Whoa, make some room for Edric in chapter 12. He may still be in his pajamas, but the new ambassador is not pulling any punches. The conspirators begin suspecting one another of treachery; Edric is playing coy, Scytale is on edge, Gaius Helen is in jail, and Irulan has been missing in action for a few chapters. We ponder the state of our Ghola, and just what Scytale hopes to achieve. Then see what Mike can scry from the windpoles about Alia’s fate. Need More to Read? “Mort(e)” by Robert Repino

Paul continues to chip away at the Conspiracy in chapter 11. We take a long walk for a small drink of water, so to speak. Quickly moving this conversation into a more private setting Paul finds himself more alone than ever. Following the many motivations in the room, we start to see divisions forming. Just what are Alia’s powers?

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“Berlin 1961” by Frederick Kempe

With enough spice you can see anything in chapter 10. The fates have decided on some course for Paul, and Chani for that matter. We tackle the meaning of the falling moon, and grasp at straws with Paul's vision. It seems the Zensunni way is to come out as confused as you went in.

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“The Once and Future King” by T.H. White

We’ve been through the desert, and saw a girl with no name.

It just felt good to fly with Duncan again.

Over the desert, there was a tomb he could name,

but I think those memories caused as much good as pain.

Le-to Le-to Le-to …

Say what you will about him, and Derek will, Edric shows up in chapter 8. The Guild Navigator does not give an inch during his discussion with Paul. All this happens with the face dancer watching pleasantly from behind the tank. We see a Paul Atreides who is surrounded on all fronts. As he dismisses the exterior enemies, he has to confront the interior enemies Korba and Irulan. This is why we have Bannerjee.

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Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

We start to see just what powers Alia does have in chapter 7. Hormones and prescience are a dangerous combination. This manifests in a shadow form as Alia’s own Terrible Purpose. Irulan is able to maneuver the siblings together and things get sufficiently weird. Thank the Maker Stilgar is there to offer advice to the maiden. 

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“Q & A” by Ben H. Winters

You could say there is scheming happening right under Paul’s nose in chapter 6. Irulan sneaks down to the basement jail to exchange hollow words with Gaius Helen Mohiam. We meet a new side of the Reverend Mother as no mercy is spared for Irulan. Cracks are starting to show in the conspiracy. I bet with the Dune Tarot we could see who comes out ahead.

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"Locke and Key" by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez

Love him or hayt him, the Duncan Ghola is here in chapter 5. Paul knows the game has started, but was this the right move? Even with two mentats we can’t get an answer to that question. 

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“The Three Musketeers” by Alexander Dumas

Alia makes her debut in chapter 4! Stilgar fills us in on the state of the universe via his many folders. These issues barely register on Paul who once more weighs the fate of everyone with each word. It's not the jihad this time, but something deeply personal. Does Paul know a way out of the trap or is his fate sealed?

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“The Wizard of Oz” by Frank Baum

Things really take shape when Scytale meets the greatest sweeper of all Sietch Tabr, Farok. We get to settle down for a dark tale from the jihad in chapter 3. Any time Scytale is present the intrigue gets kicked up to a ten. By the time the baliset ends and the darts have flown, we are left trying to figure just what the plan is.

Episode Guide

01:00 Chapter Summary

01:42:15 Face Dancers

02:33:25 Edric’s Etymology on Onomatology

02:45:15 Distrans

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“Hyperion” by Dan Simmons