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Cosmopolitan
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Breaking Down the Ending of 'The Sandman' Season 2, Explained
So much happened at the end of The Sandman that the "ending" really takes place over 3-4 episodes instead of just the finale. How did the epic tale of gods, monsters, and dreams on Netflix wrap things up? Let me be your oneirocritic (a very cool word I just looked up that means someone who interprets dreams) and guide you through it. Yes! And let's start there, because it actually happens in Season 2, Episode 10 which is the third to last episode of The Sandman. There were some clues. For one, the episode is titled "Long Live the King," a phrase quite often said after the words "The King is Dead." For another, Death herself appears midway through the episode and asks where Dream is. Because Dream's sister is Death, and they actually have a great relationship, Morpheus dies in a softer way than maybe the revenge-driven Lyta Hall would have liked. She doesn't shoot him with an arrow or drive a sword into his chest. Instead, our emo hero calls Death to him and after one final heart-to-heart allows her to take his hand. RIP, Morpheus! Episode 11 centered around a single event: Morpheus' funeral. Tom Sturridge only really appears in one flashback scene. The episode is all about the impact that Morpheus had on his siblings, subjects, and dreamers he met along the way. Despite the fact that a lot of people had a problem with him, the celebration of Lord Morpheus' life had a decent turnout. Almost all of the Endless siblings were there. The only one who skipped and stayed outside is Destruction. Hob Gadling, the immortal-ish man who was the closest thing Morpheus had to a BFF, got the invite. There were contingents from Norse mythology, Japanese mythology, the Lords of Chaos and Order, and the land of Fairie there as well. Both of Morpheus' ex-wives, Calliope and Nada, showed up. Rose Walker came with her friend Lyta Hall. So did Mad Hettie, who kinda messed with the two of them IRL. Joanna Constantine came with her new boyfriend, Good Corinthian. Also in attendance were Alex Burgess, who Morpheus imprisoned in a nightmare for years, and Richard Madoc who abused Calliope. There was so much potential for drama in that funeral, it probably should have been a whole season instead of just one episode. Once Morpheus killed Orpheus (say that five times fast) and knew that his fate was more or less sealed, he named a human infant named Daniel Hall as the next Dream of the Endless to take over his duties when he died. The transition was not as smooth as Morpheus intended, however, thanks to Loki granting him his powers early, and burning his human baby body. Big yikes! The Kindly Ones and Daniel's mother, Lyta Hall, also infiltrated the Dreaming realm before Morpheus intended thanks to an impulsive fairy queen who called him away from his post at an inopportune moment. When Dream died, baby Daniel magically grew up and officially took the throne. The dreamy Jacob Anderson, who you may know as Greyworm from Game of Thrones and should know as Louis de Pointe du Lac from Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire on AMC, plays that baby "all growed up" in both Episode 10 and Episode 11. Daniel might be a baby in an adult body with the powers of a deity and consciousness of the entire universe running through him, but he's well-suited to the job. Morpheus chose him because he is the only being to be conceived in the Dreaming, but it's his humanity that makes him a good replacement. He's empathetic. He has really good conversations with Lyta, Destruction, Fiddler's Green, and Hob Gadling. He pets the Hippogriff, which Morpheus would not do. He supports women in the workplace by promoting Lucienne from librarian to Prime Minister and allows Nuala to stay on. Because he wouldn't have wanted him to. While Daniel does bring back some subjects while experimenting with his own supernatural abilities, Fiddler's Green suggests that this isn't necessarily the right thing to do. Morpheus chose to pay the price, he says, and stories have to end, or they don't have meaning. Ain't that the truth! As I mentioned above, Tom Sturridge appears in one flashback moment while Daniel meets Hob Gadling. In the scene, we see the last time Morpheus met with William Shakespeare. He presents Morpheus with The Tempest, his final commission. While this happened centuries ago in the timeline of the waking world, Morpheus' desire to have a play about a magical ruler trapped on an island parallels his