S01.E02: Two Wolves

[AnimeMania]

After receiving word about events on Salusa Secundus, Valya brings Theodosia to the Imperial House to help manage the situation. Meanwhile, Desmond makes a confession to Emperor Corrino, Tula reluctantly enlists Lila for a vital mission, and distrust swirls around Keiran Atreides, the sword master for House Corrino.

Premiere Date: November 24, 2024    HBO    9pm   

[AimingforYoko]

That's always the problem with prequels, we already know Desmond won't succeed in his quest, but I suppose it's about the journey.

[peridot]

I wonder what the Emperor thinks he's doing? He just exchanged one magic user for another to prop up his own power.  Even though Desmond says he's just a loyal soldier, I hope the Emperor doesn't believe that. 

It's interesting that Desmond isn't affected by the voice.

When Tula said the Agony would unlock her foremothers, I thought they would only be direct relatives.  I wasn't expecting for the murdered lady to show up.  Poor Lila. 

Constantine is a moron.  Using sex for interrogation is a very old skill.  I'm not sure why he thought she wouldn't do the same to him.

It appears no one is as they seem in this episode.  I'm guessing the bartender/Sister really supports the rebels after all. 

[AnimeMania]

I was enjoying this episode, it was like everyone was doing a graceful ballet or playing a chess game and it was intriguing to watch. Except for Desmond Hart who seems more like a sledgehammer that completely distracts me from the delicate motions.

Edited November 25 by AnimeMania

[paulvdb]

4 hours ago, peridot said:

When Tula said the Agony would unlock her foremothers, I thought they would only be direct relatives.  I wasn't expecting for the murdered lady to show up.  Poor Lila.

I thought the woman that young Valya murdered was identified as Raquelle's daughter (and therefore Lila's grandmother) in the first episode. So she was a direct ancestor.

[Haleth]

I’m not sure if Valya is supposed to be the hero or the villain. 

[magdalene]

Still intrigued and liking this. Still finding "Desmond Hart" the most interesting part of this.

I have some wild speculations over who or what controls him but sadly we can't wildly speculate here.

I will say I never liked the Bennies and I find the whole concept of them and their genetic manipulations err...creepy and icky.   I was gleeful when Valya could not control Desmond Hart and make him kill himself. 

As a young one I watched the Sci-fi channels Dune mini-series and I have never seen Paul Atreides as a heroic figure. I was always more partial to the character played by James McAvoy to put it vaguely.  Smiles. That was the first role I ever saw him in and I was smitten.

[Affogato]

Leto 2 said the threat of the reckoning  has ended. not sure exactly what that meant yet but it has to be connected. 
 

Desmond has some seed to bring into the breeding program, though. They will want that power. 
 

i assume the rebellion are the free men. 

[AnimeMania]

1 hour ago, magdalene said:

I have some wild speculations over who or what controls him but sadly we can't wildly speculate here.

I guess you could create a thread for speculation. There are a lot of events that are completely different for the Sisterhood of Dune book.

Spoiler

If this is like the book, I guess Desmond Hart might be someone who was chasing Vorian Atreides on Arrakis. Although those events happened 30 years earlier.

[Tachi Rocinante]

Good episode. I'm sorry, but the weak point for the show for me is Travis Fimmel.

His character should be the most interesting and intriguing part of the show.

But he's just so flat in his performance. He exudes no presence whatsoever as the main antagonist.

[magdalene]

Forgive me, I must be dense - is Leto 2 the character played by James McAvoy in the mini-series?

[Affogato]

1 hour ago, magdalene said:

Forgive me, I must be dense - is Leto 2 the character played by James McAvoy in the mini-series?

Yes. Sorry. We should have a speculation thread. And a spoiler thread. We may find out he did what he did to avoid the reckoning Raquella saw and this connects this story to the larger one, apparently having to do or centered on Arrakis. You know. Maybe. 
 

i recently read the books Brian Herbertvwrote ending the series, based on Frank Herberts notes. I recommend them to readers of Frank's books. Also Boy, howdy, a lot goes on. But that is all in the far distant future. 

Edited November 25 by Affogato

[Affogato]

They have to convince me this story is  compelling, aside from the larger tale. I guess they deserve some more time to do that. 

