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Quests N’ Answers | Inside Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode Ep. 11

Welcome to Quests N’ Answers, the companion series to Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode! ***Massive spoilers ahead for episode 11***

Join Dan Casey and cast members Amy Vorpahl, Jason Nguyen, and Danielle Radford as they break down the most shocking and emotionally challenging episode of Goblin Mode yet in deep dive into episode 11, “Into The Abysseum.”

Check out Episode 11: https://youtu.be/UZkCGg4oh8c

New episodes of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode air every Monday on Geek & Sundry or wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/goblinmodepod

Learn more and sign up for the Geek & Sundry newsletter at https://www.geekandsundry.com/!

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Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode is a Geek & Sundry production made in partnership with Realm.

Official camera partner: FUJIFILM USA — Visit https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com for more!

#goblinmode #geekandsundry #rpg #ttrpg #sagasofsundry

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POKÉMON HORIZONS Season 2 Sets Netflix Release Date

It was big news when the first new mainline Pokémon animated series in over 25 years hit the airwaves. We said goodbye to Ash and hello to Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons: The Series. And now, the adventure will continue as Pokémon Horizons: The Series season two, titled Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua, will arrive in the US on Netflix. Netflix has revealed that season two of Pokémon Horizons will be released on February 7, 2025. So, that’s not long to wait now for the die-hard Pokémon fans who have continued their Pokémon trainer quests with our new friends. A release promises that the season will feature Liko and Roy—and their respective partner Pokémon, Sprigatito and Fuecoco—as they”continue their journey to uncover the mysteries of the Pokémon world while growing as Trainers.” Lovely!

Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua Trailer and Synopsis

To offer us a taste of what Pokémon Horizons: The Series season two will offer us, you can check out a trailer for the Netflix release below

The truth is that no one could ever replace Ash and Pikachu in our Pokémon Master hearts. But we can love Ash and Pikachu and make space for some new friends. That’s the true spirit of Pokémon after all, isn’t it? There are always new bonds to form and new teammates to love. Taito Okiura, vice president of marketing and media for The Pokémon Company International shares, “Season 2 will see Liko and Roy encounter more fun adventures, and we can’t wait for Trainers to tune in to more captivating stories featuring lovable characters and Pokémon.”

The Pokémon Company

In addition to its trailer, here is the full synopsis for Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua:

The adventure continues for Liko and Roy as they travel the world in search of the remaining Six Hero Pokémon and the legendary land of Laqua. But to grow as Pokémon Trainers, a new challenge awaits — Tera Training! Journeying through Paldea, Liko, Roy and Dot must hone their Terastallization skills and battle the region’s powerful Gym Leaders. Then, Liko, Roy and the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers resume their pursuit of the Six Heroes, including the black Rayquaza, as both they and the Explorers race to uncover the secrets behind Terapagos and finally find the path that will lead them to Laqua.

The Pokémon Company

Not the black Rayquaza! We bet that will be a showdown. And who knows, maybe we’ll get some fun original Pokémon series Easter eggs on season two Pokémon Horizons.

When Does Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua Release?

As mentioned, Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua releases on February 7, 2025, in the U.S., it streams exclusively on Netflix.

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Gabriel Macht Will Reprise His Role as Harvey Specter on SUITS LA

Suitors, it is time to get back into the courtroom. Suits LA, a spinoff of the popular legal drama Suits, is coming our way in February 2025. Since the show’s announcement, fans of the OG series have wondered if any of the old crew would make their way to LA. Now, according to Deadline, lawyer extraordinaire and sharply dressed don Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) will have a recurring role on Suits LA. 

Prior to the news announcement, Macht sent his IG followers into a tizzy with a video of him literally suiting up for more action. If Harvey doesn’t do anything else, he’s gonna put that shit on! Reports say that Macht will reprise his role as Harvey in a three-episode arc on Suits LA.

This makes sense considering that a main character in the spinoff, Ted Black (Stephen Amell) is a former federal prosecutor from NY who very likely knew the suave attorney. At the end of Suits, Harvey and his long-term executive assistant Donna (Sarah Rafferty) got married and moved to Seattle to join Mike’s (Patrick J. Adams) legal clinic. Mike and Rachel got married and left the show in season seven to make their way to Washington state.

