Twice Born is the fourth episode of the first season of Dune: Prophecy. It premiered on December 8, 2024 on HBO and MAX. It was written by Kevin Lau and Suzanne Wrubel and directed by Richard J. Lewis.
Premise[]
Tula tries to understand the origins of the nightmare that affects all acolytes of the sisterhood; Valya plans to rehabilitate House Harkonnen before the great meeting of the Landsraad.
Synopsis[]
Emeline wakes with a start. She goes to the bathroom and puts water on her face. She hears a voice whispering her name and follows it. She finds a vision of herself, having slit her own throat.
Jen wakes to the sounds of moaning. She finds the other sisters crying in their sleep. She finds Emeline's bed empty and goes to look for her. She finds her just as she's preparing to slit her own throat and stops her. Emeline snaps out of it as Jen tells her it was just a dream.
Harrow pours a drink and offers it to Valya, who takes it. Harrow can't believe it's the first time they've had Valya at their table. Evgeny knows it's because Valya's fortune has faded. She's been ousted and has nowhere to go except back to the family she shunned. Valya says the only thing fading his Evgeny's health. It saddens her that his suffering has been prolonged. Harrow asks her what happened at the royal engagement. Evgeny knows Pruwet was murdered. Everyone's been talking about it and he assumes Valya had part in spreading that rumor. Theodosia says they serve truth. Harrow says their house wouldn't know what a Truthsayer does. Valya thinks it's time that changed. She says the Sisterhood will elevate House Harkonnen by offering them a Truthsayer. Evgeny is angry that this is coming after she ignored them for so long. He's angry that she abandoned them, while she remembers it the other way around. Valya hears voices telling her she's not wanted there. She ignores them and tells Harrow he could represent the family in the Landstraad. Evgeny tells Harrow that Valya is after something. Valya says it's more important what Harrow wants. Harrow wants better incentives for the whale fur trade. She has Theodosia use her training to deduce that Harrow is afraid of the other houses laughing at him or pitying him. He wants respect for himself and his House. Valya says having the Mother Superior as his Truthsayer would bring him a lot of respect. Evgeny is still not persuaded. Valya says they can prove their worth by ensuring Harrow a seat on the High Council.
Ynez sees Javicco, Natalya, and Constantine eating with Desmond. She joins them at the table as Javicco promises Desmond the finest treatment. She makes her displeasure with the situation clear, asking about Desmond killing Fremen on Arrakis. Desmond says everything he's done has been done for the good of the Imperium. Ynez then asks Javicco if he's heard the rumor that's spreading about Pruwet's death. Javicco has, but he's more bothered by the disrespect. Then he says it's nonsense that he was murdered and there's no proof of it. Ynez is now terrified to live in her own home. She wants to follow Valya back to Wallach IX for her training. Natalya says that's no longer an option because they need her at home to show a united front for the High Council. Constantine says Ynez doesn't attend the High Council, so they should let her get away for a while. Javicco blames Constantine for getting them into the mess in the first place, saying it must have come from him through Shannon. Ynez thinks the rumors are true and Desmond killed Pruwet. Desmond reminds her that Pruwet broke the highest law: no thinking machines. He feels the death is an appropriate consequence. Ynez says the family can't be united as long as Desmond is on Javicco's side. She leaves. When Constantine tries to follow her, Javicco orders him to sit down.
Tula is haunted by the voices as Jen and Emeline tell her what happened. When Emeline says there was sand, Avila suggests they return to their studies. Emeline ignores her and asks Tula about the stories she's heard about Mother Dorotea. Tula says she took her own life out of grief over Raquella's death. She doesn't want Dorotea's memory to be dishonored. She realizes Emeline is using Truthsense on her. Jen snaps her out of it and Tula sends them back to their studies. As they leave, Jen turns back around and says Emeline is just looking for answers. Everyone is. She wasn't the only one having nightmares. All the acolytes were. Emeline's just involved sleepwalking. Tula is curious about them all having the same dream. Jen says she'll have to ask all the others because she didn't have one. Avila says Kasha and Lila's deaths have troubled the acolytes' minds. She's sure it'll pass and suggests that Tula leave it alone.
