- "History is written on the sands of Arrakis, where rebellion and civil war continue to breed. Fed by Alia's brutal tyranny and repression as she sinks deeper into the abomination of her own ghosts. Unable to recognise the forces conspiring against her, unaware of the whirlwind sweeping towards her across the desert."
- ―Princess Irulan Corrino[src]
The Golden Path is the third episode of Frank Herbert's Children of Dune. It premiered on March 18, 2003 on the SciFi Channel. It was written by John Harrison and directed by Greg Yaitanes.
Premise[]
Wensicia proposes a political marriage between her son and Ghanima. Leto embarks on the Golden Path and returns a transformed being.
Synopsis[]
In Arrakeen, riots take place in the streets and the name of Alia Atredies is used as a curse. She demands answers from her Qizarate, blaming them for the disappearance of her nephew and niece, Leto and Ghanima, from Sietch Tabr and her mother Lady Jessica off-world. She dismisses them and Ziarenko Javid suggests that she rest, but she orders him to leave too. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen speaks to her from withi her genetic memory and suggests that she is indulging in her own perversions rather than his. Javid eavesdrops at the door as she orders the Baron to go away.
On Salusa Secundus, Princess Wensicia Corrino discusses the upcoming arrival of Jessica and Duncan Idaho with her Bashar, Tyekanik. She asks who else knows that they are coming and he replies that Idaho has bribed the Spacing Guild to allow them passage and that the Bene Gesserit will be informed if they have not already. Farad'n warns that Alia will implicate House Corrino and Tyekanik advises that they refuse sacntuary to Jessica and Duncan, but Farad'n suggests that Jessica's talents could be used to their advantage. Wensicia deduces that he means to use them to his own advantage and warns him that a woman who can seduce Duke Leto Atreides I and a planet of Fremen should not be trifled with.
On Arrakis, Ghanima awakes in the cave where she took shelter and find Leto is nowhere to be seen. Leaving the cave, she finds one of the Laza tigers dead and calls out for Leto, but recieves no reply. Believing the tiger to have killed Leto, she repeatedly stabs its body in anguish. From a distance, Leto watches her walk away and expresses hope that Shai-Hulud will clear the path for her so that they may meet again. He ventures deep into the desert and that night he has a vision in which his father Paul tells him that by following the Golden Path, he will become the unstoppable whirlwind. A Sandworm approaches and Leto uses his Maker hooks to mount it and ride it to Jacurutu.
At Sietch Tabr, Palimbasha has sex with a young Fremen woman when Ghanima sneaks up on him and stabs him to death, declaring that it is for Leto. She collapses from exhaustion and Irulan Corrino nurses her back to health under the watchful eye of Stilgar. A Naib confirms that Palimbasha was carring a communicator that was manufactured offworld, which he used to command the Laza tigers. He also presents him with a patch torn from Leto's robe and asks if he should arrange transport back to the palace, to which Irulan and Stilgar reply that Ghanima will be safer in the sietch.
At Jacurutu, Leto finds a pit filled with sandtrout when a voice calls out to him. Leto stands on guard, but a dart strikes his neck and knocks him unconscious. On Salusa Secundus, Wensicia is incensed that Ghanima survived the attack by the tigers and advises Tyekanik to contact Javid and order him to continue manipulating Alia, on which Farad'n eavesdrops. On Arrakis, Alia is informed that a priest was assassinated by Fremen rebels, who then carved messages info his flesh cursing her and House Atreides. She orders that all traces of the rebel sietch be wiped out as an example to others who would continue the insurrection. He troops then decimate sietch.
At Jacurutu, Leto awakes and is cared for by Sabiha. Jessica and Duncan arrive on Salusa Secundus, where Wenscia warns Jessica that she will be executed if she attempts to use her Bene Gesserit abilities. Duncan states that they are not seeking treachery and Wensicia asks why they should take the risk. Jessica tells them that her grandchildren will prevent civil war and Wensicia replies that they were the victims of an assassination plot, suggesting that Alia was responsible. Jessica refuses to believe this, but Tyekanik points out that they were a threat he Alia's reign as regent. Wensicia suggests that they form an alliance and that Jessica educate Farad'n in the ways of the Bene Gesserit, to which Jessica agrees.