USA Network

Harvey and Donna are presumably still on the West Coast and together. And hopefully Harvey is still sipping Macallan scotch and adding to his signed basketball and baseball collections, too. Maybe we will even see Donna and/or Mike make an appearance or at least get a mention, too. Hopefully Mike is still with Rachel, but we doubt that Megan Markle would reprise her role. Or maybe she would? Either way, Gabriel Macht coming back as Harvey Specter in Suits LA is the best news for Suitors. He’s hot, sharp, and a whole vibe that will draw fans to this new drama.

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SUITS LA Spinoff Will Premiere in February 2025

Suits seems to be the topic of many recent conversations, even though it has been off the air for quite some time. That fact hasn’t stopped the USA show from dominating streaming charts, though. Suits has landed at number one on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 more than any other series. So, it’s no surprise that networks have taken note. Earlier this year, NBC greenlit a pilot for the Suits spinoff series Suits: LA and now, the show has a full series order. Additionally, Suits LA has set an early 2025 release date. Arrow star Stephen Amell will serve as the lead in this spinoff alongside Lex Scott Davis. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice.

Suits LA Release Date

Suits LA has finally set its release date. The Suits spinoff will release on February 23, 2025. It will air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET beginning on that date. That’s earlier than we expected to see Suits LA, but we guess NBC thinks it’s a winner. Hopefully, Stephen Amell is up to the challenge of carrying the franchise forward.

Suits LA First-Look PhotoNBC

Speaking of Stephen Amell, we have a first look at the actor in the Suits LA spinoff. Preditictly, it features a suit. Still, we’re sure Suits fans are excited to see it.

Could We See the Original Suits Cast Return in the Suits LA Spinoff?

We will get a recurring appearance from the best-dressed man on TV himself, Harvey Specter, in Suits LA. Suits actor Gabriel Macht posted a quick video on his IG page that sent fans into a spiral of him showing the letters H.S. on his shirt sleeve and stepping into some dress shoes. Macht hinted that an old friend was needed to take care of things and make them “right.” And if anyone can fix a problem on Suits LA, it is Harvey Specter. Glad to have you back, sir.

Could Meghan Markle return in this Suits offshoot? That would really be something. We’d also love to see more from Gina Torres. We’ll have to wait and see for sure if anyone else will appear besides Harvey. Speaking to People, star Lex Scott Davis previously teased, “maybe” there will be “some sort of rollover from the original cast.” And additionally noted, “It’s not impossible… I would love that myself if there was, but we’ll see. You never know.”

USASuits LA‘s Synopsis

Here’s what Variety had to share about the Suits spinoff series. It notes that Suits: LA will follow Ted Black “a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles.” And further adds that the spinoff logline reveals. “His [Ted Black’s] firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.”

Suits Spinoff’s Cast and Production TeamThe CW

Deadline reports that Stephen Amell has been cast as the lead in Suits LA and will play the aforementioned Ted Black. The publication further adds that “Ted Black is described as a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others. Fifteen years ago, the former New York prosecutor joined forces with his old buddy, Stuart Lane, to build an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law.”

Additionally, Variety shares that Suits LA has cast Lex Scott Davis in a lead role. According to the publication, Davis will play “Erica Rollins, described as “a savvy and strong-willed rising star. Erica works for Ted Black. She’s shrewd enough to test the loyalty of her associates only to admire some of them for not having any.” Josh McDermitt has also reportedly come aboard the Suits spinoff. He is said to play the “energetic, powerful and self-absorbed…Stuart Lane, who co-founded Black Lane Law.”

Universal Pictures/AMC

Finally, Bryan Greenberg has joined the Suits: LA cast as Rick Dodsen, “Ted Black’s protege in the entertainment division of Black Lane Law. Slated to be promoted, Rick is determined to stay one step ahead of his rival, Erica Rollins (Davis).”

What we also know is that this spinoff is in good hands, with Suits’ original creator returning to write and executive produce.

When Will the LA-Based Suits Spinoff Release?

There’s no release date yet for Suits LA series, although it has been picked up for a full season.

The USA Renaissance

It’s an interesting time for the once-dominant USA set. Monk got a revival movie in late 2023, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. And now, Suits will return to the courtroom in this spinoff. Personally, we have to vote for a White Collar renaissance next. The time has come to let Neal, Peter, and Elizabeth live happily ever after together. In the meanwhile, we’ll keep our eye peeled for more from Suits: LA.