The speaker of the hall calls for House Yasu. A Yasu noble is present. The same is done for House Hagal, House Gbangbala, House Vernius, and House Yaoufirks. Once that's complete, he calls them to order.
Desmond reads from a book, then rips the page out and puts it in the fire. Javicco comes in and asks if he spread the rumor about Pruwet being murdered. Desmond says he would never use the truth against Javicco. He suspects others would. Javicco knows he means Valya and asks if that's why he's destroying Kasha's Sisterhood book. Desmond says they've waged many a whisper campaign. He wants all the Great Houses to remove their Truthsayers. Javicco says if he suggested that, the High Council would use it to challenge his power. Desmond says this is a time to be bold. Javicco says his father used to command attention when he walked into a room. The same people just see Javicco as a beneficiary of his bloodline. Desmond asks him how he wants to be remembered when history is written: as one who let others tread on him or the one who brought the Great Houses to heel. He hands Javicco a page from the book and tells him to show them who he is. He can use Desmond for this. Javicco says now is not the time. The Imperium needs stability. Desmond disagrees, but Javicco is insistent. Desmond burns another page.
Horace and Keiran go to see Duri. Duri asks about Keiran, as he has rules, but Horace says Duri can trust him. Duri doesn't trust Horace, but Keiran opens a case and says they can all trust this. It's ten million solari. Duri says Keiran's request forced him to lay low for weeks, which cost him. He had to improvise, but he got what they asked for. He shows them a thinking machine that will do everything they want, but better, because it ends in a really big boom.
Mikaela watches as Horace and Keiran come in. She follows them. They show her that Duri got them a modified drone with a thermal bomb. Once Horace releases it into the vents, Keiran assures him it'll make its way to the throne room. As soon as Javicco makes his appearance at the High Council, Keiran will open the grates and then get out. Then the resistance becomes a rebellion. The spice will finally flow to all of them. Horace leaves to program the schematics. Mikaela asks Keiran if he's sure he's up for this. Keiran says he doesn't need to convince her, but she says he should probably try to convince himself. Making the Imperium better comes at a cost. Is he ready to pay it?
Valya composes a message to Tula, consoling her about Lila. She feels haunted by her past. She can't escape it even in her sleep. She had a dream about Kasha. She could use Tula there if Tula can come. She breaks the recorder instead of finishing the message. Theodosia watches this from the doorway. She got word from Sister Mikaela that the attack is moving forward as planned. They're targeting the emperor's speech. Valya says to let them. She'll save the emperor's life in full view and be back in everyone's good graces. Theodosia doesn't think that's enough because Desmond will still be around. Valya says it's not wise to attack an unknown enemy head-on. They need to dismantle him one thing at a time and give themselves time. Theodosia says the rebels are using a thinking machine and if Valya fails to destroy it, she'll die, along with everyone else in the room. Valya says she won't fail. She'll destroy it as soon as Keiran releases it, then deliver him to the emperor as a traitor. First, they need to get Harrow out there on the High Council. They didn't put the rumor about Pruwet into play, but they'll use it now.
Lord Hagal hands off the machine as his Truthsayer approaches. She calls him away from the table, saying it's about Pruwet.
Lord Hagal asks if there's truth to the rumor. She says the odds it was toy malfunction are extremely slim.
Barton Yaoufirks gets the same information from his Truthsayer.
Tojan Gbangbala also talks to his Truthsayer about it. She says the Great Houses have the power to launch a full investigation. But if it turns up nothing, it'll look like whoever launched it is challenging the emperor's rule.
Yaoufirks says that's treason, which they can't afford to risk.
Hagal says the emperor can't have the power to punish any house on a whim.
Gbangbala's Truthsayer says he could sway a house whose gain outweighs their risk. He asks which house would be so desperate. All the Truthsayers push their leaders toward Harrow Harkonnen.
