Oh, to hear Tom Sturridge’s authoritative and dangerous, yet alluring voice with a deep, rumbling tone which, by some miracle of vocal gymnastics, manages to escape his rather modest lips – it’s a truly mystical experience, almost as bewitching as the Dreamworld itself!
Hold onto your dreamy hats, folks, because your favorite fearless film critic (that’s me, in case you were wondering) is finally gracing you with a review of Sandman 2! I know, I know, you were probably gnashing your teeth and tearing your hair out the day after its release, wondering why I hadn’t unleashed my brilliant insights. Well, apologies abound, but I was utterly, irrevocably mesmerized by the cacophony of cosmic chaos that unfolded before my very eyes. Honestly, I was caught in a hilarious internal debate: should I drop this masterpiece of a review now, or wait until the second part of the second season decides to grace us with its presence? My courageous decision is now painfully obvious.
A Whirlwind of Whimsical Weirdness
Now, I’ve heard the whispers of discontent echoing through the hallowed halls of other critics, they seem to think this season isn’t quite up to snuff. But honestly, I find myself in a delightfully different dimension! For me, it’s less “disappointing” and more like a frantically paced narrative rollercoaster of clustered events, each one tumbling into the next with the grace of an overenthusiastic puppy. It’s like Netflix decided to throw every mythological allusion they could find into a blender, and then poured it all onto our screens. We’re talking borrowed tales, recycled legends, and enough literary references to throw you into a jungle of mythical adventure.
A Newbie’s Delightful Dive into the Dreaming
Confession time: Netflix’s utterly captivating adaptation of The Sandman was my first glorious romp with this enigmatic DC Comics character. And let me tell you, the sheer mystic marvel of the movie immediately caught my fickle attention. My insatiably curious mind constantly yearns for a film that doesn’t just entertain but probes the very depths of my intellect. After the spectacular first season in 2022, I was practically vibrating with anticipation for the second. Last year, we were treated to Dead Boy Detectives, an equally enchanting and pleasantly peculiar movie that even featured Death herself – because, why not?
The Endlessly Engaging Escapades of Lord Morpheus
Lord Morpheus, the stoic Sandman, the brooding Dream of the Endless, reigns supreme over the whimsical Dreamworld. The last season left us on a deceptively peaceful note, but it was abundantly clear that “rest” was a concept as foreign to the Dream Lord. This season, Morpheus kicks things off by, well, rebuilding his shattered realm – because what else is a cosmic being to do after a bit of light imprisonment? Then, plot twist! He gets summoned by his oh-so-dignified brother, Destiny. And just like that, we’re introduced to the entire dysfunctional family of the seven siblings – including Delirium, who’s probably off somewhere painting a ceiling with a rainbow, and Destruction, the eternally elusive brother who probably just wants to be left alone with his dog.
A Hilariously Awkward Family Reunion
Destiny, with his uncannily accurate premonitions and the soul-crushing burden of not being able to meddle, calls a family meeting. Everyone’s there, except for Destruction, who does not want to be found. This little get-together, however, turned out to be the catalyst for all the glorious chaos that unfurls throughout the second season. After centuries of awkward silence, the D-named siblings finally reunite, and boy, do they have some serious baggage to unpack!
Desire, the scandalously chic black sheep of the family, practically dared to get on Dream’s already frayed nerves by bringing up Nada. Remember her? From the first season, when Dream ventured into Hell to retrieve his fashion-forward helm? Turns out, Dream, in his infinite wisdom (or perhaps just epic pettiness), condemned Nada to Hell for over ten thousand years because she didn’t want to be with him. Talk about holding a grudge! Opening old wounds, Dream vexes out of the family meeting, probably muttering something about “unbearable siblings.” Death, ever the wise and sassy sister, catches up with him and gives him a well-deserved earful, which, to everyone’s utter surprise, actually prompts Dream to make the monumental decision to go back to Hell to rescue Nada.