Originally published on February 2, 2024.

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STAR WARS: VISIONS Gets Official Renewal, Volume 3 Coming in 2025

Star Wars: Visions gives fans a totally new perspective on the galaxy far, far away. The first two season are full of delightful characters and adventures in the cosmos. So it is not shocking that Disney and Lucasfilm have renewed Star Wars: Visions for a season three—which they call Volume 3—that’s coming in 2025. 

Lucasfilm/Disney

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Volume 3 will take us back to Japan with 9 new animated shorts from anime studios in the country. The Japanese studios who are a part of this include David Production, Kamikaze Douga+ ANIMA, Kinema Citrus, Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER and WIT Studio.

In the meantime, you can get into the artwork behind Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 in a book by Nerdist’s very own Amy Ratcliffe!

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Kevin Feige Says THUNDERBOLTS* Is ‘What Marvel Is All About’

The Thunderbolts have been a long-awaited MCU team. The quasi-villainous anti-hero/misfit gang is a staple of the Marvel Comics world, and many heroes have been a part of it at some time or another. As the MCU slowly gathered the right members, fans speculated harder and harder that the Thunderbolts were coming. And finally, in 2022, Marvel Studios made the big announcement—the MCU’s Thunderbolts* movie was finally on the way.

One person who feels super confident about Thunderbolts* is Kevin Feige. The Marvel boss recently spoke briefly about the film and said that it is truly “what Marvel is all about.”

“It’s taking characters from all different types of places and franchises and putting them together,” he said. “That’s what the Avengers is, that’s what Guardians of the Galaxy is.”

Marvel Studios

Here’s everything we know so far about Thunderbolts*.

TitleMarvel Studios

For now, the movie about the Thunderbolts is simply called Thunderbolts*. There is that lurking asterisk that carries some kind of hidden meaning. Kevin Feige has revealed that it’s there for a reason. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, he shared, “Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on Thunderbolts. That is the official title of Thunderbolts and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.” This refusal to address the Thunderbolts* asterisk seems to mean that it’s important. Let the speculation begin.

Kevin Feige confirms THUNDERBOLTS*’ is the new official title

“We won’t talk about the asterisk until after release.” pic.twitter.com/wCwx5g3CWC

— ScreenTime (@screentime) April 11, 2024

Thunderbolts*’ PlotMarvel Studios

We don’t know much about the plot of Thunderbolts*. However, we know who will be part of the MCU Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts will comprise of Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, Ghost, Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier), US Agent, and Taskmaster.

The Thunderbolts* teaser trailer gives us a bit more of an idea of what we can expect. The clip focused on Yelena (Florence Pugh) as she knocks on Alexei (David Harbour). He welcomes her into his messy apartment. He asks what brings her there, and she says something’s wrong with her, an emptiness. She tried to throw herself into work after Natasha’s death, and we see cuts of her killing people. There’s also Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), who is in costume. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) arrives and assembles them together for a “bad Avengers” adventure of some sort. Make of that what you will.

Marvel Studios

For now, we still don’t have an official synopsis of Thunderbolts*, but a release from Marvel promises “an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.”

Thunderbolts*’ Cast

Accordingly to the MCU Thunderbolts line-up, here is the projected main cast of the movie so far, pending any surprise recastings:

Marvel Studios

Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine in Thunderbolts*. Hannah John-Kamen will play Ghost. David Harbour remains as Red Guardian. Florence Pugh will reprise her role Yelena Belova. Sebastian Stan will again take on the role of Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier). Wyatt Russell will appear as US Agent. And Olga Kurylenko will appear as Taskmaster.

Geraldine Viswanathan will now take on a mystery role initially meant for Ayo Edebiri. And reportedly, Lewis Pullman will replace Steven Yeun as Sentry in the Thunderbolts* movie.

Behind the Scenes

Eric Pearson will write Thunderbolt*’s script, and Jake Schreier will direct the movie. Beef‘s creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin has also come aboard as a writer of the movie. Kevin Feige is, of course, producing this Marvel Studios’ production.

Thunderbolt‘s Release DateMarvel Studios

Thunderbolts* is scheduled to release on May 2, 2025.

