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Chapter 22: A Tale of Graceful Ends

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Chapter 22: A Tale of Graceful Ends is the eleventh episode of the second season of the Netflix original dark fantasy series, The Sandman.

Synopsis[]

As deities, dreamers and demons unite to mark a momentous occasion, the Endless assemble for a family reunion unlike any other.

Plot[]

Lucienne, Nuala, and Matthew sit on a bench where Dream's funeral would be held, and the three lament over losing Dream. The Corinthian soon arrives and tries to ask Lucienne when their expected guests will be arriving. Reluctantly, Lucienne answers that they'll arrive at any moment, prompting Matthew to make his exit, though Lucienne states that he'll return. Nuala then asks how Daniel was doing, Corinthian answers that he restored his former room, which Nuala claims that Daniel did the same with her room too. This perplexes Lucienne, as they've only met him.

Cain then arrives with Goldie demanding to know where the new Lord was, though Lucienne states that he does not want to be disturbed. However, Cain insists and enters Daniel's throne room, threatening Daniel, who notes that he takes threats seriously, making Cain retract his earlier comments. It's after Cain explains to Abel that Daniel revives Abel, who sequentially tells the two he's not Morpheus, but Dream of the Endless.

A moment later, Lucienne arrives, surprised that Abel was revived, and after the brothers leave to attend Morpheus' funeral, Lucienne talks to Daniel, who asks if he should attend the funeral. Sadly, Lucienne states that he cannot see his family until after the funeral. Daniel then confesses that he's scared to meet his siblings for the first time and hopes he can rely on Lucienne from then on out. The request startles Lucienne a little, who confesses she's stayed as long as she has because of Morpheus and now considers departing for new things. After Lucienne states that she won't immediately leave until a suitable replacement is found, Nuala arrives and informs them that the guests are arriving. With Daniel's blessing, Lucienne leaves to greet the guests.

The first guests to arrive were Johanna, Hob, and the young Alex. Both Corinthian and Johanna then talk, and Corinthian, until Alex cuts in and asks whose funeral it was, and Corinthian states that it was Morpheus', which Hob refuses to accept as true, and thinks it was a dream. Nuala interjects after appearing, stating it is a dream, but Morpheus is dead. Lucienne arrives and confirms it's true, which, after Hob and Lucienne are formally introduced to each other, Alex cuts in and asks who Daniel was. To this, Lucienne states, "Daniel was Dream of the Endless."

In a room full of statues, Corinthian approaches Johnna, where the two have a heart-to-heart about Morpheus.

By himself, Daniel walks into his predecessor's former room where he searches through a chest and takes and opens a small jar with pumpkin seeds inside.

Outside, Daniel plants the seeds, and immediately, a pumpkin plant starts to grow.

Back in the funeral area, more guests start to arrive, including Rose, who is greeted by Corinthian. His appearance unnerves her, and Lucienne informs her that he's the new Corinthian and leads her into the main hallway.

Close by, Mad Hettie talks to Johanna about how Morpheus was dead, and that, as much as he loved her, Mad Hettie admitted this toward the end. She then asks Johanna if she's with anyone, but looking at Corinthian, Johanna answers no and suggests they head to the main hall, as Corinthian walks away looking rather disappointed.

Back outside, Daniel finishes carving a pumpkin, and after placing it on a scarecrow body, Merv is reanimated and curtly asks who Daniel was. Daniel introduces himself as the new Dream of the Endless and asks if Merv could tell him more about himself.

In the funeral hallway, Nuala learns from Lucienne that the contingent from Faerie Land has arrived, as Queen Titania, Cluracan, and others arrived. Lucienne asks if Nuala intends to return to Faerie Land if asked, but Nuala states she has no intention. Cluracan then approaches Nuala as Lucienne takes her leave, and the two siblings talk about Daniel and about how Queen Titania has tacitly allowed Nuala to stay in the Dream Realm. After Cluracan leaves to find some wine to drink, Queen Titania and her subjects pass by Nuala, neither exchanging a word with the other.

Walking down the stairway, Merv catches the attention of Lucienne, who stood beside, Calliope, and she, alongside Nuala, is surprised that Merv was revived. Merv states that Daniel revived him, and they should ask Daniel if he's reviving everyone.

From his chest, Daniel pulls out the glasses Gilbert wore, and Gilbert appears demanding to know what Daniel was doing. Daniel answers that he intended to revive him, but Gilbert did not want to be, citing that he was merely something that his predecessor created from an idea that took root and inspired new ideas to formulate. To that point, Daniel confessed that he has no idea how he got there or what he is to do. Daniel claims that Dream always sought Gilbert's advice, though Gilbert admits he was very opinionated, but questions whether it was ever helpful. Still, Daniel insists on reviving Gilbert, and when given the idea, Morpheus too, but he declines, citing that his and Morpheus' deaths and lives would have no meaning. Gilbert goes on to explain why Morpheus sacrificed himself for the love of his kingdom, Orpheus, and reviving him would render all of that to nothing. With that, Daniel apologizes to Gilbert for disturbing him, but Gilbert thought it nice as Morpheus never apologized, and Daniel has already become a New Dream, and disappears.

