‘Dune: Prophecy’: Is Sister Theodosia A Face Dancer? ‘Dune’ Shapeshifters Explained

In the closing moments of Dune: Prophecy episode 4 it’s revealed that Sister Theodosia (Jade Anouka) can shapeshift as she turns into Valya’s dead brother Griffin (Earl Cave) to console Valya. The scene brings up a lot of interesting questions as to what Sister Theodosia is and current signs are pointing to possibly the first appearance of a Bene Tleilax Face Dancer in Villeneuve’s Dune universe.

Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides and will see how the Sisterhood becomes the Bene Gesserit by the time of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films. Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and Olivia Williams (Tula Harkonnen) who are part of the yet to be named Bene Gesserit, which is called the Sisterhood in the show.

Dune: Prophecy is set roughly 150 years after the Butlerian Jihad or the “Great Machine War” as it’s called in the series. The Great Machine War saw the exile of thinking machines from society which is also an interesting point of conflict in the series.

‘Dune: Prophecy’ Episode 4 Ending Explained

In the final scene of Dune: Prophecy episode 4 Valya Harkonnen has a heated argument with her Uncle Evgeny Harkonnen (Mark Addy). After the argument, Valya’s dead brother Griffin appears to console Valya. You’re led to believe that Valya might be thinking of the moment, however it’s revealed things aren’t as they seem when Griffin’s skin starts to glow and Valya says “Thank you, Theo.” 

Griffin’s hair starts to fall off his head and his skin morphs into Sister Theodosia’s as she lets out painful screams. Valya watches from afar in horror with her hands to her mouth as the face of her brother changes.

Is Sister Theodosia A Face Dancer?

In the Dune universe, Face Dancers are humans who have the ability to shapeshift. All signs seem to point at Sister Theodosia being a Face Dancer as no other group is known to have shapeshifting abilities. If Theodosia is a Face Dancer this is the first appearance of one in Villeneuve’s Dune universe.

The Face Dancers are created by the Bene Tleilax who are an important group in the Dune novels. The Bene Tleilax play an important role in Dune: Messiah as the antagonist Scytale is a Face Dancer. It remains to be seen if Villeneuve will remain faithful to his adaptation of Dune: Messiah but the appearance of a Face Dancer in Dune: Prophecy makes for a great precursor for non-readers to more fantastical elements of Dune.

Dune: Prophecy episode 4 is now streaming on Max. Episode 5 will debut next week on Sunday, December 15 at 9pm ET.

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