DUNE: PROPHECY Episode 4’s Strange Ending, Explained—Shape-Shifting, Face Dancers, and More

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As a seasoned fan of all things Dune, I must say, the recent addition of shape-shifting abilities to the world of Dune: Prophecy has left me utterly intrigued and slightly bewildered. I’ve spent many a sleepless night poring over the original books, trying to decipher the mysteries of this expansive universe, but Theo’s transformation into Griffin Harkonnen has taken the cake!

In the fourth installment of “Dune: Prophecy,” political and family tension reached new heights, with characters making strategic moves against each other. Desmond Hart continued his chilling ability to kill with mere thoughts. However, the episode’s most stunning twist unfolded at its climax when Valya Harkonnen allowed her uncle to perish. What followed was a startling revelation: standing before her was not a vision or ghost but a living person—Sister Theodosia. But how did Theo miraculously transform into someone entirely different? To uncover the truth behind this mystery, we must delve into the lore of shape-shifters from the Known Universe, also known as Face Dancers, despite their absence in “Dune” for another 10,000 years.

Are There Shape-Shifters in Dune? The Face Dancer, Explained

In the sequel to Dune, titled Dune Messiah, Frank Herbert introduced a group of shape-shifters called Face Dancers. These are a race of beings without reproduction capabilities, capable of changing their form, who were engineered by the Bene Tleilax, an advanced and exclusive society known for their bioengineering expertise.

In hidden Axlotl pools, the Tleilaxu create their genetically-altered Face Dancers. These machines possess the unique ability to mimic any person, a skill that is also used to manufacture gholas – clones derived from deceased human cells. This fascinating technology, deeply rooted in the tales of Dune, could offer intriguing possibilities for future adaptations.

In the story Dune: Prophecy, we learn how the Face Dancers from Dune acquired their unique name. When they transform physically into another human, it appears as if their face is in a constant state of movement, or “dancing”. This ability is made possible by extra muscles and nerves that regular humans lack. These shapeshifters from Dune also depend on rigorous training to master control over their bodies. Moreover, Face Dancers have the uncanny skill to perfectly imitate voices as well.

The change undergone by Face Dancers goes beyond mere physicality. They excel at deciphering human minds and flawlessly mimic the character traits of those they imitate, a skill that makes them exceptionally useful for spying, infiltration, and assassination. Their extraordinary ability to fully impersonate others gives them great value. However, only the Reverend Mothers of the Bene Gesserit can detect Face Dancers due to their exceptional powers of observation.

Who Are the Bene Tleilaxu of Dune?

On the distant planet Tleilax resided a secluded, deeply religious community, known for their secrecy. For millennia, no outsider had ever laid eyes on a female member of their species. The Tleilax have been present for quite some time, dwelling on the outskirts of the Imperium, beyond the Empire itself. However, it was during Emperor Paul Atreides’ reign that they began to make significant impacts across the Known Universe, leaving an indelible mark. (For those seeking to steer clear of spoilers for a potential Dune Messiah adaptation by Denis Villeneuve, let’s leave their subsequent story untold.)

In numerous aspects, the chauvinistic and spiritually inclined Bene Tleilaxu represent a counterpart to the science-focused Bene Gesserit sisters. However, unlike the respected Bene Gesserit, the Bene Tleilaxu were often found distasteful by the wider universe due to their manipulation of human physiology.

Only, none of that should matter until 10,000 years after the setting of HBO’s series.

Did Face Dancers Exist During the Time of Dune: Prophecy?

It’s not found in official Dune lore, whether from Frank Herbert’s original works or his son’s expansions, that the Face Dancers appeared ten thousand years before Paul Atreides was born. However, it is known that people inhabited the planet Tleilax (previously named Tlulaxa) during the Butlerian Jihad, the war that liberated humanity from the Thinking Machines. During this conflict, the “flesh merchants” of Tlulaxa developed and sold body parts to physicians, which could be seen as an early form of the technology later used by the Bene Tleilax thousands of years later.

Could it be that this extremely private civilization was secretly developing early prototypes of shape-shifters, perhaps even centuries ago? This isn’t entirely far-fetched, given the vast timeline between the initial Face Dancers and those who appear in Dune Messiah. A time span of ten thousand years may seem significant, but when considering the influence of spice and the long-term planning of the Bene Gesserit, a group capable of thinking in centuries, it becomes less so. It’s not unthinkable that another group with strong convictions might also have planned actions that would unfold over an extended period.

With the self-created mythology of “Dune: Prophecy,” we’re left guessing about Theo’s tale, yet the series offers glimpses into her past experiences.

Why Did Theo Shape-Shift Into Griffin Harkonnen on Dune: Prophecy?

In episode four, Theo has always been reluctant to discuss her past and origins. She also established a single rule for joining the Sisterhood: no one was allowed to request that she utilize her hidden talent. Recently, it’s been revealed that Theo’s concealed gift, as seen in “Dune: Prophecy”, is the power to transform her appearance, or shape-shift. In an emergency, Reverend Mother Superior Valya brought Theo along to Salusa Secundus and asked her to perform the one task Theodosia had vowed never to do.

As I stepped into Griffin’s world and understood Valya’s deep bond with her deceased brother, I found myself embodying Harkonnen. In that instant, it was clear to anyone who knew Valya well, she would sense the change. Yet, even knowing this, Valya couldn’t resist the transformation before her eyes.

Witnessing Mother Superior’s response enlightened Theo about the level of self-sacrifice Valya had made by going back to her family who had shunned her. By assuming the identity of Griffin, she realized that Valya was not asking anything from her that Valya wasn’t prepared to do herself. Now as a secret Face Dancer, Theo appears ready to prioritize “Sisterhood over all.” She understands what she must accomplish now, despite the fact that it involves doing something she never wanted to.

In simpler terms,

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob and assures you that he is not a Face Dancer, so there’s no need for verification. You can connect with him on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike, and keep an eye out for him when people are ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2024-12-09 23:33