own unchanging state. But, as Lucienne points out, Morpheus did change. He made friends. He learned how to forgive, and even to love. Like Prospero in The Tempest, he is ultimately redeemed. For what it's worth, we can also believe that Morpheus passed those lessons on to Daniel Hall. At the very end of Episode 11, when Morpheus' successor goes to meet his siblings for the first time at an Endless family dinner, we really believe that Daniel is going to be an even better Lord Dream–making the bittersweet ending for Morpheus a happy one over all. Yes! After all of that is said and done, there's one tiny scene with the Kindly Ones in their cottage. They drink tea, reflect on what has come to pass and the cyclical nature of history and stories, and eat pastries. One of the treats, a fortune cookie, contains a poem written by The Sandman creator Neil Gaiman himself. "Flowers gathered in the morning," it says, "Afternoon they blossom on. Still are withered in the evening. You can be me when I'm gone." That's about Daniel taking over for Morpheus right? Or life in general? The meaning of poems, like dreams, really are up for grabs sometimes. What's the deal with Episode 12, "Death: The High Cost of Living," which dropped by itself on Netflix on July 31, 2025? It's kind of like "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" and "Calliope," the bonus Season 1 episodes. It does not continue either Dream's story. It's a Death story. In a deleted scene from Season 1, Death tells Dream (Morpheus' Version) that once every 100 years she gives herself a day off to experience both life and death as a mortal human. That way, she can better understand what the humans she ushers are feeling and going through. In Season 2, Episode 12, we get to see how one of those days plays out. Human-for-a-day Death meets a man named Sexton, played by former Merlin star Colin Morgan, who got kicked out of his apartment so that his roommate could hook up with her girlfriend while he was writing a suicide note. Kind of the perfect person for Death to befriend for a day, don't you think? She suggests that he tag around with her. After a roller coaster of events, they both get a new lease on life, even though Sexton is a human choosing to stick around for a little longer and Death is, you know, Death.
The Hindu
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘The Sandman' Season 2 Volume 2 review: A bittersweet ending to the Dreaming
The death of a dream is a terrible thing. Though the finale of The Sandman Season 2, Volume 2 is called 'A Tale of Graceful Ends' and features a funeral and eulogies, it is ultimately about hope, love and reconciliation. The Special, 'Death: The High Cost of Living', serves as an effective epilogue. At the mid-season finale, Dream (Tom Sturridge) or Lord Morpheus as he is also called, incurs the wrath of the Fates or Kindly Ones (Nina Wadia, Dinita Gohil, and Souad Faress) when he spills family blood by killing his son, Orpheus (Ruairi O'Connor). Though Orpheus begged his father to put an end to his life, Morpheus is deeply disturbed by his action and seeks solace from his distant parents: Time (a magnificently remote Rufus Sewell) and Night (Tanya Moodie), which is also the name of Episode 7. His parents are not much help, and though his brother, the eldest of the Endless, Destiny (Adrian Lester), tells him his future is not final, Morpheus begins to set his world for his successor, Daniel Hall, the only child to have been conceived in the Dreaming. When the tricksters, Loki (Freddie Fox) and Puck (Jack Gleeson), kidnap the baby Daniel, Morpheus calls upon the occult detective, Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman), to rescue him. Dream also brings the serial killer with teeth for eyes, The Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), back to life to help Johanna with the proviso that Johanna could 'uncreate' the Corinthian at the first sign of trouble. Version 2 of The Corinthian, however, is the killer minus the killing, more haunted than hunting. Lyta Hall (Razane Jammal), Daniel's mum, believes Morpheus kidnapped her son and, with help from a 280-year-old homeless woman called Mad Hettie (Clare Higgins), declares war on the Dreaming, thus making the Kindly Ones' prophecycome true. Morpheus' close associates and friends, including the librarian, Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong), Matthew the Raven (Patton Oswalt), Fiddler's Green (Stephen Fry) and the janitor, Mervyn Pumpkinhead (Mark Hamill), get ready for the last stand. The Sandman (English) Season: 2 Episodes: 12 Director: