The Voice used by the Bene Gesserit has played an important role in the story of Dune from the very beginning. Lady Jessica violated her Sisterhood’s rules and taught it to her son Paul Atreides. Reverend Mother Mohiam then used it to force the obstinate young man to obey her before placing the Gom Jabbar to his neck. It also showed how powerful Paul had become when he used it against Mohiam herself. But in Dune: Prophecy‘s second episode Desmond Hart was able to ignore Valya, the woman who originated that powerful vocal ability, when she tried to use the Voice on him.
How did he do that? To answer that we have to first understand what the Bene Gesserit’s Voice is and how it works.
What Is the “Voice” Used by the Bene Gesserit in Dune?
This is the official definition for the Voice found in the glossary at the end of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune:
- Voice – that combined training originated by the Bene Gesserit which permits an adept to control others merely by selected tone shadings of the voice
By manipulating the tone and tenor of their speech, highly trained sisters of the Bene Gesserit—experts in both psychology and physiology who have almost superhuman control over their bodies—can bend others to their will. The Voice works on a person’s unconscious, in the more animalistic part of their brain; it triggers their subconscious instinctual side and makes them comply with the speaker’s wishes. The Vocie can force an unwilling individual to do things they would not otherwise do. That includes revealing truths they wish to keep hidden or even harming themselves.
Because of the extreme modulation often required to use the Voice (which is based on real science and human psychology), live-action adaptations have made it sound terrifying and unnatural. However, the Voice requires a wide range of overtones covering a wide spectrum of frequencies. It can also be used in far more subtle, naturalistic manners.
Who Created the Voice on Dune: Prophecy?
Dune: Prophecy‘s first episode brought Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul to the screen. She was the founder and leader of the Sisterhood that became the Bene Gesserit. On her deathbed Raquella believed Valya Harkonnen was best suited to carry on the group’s mission, which included operating a secret breeding program to produce better leaders for humanity.
Raquella’s own daughter Dorotea did not believe in “playing god” and planned to destroy the group’s secret breeding codex. When Dorotea ignored Valya’s pleas to stop, Valya used the Voice on her fellow sister. Valya said she’d had hope to teach Dorotea this new skill which she had recently developed, but instead she used it to force Dorotea to kill herself. Valya became the new Mother Superior and the breeding program continued.
Can Anyone Ignore or Resist the Voice in Dune?
While most people are susceptible to the Voice, it is possible to resist it even without the use of machines or devices that prevent you from even hearing it. Some strong-willed individuals, with either enough natural ability, training, and exposure, can also lessen the Voice’s impact or even ignore it completely.
In Herbert’s original novel Lady Jessica believes it would be pointless to use the Voice on Gurney Halleck, and her reasons highlight why a select few aren’t as susceptible to the Bene Gesserit’s vocal commands. In a tense moment when Gurney falsely believes Jessica has betrayed House Atreides, she thinks, “Here was no man to be overcome easily. Here was a killer wary of the Voice, wary of every combat stratagem, wary of every trick of death and violence. Here was an instrument she herself had helped train with subtle hints and suggestions.” Since Gurney can combat his brain’s more animalistic impulses Jessica doesn’t even try to use the Voice. (Though he still wary enough about it he says he will kill her if she does not speak in a monotone voice.)
Even when a sister can use the Voice on someone they don’t always. Lady Jessica believed using it on Duke Leto would have been a complete betrayal of trust. The Bene Gesserit at large did not over rely on the Voice, either. It’s a powerful tool that would have dulled with overuse.
How Was Desmond Hart Able to Resist the Voice on Dune: Prophecy?
Desmond was also able to ignore the Voice when spoke by its creator. He defied the Voice of Valya Harkonnen, the woman who’d used it on her own sister.
Unlike Gurney, though, this does not seem to just be related to a strong will or exposure. This strange, dedicated soldier of the Imperium said he was reborn from the sands of Arrakis. Only, he didn’t just survive a sandstorm, a sandworm ate him. How Desmond Hart possibly survived Shai-Hulud remains unknown. Yet there’s no question he emerged with an amazing, new, horrifying “great power.” He can burn someone to death from the inside out using only his mind. Desmond can also do that across the vast swath of time and space. As he burned young Pruwet Richese right in front of him his telekinesis also allowed him to burn Mother Kasha across the galaxy.
Dune: Prophecy‘s second episode also revealed other abilities Hart gained from being inside a sandworm. He can resist the greatest talents and abilities the Sisterhood employs. Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen was partially stymied when she used her Truthsaying powers on the soldier. Far more frightening for her, though, was when Hart completely resisted the Voice. With Desmond Hart convincing the Emperor to shut out the Sisterhood from the royal palace and therefore the Emperor’s counsel, Valya tried to make Desmond kill himself with a blade to the throat, just as she had with Dorotea. For a moment it seemed like it was working, but Hart was toying with her. “The witches” tricks do not work on him. But his sure do work on them.
Desmond Hart hates the Sisterhood. He sees the group for what it really is, a secret sect trying to control humanity from the shadows. He wants to destroy, forever, everything Raquella and Valya hoped to accomplish. This soldier with a “great power” is a singular threat to the women who will become the Bene Gesserit. And that might be their way to defeat him.
They’re going to have to find other ways to stop him. But while the Voice might not work on him, fortunately for Valya and her sisters it still works on everyone else.
Editor’s Note: Dune: Prophecy is a Legendary Entertainment production. Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
