Dune: Prophecy has offered up new clues about the figure who will bring on The Reckoning.
*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy.*
Fans of Dune: Prophecy think the ‘twice-born’ figure, who is key to the long-awaited Reckoning, might be a different character to the one first suspected. The Reckoning, also known as Tiran Arafel, would essentially be the end of a peaceful galactic order in Dune - and the sisters of the Bene Gesserit believe it is coming.
Following the latest episode of the HBO and Sky show, fans have been sharing their theories after a shocking twist involving Lila (Chloe Lea). During the latest episode, we hear a key part of the prophecy, as founding Reverend Mother Raquella Berto-Anirul (Cathy Tyson) speaks through Lila when she goes through the agony.
She says: “The key to the reckoning is one born twice. Once in blood. Once in spice.” Upon hearing this prophecy, Reverend Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) assumes it applies to Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel).
Desmond is a soldier who has done an impressive 12 tours of Arrakis before returning to Salusa Secundus and is the only surviving member of his regiment, with the others being wiped out.
In previous episodes, we learn he was swallowed by Shai-Hulud, which is the reverent Fremen name given to the giant sandworms that inhabit their desert planet, but somehow escaped.
Towards the end of the episode, we discover that he also came away with a “gift” from Shai-Hulud, as he now seemingly has the power to make people burn from the inside out without touching them.
While Desmond would fit the prophecy’s description, some fans think it applies to another character instead: Sister Lila (Chloe Lea).
On Reddit, one fan with the handle @Top_Pie8678 theorised: “At the meeting in the docks, a spy approached the sisters. The spy said Raquel spoke through Lila ‘the key to the reckoning is one twice born, once in blood and once in spice.’
“Valya automatically assumes this is Desmond Hart. I think it’s a red herring. I think it’s really Lila who died in the agony and was rejuvenated by the spice medical bay Tula put her in. The ‘key’ imo is going to be her turning into the first navigator. Thoughts?”
Taking to the comments section, one fan agreed: “I think you’re onto something. what’s interesting to me is that the Agony here didn’t involve spice in the same way it does in the main Dune story in the future—the Agony there uses a poison derived from spice (the water of life.)
“Does the Reckoning involve new ways of making Reverend Mothers? Does Desmond’s powers coming from Arrakis mean that a RM created through spice is the key to defeating him?
“Also, Lila wasn’t fully prepared for the Agony—could she be susceptible to possession by an ancestor with ulterior motives? (her mother, perhaps?) they don’t have wide experience with the Agony as it’s only a few decades old, so they might not be prepared for this.” (sic)
A third mused: “Yeah I think she is the real threat not Desmond hart but while the tank she is held in certainly is reminiscent of a navigator tank I don't think she will turn into a navigator and she wouldn't be the first one because Spacing Guild is already established by that time.”
While another argued: “It could also refer to Paul Atreides. The ‘key’ imo is going to be her turning into the first navigator. The guild already exists at this point so doubtful.” (sic)
Fans on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, also thought Lila could be one to watch, with a viewer suggesting: “Tula using the spice with the help of the thinking machine is CRAZY! I have so many questions about who else could be using this tech but I also have a feeling that Lila is the one to fear for the oncoming reckoning, not Desmond Hart.” (sic)
A second agreed: “Why do I think the prophecy is referring to Lila and not Desmond Hart with the reveal of the thinking machine in the tunnels…”
While another fan predicted: “It’s definitely not the end for Lila. She’s going to wake up but I feel like she will be resentful towards Tula.”
Dune: Prophecy airs Mondays at 2am in the UK, exclusively on Sky Atlantic and NOW. This coincides with its 9pm ET/6pm PT airdate in the US, where you can watch it on HBO or Max.
