- "You see her standing there, so haughty, so confident. Let us hope she finds solace in her writing and her books. She'll have little else. She may have my son's name, but it is we, the ones who carry the name of concubine, that history will call wives."
- ―Reverend Mother Jessicca[src]
The Prophet is the third episode of Frank Herbert's Dune. It premiered on December 3, 2000 on the SciFi Channel. It was written and directed by John Harrison.
Premise[]
Paul Atreides, who has become known as Paul Muad'Dib, leads a rebellion against the Harkonnen, who have the secret support of the Emperor.
Synopsis[]
In Arrakeen, Otheym sneaks into a factory and plants explosives. Once he sets them off, he orders an accomplice to send word to Stilgar that they will evacuate the city the next day. As Otheym attempts to sneak out of the city, he is cornered by a Harkonnen soldier, who is then killed by a young boy. The boy directs Otheym to a tunnel that will lead him out of the city and Otheym grants the blessings of Muad'Dib to the boy and his family.
From a nearby cliff, Paul Atreides, Stilgar, Chani Kynes and their Fedaykin observe the city. Stilgar tells Paul that House Harkonnen now know that they can strike them at will and suggests attacking the city, believing that they could take it in an hour. Paul insists that it is not the time and Stilgar shows him the skull of Duke Leto Atreides I, which was found in a secret crematorium in one of the Harkonnen barracks. Chani tells Paul that the men believe it to be an omen that their final battle with the Harkonnens is at hand. She then tells him that his visions frighten her and he replies that there are still things hidden from him that he cannot see. She asks him if he worries that just trying to see the future changes it, but he insists that he must see the future to avoid defeat. She suggests that she should leave and that she has been away from their son for too long and Paul replies that they will arrange it once they reach the Cave of Ridges after the next raids. She asks him if they will ever have peace and he replies that they will have victory.
On Giedi Prime, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is ordered to meet with his uncle, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. The Baron has killed one of his sex slaves, having discovered a poisoned needle hidden in the flesh of his thigh. Knowing that Feyd is behind it, he asks Feyd why he did not assassinate him himself, to which Feyd replies that he taught him that his hands must always remain clean. The Baron asks Feyd to give him a reason why he should not kill him and Feyd replies that he he is a more suitable heir than his brother, Glossu Rabban, to which the Baron agrees. Feyd points out that the raids on Arrakis are becoming more frequent, which will force the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV to intervene. The Baron states that this is part of his plan to draw the Emperor out where he is vulnarable and Feyd pledges to help him overthrow Shaddam and claim the Golden Lion Throne.
At a Fremen sietch, Reverend Mother Jessica helps a Fremen woman give birth to a baby boy. Jessica's daughter Alia arrives and observes the baby, commenting that he resembles the son of Mitha. Another woman tells her that she cannot know this, for the slaughter on Bela Tegeuse is history, but Alia insists that it is true, for she saw it. Alia stroke's the baby's forehead and he stops crying, which unnerves the women. Later, Alia tells Jessica that she hates the women, who whisper and stare at her as she passes, which hurts her feelings. Jessica tells her that they are confused and frightened, which Alia states is because she is a freak. Jessica refutes this and admits that it was cruel of her to drink the Water of Life during her pregnancy, which has caused Alia to know things no child should know and robbing her of a childhood. As Jessica weeps, Alia tells her that she wants her brother.
Paul has a dream in which three Sandworms appear before him and plantlife spreads across the desert, killing them. He is woken by a scream and emerges from his tent, discovering that Chani has killed a Fremen warrior who came to challenge him in open combat. He then tells Otheym to contact Stilgar and tell him to summon a Maker. Chani points out that he must soon call Stilgar out. Stilgar gives Paul some last minutes reminders of his training as he uses a thumper to summon a Sandworm, reciting the Litany Against Fear as it approaches. As the worm passes, Paul uses his Maker hooks to crawl onto its back and once he takes control of it, the Fremen join him.