Jamie Childs Cast: Tom Sturridge, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Patton Oswalt, Jenna Coleman, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mark Hamill, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Runtime: 45 – 70 minutes Storyline: Condemned for spilling family blood, Dream sets about saying his goodbyes and setting his world in order The fairy Nuala (Ann Skelly), who is asked to remain at the Dreaming by Queen Titania (Ruta Gedmintas) of Faerie, reluctantly returns with her brother, Cluracan (Douglas Booth), on Titania's orders. She wishes to gather an army to protect the Dreaming and Lord Morpheus, who meets his destiny in the presence of friends and family. Fiddler's Green explains to the adult Daniel (Jacob Anderson) that although he now has Morpheus' power of creation, he (Daniel) should not bring everyone back, as that would negate their sacrifice. Everything makes sense in the Dreaming just as they do in dreams. Morpheus' siblings, Desire (Mason Alexander Park), Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), Despair (Donna Preston), Delirium (Esmé Creed-Miles) with Barnabas (voice by Steve Coogan) the talking dog, and Destruction (Barry Sloane), come to pay their respects as an era ends and a new one dawns. Destruction, incidentally, had abandoned his realm and duties, insisting human beings were doing a pretty good job without any help from him. The special tells of an extraordinary 24 hours a journalist, Sexton Furnival (Colin Morgan), spends with Death on her day off — she gets a holiday once a century. In the 24 hours, Death and Sexton eat, ride a taxi around a park and go clubbing where they meet Theo (Jonno Davies), the club promoter who wants to capture Death to bring his girlfriend back to life. Mad Hettie asks Death to find her lost soul. The episode is an elegant metaphysical coda to the fevered dreams that have gone before. The sets, props and costumes have brought Neil Gaiman's eponymous comic book to life. The acting continues to be of the highest order from Sturridge's slinky Goth to Howell-Baptiste's tragic warmth as Death, and Creed-Miles' vivacious Delirium, all of whom contribute to a vivid telling of the story of stories. While Season 1 ranged far and wide through space and time, Season 2 of The Sandman folds inward on itself to speak of family. And now the time has come to bid adieu to the king of infinite space in a nutshell and not be troubled by bad dreams. The Sandman is currently streaming on Netflix
India Today
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
The Sandman Season 2 Vol 2 review: Of one final dream, legacy and letting go
'The Sandman' season 2, Volume 2, wrapped up on an emotional note. For those who have been following Tom Sturridge's haunting portrayal of Lord Shaper, the season's finale may have felt inevitable, but that didn't make it any less heartbreaking. The beauty of the series lies in its slow, deliberate build of emotions that leaves you with a bittersweet was the emotional investment worth it? Did the series feel adventurous enough? And does its message land as seamlessly as it intended to?advertisementYou must understand that 'The Sandman' is not your usual fantasy series. There are no flying brooms or spellbooks that glow on cue. It's magical, yes. But also meaningful. It demands attention every step of the way. Unless you are totally invested in the story, absorbing every detail and symbolic gesture, you might miss the emotional payoff waiting at the end. The God of Dreams, also known as Lord Shaper or The Sandman or The Dream of the Endless, has spilt his family's blood. As per the Norse rules, the Furies, also known as the Kindly Ones, will come for him the moment someone asks for his blood in vengeance. It has to happen. It's written. But, with all his greatness and majesty, will The Sandman be able to move past his destiny? Can he build an army to fight the Furies, or restructure the time in a way that doesn't make him look like the culprit any more?Vol 1 of the series, which premiered earlier this year, marked a shift from a craftily adventurous narrative to a heavier emotional arc - one that set Lord Shaper on a path of irreversible transformation. A journey that will alter not his destiny, but the future of his realm. The Dream of the Endless knows what's coming. At times, he fears it. At times, he endures it, and sometimes, he even welcomes it with open arms. Photo: Netflix The idea is clear: nothing in this universe is permanent, and journeys must be taken, irrespective of what lies at their end. Vol 2 offers a mature, thoughtful