[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of Dune: Prophecy episode 1.]In our world, most Dune lore is understood. Whereas Dune, as a narrative, is rooted in selecting aside the messy intricacies of propaganda and prophecy, we — as readers and watchers of the Dune franchise — kind of know what the world accommodates (give or take a brand new entry right here or there). However then this motherfucker named Desmond Hart walks into Dune: Prophecy and all the pieces modifications. Desmond, performed by Travis Fimmel, is a little bit of an enigma on the earth of Dune: Prophecy: He’s come from Arrakis, the place he claims his crew was attacked by the emperor’s enemies in an effort to hurt his standing. He’s invited to remain, though the emperor’s truthsayer is aware of he’s mendacity — she sees him on the spice-filled deserts of Arrakis staring down an enormous sandworm, although we don’t know way more about her imaginative and prescient. He saunters across the palace and, finally, burns a child utilizing solely his thoughts. In our world, such pyrokinesis isn’t a recognized component in Dune’s mythos, making Desmond a really curious specimen certainly. Like all issues Prophecy, it’s protected to say his telekinetic powers are an extension of the e-book’s lore, slightly than one thing really present in them. Which all units up the largest mysteries of Prophecy after only a single episode: Who’s he, how did he get these powers, and the way will his life discover its place among the many annals of historical past? With Dune coming 10,000 years after the occasions right here, what may Desmond be right here to introduce to the on-screen lore of the franchise? This early there’s just a few alternative ways we may take it — so right here’s a few of our greatest guesses as to what Desmond is perhaps right here to do (and, finally, what which may imply he’s able to). He’s the beginning of the SardaukarImage: Warner MediaA desert-trained warrior who was not born into court docket life however whose expertise and prowess earn the respect of these of upper rank, with a standard human particular person title? Perhaps a little bit too regular?That’s your Duncan Idaho kind, my good friend. A personality who started life as Home Atreides’ swordmaster finally grew to become one thing of a mascot for wider Dune canon. Regardless of what number of instances Idaho dies, Brian Herbert retains discovering methods to convey him again and put him on the middle of galactic considerations once more (normally by way of cloning).Which is simply to say: In the event you’re doing a Dune story, you gotta have a Duncan Idaho. However what’s Desmond Hart really doing on this story? I haven’t a clue, but when I needed to take a rip of the bong and guess one thing, it will be this:Dune: Prophecy has promised us the rise of the Bene Gesserit order, however there are many different pillars of Dune’s setting which are as but unformed in its time interval. And for the reason that present is basically leaning into the other of expectations — rooting for the Harkonnens, making the Atreides kinda shifty — what if as an alternative Duncan Idaho befriending the Fremen, Desmond Hart winds up turning into a pivotal determine within the creation of the Emperor’s notorious Sardaukar military? —Susana PoloHe’s the Kwisatz Haderach (sorta)Picture: Warner Bros.Only one episode in, this present already appears very concerned about offering the origin story for a number of the most necessary tenets of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. With that in thoughts, I’m going to throw out a wild card thought on Desmond: Perhaps he’s the proto-Kwisatz Haderach. Not that he’s the true factor, and even what the Bene Gesserit would finally evolve the idea into, however slightly that he’s the primary inkling the Sisterhood has {that a} male may achieve magical powers from unusual interactions with Shai-Hulud.Perhaps no matter occurs in Dune: Prophecy will lead the Bene Gesserit to resolve that pursuing a Desmond Hart of their very own, one which’s been completely and selectively bred in order that they might have most management over him, is perhaps a mission value pursuing. On high of that, perhaps the concept of Desmond as a strong supernatural pressure may assist encourage the Sisterhood to create the Missionaria Protectiva, too, giving them the concept to plant the seeds of supernatural perception all through the universe, together with on Arrakis itself. —Austen GoslinImage: Sony PicturesListen, my equation’s easy. Desmond Hart spent some essential time on Arrakis. Arrakis, famously, is crammed with desert. Deserts, famously, are sizzling. And so is no matter cursed fireplace magic Desmond used on that poor youngster. Desert is sizzling + fireplace is sizzling = Desmond’s utilizing desert energy. It’s simply simple arithmetic. —Pete Volk