SERIES REVIEW – After a long slumber, Netflix has finally stirred and thrown open the gates to the Dreaming once again: The Sandman returns, and it doesn’t hold back on spectacle, drama, or mystery. This season not only dazzles the eyes but gives the nerves a real workout, with a narrative that surges and stalls, yet brings the Endless’ universe to life in a way we’ve never quite seen before. Whether it’s worth sticking around for the grand finale, or if only the dreamers will remain in the end, is anyone’s guess.

After an extended silence, we’re back in the Dreaming. With its debut season, Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s landmark comic instantly made a statement, but the road to a follow-up was paved with rumors and uncertainty. It wasn’t until the end of 2022 that the show’s second season was finally confirmed—only for the relief to be short-lived. By January 2025, Netflix announced that this would be the final chapter. The timing wasn’t exactly fortunate, coming just a week after serious allegations surfaced against Neil Gaiman, though showrunner Allan Heinberg maintained that the two-season structure had been set in stone well beforehand. Whatever the cause, the story’s endgame is now in motion, and if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that this world is still loaded with surprises. The new episodes lure viewers with stunning visuals, character-driven plotting, and rich mythology—even as the pacing and structure often turn uneven, giving Season 2 a curious blend of enchantment and chaos.

Dreams, Demons, and Family Feuds: The Universe Has Never Felt This Big

The first season’s ten episodes began with Dream (Tom Sturridge) escaping a century of imprisonment, reclaiming his realm, corralling rogue nightmares and dreams, and even squaring off with Lucifer Morningstar (Gwendoline Christie)—all while his time among mortals left a mark on him. Now, in the second season, Dream’s brother Destiny (Adrian Lester) convenes the family of the Endless—Death (Kirby), Desire (Mason Alexander Park), Despair (Donna Preston), and Delirium (Esmé Creed-Miles) are all present, but the enigmatic Destruction/The Prodigal (Barry Sloane) remains absent. The family summit is triggered by Destiny’s encounter with the Ladies of the Grey, who predict a dark and stormy era ahead. Meanwhile, Dream is forced to reckon with his own past: seeking to free his old flame Nada (Deborah Oyelade) from Hell, finding a new ruler for the underworld, and setting off to locate his long-lost brother.

Dream Fights Himself and His Past as the Mythos of the Endless Grows

In Tom Sturridge’s hands, Dream has never felt more layered—a character torn by regret and self-examination, moving (slowly) toward real accountability. Emotional conflicts run deep: Nada’s liberation, family disputes, and long-festering guilt color every episode. Gwendoline Christie delivers a pitch-perfect performance as a broken but still dangerous Lucifer, while Esmé Creed-Miles injects Delirium with a contagious, unpredictable energy. Mason Alexander Park and Kirby Howell-Baptiste bring fresh life to every scene they grace.
The season’s twin plotlines—finding Hell’s successor and unraveling the Endless’ shared history—offer a feast for fans of mythology: demons, fae, Norse gods, entire pantheons take center stage, and backstories are pulled into sharper focus than ever before. The result? Some dazzling, surprising, and at times downright strange set pieces—though the overall structure feels less tight than Season 1’s and, with the more philosophical tone, the pace often drifts. Still, Volume One ends on a tense cliffhanger that threatens to upend everything for Dream and the universe alike. The true showdown hasn’t even started yet, but it’s already clear that this season is laying the groundwork for something epic. It may not be The Sandman at its absolute peak, but the pieces are all there for a finale worth the wait.

Netflix’s Split-Season Trick: Diabolical or Genius?

Recently, Netflix has become notorious for splitting its biggest series in half—see Bridgerton, Stranger Things, or Outer Banks. It’s a move that cranks up anticipation and tests viewers’ patience, but still feeds the binge-watch crowd—just with a built-in delay. From a storytelling perspective, though, it’s a risky gamble: nailing a satisfying midseason climax without dropping the ball is no easy feat, and Season 2 of The Sandman is no exception. Volume One exists purely to set up Volume Two, but there’s still plenty to chew on—memorable moments, sharp character work, and lingering questions. Now all eyes are on Neil Gaiman’s saga, with fans hoping the last act delivers a send-off that lives up to its mythic promise.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-