TV Shows We Love: The Sandman

Not having read the graphic novels, but being a fan of series adapted to Neil Gaiman’s work, I enjoyed watching Netflix’s The Sandman as it tackles the life of a complex character who has existed since the beginning of time. Known as Morpheus or Dream in the show, the premise and plot line blended multiple storylines together pretty seamlessly.

The character was well portrayed, showing an almost haughty stance to humanity. This allowed for some mid-season growth, as after meeting with his sister Death, he begins to better understand humanity, and people, feeling a level of compassion too.

The show also takes you on a journey across multiple worlds, and multiple dimensions, which helped keep me interested, as the various storylines the show also followed were interesting. I found myself not needing to see magical things, or a show packed with special effects, as the story of Morpheus’ character was so much more interesting.

My favourite story was certainly the last episode, where he runs into Calliope an enslaved muse to a human writer and also his former lover and wife.

Calliope has a similar storyline to that of Morpheus, having been captured by a human writer during World War II and then passed on to another writer, as a trade. In her enslavement and desperation, she calls out to her ex Morpheus for help, as he had gone through a similar situation being enslaved for a century to a human that wanted to abuse his power.

In the story with Calliope, Morpheus comes to her aid, and saves her, but most interesting was the moment when she asked if they could talk about the child they lost, Orpheus.

Mythologically, Orpheus died after he failed to make good on a promise to bring his lost love back from Hades. His Eurydice had been taken by Hades, and Orpheus descended into the underworld to bring her back. He wooed Hades with his beautiful music, and was allowed to leave on the condition that he and Eurydice did not look at each or back as they left the underworld.

Seeing the light of the land of the living, Orhpeus looked back in delight and lost Eyrdice forever. Shortly after he was killed in Thrace.

Morpheus has been unable to talk about it for centuries, but the story looks at his growth as he tells Calliope that he will be ready to discuss it some day.