Breaking down the 5 biggest moments in The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1

The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 marks a pivotal point in Netflix's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's prizewinning comic. Set weeks after the events of Season 1, Dream (Tom Sturridge) is more than ready to leave the past behind as he rebuilds his kingdom after being gone for a century. Still, the past won't let him.

Six episodes make up The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1, which is crammed with important events that advance the story and characters. The story focuses on Dream's journey, his flaws, and the results of his actions, both ancient and current. The show starts with a family reunion that sets off a sequence of events impacting not only Dream but also all of the Endless and the worlds they influence.

Volume 1 of The Sandman season 2 is remarkable for its strong depiction of Dream's relationships—especially with his siblings and former lover Nada—as well as for its high-stakes, Hell-based political machinations.

To fit the reduced last season, the show narrows its attention to Dream's own narrative and sheds some of the comedic plots. With each episode presenting significant events that transform The Sandman's world, the effect is both emotionally resonant and plot-heavy.

Defining events of The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1

1. The family reunion of the Endless

The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 premieres with Destiny (Adrian Lester) calling in his siblings—Dream, Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), Desire (Mason Alexander Park), Despair (Donna Preston), and Delirium (Esmé Creed-Miles)—for an unusual family gathering. The meeting is brought about by Destiny's encounter with the Gray Ladies, who foretell of an upcoming age of chaos.

Tensions easily rise among the siblings, exposing old scores and jealousies. Delirium's appeal to locate their lost brother, Destruction (Barry Sloane), establishes a quest that will reverberate throughout the season. This encounter is a watershed moment, one that not only reveals the broken dynamics of the Endless but also prefigures the mayhem that awaits.

2. Dream's confrontation with Lucifer and the Key to Hell

The most dramatic event is Dream's trip to Hell to release Nada (Deborah Oyelade), whom he sentenced 10,000 years ago. When he arrives, Dream finds that Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) has resigned and vacated Hell, giving Dream the key to Hell.

This is a calculated gesture by Lucifer, aiming to saddle Dream with huge responsibility and potential conflict. The key becomes a source of power and threat, as different organizations fight over control of Hell. This plot fuels a lot of the season's political maneuvering and compels Dream to deal with the repercussions of his previous choices.

3. The release of Nada

Nada's narrative is front and center in The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1. Dream's choice to finally free her from Hell is both a personal moment of atonement and a pivotal story point. Nada's imprisonment was due to Dream's pride and refusal to forgive.

Her release is not easy; it's a matter of dealing with powerful entities and further complicating the relationship between Dream and his family, as well as the inhabitants of Hell. This act of redemption is a big part of Dream's character development, and it emphasizes his guilt and sense of responsibility.

4. The search for Destruction

Delirium's search for their lost brother, Destruction, is a significant subplot. Destruction, or The Prodigal, has relinquished his kingdom and gone missing and will not engage in the doings of the Endless.

The hunt for Destruction is a physical journey, but also a metaphor for the dysfunctional state of the family. It creates new dynamics between the siblings and questions duties, liberty, and what change looks like among the Endless.

5. The political battle for Hell

With Dream in possession of Hell, various gods, demons, and cosmic beings attempt to take the realm for themselves. This battle for control is among the season's most dramatic strands, uniting characters from all corners of the Sandman universe.

Dream has to navigate allegiances and threats as he determines who should reign over Hell. The political games are intricate and precarious, with long-term repercussions for everyone involved. This plot not only increases the series' scope but also challenges Dream's judgment and leadership.