Gurney Halleck, who has joined a group of smugglers, is lured by a false patch of Spice Melange and ambushed by Fremen. Paul reveals himself to Gurney, who is overjoyed to see him. They take shelter in the Cave of Ridges and Gurney reveals that the survivors of the Siege of Arrakeen fled Arrakis and that he stayed to await an opportunity for vengeance and to avenge Duke Leto, Thufir Hawat and Duncan Idaho. Paul invites Gurney to join their cause, as they harness desert power, and Gurney replies that he has never left his service.
On Kaitain, Shaddam is annoyed by a letter from the Baron begging him to aid him on Arrakis. Princess Irulan tells him that Rabban has lost almost 50,000 troops in the last two years, suggesting that the Baron is allowing the rebellion to continue. She then suggests that the Baron may be planning to replace Rabban with Feyd, presenting him as a savior to rally the Fremen against Shaddam in vast numbers. Count Hasimir Fenring tells Shaddam that if such a plan succeeded, the Baron would have a force that could rival the Sardaukar. Shaddam orders the the Baron be summoned to Kaitain and once he leaves Fenring comments on Irulan's for her perceptive mind, stating that he shares her fears of the Baron's schemes. She replies that her father can handle the Baron and that it is Muad'Dib who holds her curiosity.
In the Cave of Ridges, an assassin overpowers Korba and attempts to kill Paul, only to be overpowered and surrounded. Paul deduces that he is a Sardaukar and uses the Voice to order him to submit. Gurney and Stilgar suggest killing him, but Paul refuses and orders Otheym to take him prisoner. Paul tells Chani to return to the southern sietch and bring Jessica to the Cave of Ridges. Gurney is shocked to learn that Jessica lives, having heard that she was taken by the Harkonnens and killed.
Irulan attempts to learn more about Muad'Dib and is told be an informant that it is said that he never eats or sleeps, can see into the future, cannot be killed and that some claim to have seen him in several places at once. She asks what he looks like and the informant replies that nobody can say for sure, suggesting that he may just be a legend, but Irulan does not believe this.
Otheym alerts Paul that they have captured several Harkonnen soldiers and a respresentative of the Spacing Guild. The representative reminds Paul that he is protected by Imperial treaties and CHOAM declarations, but Paul replies that Imperial law is void where he stands. He insists that he is neutral in their conflict with the Harkonnens and Paul asks the representative how many Guild agents are on Arrakis, to which Gurney replies that there are many. Paul elects to let the prisoners go, ordering them to return to their masters and tell them that they cannot defeat his forces and their days are numbered.
At the southern sietch, Alia observes a desert mouse, which flees as a Sandworm approaches. Chani arrives on the worm and is reunited with her son Leto, who has been left in Jessica's care. Chani tells Jessica that Gurney has been found and joined their cause. Chani then suggests that Leto be allowed to spend time with the other children so he may learn the ways of the sietch, but Jessica replies that he must learn things that extend beyond them. Chani states that there will be time for that when he is older and Jessica asks if Paul agrees, to which Chani replies that he trusts her judgement where their son is concerned. Jessica tells Chani that while he has been a good companion to Chani, he must be able to marry a daughter of a Great House to forge an alliance. Chani states that she will only do what is best for Paul, as she did for her Duke.
On Kaitain, the Baron and Feyd arrive and find members of other Great Houses present. The Baron meets with Shaddam, who is accompanied by Fenring, Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam and a Guild Representative. The Baron suggests that he could wipe out the troublesome Fremen, but would be left with no one to mine the Spice. Shaddam asks if he knows where Muad'Dib came from, but the Baron dismisses him as just another religious fanatic on a suicide mission, to which Shaddam replies what he may become a martyr in doing so. After the meeting, Shaddam's advisors tell him that the rebellion must be crushed as soon as possible and he decides to attack Arrakis with the aid of the other Great Houses.