Hellishly Humorous Encounters
Now, if you recall Dream’s last jaunt to Hell, he left Lucifer Morningstar feeling quite defeated and, dare I say, a tad embarrassed after their duel. Lucifer, with a flair for the dramatic, swore that if Morpheus ever returned to her domain, he wouldn’t make it out alive. So, it was a foregone conclusion that Dream’s second visit to the underworld was going to be nothing short of spooktacularly unpredictable. Yet, with characteristic stubbornness, he ignores the pleas of his most trusted advisor, Vivienne, Dream embarks on his perilous pilgrimage.
Upon his arrival, what does he find? An eerily empty Hell! It seems Lucifer has moved on from her glamorous reign of damnation. And then he finds her, Lucifer, no longer the prideful, fiery queen, but a sobbing, philosophical mess, spewing laments about how her disobedience was, in fact, just fulfilling God’s grand, ironic plan. In a move that’s either brilliantly cunning or utterly bonkers, Lucifer then gifts Morpheus the key to Hell, knowing full well it will become an ethical dilemma of epic proportions for him.
When Norse Gods Crash the Dreamy Party
And just like that, Morpheus’s doorstep becomes a bustling hub for a multitude of uninvited, god-like guests. We’re talking Odin and his sons, Loki and Thor! But wait, Sandman‘s Loki isn’t sporting the overwhelmingly dark, angsty eyeshadow you might expect. Oh no, he’s rocking a subtle liner with spiked blonde hair, making him look less like a trickster god and more like the enigmatic lead singer of an average boy rock band. It’s a glorious and unexpected touch!
Sandman’s Slightly Cringey Love Life
Photo Credit: The Wrap
And then, there’s the elephant in the cosmic living room: the agonizingly awkward and somewhat unexpected dalliance into unrequited love drama between the stoic, eternally brooding Sandman and… a human. Duh! Sandman in love? The very thought sends shivers down my spine and not the good, mystical kind. It’s like watching a majestic, ancient oak tree try to tap-dance. I mean, sure, there was Nada, his eternally damned ex, but this new romantic entanglement feels less like cosmic destiny and more like a teen drama trope that wandered in from another Netflix show. I think I will love it better if he falls head over heels for Nuala in the upcoming episodes; at least she’s got some ethereal charm about her!
A Slightly Tragic, Slightly Absurd Family Secret
Turns out, Morpheus has a son, Orpheus. This little tidbit throws in a delightful dash of Greek mythology, instantly reminding me of the sadly canceled Netflix show, Kaos, which also was built on a classic tragic tale. Orpheus in The Sandman is an unapologetic romanticist, so madly in love that he trades his mortality to try and retrieve his beloved Eurydice from the Afterlife. Spoiler alert: he epically failed his mission and now, poignantly, wishes for death – but that’s not an option for him. He’s been reduced to a living, talking head who desperately begs his father, Morpheus, to finally grant him the sweet release of oblivion.
Breaking Rules and Finding Reluctant Relatives
And finally, our heroes, Morpheus and Delirium, actually manage to track down Destruction, the long-lost, perpetually unavailable brother. And guess what? He still doesn’t want to be found. Figures. To top it all off, Morpheus is now in a deep mess with the Fates for audaciously breaking one of their ground rules. It seems even the Lord of Dreams isn’t immune to the consequences of his occasionally impulsive actions!
Loose Ends and Lingering Questions
As for how Netflix plans to wrap up this grand, sprawling saga in the next batch of episodes, I am on the brink of absolute uncertainty, much like Dream trying to understand human emotions. The first part of Season 2 has left more loose ends dangling than an octopus’ tentacles, and I’m genuinely curious (and a little terrified) to see if they can tie them all into a neat, satisfying bow or if we’re in for a truly unhinged, chaotic conclusion. What do you think – will it be a triumphant finale or a glorious train wreck?
