The Sandman by Neil Gaiman is a stunning fantasy epic that is equally puzzling. As Morpheus, Lord of Dreams seeks his tools and rebuilds The Dreaming, he enters and exits the lives of humans and other members of the Endless with frequently perplexing and dubious outcomes.
Even for people who are well-versed in Gaiman’s comics and appreciate their blending of historical, allegorical, and philosophical elements, certain creative decisions are inexplicable.
Time Passes In The Dreaming Versus The Waking World
Roderick Burgess imprisons Morpheus, one of The Sandman’s most powerful figures, 105 years prior to his eventual release. In that time, Alex Burgess ages and dies, and The Dreaming surprisingly deteriorates into an unrecognizable wilderness. Why was it so desolate, given that Endless reside there and a century in the human world is a blink of an eye for them?
Shouldn’t time flow differently within this dream realm? Would a century be sufficient for such a big structure as the palace to resemble a shelled monument? The entire ethereal landscape appears war-torn, and it is impossible to connect this with the changes in the human-inhabited planet.
ALSO READ: Chainsaw Man Season 1 Ending Explained: Why Does Katana Man Blame Denji?
The Corinthian’s Face Betrays His Anxiety
The Corinthian does not appear in “The Sandman” comics until the second collection, “The Doll’s House.” He wears tight trousers, white cut-off shirts, and dark sunglasses to conceal his teeth-filled eye sockets. He stalks young males, resembling a con artist similar to Ted Bundy.
At one point in the story, Rose sees him from a distance and describes him as “cute,” a horrifying moment for readers since his attractiveness makes him an even more terrifying nightmare. Similarly to the real world, a killer’s attractiveness might attract victims.
Choice Between Endless Wakefulness and Sleep
A slight alteration in the Netflix rendition of “The Sandman” diminishes the brutality of Dream. In the comic, Dream cursed Alex with endless awakenings so that he would experience nightmares for the remainder of his life. Every time Alex awakens and believes the nightmare is gone, a new fear begins.
The very possibility of hope makes the punishment unbearable to observe. Additionally, it emphasizes horrible imagery, such as faces melting off. In the Netflix series, Alex is trapped in a nightmare from which he never awakens. Although Alex’s destiny is horrifying, it seems less scary than in the comic, as he is not repeatedly taunted with the possibility that he has evaded Dream’s wrath.
YOU MAY LIKE: Mayfair Witches Series Ending Explained: Does Lasher Track Down Rowan?
None of the Endless Contributed to Dream
The dream is imprisoned for more than a century, during which none of his siblings come to his help. When he finally returns to The Dreaming, he complains to Lucien that everyone knew where he was.
He is astonished to discover that everyone has abandoned their posts, even his sibling. In addition, it is implied that he was probably too proud to ask for assistance.
Pacing and Structure
The Sandman can be seen as two shows in one, which may be because it combines two of the first books in the series, but that does not make it any less bizarre. As Morpheus hunts for his tools and learns to connect with humans more, the first half of the series is episodic.
The second half is serialized and focuses nearly solely on Rose Walker/the vortex. Aside from the oddly fragmented segments of the series, the pacing also feels strange, speedy in spots where more explanation would be helpful, and slow in places where less attention is required.
A Lack of Interest in Other People’s Dreams
Sometimes, “The Sandman” on Netflix uses so many special effects simply because it can. Some of the film’s most intriguing moments occur when actual settings and real characters are juxtaposed in a purposely discordant manner.
Insight into the ordinary amidst the exceptional also contributed to the success of “The Sandman” comics. A prime illustration of this is when the television show reveals Chantal’s dream to the audience. Rose enters Chantal’s dream at the moment she is reciting her “connection to a sentence” to a room full of previously unseen individuals.
READ MORE: Kaleidoscope Season 1 Ending Explained: Who Lives Who Dies?
Like Rose, it is unsettling because it is so genuine. There are several dream sequences throughout the series that are executed excellently, particularly Jed’s heroic battles. However, the show avoids exploring specific nightmares, which diminishes not only the scope of The Dreaming but also Rose Walker’s comprehension of humanity.