Harrow goes to Valya and reminds her the Landsraad ends tomorrow and he hasn't heard from the High Council. She doesn't say anything, but leads him to the door, where Hagal and Gbangbala are entering. They didn't expect to see Valya, but are impressed that she's their new Truthsayer. Harrow invites them in. Gbangbala explains that House Richese left a spot open on the High Council. He says Harrow would be most welcome on the High Council and they're there to extend a formal invitation. Harrow quietly tells Valya she did outstanding work then accepts. Hagal says there's one thing. They must know he holds common cause with them. They're curious about the conditions that led to House Richese's departure. Harrow has been concerned as well. They want a formal investigation. So does Harrow. They look forward to him opening that. Harrow realizes they want him to make the accusation. He is nervous about it. He pulls Valya into another room. Valya says Harrow has their support. They're just looking for cover. No one should be above the law. By doing what they're afraid to do, he'll elevate House Harkonnen beyond its station. Harrow wants to wait for Evgeny, but Valya goads him into accepting.
Tula tells the acolytes to have a seat, except Jen, whom she asks to come help her.
All the acolytes except Jen take spice, which Tula tells them will open their mind's eye, so Tula can guide them through their dreams, revisiting what they saw but in control this time. The way to master the unknown is to make it known. She has them close their eyes and talks them through the process of drawing what they see. She reminds them they're in control of the journey. She sends them in deeper. When she sends them even deeper, they all draw the same circle on their papers. Avila comes in and tells Tula to stop it. She warned Tula not to indulge their hysteria. Tula doesn't think that's what it is. She thinks it's a message. Avila says they're dreams of anxiety. They look down at Emeline's paper, where she has drawn the well. Avila asks Tula what she told them. Tula says nothing. She has them come back into their bodies. They all continue frantically drawing. Tula tells them to open their eyes. They continue drawing for a few more minutes, then finally stop. Emeline says God is watching them and judging them. She looks down at her paper, which is all black except two eyes. the others' papers are the same. She says the reckoning is here.
Natalya goes to see Desmond. She has surveillance files for him to review. She thinks they've been too lenient. Desmond says the emperor doesn't want to act too boldly yet. Natalya admires the Sisterhood's decisiveness. They choose what they want to happen and they push for it. Desmond realizes she leaked the truth about Pruwet. She did it because Javicco has the opportunity to shore up his power. If they fear his wrath over the machines, they'll fear anything. Sometimes he just needs a little push.
Desmond says there are criminals selling thinking machine technology in the shadows. He gives the surveillance information to the Imperial guards and tells them to find those people and show them the emperor isn't in a giving mood.
Horace says tomorrow, they purge the sins of the Imperium, but for tonight, they are the sinners. He offers Keiran some semuta. Horace says he'll never last if he doesn't allow himself to have fun. That's never been Keiran's problem. Ynez sits with Keiran and asks him to introduce her to his friend. He refuses and pulls her away with him. He tells her she shouldn't be there, but she needed to clear her head. She says he could have been the one trapped in a palace instead of her. Vorian Atreides was offered the throne, but rejected it. Keiran says they replaced one set of overlords with another when they defeated the machines. Ynez tells him her father is a good man and then walks away. Keiran doesn't doubt that, but power like his leads to people doing whatever they have to to keep it. Ynez asks what if she could help, but in doing so, would hurt Javicco. Keiran says sometimes you have to burn something down to save it. His father survived an atrocity but taught Keiran that chaos can strike at any time. You need to act when you can and say what you need to say. Ynez kisses Keiran. After a few moment, he pulls back and says he's sorry, but he's trying to choose the right path, too.
Theodosia tells Valya she recognizes the man in the portrait as the one Valya wears in her locket. Valya tells her it's her brother, Griffin. Theodosia asks her what happened to him, but she just says it's late and she's tired. She didn't bring Theodosia to be questioned. Theodosia asks why Valya brought her. It wasn't just to befriend Ynez. Valya says she knows why. Theodosia says she told Valya when she joined the Order. Her one condition was that she wouldn't do that again. Valya says they're up against something more powerful than they are, something she doesn't understand yet and doesn't know how to defeat. Theodosia's talent - Theodosia interrupts and says it's not a talent. Valya says it's a last resort. She won't ask unless she has do. Theodosia says she already has.