On Arrakis, Alia is informed by her priests that Stilgar will not to allow Ghanima to travel. Alia suspects that they are planning to join the rebellion against her and travels to Sietch Tabr. She demands that Ghanima be returned to the palace and Irulan refuses, but Stilgar agrees, not wishing to be accused of abducting Ghanima. He allows Alia to take Ghanima to the palace on the condition that Ghanima accompanies her, warning that the Fremen will no longer be allegiant to the Golden Lion Throne if either are harmed. Alia agrees to his terms and Stilgar apologises to Irulan, knowing that he may have placed her in great danger.
At Jacurutu, Sabiha continues to feed Spice Melange to Leto. Namri orders her to keep feeding him more to place him into a deep and dangerous trance. Leto has disturbing visions as Sabiha attempts to drive him as mad as Alia. Leto has dreams that he is on a green and fertile Arrakis where the Sandworms are all dead, which horrifies him. He wakes screaming and finds a frightened Sabiha pointing a Maula pistol at him. He deduces that she is a Cast-Out and tells her that he knows that they are breeding sandtrout and selling worms off-planet to break the Atreides monopoly on Spice. He points out that the worms never survive long away from Arrakis and then consumes more Spice, knowing that it can no longer harm him. He tells her that he has silenced the voices within that would have possessed him and that he must save the desert. Leto goes to the pit and reaches his hand in, pulling it out as several sandtrout crawl along it and integrate with his skin.
On Salusa Secundus, Jessica trains Farad'n in the Weirding Way, but he find himself to keep up with her. Jessica expresses surprise that Wensicia never apoointed a Bene Gesserit teacher to him before and he replies that she has other training for him when he was younger. Jessica advises him that he must learn every muscle in his body as if it were a string on a baliset and that when he learns to play them individually he will know how to play them together. Wensicia joins joins them and Jessica dismisses Farad'n, telling him that they will continue his training the next day. She asks Wensicia what she expects to get from their arrangement and Wensicia informs her that Ghanima has survived and proposes arranging a marriage between her and Farad'n to solidify the union between their houses.
Jessica informs Duncan of Wensicia's proposal, which repulses him. She declares that his Mentat reasoning must see the value in it, pointing out the similarity to Paul's marriage to Irulan. Duncan warns her that Alia will not agree to it, which Jessica states to be the reason why he must deliver the proposal, as he may be the only one who can reach the loving part of her, but Duncan declares that Alia is now lost to him. Jessica tells him that since Alia views Ghanima as a threat, making her see her niece as the key to defeating a greater threat may be the only way to save her and buy precious time.
Duncan travels to Arrakis and presents the proposal to Alia, informing her that he sees merit and risk in it. Alia replies that her priests object to it and Duncan tells her that the Fremen rebels against her and the riots in Arrakeen have spread rumors of her weakness amongst the Great Houses. He advises her that an alliance between Houses Corrino and Atreides may be the only way to prevent an uprising. Alia tells her priests to respond to House Corrino allowing for negotiations of a union, but to make it clear that Atreides interests will dominate. She order the priests to leave and tells him that he must banish him for his treachery. She admits that he has missed her and tells him to join Stilgar at Sietch Tabr where he will be safe.
In the desert, Namri tells Gurney Halleck that Alia's forces are attacking sietches she believes to be rebelling against her. He asks about Leto and Namri warns him that if he survived the assassination attempt, he will not have survived the desert and finding a body will be impossible. Gurney leaves to search for Leto and Namri attempts to kill him, only for Gurney to overpower him. Deeper in the desert, Leto recits the Litany Against Fear as a storm approaches him.
On Salusa Secundus, Jessica is woken when Farad'n enters her room. Subduing him, she warns that she could have killed him, but he escapes her grip with the Weirding Way. Both are delighted that he has achieved it, which he has done by overcoming his self-doubt. He tells her that he feels reborn and on the threshold of something extraordinary and she advises that he must gain constrol of his desires and if he succeeds he will find realitu to be very different that he thought.
