As a seasoned gamer with years of immersion in the rich tapestry of the Dune universe, I can say that the new HBO series, Dune: Prophecy, has taken my breath away. The decision to focus on Valya and Tula Harkonnen, sisters who have risen through the ranks of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, offers a refreshingly nuanced perspective on the traditionally villainous House Harkonnen.
As a devoted fan of the Dune universe, I’ve always associated House Harkonnen with the malevolent forces that opposed House Atreides. Characters like Baron Vladimiri, Glossu “Beast” Rabban, and Feyd-Rautha have been etched in my mind as the embodiment of evil. However, the fresh perspective offered by the HBO series Dune: Prophecy has breathed new life into these traditionally villainous figures. This transformation is largely due to the series’ focus on Valya and Tula Harkonnen, two sisters who have ascended to significant positions within the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, providing viewers with a more intricate understanding of House Harkonnen.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD
10,000 years prior to the story in Dune, the House Harkonnen is banished due to their alleged cowardice during a war against intelligent machines in the tale called Dune: Prophecy. Sisters Valya and Tula grow up with a burning desire to reclaim their House’s power and seek vengeance on House Atreides for their predicament. Eventually, both sisters join the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, with Valya rising to become the head of the order as Mother Superior. However, they both grapple with inner conflicts due to their lingering family loyalties.
Valya Feels Torn Between The Sisterhood And Her Family
In the course of the show, Valya grapples with the dilemma: “Am I Harkonnen or Bene Gesserit? Which one am I truly?” If you were to ask how Valya would respond at the start of the series, actress Emily Watson offered a cryptic smile and commented, “I believe Valya never gives a straightforward answer.” Olivia Williams, portraying Tula, couldn’t resist the opportunity to play the part of the mischievous sibling and chimed in, “And neither does Emily Watson!
Watson admitted that Valya harbors a fierce longing for retribution against House Harkonnen for their harsh treatment. This thirst for vengeance, along with her ambition to advance the Kwisatz Haderach lineage, motivates her to draw the Bene Gesserit more significantly into the Imperial affairs. To achieve this, she dispatches Sister Kasha as an advisor to Emperor Javicco, urges Princess Ynez to train with the Sisterhood, orchestrates marriages, and subtly influences political decisions across the galaxy through her agents.
Neither Sister Has Forgotten What Was Done To Their House
In the novel “Dune: Prophecy,” we get a grim depiction of life post-exile for House Harkonnen. Their dwellings are cramped and poorly heated, they endure harsh winters, and daily survival involves bartering for meager rations in markets. Despite their growth within the Sisterhood, Valya and Tula remain haunted by the humiliation of their youth and continue to yearn for the grandeur of their House’s former days. Regarding Tula’s feelings towards her House, Olivia Williams commented:
In truth, the Harkonnens are often misjudged, much like many perceived as villains. Their backstory is rarely straightforward, and history can oversimplify complex realities…Moreover, a discussion ongoing globally revolves around the factors that shaped their ruthlessness – perhaps it’s the impact of generations of injustice.
Williams further elaborated that prior to assuming their roles, she and Watson paid a visit to the Royal Portrait Gallery to study and familiarize themselves with portraits of the Tudor monarchs. In portraying Valya and Tula, they derived inspiration from numerous influential Tudor women – women who managed both family and politics, women who wielded power behind the scenes while men reigned visibly, and women who bravely expressed their opinions despite societal norms dictating silence.
In the fictional saga, Dune: Prophecy, the Harkonnen sisters deviate significantly from typical House Harkonnen characters known to Dune enthusiasts. Instead of being strictly heroes or villains, they embody intricate personalities shaped by their upbringing in exile. Despite surmounting their family’s shame, they never forget the hardships they endured. This multi-dimensional portrayal of House Harkonnen is one of many elements that set Dune: Prophecy apart, offering a fresh, captivating spin on the story for both veteran and novice Dune fans alike.
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2024-11-15 21:25