[magdalene]

21 minutes ago, Affogato said:

Yes. Sorry. We should have a speculation thread. And a spoiler thread. We may find out he did what he did to avoid the reckoning Raquella saw and this connects this story to the larger one, apparently having to do or centered on Arrakis. You know. Maybe. 
 

i recently read the books Brian Herbertvwrote ending the series, based on Frank Herberts notes. I recommend them to readers of Frank's books. Also Boy, howdy, a lot goes on. But that is all in the far distant future. 

Laughs. And here I thought my speculation was so out there. I thought all along that 

Spoiler

Desmond Hart is Leto 2 s creature

 

[ribboninthesky1]

I haven't read the books, and have watched only the recent Dune films.  Thus, my thoughts are based on what's been shown. 

I was expecting something more...sophisticated? I thought we would see more of the sisters pulling strings and talking strategy.  Kasha and her relationship with the Corrinos had potential, but she's dead.  And this Desmond Hart is introduced (too early, IMO) and proving more shrewd than them? So why am I to be impressed with the Sisterhood? Valya seems more unhinged than wise.   

In fact, I think the Empress is showing herself more strategic than any of the Sisterhood. 

There is also an aspect that feels very CW-ish, particularly with the younger sisters and the Corrino siblings.  

The rebellion is kind of interesting - I hope we learn more. 

Tons of talent here that feels wasted.  I'll keep watching in hopes that it become more compelling. I appreciate the quality production values at least.   

 

[Roseanna]

18 hours ago, magdalene said:

Still intrigued and liking this. Still finding "Desmond Hart" the most interesting part of this.

I have some wild speculations over who or what controls him but sadly we can't wildly speculate here.

I will say I never liked the Bennies and I find the whole concept of them and their genetic manipulations err...creepy and icky.   I was gleeful when Valya could not control Desmond Hart and make him kill himself. 

Well, he claimed to have seen that she would leave blood behind her - but we have seen him coldbloodily kill a little boy. Instead of Kaysa, he is now the Emperor's  chief advisor.

So I don't see essential difference between them. 

[magdalene]

14 hours ago, Roseanna said:

Well, he claimed to have seen that she would leave blood behind her - but we have seen him coldbloodily kill a little boy. Instead of Kaysa, he is now the Emperor's  chief advisor.

So I don't see essential difference between them. 

The difference is in who controls him, if its Leto 2, well I am partial to the children of Paul Atreides, especially Leto. Grins. You could say I am partial to the Worm. I just don't like these witches  at all, especially when they are lead by this Harkonnen - look how they use their young members.

I don't think Desmond is a good guy by any means I just happen to dislike Valya more.

[Affogato]

I could be wrong but I think this time period has people and events that set up the events of Dune/Dune Messiah, not that the characters in Dune/Dine Messiah are actually involved in past events.  

[Ottis]

On 11/25/2024 at 12:34 AM, AnimeMania said:

I was enjoying this episode, it was like everyone was doing a graceful ballet or playing a chess game and it was intriguing to watch. Except for Desmond Hart who seems more like a sledgehammer that completely distracts me from the delicate motions.

The problem is, it's all very obvious and at times, very slow. The neediness of the Empress in episode one made it obvious she would seek Hart as a source of power. IMO the Emperor would have been smarter to attack the Duke from afar and not reveal the source of the attack.  Lila was clearly fated to die as soon as they named her a favorite. The only mystery is the actual source of Hart's power, though I'm guessing microwaves and future Putin pellets.

They are undercutting the powers of the Sisterhood. The Voice came from one student who was just messing around? Seems like it should be more intentional in a group that plans for generations.  

[Affogato]

13 hours ago, Ottis said:

The problem is, it's all very obvious and at times, very slow. The neediness of the Empress in episode one made it obvious she would seek Hart as a source of power. IMO the Emperor would have been smarter to attack the Duke from afar and not reveal the source of the attack.  Lila was clearly fated to die as soon as they named her a favorite. The only mystery is the actual source of Hart's power, though I'm guessing microwaves and future Putin pellets.

They are undercutting the powers of the Sisterhood. The Voice came from one student who was just messing around? Seems like it should be more intentional in a group that plans for generations.  

This is the beginning of the sisterhood. Which I think started as a breeding database to use to try to build their ‘perfect leader’. They need to grow more as a group. Right now they are purveyors of truthtellers. As they go on they will set up the orotections, like the missionaria protectiva.