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The Sandman 1x06 Full Reaction! (Patreon)

Published:
2023-09-07 12:45:01
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2026-06
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The Sandman 1x06 Full Reaction

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Ryan

Like I said last week, the only thing that kept me from adding this to my personal list of the greatest TV episodes ever is that it's such a close adaptation of an existing non-TV story (the only major difference is the guy who drowns on his honeymoon, who replaces a female comedian who's electrocuted by her microphone, presumably changed because her jokes were about Batman and Gaiman wanted to remove as many DC connections as possible). And that's especially impressive because the episode's structure is really pretty awkward as a result of jamming together two totally unrelated comic issues. The first half was the final issue of Volume 1, while the second is halfway through Volume 2, and I imagine Gaiman decided both stories needed to be in the show, but also weren't long enough to fill a whole episode, and would be impossible to fit cleanly into an episode with part of the longer story, so he just put them with each other as the best option. And I'm so glad he did. Kirby Howell-Baptiste's acting style isn't quite a match for the comic's Death (to give an idea, the Audible adaptation has Kat Dennings in the role), but she still fully embodies the warm, perky nature she needs and easily carries her whole half of the episode. Gaiman calls this issue the first time he felt confident in what he wanted the series to be and how he should write the characters, and that fully comes through here as he takes great pride in sharing this story with a wider audience. As for Hob Gadling's story, I'm very pleased they didn't go for a big name actor who would distract from the idea of him just being a regular guy who happens to be immortal. Ferdinand Kingsley is the son of Ben and has done a fair bit of acting but hasn't yet really broken through to becoming a well known actor, but hopefully this role will help with that. The comic's gag of the background extras always saying the same things no matter what century it is gets carried through perfectly, and the set and costumes are absolutely on point for what I imagine swallowed up a good deal of the show's budget. It was also neat to see that after making the show's version of John Constantine a woman, Gaiman decided the same actress should also play his ancestor, thus making Lady Johanna the only DC character who's transplanted directly into the show in their original form. The ending also shows an interesting consequence of the decision to move the story's "present" into the same time the show was made. In the comic, Dream's meetings with Hob are in the '89 of each century because it was 1989, and he simply shows up to that year's meeting on time. But with him now not escaping Burgress until 2022, the full consequences of that are thought through and their reunion has that much extra emotion to it with Hob having to wait a few more decades. That kind of dedication and thoghtfulness to his craft is what makes Gaiman one of the greats.

