Dune: Prophecy episode 2 ending explained: What is Desmond Hart's plan?
Dune: Prophecy episode 2, Two Wolves, premiered on Max on November 24, 2024. Picking up from the events of the first episode, this week's outing follows Emperor Corrino as he considers what to do with Desmond Hart as political turmoil with the Richeses worsens. Aside from that, the episode also sees Valya Harkonnen visit Salusa Secundus to investigate the situation herself.
A lot happens in Dune: Prophecy episode 2, and it also gives fans an idea of Desmond Hart's plan. It certainly seems like his goal is to reach close to the throne and continue to serve the Emperor and his interests, but there is something sinister that's lying within. It also looks like he wants to replace the Sisterhood as a whole, but he still maintains an intrigue to himself.
Dune: Prophecy episode 2 also sees Lila go through agony, which connects the show to the Water of Life, introduced in Dune: Part Two. However, with so much having gone down in the episode, let's break down the biggest moments of the episode.
What happened in Dune: Prophecy episode 2?
Desmond admits to his crimes
With Pruwet dead, the Duke is angry about his son's death in Dune: Prophecy episode 2. Elsewhere, Desmond admits to Corrino that he was responsible for killing the Richese prince and swears loyalty to him. This leads Corrino to lock up Desmond, but his wife Natalya tells him to use him to their advantage. However, the Duke gets to know that Corrino is holding his son's killer as a prisoner.
The Duke demands to speak to him, or he will wage war against House Corrino. However, Valya arrives right in time to calm the situation down. She is immediately able to see that Corrino is lying, and once the Duke is out of the room, she asks Corrino to take him to Desmond so that she can interrogate him. There, Valya questions him about Kasha's death.
Desmond tells him that he wanted to free the Emperor from false truthsayers. He also reveals that the Sandworm on Arrakis took one of his eyes and gave him something far much greater. While Valya is not able to get much out of him regarding Kasha'a's death, Natalya meets him in secret at the end of the episode and asks for his service.
When Duke once again threatens the Emperor, Desmond starts burning him from the inside. However, instead of killing him, the Emperor wants this to be a warning and sends the Duke away. Dune: Prophecy episode 2 ends with Valya meeting Desmond once again trying to understand his plan. She uses the voice on him again and asks him to kill himself, but it unfortunately doesn't affect him.
Why the voice doesn't work on Desmond Hart in Dune: Prophecy episode 2 remains to be seen, but it does look like being swallowed by the Sandworm on Arrakis has left Desmond with some incredible powers. However, it certainly does seem like his plan is to replace the Sisterhood for now.
Lila's death
Dune: Prophecy episode 2 also sees the death of Lila take place. Before going to Salusa Secundus to investigate Kasha's death, Valya tells Tula that she needs Lila to go through the Agony to access her memories and learn more about the reckoning. It is revealed that Lila is the descendant of Mother Superior Raquella and the daughter of Dorotea, who a younger Valya killed.
While Tula is hesitant about the plan, she does ask Lila if she can go through it. She later plants the seeds in Lila's mind that she will be able to talk to her mother whom she never got to meet and Lila eventually agrees. During the Agony, Lila takes the Water of Life, which fans will remember from Dune: Part Two, which is a poison, and allows her to see her ancestors.
When she meets Raquella, she tells Lila:
"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."
However, before they can learn more about the reckoning, Dorotea comes by in Lila's memory. Knowing what the Sisterhood is trying to do, she kills her daughter leaving Tula heartbroken and clueless about what Raquella meant. While Raquella can provide details about the reckoning, it certainly looks like she was referring to Desmond Hart.
Desmon was born of blood and later reborn on Arrakis, the planet that holds spice. Covered in scars, he certainly matches the description here as he came back from death.
A rebellion is growing under Salusa Secundus
In the episode, it is also revealed that a rebellion has been forming under Salusa Secundus, and it looks like one of the Emperor's most trusted associates is a part of it as well. None other than Keiran Atreides can be seen talking to the leader of the Rebellion and giving him plans for the Palace's infrastructure in Dune: Prophecy episode 2.
The rebellion is trying to dismantle House Corrino because they are tired of the wealth of Spice benefitting the great houses. However, Keiran having an emotional connection with Princess Ynez will surely cause some hardship for him later down the line.
For further updates on Dune: Prophecy, stay tuned with us.