Originally published on January 27, 2023.

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Kraft Announces Limited-Edition Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese

Kraft knows what some of you are doing in your kitchens. They know you’re adding your own spices, ingredients, and flavors to its iconic Mac & Cheese. Don’t worry, though. Not only does the company condone such hacks, they do it, too. Over the years they’ve released countless versions of their famous food. Those specialty boxes have ranged from inspired to really weird. But now Kraft’s newest variation has everything in it. And we mean that literally. The latest limited-edition flavor coming to pantries is the first-ever offering by anyone of an Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese.

The Kraft Heinz Company

Kraft’s “Fan Flavorites” contest has led to a winner that we’re sure will appeal to a whole lot of palates. The new Kraft Mac & Cheese Everything Bagel “melds together the cult-favorite spice with Kraft’s signature cheese sauce in an irresistible, crave-worthy fusion of oniony, garlicky flavor.” The company also says the “versatile and savory” seasoning works with the “cheese’s mellow, buttery taste, creating the perfect bite.”

Okay fine we’ll try it. Or at least we will if we’re one of the very few, very lucky people who nab a box. This is a very limited-edition release and the company’s first small batch drop. Kraft is selling less than 15,000 boxes of this Walmart exclusive. That is less than two percent of the total number of boxes of Original Kraft Mac & Cheese Kraft sells everywhere, everyday combined.

If you hope to be one of the people who gets a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese Everything Bagel, the nationwide pre-sale starts at Walmart’s online shop November 25 at 5 AM CT. It officially goes on sale a few days later on November 29 at 12 AM CT.

After that you’ll just have to make your own homemade version. Of course, Kraft knows some of you have probably already done that anyway.

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Max and Criterion Collection Extend Streaming Deal, Add Several Classic Godzilla Films

For years, the Criterion Collection has been the mark of quality when it comes to curating cinema. First on DVD and Blu-ray physical media formats, and now, via streaming platforms. Now, thanks to a report in Variety, we’ve learned that streaming service Max and HBO have announced a multi-year deal extension with the Criterion Collection to keep bringing its catalog of films to the platform. Among the many titles are several classic Godzilla films. These include Koji Hashimoto’s The Return of Godzilla (1984), Kazuki Ōmori’s Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).

Toho Studios

Some of the other titles coming as part of the deal include the following: Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno (2008), Héctor Babenco’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1985), Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala (1991), Alejandro Amenábar’s Open Your Eyes (1997), and Nicolas Roeg’s Walkabout (1971). Right now, on Max’s rival streamer Netflix, there are only a small handful of films pre-1980 on the platform. Even fewer pre-1960s. Many of the Criterion Collection films are of an older vintage. So the extension of this deal helps fans find those films on a streaming service. This way, they don’t remain out of reach. At least one of these streaming platforms is preserving a good amount of cinematic history. At the present time, anyway.

In a statement, Royce Battleman, executive vice president of content acquisitions at Warner Bros, said this about the partnership. “We are excited to continue to bring the Criterion Collection’s catalog of top-quality films to our audiences. Both the existing and new additions to the collection provide Max viewers with the opportunity to experience cinematic excellence.” Warner Bros. Discovery has similar multi-year licensing deals already going with studios A24 and Studio Ghibli. Hopefully, for true fans of cinema, the Criterion Collection will continue to find ways of bringing classic films to modern audiences.

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SUITS Spinoff, SUITS LA, Sets February Release Date

Suits seems to be the topic of many recent conversations, even though it has been off the air for quite some time. That fact hasn’t stopped the USA show from dominating streaming charts, though. Suits has landed at number one on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 more than any other series. So, it’s no surprise that networks have taken note. Earlier this year, NBC greenlit a pilot for the Suits spinoff series Suits: LA and now, the show has a full series order. Additionally, Suits LA has set an early 2025 release date. Arrow star Stephen Amell will serve as the lead in this spinoff alongside Lex Scott Davis. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice.

Suits LA Release Date

Suits LA has finally set its release date. The Suits spinoff will release on February 23, 2025. It will air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET beginning on that date. That’s earlier than we expected to see Suits LA, but we guess NBC thinks it’s a winner. Hopefully, Stephen Amell is up to the challenge of carrying the franchise forward.

