For now, at least, whatever caused Kashas horrible demise is still a medical mystery.
In the library, the acolytes are understandably worried as they discuss Kashas death.
Was it an assassination?
“Just whipping up some ritual poison, nothing to see here…” Photo: Attila Szvacsek/HBO
I have to secure the princess, she tells Tula.
With Kasha gone, someone has to fill the void and protect our plans.
She needs to connect with her ancestors, Valya tells her sister.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
So whats the big deal about Lila connecting with her ancestors?
Well, Raquellas wise guidance would sure be useful right about now.
But theres a catch: it involves a process so dangerous and painful its called the Agony.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
Valya thinks the risk is worth it; Tula, whos very protective of Lila, isnt so sure.
With Theodosia in towshell be Ynezs new Sisterhood buddy now that Kasha is goneValya heads to see the Emperor.
As you might expect, the mood on Salusa Secundus is tense as hell.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
Desmond, who is bemused at all times, seemsespeciallydelighted when hes arrested.
Hes taken to a sci-fi prison where inmates are suspended in thin air.
We need you to talk to Mother Raquella.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
We think she will know how to fight it.
Forget the throne, they agree, the real power is whoever controls the desert planet.
to his far more cool-headed wife, Empress Natalya.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
To her, theres no greater honor than giving your life for the cause.
Jen, listening in, clearly disagrees; well get her take a bit later in the episode.
Meanwhile, Valya and Theodosia are arriving at the palace.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
Youre about to meet the most powerful people in the Imperium, the Mother Superior tells her student.
Ynez, on the other hand, is emotionally wrecked when she hears of Kashas death.
Then she introduces Ynez to her new BFF: Sister Theodosia.
© Attila Szvacsek/HBO
I would advise against playing games with me.
I will win, she informs him.
I have nothing to hide, he responds.
Can you and your Sisters say the same?
I saw the corruption in her heart… the same way I see blood trailing your every step.
(The Emperor and Empress overhear him say this, and their reaction is stoic.)
Quite obviously, Desmond is no ordinary adversary.
Things get more dire when Valya realizes the Emperor and Empress are no longer putty in her hands.
Theyre using you, she said.
Its what they tell us: Sisterhood above all, not Sisters.
They dont care about you.
Not like they care about the Order as a whole.
(It feels like a half-truth, but wouldnt Lila be able to tell if it was?)
Meanwhile, Valya is meeting with an old friend:Mikaela, a Fremen member of the Sisterhood.
Its a move to get the Sisterhood back on the Emperors good side.
Hes taken aback, but she tells him, It was just politics.
We are all just pieces on the board to be played in pursuit of power… spice.
Things get briefly steamy.
But they both step back.
Theycant, not now!
Especially notyou, secret palace spy Keiran Atreides!
The Empress pays Desmond a visit in jail, and asks him if hes a prophet.
He says he doesnt know.
There are things that I can do.
Beautiful, terrible things, he tells her.
As the episode winds down, we have three important scenes, starting with Lilas descent into the Agony.
Lilas fellow acolytes watch from the balcony, worried about whats to come.
Once in blood, once in spice … a revenant full of scars.
A weapon born of war on a path too short.
In Lilas vision, things have gone very wrong.
Lila sits straight up, tells Tula in Doroteas voice, Harkonnen, you stole my future.
Now Im taking your hope!
… and then Lila dies.
But theres no sympathy in the throne room.
With sarcastic yet menacing politeness, he informs her that House Carrino no longer requires the Sisterhoods assistance.
But the Voice doesnt work on him.
And for the first time, we see Valya looking uncertain and maybe even showing a bit of fear.
It doesnt pass Desmond by.
Your greatest fear … is not that no one will hear you, he smirks.
Its that theyll hear you andjust wont care.
New episodes ofDune: Prophecyarrive Sundays on HBO and Max.
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