The Sandman season 1 dropped on Netflix this week and we’re already waiting for season 2. I personally absolutely loved season 1. The show definitely deserves a season 2.
Season 1 left us with a few questions with the ending scene hinting at a lot of probable plotlines for season 2. If you’ve already read the comics, you know what it means. If you have not, we’re here to help you.
Netflix has not yet renewed The Sandman for a second season. However, executive producer, David S. Goyer confirmed that he is already working on the script for season 2.
Before we move on to discussions and potential plot arcs of season 2, we should talk about the rather interesting ending scene of season 1, featuring Lucifer Morningstar. The Ruler of Hell is hellbent (excuse that horrible pun) on destroying Dream. Now what could that mean?
Let’s find out!
Is Sandman the new Lucifer?
At the end of season 1, we see Lucifer Morningstar plotting with Mazikeen to destroy Dream. Earlier in the season, Lucifer and Dream faced each other in a trial, where Dream defeated Lucifer to regain his helm from one of Lucifer’s demons.
As of season 1 of The Sandman, Dream is not the new Lucifer and has not taken over Hell. However, if we go by Neil Gaiman’s comics, Lucifer puts Dream in charge of Hell to screw him up.
In the comics, Lucifer decides that the best way to screw up Dream is to put him in charge of an empty Hell. He emptied Hell, and put him in charge of what was left of it. In the series, we realize that ending up in Hell is indirectly a choice for people.
It’s a lot like how the Sorting Hat puts you in the house you want to be in. If one feels they belong to Hell, they end up there. So once Lucifer puts Dream in-charge of Hell, people keep coming and he has to figure out what to do with them.
So, Sandman aka Dream is not the new Lucifer yet. But he might take up his place in the next season if the makers go by the comics. Considering season 1 remained pretty true to the comics except minor changes, we can expect season 2 to follow suit.
However, Sandman being in charge of Hell does not mean he becomes Lucifer. Lucifer refers to a person, not a post. So even if he becomes the Ruler of Hell, Lucifer is still Lucifer. In fact, his abdication in the comics leaves a void in afterlife, which deities from other religions try to fill in.
So, we might see Susano-no-Miko from the Shinto pantheon or Odin trying to escape the cycle of Ragnaroks in the next season. Or not. Only time will tell.
What will happen to Lucifer?
Season 1 ends with Lucifer plotting to destroy Dream. Going by the comics, her plan will involve putting Dream in charge of Hell. She says she will do something “that will make God livid and bring Morpheus to his knees.”
Going by the comics, he genuinely retires after handing over the keys to Hell to Dream. Dream had traveled to Hell to free Nada, his former lover whom he had imprisoned there 10,000 years ago. However, when he reached Hell, he realized that Lucifer had decided to quit.
In the comics, she leaves Dream in charge of Hell, after which Morpheus had to fight several deities who wished to take over Hell. However, Lucifer was seen no more. He had retired to live in the mortal world and was seen on a beach in Australia at the end of Season of Mist, the comic issue where all of this takes place.
Interestingly, he briefly appears later in the comics, and is seen running a bar at Los Angeles. I know what you are thinking. It sounds familiar, especially if you have watched Lucifer on Netflix.
Lucifer is based on Lucifer Morningstar from DCEU as well, as it is loosely adapted from the spin-off comics series about the Lord of Hell’s adventures in the mortal world.
So technically, the two shows are indirectly connected. Lucifer Morningstar will retire in The Sandman if we go by the comics. Lucifer on Netflix already traces his journey after retirement. Although, Lucifer in The Sandman and Lucifer on Lucifer aren’t played by the same actor.
Will there be a season 2 of The Sandman?
Netflix has not yet renewed The Sandman for a second season. However, the makers have confirmed that they have already started working on the script for season 2.
Season 1 remained pretty true to the comics, and was quite well-made. So, we can only hope Netflix renews the series for season 2 as soon as possible. Also, the ending left a lot of scope for season 2 and hinted at potential plotlines already.
Season 1 was loosely based on Preludes and Nocturnes and The Doll’s House from the comic series. This means season 2 should ideally be based on Season of Mists, an issue that is largely considered Gaiman’s finest work in the series.
In this issue, Dream travels to Hell once again to free Nada and ends up being put in charge of Hell. This issue in the comics is much acclaimed, so we’re pretty eager to know what comes up in season 2.
The makers have expressed their interest in continuing the series for several seasons, if Netflix allows them to. If everything goes well, there’s no reason why the show will not be renewed for another season. So, let’s hope for the best!
About The Sandman
The Sandman is an American fantasy drama TV series based on the 1989–1996 comic book written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics. The series was developed for Netflix and is being produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.
The first season adapted the first two comics in the series, Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House. In 1916, Dream, the king of Dreams and Nightmares and one of the seven Endless, is captured and imprisoned after an occult ritual. After being held captive for 106 years, he escapes and sets out to restore order to his kingdom of The Dreaming.
The Sandman stars Tom Sturridge as Dream, with Gwendoline Christie, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Asim Chaudhry, and Sanjeev Bhaskar in supporting roles.
No Comments on Is Dream the new Lucifer? Everything to Expect from The Sandman Season 2