It almost seems like a dream, but The Sandman is finally here on Netflix. The series is based on the comic book by Neil Gaiman and developed by him as well as David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg. We hear the narrator (Tom Sturridge) speaks about the Waking World with a car taking an elderly man (Bill Paterson) who is sleeping while a raven flies outside. We follow the raven, the perspective changes and the clouds into inky masses, then pierces the cosmos to the Dream World. Eldritch gates part for the raven, he has a white body almost like a vest, around his black head, wings, and tail, as the narrator mentions his realm. He introduces himself as the King of Dreams. The raven flies through a graveyard which disturbs a gargoyle whom chases after the bird. Dream also mentions the nightmares. Then, we get a long bridge as we see Dream’s Palace, made up of domes, a Buddha, Oz-like spires and other structures.
The raven passes on the bridge, the elderly man looking at the rest of The Dreaming, then a sailing ship before reaching the palace. A dragon is above the entrance way and then the raven moves into the hall. He passes Merv Pumpkinhead dusting the library while Dream mentions that he has to control dreams and nightmares or mortals will be destroyed. The raven lands on Dream’s shoulder, a tall man dressed in black, while we see a mosaic assemble into the shape of a man with glasses. This is whom Dream calls a “rogue Nightmare.” He picks up his Dream Helm, which is a strange, almost-insectoid blend with a World War I gas mask. He is questioned by Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong), the head librarian, about his return. We see him put on the Dream Helm, his ruby-like Dreamstone hangs in front of him, and he takes out his sand pouch. This is an interesting, early introduction of Dream from the comic book, but much needed.
Dream tosses the sand which swirls around him to take him away. Lucienne notes that the nightmares do well in the Waking World. The elderly man is suddenly wakened by a jolt as the driver tells him that they arrived at Fawney Rig. This is Dr. John Hathaway who walks out with his medicine bag to see the gothic manor house. The car pulls away as we get the setting, “1916 - Wych Cross, England.” Hathaway rings the doorbell and see the door open to length of a chain. He is greeted by a boy (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) who asks him if he is there to see the Magus. Hathaway says he is there for Roderick Burgess. The boy leads him into the manor, Hathaway sees cloaked figures walking across the second floor, and then hears chants of “Here in the darkness.” He passes a room with the chanting, robed figures as a shirtless man holds up a sword.
The door is closed by Mr. Sykes (Ansu Kabia) and Hathaway is directed to the study. The boy asks if Hathaway is going to join The Order of Ancient Mysteries. Then, there is the arrival of Roderick Burgess (Charles Dance), the actor personifies dignity, mystery, and power. Hathaway explains that his son, Edmund, has died in the war. Burgess says his son, Randall, has also died. An addition to the comics, but matches the two people and gives him a reason for his obsession. The doctor says he is confused thinking Randall was his only son looking at the boy. Burgess asks him if he brought the Magdalene Grimoire. Hathaway opens his medicine bag to reveal the black book etched with gold marks in the shape of a jewel. Burgess answers his question about capturing the Angel of Death. He can use spells to force Death to return their sons.
Later, we get the manor house at night, under a full moon. The numerous followers in robes with candles walk led by Burgess and Sykes. The boy takes Hathaway to see the ritual. Burgess announces to everyone that they will accomplish the summoning and imprisoning of Death. This shifts to “Berlin, Germany”, before the headlights of a car a man in a white suit and dark glasses is stabbing another man. He is identified by the Dream’s spectral voice as the Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook). He turns to see Dream forming from the shadows and told he is a creation that belongs in The Dreaming. The Corninthian wants to do whatever he wants in this world. Dream dissolves his knife into sand. The Corninthian begs on his knees as Dream holds out the glowing Dreamstone. Then, Dream hesistates as we hear the chants of Burgess’ followers. Dream is taken away!
Roderick Burgess announces the artifacts he has gathered, cuts himself with a knife, and drops a feather of an angel’s wing that floats up. The chanting intensifies as the summoning circle patterns start to glow. A crimson and black shape shifts above the circle. A dark figure falls to the gasps of the disciples. Then, we see the Dream Helm, the Dreamstone, and Dream’s Sand Pouch, his symbols of office and now he is trapped. Burgess calls over the boy, Alex, to get the pouch and gem. He pulls off the cloak and a raven angrily falls around Burgess. Dream is naked, pale, in the circle with his helm. Burgess pulls off the helmet and has the guards watch over him. Dream’s narration notes the consequences as we see “London, England”, a father (Roger Ajogbe) checks on his daughter, Unity Kincaid (Sandra James-Young) who cannot be wakened. The “sleepy sickness” as it is called, Dream says, affects almost one million people.
Burgess is wakened by a doorbell and goes to check on the door, but The Corinthian walks into the manor. He is told by his visitor who knows what he has in the cellar, they are watched by Alex, and offers his help. In his study, The Corinthian notes The Endless and tells Burgess the other family members of Death; Destiny, Desire, and Despair. Burgess asks about which of The Endless he has as prisoner and The Cornithian says Dream. The serial killer continues that a glass dome must be constructed around Dream and his guards must never sleep. He has given Forced March tablets to keep the guards awake. As The Cornithian is about to leave, Burgess wants to know his part, but the killer throws a pebble to drive away a raven. He calls her Jessamy. The Cornithian drives away. I like that it is The Corinthian who knows Dream and how to contain him. Burgess is an amateur sorcerer. At the cellar, Burgess sends away the guards and takes Alex as he identifies Dream and asks if he can bring back Randall with no response.
Dream notes that it is ten years later at a ballroom, “1926 - Wych Cross, England”, his three symbols have made Burgess and his disciples immortality. The older Alex (Laurie Kynaston) worries about the news stories of the “Sleepy Sickness” victims. Skykes sends him out to deal with the guests and tell them that they have to return the next day. A young, blonde socialite, Ethel Cripes (Niamh Walsh) helps him send away the angry guests. The next morning, Alex cleans up around women sleeping on couches, two guards are upset that they have to deal with the prisoner. Alex volunteers to stand watch. He turns the cellar lights on and talks to Dream. He offers to free him which angers his father. Upstairs, Burgess is paranoid and about to strike his son with his cane, but then sees the raven, Jessamy. Ethel, in robe and apparently Burgess’ lover, asks what is going on. Burgess takes out a rifle and loads it. He wants his son to kill the raven.
Alex is out in the woods looking for the raven. Jessamy with her white coat flies into the manor, Dream senses her, then pretends to be stuffed(!) as Burgess lights a match. The raven flies over to snatch up a match and ignites it, burning a paper. This distracts the guards so Jessamy slips through the cellar door to see Dream. She futiley tries to peck through the glass dome and then is shot. Alex has the rifle and Burgess walks in worried about the dome. He is ordered by his father to pick up the bird. This is watched by Dream who worries that the dreams have turned dark and knows that there will be another war. “1926 - London, England”, the Marlens Hospital treats the sleepless and sleepwalking patients, including Unity Kincaid. Alex is sleeping and then he is wakened by the gardener. Burgess walks away as Ethel mentions being pregnant. At night, she takes all of the symbols, grimoire, and money. This upsets the balance and gets Dream closer to being free. The Sandman has many scenes and characters taken from the comic book, still “Sleep of the Just” is slow paced with hints of the supernatural, the cosmic, and the danger.
Four Dreamstones out of Five!
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