On Arrakis, Leto emerges from the sand once the storm has passed, finding his entire right arm covered in the skin of a worm. He then rushes acress the desert at great speed. At Arrakeen, Ghanima meets with Irulan in the greenhouse and tells her that she can still feel Leto's presence. Alia advises her that she cannot allow her to marry Farad'n, refusing to allow her to be used as a pawn in Alia's schemes. Ghanima states that she knows Alia has only agreed to the union to bring Jessica back to Arrakis. Irulan asks Ghanima what she wants and she replies that she intends to kill Faradn'n on their wedding night.
At Sietch Tabr, Duncan warns Stilgar that he can no longer remain neutral and must ally his tribe with the rebel forces. Stilgar refuses, believing that bringing a rebelling against the sister of Muad'Dib would bring the greatest dishonor imaginable. Duncan warns him that Alia is lost to the evil that possesses her and that he will wear its collar as long as he refuses to believe it. Stilgar orders him to be silent, threatening to kill him if her talks any more of insurrection.
In the desert, Assan Tariq and the Preacher ride a worm and come across Leto. Tariq believes him to be a desert demon, but Leto replies that there are no such things. Leto sits down with the Preacher, who points out that Leto made the worm stop. He tells the Preacher that he has allowed the myth of his death to persist until he is ready what has been done in his name, stating that he knows him to be his father. The Preacher replies that Leto has no idea who he is and Leto places the ducal ring on his finger. Feeling the worm skin on Leto's arm, he asks how far it has gone and Leto declares himself to be a desert creature, as it was the only way to being about the Golden Path. The Preacher tells him that he cannot control the future and Leto replies that he should have heeded his own advice, accusing him of being afraid. The Preacher replies that he was imprisoned by his own prophecy and a victim of that which he could not choose. Leto replies that he has chosen to create a future where humankind can create its own future free of one man's vision, the words of prophets and future pre-determined. The Preacher returns the ring to Leto, who tells him that he has dreamed of a meeting between them many times and the Preacher asks him to allow him to find peace on his own terms, which Leto states he will not allow yet. Tariq actives a detonator and attempts to kill them, but Leto rushes forword, cuts his throat and throws the detonator away.
At Sietch Tabr, Stilgar is informed by Javid that new settlements are being abandoned and sietch communities are being overrun with refugees. He tells him that ALia demands that the Fremen abandon their neutrality and ally with her forces to end the rebellion. Stilgar replies that Alia can make no such demand of any Naib. Javid suggests that Duncan can talk some sense into Stilgar, for which Duncan fatally stabs Javid. Stilgar chastises Duncan for violating sanctuary, to which Duncan replies that he has cut the collar from around his neck. Stilgar then stabs him and Duncan commends his choice before dying. Stilgar tells the other Naibs that Duncan forced their hand and Alia will be forced to move againts them. Alia is informed by a priest that Stilgar has taken his tribe to an unknown location in the desert, most likely seeking sanctuary with the rebels. Alia is enraged by Duncan's death and declares kanly on Stilgar's tribe, which the Baron encourages.
In the desert, Gurney rides a worm and meets with a son of Esmar Tuek. He is brought to Leto and the Preacher, asking them how they knew he would be there. Leto reminds him that the smugglers once allied with him until he reunited with Paul and joined his rebellion against Shaddam Corrino IV. Gurney states that his loyalty is to House Atreides and Leto tells him that Alia is lost to forces she cannot control who wish to destroy House Atreides. He sees Leto's arm and Leto replies that he has chosen to fulfil a destiny, becoming desert power as Duke Leto and Paul once told him. Leto stamps on drum sands to call a worm, climbing it with his bare hands once it arrives.
House Corrino arrive at Arrakeen and Ghanima joins Alia and Irulan to greet them. She is introduced to Farad'n, who expresses hope that their union can end the treachery that took Leto's life. He then reveals Wensicia planned the assassination attempt on the twins, banishing her and declaring that she will be stripped of her accounts and privileges. Wensicia tells him that he is more of a man than she ever thought possible and as Alia's guards go to arrest the Corrinos, Ghanima orders them to stop. She asks Farad'n if he was involved in Leto's death and he replies that he knew nothing of the plot againts him until it was too late, placing himself at her mercy. Ghanima believes him and Alia orders for Wensicia to be arrested, but states that she does not trust Farad'n and believes that he will betray them in the future. As she is taken away, Wensicia asks Jessica if she finds it interesting that the sins of mothers bloom in their children.
