of Dune: Prophecy, titled “Twice Born”, a long-developing subplot reached its climax. Throughout the season, viewers have been subtly introduced to the brewing rebellion aimed at overthrowing the powerful houses and reinstating the power of Spice among the people. In “Twice Born”, we witnessed the unfolding of this rebellion. Unfortunately, it didn’t end in victory.

Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), the ex-military operative possessing formidable abilities, exposed and penalized a group of conspirators. This action not only thwarted the rebellion but also hindered Valya Harkonnen’s (Emily Watson) scheme to regain Emperor Corrino’s (Mark Strong) favor by exploiting the rebel uprising. However, the true purpose behind the revolt and the rebels’ intended actions remain a mystery.

The Landsraad

In their secret plan, the rebels intended to employ a smuggled “intellect device” armed with an explosive, aimed at dismantling the Landsraad – a council comprising the dukes and barons who wield vast galactic wealth primarily from spice trading. This council serves as a platform for business dealings and voicing complaints; for instance, the newly inducted Baron Harkonnen (Edward Davis) raises concerns about the enigmatic demise of young Pruwet Richese.

In short, it’s a pretty good spot to hit if you want to do some damage to the existing power structure. The rebels see the Landsraat meeting as an opportunity to take out many of their biggest targets in one fell swoop, hoping to cause enough damage to the great houses to move in and gain control of the Spice trade, redirecting its riches to the people rather than the aristocracy. Their “man on the inside” is Keiran Atreides, House Corrino’s Swordmaster who’s been conducting a secret affair with the emperor’s daughter Ynez while pulling double duty as a rebel spy. The plan was for Keiran to plant a bomb in the room where the meeting was taking place and then get out of dodge before it went off.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for Desmond Hart. He uncovers the rebels’ scheme to employ a thought-controlling device, prompting him to instruct some imperial soldiers to suppress any illegal technology in use. This action leads the soldiers to apprehend several plotters, among them Horace, a friend of Keiran, who is later brought before Hart for his grand power move. In the Landsraad assembly, Hart employs his powers to execute the conspirators, as well as Lord Hagal, discovered to be using thought-controlling machines too. Hart openly acknowledges killing Pruwet, but firmly insists on prioritizing the containment of thought machines above all else.

The Rebels’ Doomed Plot

Despite their effort to overthrow the Landsraad falling short, it remains uncertain if the rebellion will persist. Following the assault, Keiran managed to evade capture, and it appears that the emperor is unaware that his Swordmaster harbors secrets as a spy. Other co-conspirators, such as Mikaela, the Fremen bartender who collaborates with the Sisterhood, have yet to be exposed. Thus, there’s a strong chance that the rebellion may stage another uprising at some point in the future. If they do, they will face a formidable adversary in Desmond Hart.

In many instances, rebellions are not merely groups, but embodiments of ideals running deeper than what’s been portrayed in the series thus far. The show creators have primarily focused on the political intrigue among the powerful houses, neglecting to explore life at the grassroots level. However, the actions of the rebels hint that their society is marked by significant social inequality. The Imperium mirrors a traditional oligarchy, with the wealthy monopolizing all resources and ordinary citizens holding minimal sway over their rulers. The rebellion’s goal was to seize some power back for the people through forceful measures.

People who have watched the Dune movies are aware that the rebellion fails to overthrow the current regime, as it seems the ruling power becomes even more powerful in the 10,000 years between Dune: Prophecy and the story of Paul Atreides. The Sisterhood, however, does not view rebellions as part of their grand scheme to manipulate the houses of power from behind the scenes. Their involvement in this rebellion demonstrates their readiness to do whatever necessary to ensure things go their way. We’ll have to wait and see if the rebels’ efforts at revolution are completely futile or if they manage to cause some impact in one way or another. Keep in mind, 10,000 years is a significant stretch of time.

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2024-12-14 18:08