Only one more episode left Dune: Prophecyfirst season, and the series continues to introduce more Bene Gesserits that could shake things up Dune universe. Although we saw a younger version of her briefly in flashback scenes, the arrival of adult Sister Francesca (Tabu) at the Corrino House in the penultimate episode revealed just how much effort the Supreme Mother Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) went through to keep her ultimate plan in motion. But Sister Francesca allowed it My city Know that her influence is deeper than what we can see on screen.
In the episode, we learn that Sister Francesca is the mother of the emperor’s horny son Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) when she mysteriously shows up at the palace unannounced. We later learn that her son, Constantine (Josh Heuston), didn’t text her asking for her presence as she thought, but instead it was Valya who secretly summoned her without telling her that some guy Well done—Kasha (Jihae)—was killed. After Valya catches her with the Chantry losing control of the royal palace and Emperor Corrino refusing to accept the Truth, Francesca returns to convince Emperor Corrino to appoint Constantine as leader of his novel fleet, unbeknownst to him that he was being manipulated to do this.
However, Valya does not simply command Francesca to do this through the Voice or threats, but rather by appealing to Francesca’s love for her son. Francesca is her asset now that her previous attempts to remind Emperor Corrino of the order’s influence over him backfired. Remember, Valya’s ultimate plan is for Emperor Corrino’s daughter, Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), to study to become a Bene Gesserit so that the Order can have one of their own on the throne of the Empire to protect it from the troubles to come. For an unspecified (but clearly long) period of time, Francesca was unable to be anywhere near Constantine. I’m talking to My cityTabu says that she thinks this highlights the hero’s hidden power.
“I think she was deliberately kept away from her son because it could be perilous for Valya to lurk around the palace. Francesca is in a very powerful position if she wants to employ it. He can play his “take his son” card whenever he wants because he is the natural heir to the throne.
He argues that Francesca was kept away so she wouldn’t “gain power, put her son on the throne, and turn against Valya.” Judging by the way Emperor Corrino almost lunged at her in a moment of passion when he saw her, Francesca holds his heart tightly, which means she can control him. Her mere suggestion that the emperor give his son more responsibility was enough to persuade him to appoint Constantine as leader of his novel fleet. If she had been around while raising her son, who’s to say that Francesca couldn’t influence Javicco to let Constantine become the next leader of the Empire?
This question becomes more challenging to answer when you consider the fact that she rejected the Emperor’s romantic advances at the beginning of the episode and then gave in to them at the end. This could easily be considered typical Bene Gesserit sexual manipulation. However, the woman playing Sister Francesca thinks it’s not that effortless to figure out. “He says he doesn’t want to come between him and his wife, but he has very forceful feelings for the emperor. He also wants to provide a place for his son, he explains. “I don’t think she’s playing with it because of the Bene Gesserit.
No Bene Gesserit is more tied to the throne than Francesca, making her one of the most powerful members of the sisterhood in the series in terms of influence. We’ll have to wait until the final episode to see if this influence ultimately helps or hurts Valya.
