Chapter 2: Imperfect Hosts is the second episode of the first season of the Netflix original dark fantasy series, The Sandman.
Synopsis[]
Morpheus begins his quest to find his tools of power — his sand, ruby and helm — by paying a visit to a pair of notoriously dysfunctional brothers.
Plot[]
Dream tries to repair his realm
Dream returned to his palace with Lucienne in tow to see what little remained of his creation. Lucienne kept a journal of everything that happened in his absence, but slowly, the words began to fade and all the books in the library became bound volumes of blank papers. The next day, the library was gone in its entirety. And yet, Lucienne stayed, as she knew Dream would return one day. Dream attempted to repair his decaying and crumbling palace, but he was too weak from his imprisonment and the loss of his tools; his sand pouch, helm, and ruby, all of which were taken by his captors, though he doesn't know of their current whereabouts.
Buffalo, New York, a much older, but still somewhat youthful, Ethel Cripps worked from home selling valuable items and artifacts. Late that night, her apartment was broken into by The Corinthian, who she quickly deduced as being a Nightmare. With Ethel's help, he intended to remain free, informing her that Dream had escaped his imprisonment and that he would be coming after both of them soon enough.
There was only one, sure way for Dream to find his tools. He needed to summon Three-in-One, which Lucienne advised him against. While they may know all and see past, present and future, they spoke in riddles and never told the entire story. She suggested that Dream ask his siblings for help instead, but they had their own realms to tend to. Lucienne insisted that he tell his siblings what happened to him, though Dream was certain they already knew. And so, Lucienne reminded him that The Fates weren't cheap, and presently, Dream couldn't even muster up enough power to summon them, let alone pay the cost. However, he came up with an idea to replenish his strength, asking if there was anything that he created in the Dreaming that remained intact, that might retain a fragment of his power that he could absorb. Fortunately, Lucienne had something in mind.
Cain says goodbye to Gregory
Cain and Abel received an unexpected visit from Dream and Lucienne, much to their surprise, though relieved by Dream's return. Dream had unfortunately come to absorb Gregory the Gargoyle for his power in order to restore the Dreaming. However, Cain refused to simply give Gregory over, informing Dream that they'd already loss so much. However, Dream didn't come to ask them, rather he came to ask Gregory, who agreed to be absorbed, much to Cain's frustration. With Dream and Lucienne on their way out after having absorbed Gregory, Abel wished them luck on their journey, angering Cain, who proceeded to stab his brother with a pitchfork, thus killing him.
The Corinthian questioned if Ethel kept Dream's tools, which she claimed she didn't, while also suspecting that the Corinthian simply wanted them for himself, but he informed Ethel that they wouldn't even work for him, as they were made from the same martial. He simply came to help Ethel and show her how to make Dream go away permanently. However, she insisted that she didn't have them, even as Corinthian made mention of her son John.
Lucienne questioned if Dream was ready for this, as it had been some time since he navigated the waters, which were much darker from when he visited them last. Dream, unfortunately, had no other choice, as he couldn't ask The Fates for help without offering something in return, and there was nothing of value left within the Dreaming, so he needed to gather offerings from the dreams of others. Dream then dumped the sand from Gregory's remains in the water, which he was then pulled into, realizing that Lucienne was right about the dreams and nightmares no longer seeming to remember him. Nevertheless, since he was to meet The Fates at a crossroads, Morpheus found one in the dreams of a Cambodian farmer. He was then hanged in the dream of a young Japanese cinephile, as it represented surrender and sacrifice for the greater good. Lastly, he ended up face to face with a serpent, which he captured, as it represented transformation, life, death, and rebirth.
Having gathered his offering, Dream summoned The Fates, also known as the Three-in-One, and the Hecate. Three women approached, though one of the ladies were reluctant, referring to a time when he "helped" them with Circe. However, considering his offerings, including the snake, which one of the ladies consume, they agreed to answer three questions. First, Dream asked about his sand pouch. They revealed that it was sold in London to a magic user named Johanna Constantine, a relative of someone Dream knew 300 years ago. In his second question, he asked what happened to his helm, and they revealed that it was traded away to a demon for the Amulet of Protection. For his final question, he asked about his ruby, which was passed from a mother to a son.
The Corinthian goes after Ethel
Ethel continued to try and convince The Corinthian that she no longer had Dream's tools, though he refused to accept that she was telling the truth. When she left Roderick, Ethel revealed that she traded the sand and helm for her life in America. As for the ruby, it had the power to make dreams and nightmares come true, which was why her son took it from her, only for the ruby to then take him. When Ethel repeated that she didn't know the whereabouts of the ruby, The Corinthian grabbed a knife from his pocket and threatened to cut her eyes out. But when he approached, she unveiled the amulet of protection around her neck, which shredded Corinthian into pieces.
Abel rose from his grave to find an egg laying on the ground in front of him, which he took inside the house, under the impression that it was an apology from Cain for killing him. However, Cain insisted that the egg was not from him, leading them to conclude that it was a gift from Dream. The egg then hatched, revealing the baby gargoyle inside. Cain suspected that Dream was trying to buy them off, but Abel believed he was guilt-ridden over Gregory's death. Abel wanted to name the gargoyle Irving, but Cain reminded him that their names always began with a G, settling or either Goldie or Girving, angering Cain, who then killed Abel once more with a hot poker.
Ethel arrived at a secure medical facility to visit her son John. She inquired about his therapy, though he doubted she actually cared, even as she expressed how proud of him she was for how far he's come. Admittedly, she came to visit him so they could talk about the ruby.
Abel and Goldie
Abel rose from his grave to find Goldie waiting for him. He conceded to call the gargoyle Goldie for Cain's sake, but he personally preferred Irving. Abel explained to Goldie that he allowed Cain to kill him because it's who they were, the first murderer and the first victim. It was their story, though he preferred another about two brothers who loved each older. The older brother never harmed the younger brother, and they lived together in the same house.
Headed for London, Dream shared with Lucienne that this was where the sand was sold. Once he had it back, he'd seek out his helm in Hell. Lucienne pleaded with Dream to take a raven with him, so that it could keep her informed, but Dream insisted that he didn't need another raven, not after what happened to Jessamy.
The Corinthian in the Dreaming
In death, The Corinthian was sent back to the shores of the Dreaming, where Lucienne awaited. She informed him that Dream was away for the moment but that he would be back soon. Corinthian sought to leave before he could return, though Lucienne informed him that they didn't belong in the waking world and questioned why Corinthian lacked loyalty to Dream. Corinthian replied that Dream show no loyalty towards them, only ever caring about himself, before leaving to return to the waking world.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
- Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine
- Joely Richardson as Ethel Cripps
- Niamh Walsh as Young Ethel Cripps
- Sanjeev Bhaskar as Cain
- Asim Chaudry as Abel
- Nina Wadia as Fate Mother
- Souad Faress as Fate Crone
- Dinita Gohil as Fate Maiden
- David Thewlis as John Dee
Co-Starring[]
- Ansu Kabia as Ruthven Sykes
- Graham Bohea as Hangman
- Joe Corrigall as Sam
- Crystal Yu as Jackie
Trivia[]
- "Imperfect Hosts" is the name of the second issue of the Sandman comic series.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
References[]