Chapter 12: Season of Mists is the first episode of the second season of the Netflix original dark fantasy series, The Sandman.
Synopsis[]
When a gathering of the Endless exposes deep-rooted grievances, Morpheus embarks on a quest into Hell to free the soul of a damned mortal.
Plot[]
Mervyn, Lucienne, and Matthew observe as Dream builds himself a new Palace, as Dream's soliloquy comments about how dreams are ever-changing and evolving. Mervyn remarks that if he knew that Dream would rebuild his castle, he'd never try to repair it himself. Matthew retorts that he'd then have nothing to complain about, but Lucienne asks them to hush as Dream continues his work. Right as Dream finishes repairing his castle, Destiny summons his siblings.
In Destiny's palace, he summons Death, who, upon arrival, asks what's the occasion, but Destiny claims he'll tell her once the others arrive. He also asks that Death dress more appropriately, which she does, satisfying Destiny, who then summons Dream to his realm. Dream arrives and coldly greets the two, then mentions that it's the first meeting since the departure of their missing brother and notes how interesting it'd be as to why they called them there. Destiny confirms it and notes that it'd be interesting for Dream the most, but Destiny refuses to tell why that was. Death approaches Dream and asks what he has done, and Dream denies any wrongdoing and follows up asking who else was there, which Death asks if it means someone like Desire.
Desire attended an art gallery where they defaced one of the art pieces by drawing a self-portrait of themself with lipstick until Destiny summoned them for a gathering. Finishing up their work, Desire leaves as all of the art gallery attendees start to make out with one another.
Arriving at Destiny's palace, Desire was rebuked for wearing such a gaudy outfit by Death, who retorted by criticizing Dream's. They then ask where Despair was. Despair observed a man in one of her mirrors who was a manager in Nebraska who, the other day, his wife found compromising pornography on his laptop, and was reporting this to the police. Despair notes that he has no will to run, despite considering it. However, Destiny asks that she attend the meeting, and Despair accepts the invitation.
Meeting Desire, Despair asks if Destiny has told anyone why they're gathering, but Dream answers not until they're all together. Despair notes that two are left, but Destiny remarks that only one remains, as the other one made his point clear. Destiny then summons Delirium, who arrives and tells Death, who asks how she was that, the other day she did bad things, but today she did good things.
Afterward, Destiny has everyone sit at his table, where he announces that the other day, The Three visited his garden. He continues to state how their message were unsurprisingly oracular and ambiguous, making Dream demand to know what they've said.
A flashback depicts The Three visiting Destiny in his garden, where they foretell that a king will forsake his kingdom and the oldest battle will commence once again.
Delirium and Despair both comment on the revelation, and Destiny details that after consulting his book, an important event shall occur that will trigger much change and upheaval. Death asks what the occasion was, and Destiny answers that it was the meeting they were having, ending his speech. Perplexed, Dream asks what change and upheaval awaited them, and Destiny refused to comment anymore, stating he's told them all they need to know, and the rest is up to them. As for what they can do, Destiny offers them to indulge in all that he and his kingdom have to offer, but Dream rebukes it, stating he's been rebuilding his kingdom and tries to leave, but Destiny won't allow it. Death also insists that Dream stay, but this triggers a bit of a spat between Dream and Desire, which Despair stops and reminds them that there are only six of them now. This starts a conversation about the missing sibling who would have mediated the situation. Delirium questions why they never try to find him, to which Destiny answers that he specifically asks not to be found, and Delirium starts to lash out. Dream interjects after Destiny calms down Delirium and asks if this is what Destiny meant by they need to speak to one another, and Destiny confirms it. Hence, Dream asks what they should discuss, which Desire mocks, suggesting they talk about him and ask about his love life, mentioning Nada. Destiny interjects, and Dream leaves to collect his thoughts by Destiny's suggestion.
In the hallways of Destiny's palace, Dream is joined by Death, who asks if he's alright after his spat with Despire, which Dream says not one of them spoke out against him. However, Death said that Desire was right, but then backtracked, stating it wasn't about everything; Dream says they all knew how he felt about Nada.
A flashback shows how Nada created a kingdom that truly reflected her dreams, which Dream himself could not ignore. At the time, Nada spoke with Prime Minister Zewde about a rumor that had started, claiming Nada needed to take on a husband. Nada talks about how no man in the kingdom is worth her time and goes on to talk about the type of person that would be, but Zewde remarks that no such man exists to her standards. However, Nada argues that she has seen such a man in her dreams, and at that moment, Nada spots the man in her dreams who appears before her in two forms. The two have a heart-to-heart over who Dream was and why Nada cannot find a husband. Dream admits his infatuation with her and that Nada had her guards constantly search the city for him. Nada would also search her dreams for him, until one night, he allowed her to find him. Within the Dream Realm, Nada asks Dream for help in searching for the man she loves, but realizes that it was Dream to whom she sought. The two remark on how impossible it is for them to be together and what consequences would come of it. Standing on one knee, Dream asks if she could become his wife, and if she rejects, he promises not to trouble her again. Nada answers Dream's proposal with a kiss.
Back in the real world, a meteor strikes Nada's city, killing everyone there, and Nada finds the corpse of Prime Minister Zewde. Dream approaches her and hears Nada lament how her city is now a waste because of her association with Dream, and if she stays with him, far darker things will happen. She asks that Dream leave and vows to repent for her actions, even if it means an eternity of suffering.
Although Dream offered her a choice, Death stated that he gave Nada an ultimatum, and then stated that Nada truly loved him. She goes on to state that Roderick Burgess imprisoned him for a hundred years, while Nada has been imprisoned for ten thousand years. That is because she chose her love for her people over him, as would he if it came down to it. Hence, despite Death trying to convince Dream to do it, Dream decides to venture into Hell and undo a wrong he had once committed.