closure. This is not a fantasy world for children. In Vol 2, time and destiny collide in complex ways, characters reappear from earlier episodes, and new ones join the narrative - building towards a finale that is both inevitable and surprising. It's a season of grand emotion and opportunities, hinting that every end is also a a standout twist, we see the return of Boyd Holbroom as The Corinthian. Only this time, he's changed. He's more passionate about his duties, more reliable, more emotional and, dare we say - more charming than ever. His chemistry with Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman) is electric. Together, they represent so much about second chances, unlikely connections, and the leap of faith it takes to believe in something again. The father-son dynamic that season 2 tries to portray from the beginning, also finds its closure. Photo: Netflix While 'The Sandman' goes heavy on melodrama - and we don't mind any of it - it continues to dazzle with its visual imagination. The skies are starrier, the castles more glorious. The costumes, the creatures, the dreams are majestic - a masterclass in visual storytelling and limitless stays with you, though, are not just the images, but the questions about the purpose of your life, the legacy that you are so ardently trying to build, and a question: when you are gone, will your story be worth telling? It is perhaps the most serendipitous expression of what gives your life meaning, and how others perceive Vol1 furthered the idea of Dream of The Endless being nearly invincible, Vol 2 strips that illusion away. It shows that no story is immune to an ending - whether we like how it turns out or not. 'The Sandman' doesn't care about comforting its viewer, it exists to tell a wholesome story, being unafraid to say that nothing really lasts the series shifts its arcs quite abruptly sometimes, and the climax, too, feels slightly stretched, especially when we already know where it's going. But you never feel cheated. The greatest stories always contain a bit of nuance, sometimes fiction as truth, the 'what if' moments, the emotions you have already lived, but also a promise of what could be or could have been. In 'The Sandman', you find all of that, and more.'The Sandman' is currently streaming on Netflix.- Ends
News18
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
The Sandman Season 2 Post-Credits Scene Explained: What Does Fate's Poetry Indicate?
Last Updated: The Sandman Season 2 post-credits scene saw the Kindly Ones, also known as the Fates, recite a poem after Morpheus' death. Netflix's The Sandman Season 2 Volume 2 ended with a poetic post-credits scene. The makers ended the series, based on Neil Gaiman's graphic novels of the same name, with this season, bidding goodbye to Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) and the rest of his siblings. However, the conclusion suggests that Dream's story is far from over. The scene features a cryptic poem which carries a deep meaning about the Endless and their lives. After the emotional death of Morpheus (aka Dream of the Endless) in episode 11, the Fate Mother, Fate Maiden, and Fate Crone, collectively known as the Kindly Ones, can be seen in a dim setup, sipping tea and opening up while cracking a fortune cookie. Nina Wadia, Dinita Gohil and Souad Faress essay the roles of the goddesses. This echoes another moment in season 2 when one of the fates read the fortune, mentioning, 'I do love to hear fortunes." Soon, when Fate Maiden reads, 'A king will forsake his kingdom. Life and death will clash and fray. The oldest battle begins once more," she adds, 'We've had this one before, haven't we?" In response, the Fate mother says, 'It's definitely familiar, dearie. Right. I think that's gone on long enough." Interrupting this, Fate Crone mentions, 'Well, you're too soft. Much too soft, both of you." The prophecy is fulfilled when Morpheus kills his son, Orpheus, spilling the family blood and inviting the wrath of the Kindly Ones upon him. Dream dies at the end of season 2. Fate's Poetry In The Sandman Season 2 Post-Credits Scene With Morpheus's death, Daniel Hall rises as the new Dream, and the post-credit scene then follows the reading of a cryptic poem which says: 'Flowers gathered in the morning; Afternoon, they blossom on; Still are withered in the evening; You can be me when I'm gone." Meaning Of Fate's Poetry In The Sandman Season 2 Post-Credits Scene While one of the Fates casually dismisses it as 'a bad poem," it carries a significant meaning about the life-death-rebirth cycle. The poem has been taken directly from The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones. Tied to Dream's arc in the show, the poem offers a quiet reflection of the themes of fate and consequence, as well as planting seeds for the future of the Dreaming. The tone is calm, contrasting with the chaos of the show and packed with rich symbolism. The words imply that even the Endless are not immune from transformation and change, a fact that is reinforced by Daniel assuming the role of Dream. First Published: July 25, 2025, 18:44 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
