Lila looking through a curtain in Dune Prophecy episode 2 Dune: Prophecy showrunner Alison Schapker has explained episode 2’s Water of Life predecessor, revealing why the choice was made to differentiate it from the movie rendition. In Dune: Prophecy episode 2, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) asks one of her students, Lila (Chloe Lea) to unlock her genetic memory, attempting to investigate who killed Kasha (Jihae) in the previous episode. To do this, she uses Rossak poison, an ancient predecessor to the Water of Life used by the Bene Gesserit during the Dune movies.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Schapker explained how Dune: Prophecy‘s use of Rossak poison as a Water of Life predecessor came from the books. She explained how, much like the origins of the Voice, everything in the prequel series comes from the source material, expanding on the sci-fi world’s history in the process. She also explained how this lent itself to making the series a potential starting point for newcomers to the franchise as well. Check out what Schapker had to say below:

It was all in the books. I’m as interested as anybody in where the Bene Gesserit got this idea that they can commune with the wisdom of their female ancestors. So that all goes back to the Rossak poison and the Water of Life that you later see in the movies. And where did the Voice come from? That, too, is in the books, and it was something that we really enjoyed bringing to life out of a specific circumstance. The sisterhood has this motto: “Crisis. Survival Advancement,” and what crisis gives rise to is that you can take a moment, like a near death experience, and unlock a new skill. So all of that stuff is in the books, and we were mining our source material.

Of course, we were mindful that there are things that the fans of the films might enjoy learning more about, but we also really tried to thread the needle so that someone could start with the TV show, as well. That was a conscious choice. HBO and all of us wanted that. We wanted Dune: Prophecy to be rich enough for people who care about Dune and know about Dune , but open enough that it could be a starting point.

What Schapker’s Statement About Rossak Poison Says About Dune: Prophecy

It Makes The Investigation Even More Dangerous

Emily Watson looking forward intensely as Valya Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy Jessica Barden looking over her shoulder while surrounded by women in black cloaks in Dune Prophecy A young Bene Gesserit following surrounded by others in Dune Prophecy The origin of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood in Dune Prophecy teaser Jihae as Kasha in Dune: Prophecy Emily Watson looking forward intensely as Valya Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy Jessica Barden looking over her shoulder while surrounded by women in black cloaks in Dune Prophecy A young Bene Gesserit following surrounded by others in Dune Prophecy The origin of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood in Dune Prophecy teaser Jihae as Kasha in Dune: Prophecy

Rossak poison is clearly dangerous before it even appears onscreen, with the cast of Dune: Prophecy fearful of the negative effects it could have on Lila despite the need to use it. The poison also behaves differently than the Water of Life, with the young acolyte seeing horrific visions of the dead, some of whom speak through her. This includes one woman revealed to be Dorotea (Camilla Beeput), whom a young Valya Harkonnen (Jessica Barden/Emily Watson) murdered. She seemingly kills the young apprentice, a vengeful act to keep the Sisterhood from getting answers about Kasha’s death.

In the movies, the Water of Life is still deadly if used by the uninitiated, though it doesn’t appear to involve direct confrontation with thousands of years of ancestors. While the upcoming Dune: Part Three could change this, Lila’s experiences appear to be unique to the Rossak poison. This could pose a danger to anyone else that undergoes it, with some students likely discouraged considering their friend died while under its influence. Schapker’s words emphasize this danger, while also drawing a line from the TV series directly to the events of the films.

Our Take On Dune: Prophecy’s Use Of Rossak Poison

The Show Is A Starting Point For Many Future Developments

Lila falling into a trance while unlocking her genetic memory in Dune ProphecyImage via Max

Rossak poison is just one of many early developments Dune: Prophecy explores, with the Sisterhood not even being the Bene Gesserit quite yet, and the Harkonnens still considered disgraced after the war with thinking machines. The early rendition of the Water of Life shows just how much they still need to refine its potency, emphasizing the developments yet to come. However, now that a key danger has presented itself in its use, it’s unclear what this means for the poison’s appearance in future episodes.

Upcoming Episode of Dune: Prophecy
Release Date

Episode 3: Sisterhood Above All
12-01-2024

Episode 4: Twice Born
12-08-2024

Episode 5: TBA
12-15-2024

Episode 6: TBA
12-22-2024