Suits LA First-Look PhotoNBC

Speaking of Stephen Amell, we have a first look at the actor in the Suits LA spinoff. Preditictly, it features a suit. Still, we’re sure Suits fans are excited to see it.

Could We See the Original Suits Cast Return in the Suits LA Spinoff?

Could Meghan Markle return in this Suits offshoot? That would really be something. We’d also love to see more from Gina Torres. We’ll have to wait and see for sure. But, speaking to People, star Lex Scott Davis teased, “maybe” there will be “some sort of rollover from the original cast.” And additionally noted, “It’s not impossible… I would love that myself if there was, but we’ll see. You never know.”

USASuits LA‘s Synopsis

Here’s what Variety had to share about the Suits spinoff series. It notes that Suits: LA will follow Ted Black “a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles.” And further adds that the spinoff logline reveals. “His [Ted Black’s] firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.”

Suits Spinoff’s Cast and Production TeamThe CW

Deadline reports that Stephen Amell has been cast as the lead in Suits LA and will play the aforementioned Ted Black. The publication further adds that “Ted Black is described as a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others. Fifteen years ago, the former New York prosecutor joined forces with his old buddy, Stuart Lane, to build an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law.”

Additionally, Variety shares that Suits LA has cast Lex Scott Davis in a lead role. According to the publication, Davis will play “Erica Rollins, described as “a savvy and strong-willed rising star. Erica works for Ted Black. She’s shrewd enough to test the loyalty of her associates only to admire some of them for not having any.” Josh McDermitt has also reportedly come aboard the Suits spinoff. He is said to play the “energetic, powerful and self-absorbed…Stuart Lane, who co-founded Black Lane Law.”

Universal Pictures/AMC

Finally, Bryan Greenberg has joined the Suits: LA cast as Rick Dodsen, “Ted Black’s protege in the entertainment division of Black Lane Law. Slated to be promoted, Rick is determined to stay one step ahead of his rival, Erica Rollins (Davis).”

What we also know is that this spinoff is in good hands, with Suits’ original creator returning to write and executive produce.

When Will the LA-Based Suits Spinoff Release?

There’s no release date yet for Suits LA series, although it has been picked up for a full season.

The USA Renaissance

It’s an interesting time for the once-dominant USA set. Monk got a revival movie in late 2023, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. And now, Suits will return to the courtroom in this spinoff. Personally, we have to vote for a White Collar renaissance next. The time has come to let Neal, Peter, and Elizabeth live happily ever after together. In the meanwhile, we’ll keep our eye peeled for more from Suits: LA.

Originally published on February 2, 2024.

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DUNE: PROPHECY Series Premiere Recap: DUNE’s Red Wedding and THAT Episode Ending, Explained

Jumping into a new series always requires a little time to adjust. But when the series has a huge amount of lore behind it, it can be that much more complicated. Thankfully, Dune: Prophecy does a pretty good job of breaking down its complicated components for the first-time viewer. But just in case you have a couple more questions still looming over your head about the Dune prequel series or you want to review everything that happened in Dune: Prophecy‘s series premiere in an orderly fashion, we have this handy deep dive ready just for you. From Valya Harkonnen’s discovery of The Voice to that firey ending explained, here is our Dune: Prophecy episode one recap.

Dune: Prophecy‘s Cold Open Introduces The Voice

Dune: Prophecy‘s cold open speedwalks us through some of the major history we need to know about this time period of Dune‘s world. The Dune prequel series takes us back to 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. Humanity has recently finished fighting a war against A.I. thinking machines that threatened to eradicate them. Helping in this effort is a woman named Raquella Berto-Anirul, the first Mother Superior of the Sisterhood, who will later be known as the Bene Gesserit.

Max

Mother Superior Raquella believes that the Sisterhood needs to exert its influence and use its powers to transform and guide the Great Houses of Dune‘s world. These powers include that of truthsaying and the ability to detect when truth and lies are being told. Mother Superior Raquella also creates a massive genetic archive that allows her to guide and select the right royal unions, namely, ones that can be controlled by the Sisterhood. Valya Harkonnen, an acolyte of the Sisterhood and our Dune: Prophecy main character, agrees strongly with the work Mother Superior Raquella is doing. (Valya is played by Emily Watson in present day and Jessica Barden in her youth.) But others, including Mother Superior Raquella’s own granddaughter, Dorotea, think that the Sisterhood is overstepping and becoming an impure force.