Jessica arrives at the Cave of Ridges and warns Paul that the Fremen expect him to call Stilgar out. She tells him that they have exploited the Fremen's faith, but Paul states that he is fulfilling the role assigned to him. He asks her about the Kwisatz Haderach, which Reverend Mother Ramallo called him at Sietch Tabr before she died. She reveals that she was ordered by the Bene Gesserit to birth a daughter who could be wed to a Harkonnen heir to end the feud and possible produce the Kwisatz Haderach, the ultimate achievement of centuries of their breeding program. However, she disobeyed this order due to her love for Duke Leto to give him the son he desired and that she did not want to create a god. Otheym arrives and offers to bring Jessica food and she agrees, telling Paul that she wishes to see Gurney. Before he leaves, she advises to find a way not to lose Stilgar.
Gurney enters Jessica's quarters and attempts to kill her, believing her to be the one who betrayed the Atreides to the Harkonnens. Paul intervenes and informs him that Dr. Wellington Yueh was the traitor. Jessica tells Gurney that she would have given her life to save Leto and that Yueh betrayed them because the Harkonnens had his wife, Wanna Marcus. Gurney steps down and breaks into tears, with Jessica attempting to comfort him. Paul confesses to Chani that he did not forsee Gurney's attempt on Jessica's life and is disturbed by it, wo which she tells him that he is asking too much of himself. He asks her to take Leto and return to the southern sietch where they will be safe. She replies that she is safest when they are together, to which he replies that he is not.
Paul returns to the abandoned Sietch Tabr and drinks the Water of Life, entering a coma-like state. He is found by Otheym and the other Fremen gather there, as do Jessica and Gurney. Jessica spends a week attempting to revive Paul before Chani arrives. Jessica tells Chani that they elders have argued over whether or not they should take his water and that the Fedaykin believe him to be in a sacred trance to gather his holy powers for the final battle. She begs Chani to help her revive Paul and she kisses him and tastes the Water of Life on his lips. Chani later pours more of it into his mouth, despite Jessica's warning that it could kill him, and it causes Paul to wake. Paul reveals to Jessica that during his trance, he achieved an advanced level of consciousness and became the master of fate, showing her a horrific vision of a Jihad.
As the Great Houses approach Arrakis, Feyd speaks with Irulan and declares them alike and that he intends to convince her of it once the conflict is finished. She tells him to remind her to tell him of the ancient legends of the phoenix and departs. The Baron encourages him to continue his attempts to seduce her. At Sietch Tabr, Paul addresses the Fremen and tells them that the Emperor and his supporters approach Arrakis. They wonder how he can know this and Chani and Jessica declare that he has mastered the Water of Life and can see all. Otheym proclaims him to be the Mahdi and that he must take his place as their leader. Paul asks Stilgar if he would allow him to kill him for the good of the tribe and the Fedaykin encourage Paul to call him out, but Paul refuses. He declares that he will not kill the strongest and wisest among them for the sake of a mindless ritual. Putting on the ducal ring and declaring himself their Duke, he announces that the time has come to rid Arrakis of the Harkonnens and reclaim the planet, with Chani declaring that it will be the paradise her father promised. They declare their allegiance to him and he summons water to solidify their faith.
Stilgar tells Paul that they are ready to depart and Paul tells him that the Guild are searching for him as they are afraid of what is to come. He tellls Stilgar that he will allow them to find him. Otheym meets with Paul, who orders him to send his best soldiers to the reservoir in the Habbanya Erg and collect the Water of Life hidden there. Otheym is confused, as the Waters are changed and stored there in case anything happens to Jessica. Paul orders them to find as large a pre-spice mass as possible and plant the Waters above it and await his orders, to which Otheym reluctantly agrees.
Shaddam meets with his advisors, who tell him that the Baron is mistaken in his belief that the southern regions of Arrakis are uninhabitable, as many Ornithopters have been stolen there. Shaddam orders the Sardaukar to patrol those regions and show Muad'Dib and his reporters that they are not safe there. Paul places Duke Leto's skull in a shrine in Hark Pass, declaring that all Fremen who pass it can pay homage to him and all who died in the service of justice. Once the others have departed, Jessica tells Paul that she has seen the Jihad that he will unleash upon the Known Universe and he tells her he is powerless to stop it. She is horrified when he declares it a necessity and reveals that he knows her to be the daughter of Baron Harkonnen. He reveals that rather than be a tool of the Bene Gesserit as they planned, he will use his abilities against them.