Returning to the funeral hall, Lucienne prepares to greet the final guests, the Family.

Outside the palace, Delirium and Barnabas arrive and greet Death, Destiny, Despair, and Desire. Delirium was sad that Destruction wasn't there, and Death admits that Desire was there, citing their vow to make Dream spill family blood. When Delirium asks if Desire was happy now that they got what they wanted, Desire answers no. Matthew then arrives, and after a quick chat with Death, he becomes acquainted with Destiny, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Barnabas. The palace doors open, and Lucienne passes through them, noting that the siblings were there, and Destiny asks if Lucienne would speak at Dream's funeral. She accepts, and Destiny asks Matthew as well, who initially declines, but Despair convinces him to come, and Matthew asks that Lucienne speak for the two of them.

Arriving in the Funeral area, Destiny asks Death if she has the cerement, and Death confirms she does. Destiny then has Death lay it on its appointed place, and after doing so, Lyta abruptly enters the room. Lucienne gets up from her seat to see her, and Rose follows. Lyta asks if Daniel was there, and Rose states that Lyta was with her. Lucienne then informs that Daniel was there, but not in attendance at the funeral.

Once Lyta takes her seat with Rose, Destiny starts the event by giving his eulogy on Dream.

Outside, the Palace Guardians alert that Daniel has a guest, and it is Destruction, who is given a tour by Daniel of his palace.

Back at the Funeral, Desire gives their eulogy.

Destruction walks with Daniel into the room full of statues and admits that he didn't intend to come, but decided against it. He then asks Daniel if he's aware of what he's in for, to which Daniel admits that Morpheus spoke to him before his passing, and what about. Daniel also states that he was left Dream's power in the form of an Eaglestone, which Destruction states isn't true, since the stone was just a tool. They then have a heart-to-heart about a conversation Destruction had with their elder sister.

Despair gives her eulogy, which, after that, under Destiny's insistence, Delirium gives hers, and then finally Lucienne.

Seeing Destruction off, Daniel is gifted a coin, and that Dream defines Reality. Destruction offers Daniel to join him, but he declines, and Destruction tells Daniel that he'll meet with his siblings soon enough.

As Death gives her eulogy, it fades into a scene where Dream's body is sent off on a boat toward the edge of the world, where it falls off the edge and transforms into a star.

That evening, Hob has a heart-to-heart with Death about whether he's ready to go or not, and he decides on no, prompting Death to state that she has won the bet, as Hob has decided he never wants to die.

Meanwhile, Johanna has a brief heart-to-heart with Corinthian, culminating in a kiss and an embrace.

On the palace stairway, Lucienne talks to Merv, Matthew, and Nuala about what to do from there on out, with Matthew having his disagreement that Daniel is now the new Dream Lord. However, Lucienne has thoughts about leaving and allows Matthew and Nuala to follow her if she decides to go, but Merv notes he likes Daniel. Rose appears and states that she can't find Lyta, and if any of them has seen her.

In Dream's throne room, Lyta meets with Daniel, who greets her, and Lyta calls Daniel by his name. However, Daniel denies it is him, that he is now the new Dream who replaced the old one after she drove the old one to his death. This leads to a realization about how life and death affect people. The two make amends, and after Lyta leaves, Lucienne talks to Daniel, who admits that despite being born from the beginning of time and having access to the entire collective unconsciousness of everyone, he doesn't know what he's doing. Hence, Lucienne states that he is the first human born Endless, and if he needs a head librarian, she'll be there for him, but Daniel states that she needs a new prime minister. With that, Lucienne tells Daniel that she'll inform him when his siblings will see him.

Hob appears in the room and talks to Daniel, who knows who he is and claims that Hob introduced his predecessor to William Shakespeare. However, Hob corrected him, stating that he introduced Dream to a man named Will Shaxbeard, whom Dream molded into William Shakespeare. Hob then mentions that Dream never told him why he commissioned two plays of Shakespeare, and Daniel notes that Shakespeare asked the same question.

A flashback shows Dream appearing before Shakespeare, who ends his contract with the playwright, but Shakespeare asks for one final request to share a glass of wine in Dream's domain. Dream allows it and explains to him the reason for commissioning his final play from Shakespeare.

Back in the present, Lucienne informs Daniel that it was time for him to meet the family. Hob tells him a bit about Death and that if he ever feels like talking about it in 100 years, they can do so, over a drink.

Lucienne leads Daniel to the private dining hall, where Daniel is cordially greeted by his family.

Cast[]

Trivia[]

To be added

Gallery[]

Promotional Images[]

References[]


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