After Raquella passes away, there is a split in the Sisterhood between Dorotea and Valya. Ultimately, when Raquella attempts to destroy the genetic archive that Raquella created, Valya reveals the backstory of Dune‘s “voice.” Valya Harkonnen has been honing her powers and pushing herself to the limit of human ability. As such, she has unlocked the ability to use “the voice,” which essentially allows her to modulate her voice into a command that forces others to obey her words. She commands Dorotea to drive a knife into her throat using “the voice,” and Dorotea kills herself at Valya’s behest in Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode. This leaves the path clear for Valya to take control of the Sisterhood and manifest her own plans—putting a sister of the Sisterhood onto the throne of the Imperium.

Dune: Prophecy‘s Prophecy, ExplainedMax

We go into what exactly Dune: Prophecy‘s prophecy means in another piece here. But in short, as Raquella dies, she confides in Valya that she has had a prophecy of doom. Raquella says she sees “Red dust.” and “It’s coming, Tiran-Arafel.” We see images of a Shai-Hulud or a sandworm swallowing everything in its path, including the Sisterhood, as well as burning skin, blood, and mysterious lights. Raquella also warns Valya that she is the one who “will see the burning truth and know.”

We learn that Tiran-Arafel is “a holy judgment brought on by a tyrant.” This prophecy of Raquella’s is what further strengthens Valya’s resolve to put a sister on the throne of the Imperium.

Atreides vs. Harkonnen

The opening of Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode also introduces another theme of the series, House Atredies vs. House Harkonnen. The long and the short of it is that Valya feels House Atreides betrayed and lied about House Harkonnen and falsely painted her ancestors as cowards and traitors. Valya seeks absolution for the Harkonnen name, but she is patient in her quest for her house to regain its power and honor. How this conflicts with her Sisterhood goals remains to be seen. There is an Atreides character on Dune: Prophecy, and we feel like this will come into play as well.

When Exactly Does Dune: Prophecy Take Place?

If you want to know more about Dune: Prophecy‘s place in the Dune timeline, you can check out our piece about it. But Dune: Prophecy‘s premiere confirms that the present-day series takes place 116 years after the Great War ended and 10, 148 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.

The Sisterhood in Dune: ProphecyMax

The first episode of Dune: Prophecy touches on two main storylines: what is happening inside the Sisterhood and what is happening in the royal court of Emperor Javicco Corrino. The former reveals various aspects of the Sisterhood’s inner workings. Namely, we see how the young acolytes train and learn. We get insight into the Sisterhood’s “scientific” theory classes, the physical training the women undergo, and the more practical implementation of nascent Truthsaying. The scope of the Sisterhood in Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode is both epic and intimate.

In this storyline, we meet Sister Jen, played by Faoileann Cunningham, a fierce, flippant Sister who might have a more vulnerable core. We meet Sister Lila, played by Chloe Lea, who is clearly very talented but a bit softer than the rest. Finally, we meet Sister Theodosia, played by Jade Anouka, who is Valya’s favorite student. She very mysteriously owes a great deal to the Sisterhood.

Of course, we also get introduced to Tula Harkonnen, played by Olivia Williams, Valya’s sister, who seems a good deal cowed by her sister but also in possession of her own, very different point of view. We’ll see if Tula is able to enact any of her personal desires and feelings given the power of her sister.

Ultimately, Dune: Prophecy reveals to us that Princess Ynez, played by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, the daughter of Emperor Corrino, is coming to study in the Sisterhood. Thus, Valya hopes to enact her dream of putting a sister on the throne of the Imperium.

The Royal Court of Emperor Corrino and the Struggle of the Great HousesAttila Szvacsek/HBO

Before Ynez can become a sister of the Sisterhood, though, she must have a royal wedding. This is no love match, but instead a political union. As Dune: Prophecy moves into the royal court of Emperor Corrino in its first episode, we see more political machinations than romances at play. The Emperor is beset by trouble, and his position of power is tenuous at best. Chief among his issues are problems on the familiar planet Arrakis, where he struggles to harvest the precious Dune commodity, spice. Spice is what allows humanity to navigate through space, among other things, and so controlling it is key to controlling power. To ease his worries, the Emperor hopes a set of warships from House Richese, that come in exchange for his daughter’s hand, will ease his woes.

