As a seasoned Dune fan with countless hours lost in the vast expanse of Frank Herbert’s universe, I must say that the new HBO prequel series, Dune Prophecy, has left me slightly bewildered and intrigued by its portrayal of Salusa Secundus. While it was once a desolate prison planet in the original novels, it now appears as an idyllic Earth-like world.
A significant portion of the storyline in “Dune Prophecy” unfolds within the Imperial Palace on planet Salusa Secundus, however, this setting differs markedly from the depiction of Salusa presented in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films. This is a key difference between HBO’s prequel and the original series, and it remains uncertain whether this change will be addressed on screen. Here lies an explanation for the destruction of Salusa Secundus as described in the books, but be advised: there are spoilers forthcoming!
In Frank Herbert’s six initial Dune books, it is revealed that Salusa Secundus was originally the home planet of House Corrino, but as they expanded their influence across the Imperium, they moved to the more livable world of Kaitain. Subsequently, the Corrino emperors utilized Salusa as a penal colony, eventually transforming it into the training ground for their feared Sardaukar soldiers. Many speculate that the severe conditions on the planet enhanced the ferocity of the Sardaukar, and in The Dune Encyclopedia, there are hints suggesting that the environment played a role in fortifying the early Corrinos, potentially providing them with an advantage in their quest to rule the empire.
In contrast to popular belief, “Dune Prophecy” is rooted in prequel novels jointly penned by Frank Herbert’s son and author Kevin J. Anderson. In these narratives, Salusa Secundus is depicted as a harmonious planet reminiscent of Earth. It maintains this serene state throughout the “Great Schools of Dune” trilogy that forms the basis of “Prophecy”, but later in their chronology, the planet experiences a catastrophic nuclear strike. This explosion causes severe ecological damage, and by the time of Paul Atreides, the environment has yet to fully recover from the blast’s aftermath.
Expanded Universe
For enthusiasts of literature, particularly those fond of the “Dune Expanded Universe” created by Brian and Anderson, it’s not always accepted as the official storyline. However, the novel titled “Prophecy” heavily relies on this expanded universe, such as in its portrayal of Salusa Secundus. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider this our main source of information. If that’s the case, we can infer that the imperial palace is located in a bustling city named Zimia. This planet served as a fortress for humanity during their conflicts against artificial intelligence, providing a base for refugees searching for new settlements.
In the EU timeline, it’s uncertain exactly when the atomic bombs detonated over Salusa. However, we can confirm that it occurred at least one generation following the events of the Great Schools of Dune. It’s important to consider that by the time of Paul Atreides, Salusa’s tragic past might have been largely erased from human memory, which could explain the seeming inconsistencies.
Ancient Fremen History
Previously, Salusa Secundus served as a significant backdrop for the forefathers of the Fremen – inhabitants of Arrakis. As per their tales, Salusa was among the planets where they were enslaved. This point is sometimes disputed by other characters, but those with ancestral recollections appear to validate the authenticity of the Fremen legends. For countless generations, they were enslaved across seven different planets before the “Zensunni Wanderers” managed their escape to Arrakis and later identified themselves as “free people,” eventually becoming known as “Fremen.
In a timespan comparable to that of Dune’s epic narrative, the extensive past of Salusa Secundus might not be mentioned in Prophecy, leaving some viewers perplexed. Despite this, Salusa may not appear as a dilapidated, rain-drenched training facility within this series, but perhaps we can still encounter another instance of Saurdukar’s throat-singing to reinforce the connection. Dune Prophecy airs every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max. The novels are currently accessible in print, digital, and audiobook formats.
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2024-11-19 04:09