Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Sandman, season 2, volume 2.Netflix’sThe Sandmanbrings its main storyline to a pensive end, with Dream (Tom Sturridge), or Morpheus, choosing to protect his kingdom above all else, while the narrative itself reflects on his character development over the past two seasons. The final few episodes feature some more fascinating performances of abstract personifications, delving into the humanity of these concepts.
The Sandmanseason 2, vol. 1’s endingsees a massive fallout whenDream finally grants his son Orpheus' (Ruairi O’Connor) wish to end his life, and the Fates (Dinita Gohil, Nina Wadia, and Souad Faress) plot to punish Dream for spilling family blood. Thus, early on inThe Sandmanseason 2, vol. 2, Dream consults his parents, Time (Rufus Sewell) and Night (Tanya Moddie).
However, these primordial figures offer little help in changing the laws of the universe, also being illustrations of nebulous reflections on immortality, loneliness, and family, with their limited screen time. In the end,Dream must face the consequences of what has been done, but he still ensures that the beauty of dreams will continue.
Dream Sacrifices Himself To Save The Dreaming When The Kindly Ones Use Lyta As Their Avatar
The Fates & Lyta Give Dream No Other Options
Dream did himself no favors when he told Lyta Hall (Razane Jammal) that he would one day come for her son,whom he declares belongs to him, as the child was conceived in a dream Lyta had of her late husband. When Daniel is kidnapped and his death is staged, Lyta immediately believes Dream is the one responsible.
While Dream recreates the Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook) and recruits Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman) to find Daniel, the Kindly Ones prey on Lyta. They persuade her to be a petitioner to act against Dream for spilling family blood, and then use her as a powerful avatar to invade the Dreaming when Dream is briefly called away to Faerie.
Lyta is easily destroying the Dreaming and kills multiple beloved residents. Dream and his remaining followers are unable to bring her out of her trance by convincing her that Daniel is alive, or at least that Dream did not take him. SoDream surrenders to the Fates, and his sister Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) comes to meet him,as his life ends.
Loki & Puck’s Plan To Kidnap Daniel & How It Affects The Dreaming, Explained
Loki & Puck Are Agents Of Chaos
Since he escaped imprisonment, Loki (Freddie Fox) has begun a relationship with the faerie Puck (Jack Gleeson). However, Loki still owes Dream a favor in exchange for Dream not alerting Odin (Clive Russell) that Loki was at large. So,Loki and Puck decide to take action to spur on Dream’s destruction.
Loki and Puck kidnap Daniel, though Puck tries to return the baby when he believes Loki means to kill him. Loki actually burns away Daniel’s mortality, turning him fully into an entity who could inherit the Dreaming. Puck then leaves Loki and points Johanna and the Corinthian in his direction.
Dream’s agents overpower Loki and decide to take Daniel back to the Dreaming before realizing that they have been followed by Odin and Thor (Laurence O’Fuarain), who take Loki back to his prison. Indirectly, Loki and Puck almost destroyed the Dreaming, but also created its new king, in somewhat cruel fashion.
Daniel Apprehensively Steps Into The Role Of Dream & Has Positive Interactions With His Family
Daniel Hall Becomes Dream Of The Endless
Upon Dream’s death,Daniel becomes an adult (Jacob Anderson) and assumes the position of Dream of the Endless.Ceremony dictates that he does not attend the previous Dream’s funeral, during which time Daniel reflects on his predicament. He is essentially both an infant and an immortal being, with no experience running a kingdom.
Finally, after much anticipation, Daniel meets the rest of the Endless.
However, his family encourages and supports him.The estranged Endless brother, Destruction (Barry Sloane), pays him a visit to wish him luck,assure him he is equipped for the job, and remind him that humanity will go on if he someday chooses to leave it all behind. Daniel also reconciles with his mother, forgiving her for causing the previous Dream’s death.
Daniel says that he will need Lyta, but that he wants her to live her life after having lost Daniel and Hector (Lloyd Everitt). Finally, after much anticipation, Daniel meets the rest of the Endless, who are sweetly welcoming, eager to usher in their new brother and see this new era begin.
What Becomes Of Lucienne, Nuala, & The Rest Of Dream’s Inner Circle
Most Decide To Stay & Help The Dreaming Move Into A New Era
Dream’s longtime librarian and second-in-command Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong) believes that it may be time for her to move onafter his death. His other close followers seem to be considering this as well, unable to wrap their heads around someone else running the Dreaming. Nuala (Ann Skelly), however, while she is invited back to faerie, considers the Dreaming her true home now.
The fates of Dream’s inner circle strike a balance between the sentiments of moving on and keeping the Dreaming’s old spirit alive. After their murders by Lyta, Daniel resurrects Abel (Asim Chaudhry) and Merv (Mark Hamill). But Fiddler’s Green (Stephen Fry) tells Daniel that he must come up with his own ideas for the Dreaming, so Daniel lets him rest in peace.
While Johanna and the new (non-serial killer) Corinthian decide to pursue their connection and have a relationship while she is dreaming,Lucienne decides to stay after all, meaning that Nuala and Matthew (Patton Oswalt) likely will as well.Lucienne is last seen smiling as she brings Daniel to meet the Endless, cheerfully explaining how he might make it through the awkwardness.
The Sandman Season 2’s Post-Credits Scene Explained
The Kindly Ones Enigmatically Offer Up A Final Lesson
Following the final scene of the Endless welcoming their new brother to the family,there is a satisfyingly mysterious post-credits scene of the Kindly Ones back in their home, also reflecting on all that has happened, and whether they are satisfied, if anything real has been accomplished.
Perhaps their most interesting quotations about beginnings, endings, morals, and the downsides of them all.
They comment on how stories always unfold in their own way with natural consequences, and share some rhymes that demonstrate the core theme of rebirth. Perhaps their most interesting quotations about beginnings, endings, morals, and the downsides of them all. In this, they prompt the audience to come to their own conclusions about the story, as they can do no more now that it is over.
The True Meaning Of The Sandman’s Ending, Explained
The Sandman Is About Mortality, Memory, Connection, & Renewal
Ultimately,The Sandmanis a tale of humanity and change, told through the eyes of non-human entities, who seemingly evolve because they are made to feel as hopeless as humans often do.Dream’s arc kicked off because of his imprisonment at the beginning of the series,which could have made him hate humanity, but instead made him more sympathetic towards them.
During a flashback of Dream’s final meeting with Shakespeare (Will Keen),The Sandman’s narrative is projected ontoThe Tempest, and vice versa.This play is another story about an arrogant, powerful man who finds his humanity through pain and love. Here,The Sandmancomes to the conclusion that Dream had to leave his dominion and actually experience humanity in order to change.
In their eulogies to him, his siblings all, in some way, reveal that they felt a true connection to Dream rooted in their respective vulnerabilities. Even if the Kindly Ones do not like morals,The Sandmanconveys an important one in that people will always have to be open to others so they can change and grow.