At the southern sietch, Alia rushes inside as the Sardaukar apporach. The Fremen attempt to repel them, but are slaughtered. Leto is found and murdered and Alia is captured. At Sietch Tabr, Paul informs Chani of Leto's death.
Paul, Gurney and Stilgar observe Arrakeen from a nearby cliff and prepare to attack the city. Paul frees the captured Sardaukar and send him to present Shaddam with a letter demanding his surrender. Shaddam is outraged and the Baron suggests that he unleash the forces of the Empire upon the Fremen, for which Shaddam orders him to be quiet and blames him for getting them into the situation. Alia is brought into the throne room and insults the Baron, with Shaddam announcing her to be the sister of Muad'Dib. As they observe the shields being raised from the cliff, Paul tells Gurney that it is time to launch the attack.
Shaddam tells Alia that her brother must surrender or she will be killed, but Alia refuses to take orders from him, shocking everyone present. She declares himself beyond his power and Mohiam instructs that Alia be killed, calling her an "Abomination". Irulan announces Alia to be Duke Leto's daughter and that Paul is Muad'Dib, which the Baron declares impossible. On Paul's order, Gurney detonates the atomics and breaches the Shield Wall. A storm envelopes the city and the Fremen attack in their stolen Ornithopters. Shaddam is advised that they must fall back to space and reform and he orders that Alia be given to the storm. The Baron grabs her and she slashes his hand with a Gom Jabbar, calling him "grandfather" as the poison spreads through his body and kills him in seconds.
As the Fremen and the Sandworms attack Arrakeen, the Great Houses, Bene Gesserit and Spacing Guild attempt to flee in their ships. The Harkonnen soldiers and Sardaukar are slaughtered by the Fedaykin and the ships attempting to flee are shot down by Ornithopers. The civilians also join the fight, taking the governor's palace. Rabban attempts to sneak out of the city, but is surrounded by the civilians he has terrorised. Knowing he has no chance of survival, he drops his blade and screams as they attack and dismember him at Stilgar's signal.
Paul enters the palace and finds Chani in the room that once belonged to his parents. She asks him to tell her of the waters of Caladan. He tells her of the rainfall and plantlife, declaring that Arrakis will be like that one day. She tells him that they have paid for it with the blood of their people, their fathers and their son. As she weeps, Paul holds her and tells her that he can never be replaced and promises her that they will have more children. She asks if the conflict is over and he replies that it almost is.
Paul sits upon the throne and Shaddam is brought before him, warning him of the amassed armada of the Great Houses over the planet. Paul tells him that his word no longer means anything and that his reign will soon end. He then tells the Guild representatives to send order to their Navigators to depart Arrakis space and return the fleet to their homes immediately. They reply that they do not take his orders and he warns them that if they refuse, he will have the Sandworms killed by launching the changed Water of Life from the pre-spice mass, putting an end to Spice production and effectively ending the Imperial civilisation. Mohiam desperately tells Jessica to silence Paul and Jessica suggests she silence him herself.
Irulan steps forward and offers to marry Paul, which Shaddam rejects, but Irulan reminds him that they have no choice. Feyd then invokes kanly, challenging Paul to a duel to the death. Gurney offers to kill Feyd, who declares Paul a coward. Otheym goes to attack Feyd, but Paul orders him to stand down and asks if Feyd fights in the Emperor's name. Shaddam offers his blade to Feyd, who accepts it. Paul agrees to duel Feyd, who throws insults at him, stating that he will claim Chani once he has killed him. Feyd overpowers Paul and prepares to kill him with a poisoned needle hidden on his belt, but Paul catches Feyd off guard by calling him "cousin", which allows him to deliver the killing blow.
Defeated, Shaddam attempts to stop Irulan from offering her hand to Paul, but Mohiam warns him that he cannot stop it, for the Spice must flow. Jessica derides Irulan's haughtiness and confidence, expressing hope that she finds solace in her writing and books, for she will have little else. She declares that while Irulan may have Paul's name, but that history will call concubines such as herself and Chain wives.