Tula and Avila look at the acolytes' drawings. They start on different paths and then all converge on the sand. Kasha's dream also had sand in it. And in Raquella's vision, she spoke of red dust. They were never drawing the well. It was Shai-Hulud. Tula says that's where she started to lose control of them. Then they all drew the eyes and no one could see beyond that moment. The fear is what woke them. They were afraid of whatever it was they were drawing. It brings such a terror that the mind screams to save itself. The nightmare could be a sign of what's to come. Avila says they need to tell them before it consumes them. Tula tells her that would cause hysteria. They must hide it. If fear is the root of what killed Kasha, they can't spread any more fear.
Ynez says Javicco's Bashar is a monster. Constantine questions what they can do about it. Ynez says they'll tell the High Council who Desmond Hart is and what he's done. They could force the Landsraad to act on Desmond. Constantine is unsure about betraying their father publicly and fears the consequences. Ynez says Javicco has convinced Constantine that he's weak, but Ynez knows who he really is. He's the boy who fought to save her when he could have just escaped. He reminds her that he failed to save her. The Sisterhood saved her. Ynez says he stayed with her and that saved her just as much as they did. She needs his help again. He says there's no coming back from this. He's the bravest man she knows, so she asks him to be brave with her now.
Everyone prepares for Javvico's speech. Harrow draws eyes as he enters with Valya.
As they walk toward the throne room, Natalya tells Javicco that they can still get ahead of the accusations about Pruwet. Javicco says it'll blow over. They come across Constantine and Javicco is surprised he decided to attend and thanks him for his support. Constantine says he just came to wish Javicco luck.
The Speaker of the Hall announces Javicco as he enters with Natalya. Desmond comes to stand near them as well. From the audience, Valya watches Keiran walk out.
Ynez searches for Constantine.
The Speaker gives Harrow the floor to make his request. He gets laughed at when he tries to explain the particulars, with the Speaker reminding him that they all know this. Harrow and others believe the rules of Kanly were violated. He calls for a formal investigation into Pruwet's death. As the Speaker asks which house he's making the inquest against, Valya pulls out a knife. Ynez enters and says she can answer that and says it's the Imperial House. Keiran stops his work removing the grate as Ynez approaches her parents. She accuses Desmond of murdering Pruwet. Harrow asks Valya what he does and Valya says Ynez just did it for him. The Speaker calls for order as people start to murmur. Desmond has the Imperial Guards bring in the criminals he had them round up. He speaks about the dangers of being on Arrakis. There are many predators. But an antidote rises from the sand. It's terrifying to experience but when it comes, soldiers rejoice because they know they'll be free of predators for a day. What Ynez says is true, but it wasn't murder. They all saw that Pruwet had a forbidden Thinking Machine. He was executed for that. Just like the entire council would have been executed today if the rebels had detonated the thinking machine in Desmond's hand as they planned to do. He drops it to the ground and stomps on in as Valya puts her knife away. Desmond says there are predators in their midst and they need a leader who will chase them away. He points toward Javicco as he says this. From now on, there are no excuses and no exceptions. They're drawing a hard line against thinking machines on Javicco's order. Javicco nods and Desmond uses his power to burn Lord Hagal and the criminals as everyone else struggles to watch.
Shai-Halud rises up and swallows Desmond.
Desmond collapses from the effort. Then he stands up and walks over to Valya. He leaves a trail of blood as he walks past.
Harrow and Valya return home. Evgeny sees the look on Harrow's face and sardonically asks if their fortunes are restored. He told Harrow he'd find nothing but misery with Valya. She only cares for herself, not their House. Harrow silences Evgeny.