Death returned to the room where her siblings sat, conveying that Death had to leave to attend to some important business. She suggests they stay and talk, but Destiny denies it, stating that Dream has entered hell and that it has begun.
In his library, Dream tells Mervyn, Matthew, and Lucienne of his intentions to visit Hell and emancipate a mortal he had condemned there. While away in Hell, Dream informs Mervyn and Matthat that Lucienne will take over his responsibilities once again, and Lucienne questions if the rescue of a single soul is worth risking his entire kingdom. Dream answers what king he would be if he didn't rewrite every wrong he committed, which Mervyn noted he'd be like every other king that ever lived. Lucienne proposes that he send her instead, and Matthew offers himself instead, too, but Dream stated that he had already sent someone.
Down in Hell, Cain is confronted by Mazikeen, but Lucifer intervenes and asks why he was there. Cain answers that whether or not they allow it, Dream shall be arriving to see Nada. Upon learning this, Mazikeen brings Cain to his knees, and Lucifer denotes that in Dream's last visit to Hell, he publicly embarrassed them all, and because of it, they've vowed to destroy him. Lucifer asks if Cain knew of this, but Cain remarks that there were rumors of this and confirms that Dream intends to visit the place, which Lucifer found wonderful.
Back in the library, Matthew offers to come along with Dream to Hell, but Dream refuses. Lucienne also offers worry, but Dream claims that he's taking preparations before he leaves.
Visiting Daniel in his crib, Lyta enters the room and demands that Dream leave her child alone and demands to know why he continues to haunt them. To that point, Dream calls Lyta Hippolyta, and he cannot be her child, as he was conceived in his realm. Dream tells her that he's venturing off for a while and will be unable to see her for a while, which Lyta understands and demands that he leave, which Dream agrees to do.
Next, Dream visits Hob, who was in a dream involving Queen Bess and a computer. Dream gifts him a rare bottle of wine and reveals that he may not be able to attend their next meeting as he's going on a journey and doesn't know when he'll return from it. Hob states how "a long time" in Dream's terms is to someone like Dream, but asks if he'll still return, and Dream coldly states for him to drink his wine. However, Hob insists that they give a toast, and the toast that Hob gives is rather odd.
After Dream leaves Hob, he awakens in the real world with his lover Audrey by his side, in his bed, and finds that the bottle he gifted him was placed on the table beside his bed.
As Dream starts to leave with his Helm in hand, Lucienne and Matthew follow him, and they're soon joined by Goldie and Abel, who enters the palace asking if they've seen Cain.
Meanwhile, in Hell, Lucifer informs their subjects of Dream's inevitable arrival and has Cain relay the message that Hell eagerly anticipates his arrival. Cain is then sent to Dream's palace, and he tells Dream that not only Lucifer awaits him, but a horde of Demons. Lucienne suggests that Dream reconsider; however, Dream was keen on stating that preparations have been made and that the dreaming will survive even if he doesn't.
With that, Dream puts on his Helmet and uses his Sand to transport himself to Hell as Destiny reads this in his book.
Cast[]
- Tom Sturridge as Dream
- Ernest Kingsley Junior as Morpheus/Kai'ckul
- Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne
- Patton Oswalt as Matthew
- Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Esme Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Donna Preston as Despair
- Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar
- Ferdinand Kingsley as Hob Gadling
- Sanjeev Bhaskar as Cain
- Asim Chaudhry as Abel
- Nina Wadia as Fate Mother
- Souad Faress as Fate Crone
- Dinita Gohil as Fate Maiden
- Razane Jammal as Lyta Hall
- Cassie Clare as Mazikeen
- Umulisa Gahiga as Nada
- Mark Hamill as Mervyn Pumpkinhead (Voice)
- Nicholas Anscombe as Mervyn Pumpkinhead (Body)
Co-Starring[]
- Jacqueline Boatswain as Prime Minister Zewde
- Kirsty Besterman as Queen Elizabeth
- Assiba Blejah as Makena
- Jade Burnett as Guardswoman 2
- Sophie Hopkins as Audrey
- Ella-Simone Jallow as Aberash
- Aletha Shepherd as Imani
- Lance C. Fuller as Leonard
Trivia[]
To be added
Quotes[]
- Hob Gadling: To absent friends, lost loves, old gods, and the season of mists; and may each and every one of us always give the devil his due.
- Dream: I am going on a journey. I may be gone a long time.
- Hob Gadling: The idea of what someone like you considers a long time sends shivers down my spine.
- Dream: What kind of king would I be if I did not risk everything to right a wrong for which I am responsible?
- Merv Pumpkinhead: You'd be like every other king that ever lived. Every single one.
- Dream: Every dream, like every dreamer, is unique. Yet the one thing all dreams have in common is change. Dreams are constantly shifting, evolving, transforming even the most familiar landscapes into new worlds of experience and discovery.
- Delirium: Why didn't we ever try to find him?
- Destiny: Because he explicitly asked us not to.
- Delirium: Yes, but sometimes that's just what you say when you want to find out if anybody cares enough not to listen.
- Desire: Well, that almost made sense.
- Death: You can't drive him away and then be angry that he left.
- Desire: Actually, I can.
- Dream: Preparations have been made. The Dreaming will survive. Even if I do not.
- Destiny: Do you not feel that you should be... more appropriately attired?
- Death: Come on. Next, you'll be moaning I ought to get a scythe.
- Dream: There are as many theories as there are storytellers.
- Death: What's a little lost time? We have all the time in the world.
- Delirium: I lost some time once. It's always in the last place you look for it.
- Dream: Hey, Dream. Don't do anything stupid.
- Dream: I shall try my best.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
References[]