The Sandman- Episode 1 Review With Spoilers

The Sandman- Episode 1 "Sleep Of The Just" Review 

Note: The following review contains spoilers

 

While scrolling through Twitter for reactions to the show, I stumbled across a curious comparison by viewers. There were a couple of viral tweets comparing the similarities between Tom Sturridge's Sandman and Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen from the Twilight Saga. 

The comparisons are understandable. Sturridge's Sandman is emo, talks in a deep voice, and looks like he will fit perfectly in the Twilight world. But thankfully, he won't have to bear that torture because Sandman offers better character writing and world building for Sturridge. 

 

The opening shots of the episode take us to a realm guarded with huge walls and doors, the Land of the Dreaming. We get a glimpse of his palace and himself in a dark coat, as he gets ready to bring a wayward nightmare home.

 

The first episode does a great job of establishing the main character, conflict, and the world we are about to enter. We are told just enough to conjure curiosity about the Lord of Dreams, the Corinthian, and the realm of the Dreaming and the world of the waking. 

 

And yet, our Lord of Dreams is inactive for most of the episode as he stays imprisoned in a glass sphere. But this is for the best as we see the effect of his absence in both the worlds. 

 

In the waking world, Sandman's captor, Sir Roderick Burgess aka., Magus, steals the Lord's vestments and enjoys wealth and prosperity. But he doesn't get the one thing he wants most- his son Randall who died in Gallipoli. 

 

 

Years pass and the Magus' other son, Alex, is passed down the responsibility of keeping the Sandman captive. But unlike his father, Alex is afraid of the Lord of Dreams. 

 

Years pass and an ageing Alex talks to Dream for the last time. He tells him that he didn't ask for wealth and prosperity like his father. He only wants a promise from Dream, the promise he has always asked, that no harm will come to him if he lets Dream free. 

 

But Dream doesn't answer. He hasn't uttered a word from the moment his captivity began. But one mistake or rather a intentional smudging of the bonding circle sets Dream free and he awards an old Alex the curse and gift of eternal sleep. 

When Dream reaches his realm he sees it in shambles. He finds out that its residents have gone to the waking world. The episode ends as he vows to bring them all back. 

The acting by everyone is perfect, but lead Tom Sturridge deserves a special mention as he successfully conveys the feelings of the titular character without uttering a singular word.

The music and cinematography is top notch as we get sucked right into the world of the Sandman. The writing is fast paced which ensures that we are never bored of the proceedings. Perhaps the best test of the writing is that it drops tantalizing hints of things yet to come. 

The audience is left to ponder about the man in glasses fleeing the Sandman, the other Endless, the Sleeping Sickness, and Ethel. Overall, the episode preps audiences for a deeper dive that's to come. And boy we can't wait to see more. 

Pros: 

1. Great story and writing. 
2. Amazing cinematography and CGI.
   
3. Top notch acting. 

Cons: 

1. Nothing for now.