In the desert, Stilgar rallies his troops and orders tem to summon worms so that they may attack the city. Alia's spies see them riding an entire fleet or worms and send word to the palace. Gurney and the Preacher arrive at Arrakeen, where the are spotted by Muriz, who follows them. The Preacher tells Gurney not to be afraid and Gurney asks him who he is, which the Preacher replies does not matter. Gurney tells him that has no not known who he was, he would never have left Arrakis and the Preacher replies that he did what he was meant to do. The Preacher tells Gurney that Paul Atreides is no more and soon Muad'Dib must follow.
Alia obserbes Stilgar and his troops from a distance before returning to Arrakeen. As Ghanima is being prepared for her wedding, she dismisses her servants and Leto reveals himself to her. She is overjoted to see him alive and amazed to see the worm skin spreading over his body. He apologises for allowing her to think that he was dead, but insists that it was the only way that he could start what must now be finished. Gurney goes to fetch food for the Preacher and on hbis way back he discovers him wreaking havoc in the streets. The priests advise Alia to give the order for him to be assassinated, but the Baron advises her not to do so yet, for they must not risk making him to a martyr if he is Paul.
The Preacher climbs the steps of the palace and addresses the crowd, warning them that the religion of Muad'Dib has damaged the planet and rendered them slaves to meaningless ceremony. As Gurney and Muriz each push through the crowd, Jessica hears him from her room. Alia enters the crowd in disguise and the Preacher grabs her and calls her a blasphemy. He asks her forgiveness and calls her "sister". As her guards pull her away, Muriz stabs the Preacher in the back. Alia cries out in anguish as he falls. Muriz attempts to escape, but is killed by Gurney. Leto rushes through the crowd and takes the Preacher in his arms. The Preacher tells Leto that it is now in his hands, calling him "son" before he dies. Leto cries out in despair at his father's death.
At the wedding ceremony of Ghanima and Farad'n begins, Alia sits upon the throne. Farad'n, Jessica and Irulan arrive, but Ghanima is nowhere to be seen. Alia demands to know where she is and Leto arrives with her, letting out the roar of a Sandworm. He announces the Golden path to rid humanity of the perversions done in the name of Muad'Dib and save it from Alia the abomination. Alia orders her guards to seize him, but he easily defeats them with his speed. Alia draws a dagger and attacks him, but he evades and overpowers her. The Baron overtakes her and as Jessica tells her to stop herself, he looks upon his daughter and tells her that she cannot escape his vengeance and that he now has her daughter. Ghanima calls him a demon and tells him to let her make her own choice. Alia begs Jessica to help her and Leto hands her the dagger, telling her to help herself. She presses the blade against his skin and the Baron tells her to kill him, but she overcomes him and stabs herself instead. Jessica takes her in her arms and as Alia dies she tells her that she wants her brother.
As Jessica prepares to return to Caladan, Gurney elects to star on Arrakis to help Stilgar bring peace back to the planet. Irulan chooses to stay, hoping to one day guide Ghanima and Farad'n's children. Jessica hugs Irulan and kisses Gurney, calling him a deea friend, before leaving Arrakis. In the desert, Leto meets with Stilgar and gives him Alia's water, telling him to spread it upon the open sand in the midday sun. Stilgar vows to return the desert to the old ways to save the desert and the Fremen. Leto gives Stilgar the ducal ring to remind the Fremen of Muad'Dib and the capacity all of all humans to make mistakes and that all leaders are but human.
As Leto departs into the deep desert, Ghanima and Farad'n discuss him, with Ghanima declaring that once he when he is done running he will return to her and ask her to help him find a way to die. Farad'n asks why he wishes to die and Ghanima replies that it is to save himself from the sacrifices he must make for the future of them all. Farad'n asks what his own place is in the future and Ghanima tells him that he will never be her husband, but she may grow to love him, though Leto will never have love. As the stronger of them, he must accept the agony. One door has opened and another has closed, with the future on the other side.