Theodosia asks Valya what happened and Valya says Desmond headed of the revel plot before she could then made a public show of his powers but she shows Theodosia she got some of his blood. They need to send it to Tula immediately so she can trace it through the breeding index and they'll know exactly who he is and where he came from.
Javicco finds Desmond huddled in a ball. He has scars all over his back. He tells Desmond he can't do that again. Desmond asks for forgiveness if he overstepped. Javicco says no. He meant it hurting him. He didn't know. Desmond says it happens every time. The pain is what brought him to Javicco. Javicco says he can stay.
Emeline opens a book and says Dorotea died from grief, but her beliefs didn't die with her. She reads the book aloud to the other acolytes.
Jen looks over the drawings.
Tula begs Lila to wake up. She believes Lila is the key to the reckoning, that she's the one twice born. Emeline walks in and accuses Tula of lying to them. Emeline says she murdered Dorotea and Orry and the Atreides. Now her sins have brought the reckoning to their Order. Her lies must be cleansed. Emeline's going to speak the truth to the whole Imperium. Tula won't silence her like she did Dorotea. Emeline goes to leave. Tula grabs her from behind and slits her throat. The walls start to crumble and Tula wakes with a start. Lila's body is gone and Tula calls for her. She pulls out a knife and calls to wake Anirul, which illuminates the area and allows her to see Lila walking toward her. They hug. Then Lila looks around at the machine and asks where she is.
Valya tells Evgeny she would have done anything for House Harkonnen. Evgeny doesn't believe her. Valya says she chose the Sisterhood because they saw her and her potential. Griffin was the only Harkonnen who was ever her equal. Evgeny starts to cough and Valya picks up his treatment. She says House Harkonnen is nothing without her and exists only because she allows it. Evgeny says Griffin died because of her ambitions. He was going to build them back but that wasn't enough for her. She had to fan the flames of a blood feud. Valya says she avenged her brother. The Atreides deserved what they got. Evgeny says she's a black hole in the family. He reaches for his treatment and says she took Griffin from them and then Tula. She knew Tula loved her and she abused that love like she did Griffin's. Valya backs away from Evgeny, keeping him from getting his treatment. She says the Harkonnens are cowards, too afraid to make difficult decisions. She won't apologize for what she did or her strength. He says it's not strength. It's sorcery. He saw it the day she left. He knew it would destroy him someday. He gets up from his chair to grab his treatment, but she pulls away and he falls to the floor. She says she doesn't need sorcery to destroy him. His own weakness will do. He tries to reach for his treatment, but she doesn't give it to him. If he'd had the courage to follow her like Tula did, it wouldn't be the Sisterhood towering over the Imperium. It would be House Harkonnen. Evgeny finally drops down to the floor and dies. Valya puts his treatment back on the table and again hears the voices. She turns and sees Griffin. She hugs him and he says he understands what it took for her to come back home. If she was willing to make that sacrifice, he will as well. He'll do whatever she needs him to do. She asks if she pushed him too far and he says everyone makes their own choices including him. Valya touches his cheek and thanks Theodosia. She watches as the figure painfully morphs back into Theodosia.
Cast[]
Gallery[]
Episode Stills[]
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| Dune: Prophecy | ||
|---|---|---|
| Episodes | Season 1 | 1 The Hidden Hand • 2 Two Wolves • 3 Sisterhood Above All • 4 Twice Born • 5 In Blood, Truth • 6 The High-Handed Enemy |
| Season 2 | tba | |
| Characters | Bene Gesserit | Valya Harkonnen • Tula Harkonnen • Kasha Jinjo • Francesca |
| House Corrino | Emperor Javicco • Empress Natalya • Princess Ynez • Constantine | |
| others | Desmond Hart • Keiran Atreides • browse more | |
| Cast | Emily Watson • Olivia Williams • Jihae • Tabu • Travis Fimmel • Mark Strong • Jodhi May • Sarah-Sofie Boussnina • Josh Heuston • Chris Mason • browse more | |
External Links[]
Watch Twice Born on Max
