Paul Atreides with his blue eyes and Arrakis scenery in the background Spice is a vital resource in the world of Dune and Dune: Prophecy, and it’s crucial to understand its purpose to understand the series. On Dune’s timeline, the HBO prequel series is set 10,000 years before the events of the films, and while there are new characters and dynamics at play, there are many common elements. The original 1965 Dune novel by Frank Herbert and Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptations are centered around the planet Arrakis and the conflict over spice, while it’s pushed to the background in the new TV show.

Unlike many sci-fi worlds that rely on the functions of artificial intelligence or highly advanced computers, the world of Dune relies on spice, known fully as ‘Spice Melange.’ It’s responsible for the iconic bright blue eyes look that Paul Atreides and Chani have in the Dune films, and for the majority of Paul’s arc in the story. One can understand the characters and relationships in Dune, but to fully understand the workings of the world, one has to know about spice, its role in the known universe, and its uses.

Controlling Spice Production Means Power In The Dune Franchise

Spice Is The Most Valuable Resource In The Dune Universe

Paul holds a handful of spice in Dune (2021).

Those little specks of orange dust wield immense power and influence in the Dune universe, as spice is relevant to various aspects of the story. It’s the most important resource in the world, and it can only be harvested on Arrakis, a planet with a harsh natural environment and a population of inhabitants who are often hostile to Imperium forces, called Fremen. This makes producing spice a constant challenge for the Imperium, and several houses have been tasked with fiefdom of the planet to oversee the process, such as House Atriedes and House Harkonnen.

Spice is inspired by psychedelic mushrooms, and while it can cause similar effects, there are other reasons why it’s equates to power. Spice can offer its users abilities and enhancements, making it a crucial resource for the economics of the known universe. It’s prominently used by Navigators from the Spacing Guild, who consume it to chart their courses before travel, allowing them to accurately make hyperspace jumps without the use of computers, which are banned in the Dune universe.

With these uses, production of spice is worthwhile despite the immense and constant challenges. The main conflict of Dune is centered around the value placed on the house that’s chosen to govern Arrakis, and Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino offers the position to House Atreides in order to create a conflict between them and House Harkonnen.

How Spice Has Lead To Conflict In Dune

Houses Desire Control Of Arrakis Despite Its Challenges

A devastating attack on Corrino’s soldiers on Arrakis, the desert planet in Dune: Prophecy Season 1 Ep 1 Paul Atreides walking with the sun in the background on planet Arrakis in Dune Part Two Paul Atreides Walks Through The Arrakis Dessert In Dune 1984 Arrakis in Dune 2021 Chani, played by Zendaya, kisses Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, in Dune: Part Two. A devastating attack on Corrino’s soldiers on Arrakis, the desert planet in Dune: Prophecy Season 1 Ep 1 Paul Atreides walking with the sun in the background on planet Arrakis in Dune Part Two Paul Atreides Walks Through The Arrakis Dessert In Dune 1984 Arrakis in Dune 2021 Chani, played by Zendaya, kisses Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, in Dune: Part Two.

The war between House Atreides and House Harkonnen is the central conflict of the original Dune novel and Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptations, but it’s conflict over Arrakis also recurs throughout the stories told by Brian Hebert and Kevin J. Anderson, whether it takes center stage or not. Despite struggling to control spice production, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is furious when the fiefdom of Arrakis is granted to Duke Leto Atreides, and he plots the downfall of House Atreides throughout the 2021 Dune film.

Aside from the noble houses, spice constantly creates conflict between the Imperium and the Fremen, which is shown in Dune: Prophecy. Spice is used for several facets of daily life for Fremen, and they’re entirely reliant on its production to survive, creating a natural dispute between them and outside forces that harvest it. Fremen despise the outsiders that come to Arrakis for spice, but Duke Leto Atreides was wise enough to understand that aligning with them in a mutually beneficial relationship would work better than fighting them.

Spice Has Special Powers In Dune

Spice Can Grant Enhanced Abilities To The Mind

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica in Dune with glowing blue eyes.

Spice is used for various purposes in the Dune universe that pertain to the human mind. Rather than AI or computers, the mind is the greatest source of power in Dune, and spice can be consumed to enhance perception and awaken untapped areas of the brain’s power. Due to the absence of computers, having enhanced human minds that can fulfill their purposes is crucial. In a general sense, spice can also prolong human life and fulfill various health benefits.

Like any narcotic, spice can result in addiction from the user, and prolonged exposure and usage can cause physical alterations. Fremen are known for their bright blue eyes due to exposure, and the Spacing Guild Navigators barely resemble humans after excess consumption. In Dune, spice is consumed to enhance Paul Atreides’ prescience.

Spice’s Role In Dune: Prophecy Explained

Control Of Arrakis Is A Background Conflict In HBO’s Show

Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) and Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) agree on the engagement of their childre in Dune: Prophecy Season 1 Ep 1Image via Max

Dune: Prophecy may not be as oriented around spice as the films, but no story told in the Dune universe is far from its influence. Javicco Corrino is the emperor, ruling from Selusa Secundus, but his control over the known universe isn’t as stable as he’d like it to be. In episode 1, it’s revealed that attacks from Fremen have disrupted spice production on Arrakis. In order to maintain control, it’s vital for Javicco to get matters on Arrakis in line, so he proposes a marriage alliance with House Richese in return for their fleet of fighter ships.

Desmond Hart, a soldier who’s miraculously survived his most recent tour on Arrakis, is a main character in Dune: Prophecy. He’s a veteran of twelve tours, though his most recent ended with a devastating attack that killed every man in his group. Desmond survived this, then also survived being swalled up underground by a giant sandworm, which Javicco sees on a hologram recording at the end of episode 1. Somehow, Desmond surfaced from the insides of the sandworm with mysterious new powers which could have something to do with spice.

Spice also ties to the central prophecy in HBO’s prequel show. Mother Superior Raquella’s final vision involved spice, as well as a sandworm on Arrakis. Dune: Prophecy is yet to have a full scene set on Arrakis, but the flow of spice is tied to almost every aspect of the show. Every faction established in the series, be it the Sisterhood, the Imperium, or the Rebellion, have some stake in the flow of spice. As Baron Harkonnen said in the original novel, “he who controls the spice controls the universe.”