Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Scytale the Face Dancer

Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Show Notes

Abu and Leo profile Scytale, the face dancer at the heart of the conspiracy in Dune Messiah, and come away with a newfound respect for the Tleilaxu's finest operative. From his engineered birth to his death at Paul's hand (and the strange afterlife of his name), this is the full story of the best face dancer who ever lived. Plus: Theory Corner on Robert Pattinson's take in Dune: Part Three.

This episode contains SPOILERS for Dune and Dune Messiah!

IN THIS EPISODE

Scytale's birth name, his surprisingly famous parents, and what the Dune Encyclopedia reveals about his selective breeding

The Nicodemus affair, the mysterious mission that earned Scytale an honor almost no face dancer ever receives

Why the stone burner was a betrayal of the Tleilaxu and Bene Gesserit, and how it nearly killed Scytale by accident

The staggering physical feat of holding the Lichna disguise for seven months in captivity

Theory Corner: Pattinson's look, whether every trailer shot of Scytale is a disguise, and how Villeneuve might film face dancing

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Get ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/GomJabbar

Say thank you with a tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/gomjabbar⁠⁠

Watch video versions of select episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@loreparty

Get yourself some custom-designed Dune swag: https://www.gomjabbar.shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from Gom Jabbar: A Dune Podcast

Oct 23, 2026

Abu and Leo conclude their reluctant coverage of Sandworms of Dune, the final part of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's conclusion of the Dune saga. They summarize the remainder of the book and discuss what it's all about, in the end.

Oct 16, 2026

Abu and Leo reluctantly launch into their coverage of Sandworms of Dune, the final part of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's conclusion of the Dune saga. They summarize the first half of the book, and vent their feelings along the way.

Oct 9, 2026

Princess Irulan Corrino, Shaddam IV's eldest daughter and Paul's wife in name only, finally gets her own character deep dive. Abu and Leo dig into what the Dune Encyclopedia says about her life and legacy, with an eye on Florence Pugh's return to the role in Dune: Part Three.

Oct 2, 2026

Abu and Leo dig into "Greenslaves" and "Occupation Force," two stories Herbert wrote in the decade before Dune made him famous, to see what they reveal about the mind behind the books.

Sep 25, 2026

Abu and Leo finish their Lost Entries run through Carl B. Yoke's psychology manuscripts, uncovered at the Fullerton Archives. This week they read two unpublished Dune Encyclopedia entries on the psychology of the Sardaukar and the Harkonnens.

See all episodes →