Dune: Prophecy‘s young Tula Harkonnen actor Emma Canning explains how episode 3, “Sisterhood Above All,” affects her character. The elder Tula (Olivia Williams) and her sister Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) are the leaders of the Sisterhood that will become the Bene Gesserit. “Sisterhood Above All” reveals the tragic origins of these Dune: Prophecy characters that lead them to the Sisterhood and to their long-gestating plans unfolding in the show’s present-day storyline.

While speaking with Screen Rant‘s Tatiana Hullender, Canning explains why young Tula decides to massacre the Atreides family in the flashbacks and how this impacts her relationship with young Valya (Jessica Barden). Canning teases that there will be more flashbacks exploring Tula’s early journey through the Sisterhood. She also explains why Tula chooses to follow Valya even though she disagrees with her sister on some fundamental matters. Check out Canning’s comments below:

Yeah, we will get to see Tula transition into the Sisterhood and get to watch her try and shake off any echo of what her life was before entering the Sisterhood – [any echo] other than being Valya’s sister. We’ll also get to watch how everything follows us, as there is no clean break. We watch her deal with those consequences.

Why did she decide to follow Valya? Certainly, at the beginning of the episode, it was never in her mind that she would ever join the Sisterhood. But she has nothing else at this moment. She’s heartbroken. I think she hates herself and has huge, huge regrets. Her family won’t let her forget it, and it’s all anyone’s talking about.

Then Valya comes home and says, “We should be heralding Tula. You are amazing. Griffin would be so proud.” Suddenly, I have an image of Tula looking in the mirror and hating what she sees. But then she has this new mirror in Valya, and it’s one of positivity and pride. I think Tula is clinging to Valya like a lifeboat.

What This Means For Dune: Prophecy

Tula Is More Than She Appears To Be

“Sisterhood Above All” brings more depth to Tula and her relationship with Valya. In the first two episodes, Valya seems to be the one making the decisions for the Sisterhood while Tula obediently follows her wishes, even when she is reluctant to do so. While Tula did manipulate Sister Lila (Chloe Leah) in episode 2, massacring the Atreides family demonstrates the type of ruthlessness that she did not seem to possess, especially when compared to Valya.

Dune: Prophecy episode 3’s ending proves that Tula’s plans also extend beyond Valya’s designs, as Tula is now focused on secretly working to revive Lila. What Tula did to the Atreides family was achieved through her own agency, but was still reliant on Valya’s desires. Tula and Valya are a formidable team, and, as per Canning, “Tula is clinging to Valya like a lifeboat.” They will continue to be a formidable team, but Tula’s own desires and plans should not be underestimated.

Our Take On Emma Cannings Comments

This Is Dune: Prophecy’s Best Episode Yet

Image via Max

“Sisterhood Above All” is easily my favorite of Dune: Prophecy‘s episodes so far, and this is largely due to the emotional performances delivered by Canning and Barden. This episode made me invested in Tula, Valya, and the overall series more than anything from the previous two episodes. The complexity and internal struggle that Canning discusses is a significant part of what elevates the episode. Tula is a nuanced character who is heartbroken, self-loathing, and co-dependent, but she is also loving and more clever than others imagine, all of which makes her one of the best parts of Dune: Prophecy.