Chapter 14: More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold is the third episode of the second season of the Netflix original dark fantasy series, The Sandman.
Synopsis[]
All the world is a stage as Morpheus summons history's greatest playwright to perform an enchanting play for a supernatural audience.
Plot[]
Inside Dream's throne room, Azazel offers to return Nada if Dream agrees to formally announce to everyone that he will be given the key to Hell. However, Dream states he'll consider the offer, making Azazel rebuke the response, but Dream casts Azazel out of his throne room.
Standing in his study with the key to Hell in front of him, Lucienne asks Dream why he doesn't give the Key to Hell to Azazel, citing the benefits of the deal. Dream, on the other hand, states that Azazel can't be trusted as he'd use it as a foundation to conquer the other realms, including the Dream Realm. This prompts Lucienne to ask if Dream can't trust Azazel, which one of the guests can he trust?
Because Cluracan and his fling awaken Nuala, who decides to go for a walk inside Dream's palace, and amid this, Dream approaches her. Dream tells Nuala that she's been an exemplary envoy and would relay this to Queen Titania. Nuala asks if Dream has chosen whether or not he's decided whom to give the key to, but regrets this after seeing Dream's stoical silence. Once Dream states that he's been given an impossible choice, Nuala notes that he can do it, as he has done so before. Nuala asks if Dream remembers when the fairy king and queen were last in the mortal realm, which Dream realizes she was there too. However, Nuala doesn't hold it against him, stating that he had more pressing matters to attend to. They then discuss how Dream was once a frequent visitor to the Faerie Realm, as it was once an extension of the Dream World. This changed after Titania and Dream's relationship became strained, but Dream eventually resolved the issue.
A flashback to June 23rd, 1593, in the Sussex Downs, England. Dream meets with Will Shakespeare, where a scheduled performance would take place. Eventually, Queen Titania and King Auberon arrive with their party and Dream greets them. One of the party members Robin Goodfellow tries to provoke Dream, but he doesn't fall for his words of provocation.
Soon, the performance begins, featuring actors portraying the Faerie King and Queen, as well as some of their subjects, including Robin, also known as Puck in the play. When the play takes a break, King Auberon pleasantly speaks to Will, while Queen Titania and Dream talk about the price Will had to pay for his talent. Backstage, Robin uses some fairy dust to put the actor portraying him to sleep. When the play continues, Robin is now playing himself. As this goes on, Dream informs the King and Queen of why he invited them, to show them the performance, and then about how, although the play's depictions of them were untrue, such are dreams. The performance ends with Puck revealing himself as playing himself, and with that, the Faeries leave on amended terms with Dream.
In the present, Nuala notes that not only did Dream heal the wounds between the Faerie and Dream realms, but the waking realm still speaks of Auberon and Titania. Nuala also mentions that Dream revealed to them through the play that the King and Queen were the problem, not him. She suggests that Dream once again hold up a mirror to the people gathered who want to take Hell as their own. The two part ways, and both thank the other for their time and presence.
The following day, Dream meets with his guests in the main hallway, and there he goes on a monologue about who he'll give the key to Hell to. Ultimately, Dream decides on giving it to the two Angels Remiel and Duma. The revelation doesn't sit well with Azazel, who threatens to devour Nada, but Dream states that she, alongside everyone there, is one of his guests under his protection.
Hence, Azazel transforms into his true form and reveals Nada behind his membrane, which Dream pulls her out of. Azazel declares he renounces his hospitality and tries to devour him, only for Dream to trap him in a bottle, leaving the guests staring in shock.
Afterward, Dream receives an update from Lucienne concerning Nada's condition and later sees off his guests. Merkin tries to speak on behalf of Azazel, stating he's a warrior, not a diplomat, but Dream argues that his ambitions stretched far beyond Hell itself. When asked by Merkin what Dream intends to do with Azazel, Dream answers that he intends to do nothing, but rather have him reflect on his behavior. Once Odin and his party are seen off, Cluracan and Nuala, alongside their party, approach Dream. It's after Cluracan and Nuala talk in private for a moment and reveal that Nuala will be staying in the Dream Realm. Hesitant at first, Dream allows it, stating she was a key construct in his decision to give the Key to Hell to the Angels.
As Dream's first request of Nuala, he asks that Nuala remove her glamour, and with pleasure she does. Lucienne and Tamaris then arrive and are told that Nuala will be staying with them for now, which Tamaris finds pleasurable since now she has someone who will eat the flowers in her garden. Lucienne then informs Dream of Nada's condition, and Tamaris asks Dream if any other surprise guests are staying there.
In a hallway, Dream confronts Susano-o-no-Mikoto, but reveals him as Loki impersonating him. The two strike a deal to have Susano-o-no-Mikoto released from Loki's intended imprisonment and allow the two to be set free.
Elsewhere, Dream meets with Lucifer, who sits at a beach on a chair and talks to the devil about his decision to return the key to God.
Eventually, Dream meets with Nada over dinner, where Dream wants to apologize for banishing Nada to Hell ten thousand years ago. Still, Nada notes the sufferings she had experienced at that time; however, Dream still apologizes and hopes to talk to Nada about her future. The future that Nada decided to return to the Mortal Realm against Dream's wishes, and despite Dream saying he still loved Nada, she didn't reciprocate this and told him that his love is mere desire. It's after Nada leaves that rain and thunder befalls his realm.
Cast[]
- Tom Sturridge as Dream
- Ernest Kingsley Junior as Morpheus/Kai'ckul
- Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne
- Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar
- Freddie Fox as Loki
- Jack Gleeson as Puck
- Umulisa Gahiga as Nada
- Douglas Booth as Cluracan
- Ann Skelly as Nuala
- Ruta Gedmintas as Queen Titania
- Royce Pierreson as King Auberon
- Clive Russell as Odin
- Phoebe Nicholls as Tamaris
- Laurence O'Fuarain as Thor
- Wil Coban as Lord Azazel
- Olamide Candide-Johnson as Merkin
- Kristofer Kamiyasu as Susano-o-no-Mikoto
- Andre Flynn as Lord Kilderkin of Order's Servant
- Lyla Quinn as Shivering Jemmy
- Luke Allen-Gale as William Shakespeare
Co-Starring[]
- Jake Fairbrother as Remiel
- Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran as Duma
- Fred Muthui as Envoy of Order
- James Akka as Tommy Pope
- Marley Brown as Henry Condell
- Adam Byron as Will Kemp
- James Darch as Richard Burbage
- Segun Fawole as Laurie Webb
- Jonny Labey as John Heminges
- Michael Lyle as Benjamin Marston
- Spike White as Dick Cowley
- Finn Wilson as Chris Beeston
Trivia[]
To be added
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
References[]