The Sandman: A Deep Dive into Neil Gaiman’s Masterpiece and Its Netflix Adaptation

If comic books interest you, chances are you’ve heard of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman and its profound impact on the literary subgenre. This series stands as a definitive, expansive modern lore that amalgamates world myths, enriching DC Comics’ established world-building during the 80s and 90s. More than just a comic, The Sandman has left a significant mark on fiction as a whole, assimilating genres and celebrating humanity through nuance, conflict, and emotional depth. It tackles myriad themes, including freedom, identity, and trauma, all through the lens of fantasy. Most importantly, The Sandman serves as a treatise on storytelling—dark, poetic, beautiful, tragic, and evergreen.

With Netflix’s adaptation now available, the question arises: does the series capture the true essence of the comic with all its beauty and brutality? Judging by the first season, the answer seems to be a resounding "not quite." Nevertheless, the series has been renewed for a second and final season, set to release soon. To prepare for this, let’s explore the events of the first season and what we might expect in the concluding installment.

Who Are the Endless?

Before diving into the episodes, it’s essential to understand the Endless. In DC cosmology, the Endless are seven primordial manifestations of nature’s elemental concepts. Progeny of Night and Time, these siblings include Death, Destiny, Dream, Destruction (the Prodigal), Despair, Desire, and Delirium. Each Endless controls their domain without interfering in each other’s duties. Among them, Destruction abandoned his post due to a personal crisis, while Delirium was once Delight.

The series primarily focuses on Morpheus, the lord of Dreams, also known as the Oneiromancer. Morpheus commands the dreams and nightmares of living beings across the multiverse. He appears somewhat aloof and conceited, struggling to understand mortals. His loyal assistant, Lucienne, the librarian of Dreaming, helps him navigate his responsibilities. The first season adapts the first two volumes of the series—“Preludes and Nocturnes” and “The Doll’s House.”

Episode 1: Sleep of the Just

The narrative kicks off in 1916, as Morpheus leaves Dreaming to pursue a rogue nightmare known as the Corinthian. Roderick Burgess, an English occultist, mistakenly summons Morpheus instead of Death while attempting to resurrect his son, Randall, who died in World War I. Roderick traps Morpheus and steals his helm, ruby, and pouch of sand, leading to a worldwide sleep-sickness epidemic.

In the present day, Roderick’s son, Alex, and his lover, Paul, keep Morpheus imprisoned, hoping to negotiate for his release. However, Morpheus escapes and punishes Alex by subjecting him to eternal sleep. Upon returning to Dreaming, Morpheus finds his realm in disarray, with most of his subjects having abandoned him.

Episode 2: Imperfect Hosts

Morpheus attempts to rebuild his realm but realizes he needs his stolen artifacts. To locate them, he must offer something of immense value to the Fates. He visits Cain and Abel, biblical figures trapped in a cycle of violence, and sacrifices their beloved gargoyle, Gregory, to gain their favor. The Fates reveal that Morpheus’ helm has been traded, the ruby is with a son, and his pouch is with occult detective Johanna Constantine.

Meanwhile, the Corinthian confronts Ethel Cripps, who has extended her life using the Amulet of Protection. After a failed attempt to intimidate her, the Corinthian is torn apart by the amulet and resurrected in Dreaming. Ethel’s son, John Dee, driven mad by the ruby’s influence, becomes a significant antagonist.

Episode 3: Dream a Little, Dream of Me

Morpheus visits Johanna Constantine, who is exorcising a demon. He learns about her past failures and the toll it has taken on her relationships. Morpheus retrieves his pouch of sand and helps release Rachel, Constantine’s girlfriend, from her torment. Meanwhile, Ethel gives John the Amulet of Protection, allowing him to escape psychiatric care and set off on his own path.

Episode 4: A Hope in Hell

Morpheus travels to Hell to reclaim his helm, challenging the demon Choronzon to a game of wits. The confrontation with Lucifer Morningstar, who represents Choronzon, is a highlight of the season. Morpheus ultimately defeats Lucifer by embodying Hope, showcasing the power of dreams. Meanwhile, John Dee begins his own journey, revealing more about his troubled past.

Episode 5: 24/7

This episode adapts the infamous “24 Hours” chapter from the comics, depicting humanity at its most depraved. John Dee uses the ruby to unleash the inner demons of diner patrons, leading to chaos and violence. Morpheus intervenes, revealing the darker side of humanity when hope and dreams are stripped away. He ultimately sends John into eternal sleep, restoring balance to the world.

Episode 6: The Sound of Her Wings

With his strength restored, Morpheus begins to rebuild Dreaming but feels a lack of purpose. He meets his sister, Death, who helps him understand the importance of his role. The episode beautifully explores Morpheus’ relationship with Hob Gadling, a mortal he has visited for centuries. Their friendship deepens, and Morpheus begins to recognize the value of companionship.

Episodes 7-10: Dream Vortex and Morpheus’ Growth

The final episodes revolve around Rose Walker, a powerful dream vortex whose abilities threaten Dreaming. Desire and Despair conspire against Morpheus, leading to a series of events that challenge his authority. Rose’s quest to reunite with her brother, Jed, intertwines with Morpheus’ journey of self-discovery.

As Rose’s powers grow, Morpheus realizes the impact of her presence on Dreaming. The Corinthian’s machinations culminate in a dramatic confrontation, forcing Morpheus to confront his own shortcomings and the consequences of his actions.

Episode 11: Dream of a Thousand Cats and Calliope

The season concludes with an epilogue, featuring two segments. The first, “A Dream of a Thousand Cats,” is an animated tale about a Siamese cat seeking to inspire a revolution among her kind. The second segment, “Calliope,” follows Morpheus’ former wife as she seeks liberation from her captors. Their reunion highlights themes of redemption and the complexities of love.

As the first season of The Sandman comes to a close, viewers are left with a rich tapestry of characters and themes, setting the stage for the final season. The adaptation has sparked discussions among fans, and while it may not fully capture the essence of Gaiman’s original work, it undoubtedly brings a new audience to the world of Dreaming. With the second season on the horizon, anticipation builds for how Morpheus’ journey will continue to unfold.