This week's OTT lineup (July 21–27): Drama, dystopia & delight across platforms
This week's OTT releases promise an impressive blend of genres—comedy, thrillers, fantasy, family drama, spy espionage, and historical adventure. Whether you're in the mood for nostalgia or gripping suspense, the latest lineup offers something for every viewer. Here's a platform-by-platform breakdown of all the new arrivals: Netflix The Sandman: Season 2 – Part 2 – July 24 Dream returns in the final episodes of Season 2. As the Kindly Ones exact vengeance on the Dreaming, Dream must now answer to gods, furies, and relatives who threaten his realm. Expect poignant mythic storytelling, shifting loyalties, and spectacular arc conclusions. Happy Gilmore 2 – July 25 Adam Sandler returns as the grizzled golfer-turned-father of a budding ballerina. Three decades after the iconic original, Happy must find his playing spirit again. Expect a hilarious mix of old-school antics, touching father-daughter moments, and nostalgic callbacks to classic Sandler fare. Mandala Murders – July 25 Set in the enigmatic village of Charandaspur, this chilling murder mystery follows two detectives as they untangle ritualistic killings linked to a secret society. With its eerie atmosphere and cult intrigue, the series promises nail-biting suspense and mind-bending reveals. JioHotstar The Society – July 21 A ruthless 200-hour reality showdown where 25 contestants vie for dominance. Divided into Royals, Regulars, and Rags, they battle through alliances, betrayals, and power plays. It's Big Brother meets socio-political top-tier drama. Ronth – July 22 A tense police thriller focusing on a grizzled officer and his rookie partner. As they navigate shifting loyalties and dark streets, a life-changing encounter puts them to the ultimate test. Taut and atmospheric, this series deploys emotional depth alongside procedural grit. Washington Black – July 23 Adapted from the bestselling novel, this historical series follows 11-year-old George Washington Black, a plantation boy with scientific genius. When danger arises, he flees across continents, forming bonds that challenge definitions of family, freedom, and identity. Sarzameen – July 25 Patriotism meets family drama in this high-stakes thriller. Colonel Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran) battles personal tragedy in Kashmir when his son, influenced by extremism, goes missing. With Kajol as Meera, torn between family and morality, this series explores duty versus love in a volatile future. The Eastern Gate – July 26 Polish intelligence operative Ewa Oginiec sets out to find her missing partner near the Russian-Lithuanian border. Skillful espionage and geopolitical tension make this spy thriller a gripping watch as she ventures into the strategic Suwałki Gap and confronts conspiracy. Prime Video Rangeen – July 25 This dark comedy-drama centers on Adarsh, a man whose ordinary life is shattered upon discovering his wife's betrayal. As he embarks on a comedic yet soul-searching journey, he confronts love, masculinity, and morality. Heartfelt, humorous, and thoroughly modern. Fridaay Bibaho Otohpor – July 25 This romantic comedy examines a blossoming marriage that spirals into a full-blown divorce over trivial misunderstandings. Starring Gaurav Chakrabarty and Arunima Ghosh, it humorously exposes meddling relatives, emotional traps, and the ludicrous side of love gone awry. From globe-trotting adventure to existential fantasy, each platform offers fresh storytelling and immersive worlds. Netflix delivers nostalgic comedy, supernatural intrigue, and mythic resolution. Prime Video brings introspection through heartbreak and humour. JioHotstar serves emotional depth, political thrillers, global espionage, and high-stakes drama. Meanwhile, Bibaho Otohpor seals the week with a lighthearted take on relationships. No matter your preference—be it laughter, edge-of-your-seat tension, emotional journeys, or historical sagas—this week's OTT selection has it all. Lights, camera, binge!
