Warning: Spoilers ahead forThe Sandmanseason 2, volume 1.The Sandmanseason 2 reveals something very surprising about Tom Sturridge’s Morpheus, making it difficult to understand how he could have such a good relationship with one of his siblings. As a member of the Endless, Morpheus is part of a group of siblings who are each responsible for a specific aspect of humanity. InThe Sandmanseason 2, one specific mortal becomes especially important.
As the leader ofThe Sandmanseason 2’s cast,Sturridge is in the throes of his final episodes as the Dreaming’s overseer. DespiteThe Sandmanannouncing season 2 will end the show, it remains one of thebest shows on Netflix. The final run of episodes are making some last-minute additions to the canon, but some of them are quietly altering some of season 1’s best elements.
Morpheus' Son Is Finally Revealed In The Sandman Season 2
The Character Was Briefly Referenced In Season 1
Despite his ongoing affinity for visiting the mortal realm,Morpheus is not human. While his family tree has been addressed, the mystical nature of his existence initially makes it seem like traditional procreation isn’t something of which he’s capable or even concerned with. However,The Sandmanseason 1 revealed this isn’t true, and season 2 furthers the twist.
While characters like Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) and Destiny (Adrian Lester) are referred to as Morpheus' siblings, I never actually thought of them as genetically related - which I still doubt they are. Instead, I think of them as concepts sharing spiritual similarities who have been brought together due to their ongoing relevance to humanity.
It is very interesting to finally meet Calliope (Melissanthi Mahut) and Morpheus' child.
So, when Orpheus (Ruairi O’Connor) makes his debut in “The Song of Orpheus,” the debut of Morpheus' direct offspring adds another layer to Sturridge’s character. It doesn’t particularly change how I interpret the Endless being connected to one another, but it is very interesting to finally meet Calliope (Melissanthi Mahut) and Morpheus' child.
Death Making Orpheus Immortal Apparently Hasn’t Created A Rift Between Death & Dream
Orpheus Wouldn’t Have Been Cursed To Such A Depressing Existence Without Death’s Help
The Sandmanquickly provides the heartbreaking reason why Orpheus has been absent from the story, and it all comes down to his failed attempt to retrieve his late wife from the Underworld. After his father refused to help him, Orpheus turned to Death, his aunt.Death’s assistance to her nephew resulted in her making him immortal.
As a mortal, Morpheus' immortality is not the same as that bestowed upon the Endless.He can become gravely injured and still survive, as proven by his severed head retaining consciousness.Orpheus' fate could have been avoided if Death had refused to help him, just as Morpheus had. However, Morpheus' relationship with Death is one of the strongest in the entire show.
Morpheus is known by many other names, including: Dream, Lord Shaper, and Oneiros.
Death and Dream are shown getting along very well inThe Sandmanseason 1, despite their disparate personalities. They spend a lot of time together andMorpheus greatly values his sister’s counsel. While this seemed like a wholesome dynamic in season 1, the reveal of what Death did for Orpheus makes it a bit of a headscratcher that she and Dream didn’t fall out.
Destiny May Have Already Revealed Why Morpheus Still Gets Along So Well With Death
Morpheus Seems To Have Supressed The Memory Of What Happened To His Son
Granted,a lot of time has passed since Orpheus' disastrous attempt to bargain with Hades(Garry Cooper) and Persephone (Antonia Desplat). So, Dream may have forgiven Death for her part in allowing his son to attempt the endeavor. That being said, I think a line from Destiny explains things better.
When Morpheus is trying to find an Oracle, Destiny reminds his brother that there is one in the family, but that Dream has “let [himself] forget.” Destiny is referring to Orpheus, who has become an Oracle since the flashbacks in “The Song of Orpheus.” So, I think the experience was so traumatic for Sturridge’s character that he has buried the memory beyond reach.
So, assumingDream had genuinely forgotten what happened to his son, or even that he ever had a son at all, it stands to reason that he would have no ill will towards Death. This would explain how they are able to have such a healthy and close relationship inThe Sandmanseason 1, despite what had already happened to Orpheus by that point.
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“Season of Mists”
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“The Ruler of Hell”
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“The Song of Orpheus”
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“Time and Night”
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“Fuel For the Fire”
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“Long Live the King”
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