Thomas Corp

A lot to talk about this episode. I have been hearing that this tends to be people’s favorite episode of the season. I see Ryan speaks very highly of it. Things that keep me from agreeing with the sentiment: one, I still haven’t seen the episodes hence. Second, even if I had, there’s still the perfection of the last episode that I don’t see it being dethroned as my favorite for this show, or at least this season. Thirdly, there is the mild, almost meaningless quibble of I kind of would have liked this to have been two episodes. And I see Ryan says they originally were two separate stories within the comic. Of course, I do recognize that if this had been two separate episodes, it could have fallen victim to a little padding here and there. Also, structurally, it has a Kubrickian feel to it, which I did like, and the two halves complimented each other well, thus, like I said, the quibble I have is almost meaningless. Those thoughts notwithstanding, we have quite a perfect episode of television that I am pleased to see you enjoyed it yourself, Jess. Start by talking about how Morpheus starts the episode in a “Now what?” type of mentality. As you say, having gone through such an arduous quest, upon achieving it, there will be an odd feeling of dissatisfaction and/or unfulfillment. You spoke of relating to him on that with your own struggles, such as your channel, or your surgery. I related as well. It is as you say, in some cases, the lifelong struggle to obtain happiness, and do you ever truly get it, even if you achieve goals or desires. One of my favorite lines from Spock, “After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.” It is a most insidious nature of life and as was noted in the last episode, if the story goes on long enough, eventually death comes. Well, not for Hob, but I’ll get to him in a second. Lovely that Death helps get Morpheus out of his present funk. I thought Kirby Howell-Baptiste was lovely as Death. I see Ryan states that her style of acting is a trifle different from the source material. Even so, I like, much like how you liked she had a warmth, a kindness to her, which served as a most efficacious foil to Morpheus. It was surely emotional the numerous death scenes and each reaction you had got to me. I think I was most affected by the old man and the baby. As you say, it was great the varied responses to being greeted by Death and how all of them were valid. I also had a moment of relating to the man who was worried about ensuring his wife had the code for his phone to obtain the flight information. That’s probably something I’d be concerned about when my time comes. I’d also probably be unable to resist if I’m with anyone when Death greets me, and I’d say to them, “It’s someone named Death or something, they’ve come about the reaping.” A subtle touch I loved is how they all recognize Death as Death; they always say Death will greet you with a familiar face. And as Death notes, and you observed you liked in the episode, she fulfils her purpose, she does it as kindly as she can, and she knows it serves something far greater than herself. Going back to how you related to the first half of the episode especially. You mentioned about how you strive to think and focus on what makes you happiest, contented, or fulfilled. I’m sorry to say that I don’t ever feel particularly happy anymore; the darkness has been too oppressive and/or I simply no longer have the strength to fight it anymore, assuming I ever had the strength to begin with. There are moments of joy or contentment. One such area in life where that is achieved, and I’m not just saying this, I’m saying it because it is true, is as you described, diving into stories such as this, sharing our thoughts and feelings, there is a tremendous satisfaction that comes from that, I concur, Jess. For instance, the Star Wars shows, I love hearing the differing perspectives you have of the galaxy far, far away. Or you mention the Shenanigans by Mike Flanagan and the deep diving into the dark and sometimes depressing subjects, those have been some of the best in terms of sharing stories with you. This show is matching that level of enjoyment.

Thomas Corp

As to the second half of the episode. First off, your comment, “Right now, Dream is serving... fun comedic host at a baking show. You know what I mean?” I replied, “Well, I got more of an Anne Rice vibe from him, but yes, your assessment is accurate. Though I fail to recognize exactly who you are referring to precisely.” Start by giving significant credit to the performance of Ferdinand Kingsley, who I did not know about who his dad is until I read Ryan’s comment. I then thought, “Oh yeah, I can see that.” It’s not as scarily uncanny as, for example, Richard Harris and his sons, Jared especially, but I see the resemblance between Ferdinand and Ben. Most fascinating how Hob is granted immortality and he and Morpheus have a Same Time, Next Year type routine. Most fascinating how Hob never loses the desire to remain immortal, even after going through such tragedies such as the ones he endured. The look Morpheus had after Hob STILL wished to live was quite priceless. Equally priceless was your own reaction to that moment. Hob’s a stronger man than I would have presumably been. I think what would have driven me mad from immortality would have been the absence of the old world. By that I mean, you’re born into a world, you live through certain things. They shape you. Your family shapes you growing up. You live long enough under normal circumstances, the world you know eventually fades and dies, friends and family, likewise, will die. On the other hand, you get the feeling that the meetings with Morpheus keep Hob going. Like you said, it is a routine to look forward to every century, he meets his friend, they have a couple of pints, and he can just spend time with the only person where he can be himself. And through the centuries, he views Morpheus as perhaps his only true friend. And maybe if I thought of it that way, perhaps it wouldn’t be all that bad. Though my brain can get as dark as a gothic novel at times; I’m not sure that I want to know what immortality would do to my mind. I liked your reaction to Morpheus attempting to reject the idea of friendship between him and Hob. It took a while for me as well to click about the imprisonment Morpheus endured. When it showed the year 1989, and with it, Morpheus’s absence, it clicked in my head, a thought, “That was the year this originally got published. Right?” Ryan’s comment tells me I was correct on thinking that, and I agree with Ryan’s assement that the change made makes for a richer, and more emotional ending. It does sting, Hob’s reaction to Morpheus missing the appointment. I had a double take when I saw the barkeep, I said, “Oh shit! That’s Ian McNeice! Well, good to see you, sir!” A lovely final moment when Morpheus goes to the New Pub, sees Hob, who I see has become a history teacher, nice touch. And the reunion of the two friends, well, it was a most touching moment, and I loved your reaction to it, Jess, just as I loved your reaction to the whole episode. This whole show thus far has been proving to be some of your masterpieces, reaction-wise, post-episode thoughts and analysis-wise, and... otherwise-wise. This has been a magnificent journey sharing this show with you thus far, I look forward to the episodes to come. Until then, thank you again for this wonderful reaction, Jess.