While Ynez approves of the match, as her husband-to-be Pruitt Richese is very young, which will leave her to rule in his stead, her mother, Natalya Arat Corrino does not approve. Nor does she approve of Ynez’s desire to join the Sisterhood, whom she does not trust. The engagement also causes tension between Emperor Javicco and his wife. It’s worth noting that though Ynez Corinno is willing to get engaged to Pruitt Richese, she does go off to have a sexy dalliance with her swordmaster, the aforementioned Kieran Atreides. Steamy… but also unlikely to end well. Constantine Corrino, Ynez’s brother and illegitimate son of the Emporer, also makes a brief appearance here. We don’t know who his mother is yet, but we bet it will matter soon.

HBO

We get to see a literal red wedding…engagement in Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode, as Princess Ynez wears a striking red gown to her engagement ceremony to Pruitt Richese. As with other Red Weddings though, this event does not go smoothly. Pruitt Richese is a brat and also smuggles in a forbidden thinking machine, much to the horror of the royal court. Empress Natalya appears especially outraged by this indiscretion, but the Emperor forgives it.

Among other things, we also get to see the Sisterhood in action in this storyline, watching as they bend the Great Houses to their whims and create the outcomes they want, regardless of the desires of the nobles they purport to work for.

The Charismatic Desmond Hart Warner Bros. Discovery/Legendary Television

Throughout all this, we also meet the charismatic figure of Desmond Hart. Desmond has done the impossible and survived an attack on Arrakis by a Shai-Hulud or sandworm. Now that he’s survived, he seems to have a new lease on life and an interest in talking about enacting the will of the gods. He doesn’t like or trust the Sisterhood, calling them witches. And his gleaming blue eyes seem to have caught the attention of the Emperor. He implies to the ruler of the Imperium that the attack on Arrakis wasn’t by the native Fremen, but by the other Great Houses of the Imperium, perhaps as a ploy to force a political alliance. The Emperor confides in Desmond Hart that he doesn’t feel right about the wedding of Ynez to Pruitt Richese.

We don’t either, but we know Desmond Hart is a mirror of Paul Atreides, so we can’t really trust him either… especially not given the ending of Dune: Prophecy‘s series premiere.

Dune: Prophecy‘s Series Premiere Ending, Explained

Late in Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode, Emperor Corrino’s Truthsayer, Reverend Mother Kasha, has a prophetic dream of blood, sand, and sandworm. She imagines Princess Ynez swallowed by great evil and yelling that it’s all Kasha’s fault. She takes this image back to the Sisterhood, expressing a desire to stop the marriage between Princess Ynez and Pruitt Richese. But Valya stands firm in her decision, noting the genetic archive blesses it, and the marriage is the right step to take in order to get a sister on the throne so the Sisterhood can protect humanity.

Max

But the marriage is not to be in Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode. Desmond Hart finds Pruitt Richese in the hallway with his thinking machine after the chaos of the engagement ceremony. Menacingly, he tells him that there is a war taking place in the Imperium, “a war hidden in plain sight, waged by an enemy that has made themselves indispensable, which has come here to do our thinking for us.” This enemy, Desmond Hart claims, is controlling them all. Clearly, Desmond Hart implies that the Sisterhood is the enemy of which he speaks.

What Is Desmond Hart’s Dune: Prophecy Power?

For this reason, Desmond shares, he’s been gifted with a great power. But what is this great power? Well, it’s not super clear yet in Dune: Prophecy exactly what power Desmond Hart possesses or how he came to have it. But Desmond Hart appears to be able to burn people from the inside out. The soldier burns Pruitt Richese in this way with his mind in what is ostensibly a move to gain the Emperor’s trust. But over on the Sisterhood’s homeworld, Mother Kasha burns in exactly the same. Desmond surely does not like her influence on the Emperor, but his ability to destroy over long distances is chilling.

Max

And that’s where the first episode of this Dune prequel series leaves us. Join us next week as we recap Dune: Prophecy episode two. Dune: Prophecy airs Sundays on Max.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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