Thomas Corp
>>116996392

Yeah, I was thinking about you some when watching the episode. I remember you spoke highly of the episode, and I looked forward to your thoughts. Reading what you wrote, I can see the love you have for the episode, the show itself, and its source material. Interesting to hear about the changes that were made. Kirby was excellent as Death. I know the bascklash that came from some people with the casting, which is completely ridiculous. She was fantastic. Period. Ferdinand was fantastic too. You mention about the gag in the comics of the extras saying the same things over the centuries makes me think of the small gag in Young Frankenstein where you have two separate couples, one in English and one in German, bickering about the exact same thing. This whole show thus far has told me that I really need to start reading more of Gaiman’s work.

Ryan
>>116996392

During a commencement speech, Gaiman gave the advice to aspiring writers that they should have at least two out of three on having consistent quality work, being able to meet deadlines, and being someone who other people are happy to work with. And meanwhile, he’s been doing all three and making it look easy for four decades. It doesn’t seem like it should be possible to do all that while also being so good in so many different areas: books, comics, TV, movies, songs…

Ryan
>>117022704

One other minor change is that in the comic, we actually see the baby ask “That’s all I get?” Of course, it would be pretty much impossible to do that in live action without looking extremely inappropriately silly, so they made the very wise move to show Death just instinctively understanding him. And oh my is it a relief that we don’t have to see the mother’s reaction, which quite a few reactors have said in the moment.

Thomas Corp
>>117022704

Yeah, I heard somewhere the baby spoke to Death in the comic. I think the way they did it in the show worked well. I forgot to mention that about the baby’s mother. Yeah, I don’t think I could have handled that if they showed the mother’s reaction. As it is, it’s haunting enough that you end on her noticing the silence, and saying, “Lovey?” That got me some.

Nicole Mazza
>>116996392

Honestly, I love Ferdinand Kingsley every time I see him in stuff (Victoria, Doctor Who, etc) and I really hope to see him more in the future. Here specifically, I think he really imbued Hob's story so nicely, lending a bit of nuance to the emotions and really drew me in, making me want so much more of him with Dream (but I kinda ship them, so...) Kirby Howell-Baptiste was a total surprise for me, as I'd never seen her in anything before and while I love the comic version of Death, I actually really enjoyed her take much more than I thought I might (I get nervous with new-to-me actors sometimes). YMMV, but I thought she did a really good job, especially with such a beloved character. I definitely hope to see her in more stuff sometime.

Ryan
>>116996392

She's really great in The Good Place, in what could have been a totally useless "romantic false lead" role.

Jenny Chalek

Ah, Noel Fielding. He was giving Noel Fielding vibes definitely. I just wanted to comment in general about what you were saying about what makes you feel fulfilled. I think the reason I enjoy so much watching just about anything with you is, you make yourself emotionally available to the material. You don't dissociate like some people do, you really do cry when it's sad and laugh when it's funny. Your insights are always so interesting. I'm glad you are able to find joy in what you do, that is one of the best things in life. Thank you for everything you do.

Stephen Ray

I just wanted to say that I haven't been watching reactions to the same extent I used to. However, when I saw this episode hit YouTube, I thought I'd better up my membership so I can hear what you think about the whole thing. I also have to admit that I usually skip the analysis after a couple of minutes, but I stuck around for the whole thing. Fantastic insights into the episode and its meaning and how you relate to it.