The Sandman (2022) s02e07 Episode Script

Destiny.
I stand in my gallery
and hold your sigil.
I would speak with you
if you would countenance
a visit from your brother.
I take it my call
was not an unexpected one.
No.
The last time I was here,
I asked for your advice.
And then ignored it.
And yet
I'm here to ask for your advice.
I spilled family blood.
- My son begged for me to end his life.
- I know.
And now, by ancient law, the Furies--
You mustn't call them that.
The goddesses of vengeance
whom we call the Kindly Ones,
so as not to offend them
will soon demand the end of my existence
as punishment for my crime.
I deserve to die for what I have done.
But I have my realm to consider,
its inhabitants,
and I have no wish to die.
No.
My brother.
Tell me what to do,
and I will do it this time, I swear.
Or tell me what is to come.
Tell me what is written in your book.
You may see it for yourself,
if you wish.
One's destiny
is determined by one's actions.
And what of fate?
If I'm fated to die
That is a question for the Fates.
Here we are.
When you're ready.
I still have this to finish, love.
Can't say I was ever fond
of beginnings myself.
Messy little things.
Give me a good ending anytime.
I can't remember
the last time we had a visitor.
- I'll get rid of them.
- It's all right.
I'll go.
Morpheus.
Greetings to you, ladies.
Look, sister selves.
It's the Dream King.
At our door.
But you cut his thread.
Well, sometimes it takes them
a while to notice.
Uh, please, come in.
When last we met,
I summoned you to the Dreaming.
I thought it only just
I come to you this time.
I have brought gifts.
Wine.
Some herbs.
And sacred to the Hecate.
Oh, he's gorgeous.
Oh, he looks so sweet.
Oh, he looks like lunch.
He's not for eating.
Well, not yet.
But these aren't gifts,
are they, Dream Lord?
They're bribes.
They're offerings.
Were you hoping to find us
in our aspect of the Kindly Ones?
Have you come to turn yourself in?
Or are you seeking amnesty?
I'm not here to plead for my life,
but the lives of those I serve.
I have responsibilities.
As do we.
If someone petitions us
to avenge a blood crime,
we're bound by law to do so.
But until that time, we can do nothing.
And if no one petitions you?
Why?
Because you have no enemies?
What about the boy's mother, Calliope?
Or Lucifer Morningstar?
Desire once swore
they'd make you spill family blood.
Oh, I'd forgotten that one. Who else?
The list, as they say,
is endless.
Your crime will be avenged.
There's no escape, my dove.
All roads lead
to your sister's realm in time.
Perhaps tomorrow.
Perhaps in a thousand years.
So, prepare yourself, Dream.
The end is coming.
Stop it, Rich.
I'm not reading that out on air.
- It's a joke.
- It's not.
"The pope welcomes women into
the priesthood." Did you write this?
It wasn't me. It was him.
Fucking hell.
Your Holiness.
May I speak with you?
Won't you join us, Cardinal Visconti?
Greetings, Puck.
Loki.
What gave us away?
The global mayhem, perhaps.
- Global reform.
- Mm.
Long overdue.
But Puck is
a very high-minded chaos agent.
He inspired Shakespeare, you know?
Did he, indeed?
And you two are
collaborating?
Mm
You wouldn't think it would work
between two tricksters, but it does.
That's why it works.
We don't make the mistakes
most couples do.
We know we can't trust one another.
Mm. That way, every day is a surprise
and no one gets hurt.
- What about His Holiness?
- We like this pope.
- He's not dead. He's asleep.
- Faerie dust works a treat.
I suggest you wake him.
I may have need of you soon.
What's this about?
Lord Morpheus aided and abetted
my escape from Odin's prison.
And now I owe him.
And what is it that you owe him?
He's not told me yet,
but I suspect it may have
something to do
with the rumor
of his imminent demise.
- And when will that be?
- It is not for me to say.
So I'm supposed to just
drop whatever it is I'm doing the minute
the Kindly Ones decide it's time.
That was the bargain
you made for your freedom.
But that is not freedom.
For me or for you.
Why waste whatever's left of your life,
Dream, preparing for death?
Why not free yourself
and me of any obligations?
I have my duties.
And because of our agreement,
so do you.
You'll regret entrusting me with this.
It's not in my nature to be
dependable.
Your nature put you in prison.
If you want to stay out of it,
then, when the time comes,
you will follow my instructions.
If you will excuse us, Puck.
Loki and I have much to discuss.
He's just so fucking smug.
Well, I think he's fucking terrified.
Are you being compassionate right now?
Because I don't like it.
He's only asking for a favor.
It's the principle of the thing.
I'm a god of chaos.
I have responsibilities too.
Yes, to make as much trouble
for as many people as possible.
- To shine a light on human hypocrisy.
- Ah, yes, that's much better.
- So everyone can be as free as we are.
- Except we're not free.
Or I'm not.
Because of Dream.
Well
you're still free to fuck with him.
Oh, I like the sound of that.
- What are you thinking?
- All right, just hear me out.
You could do
exactly what he asked you to do.
Have you been listening
for the last two minutes? I--
But do it now.
Don't wait for him
to tell you when it's time.
Do it now and be done with it.
Give him what he wants
but when he doesn't want it.
You'll fulfill your obligation,
but in a way that creates
more trouble for Dream.
Do you know, if we commit to this
and we do it properly,
then we could be the ones
to set the Kindly Ones upon him.
And I will finally be free.
If the Kindly Ones are coming,
then how do we defend ourselves?
What about building a wall?
- A wall?
- Like a battlement.
What, around the castle
or the whole kingdom?
Either. Both.
Easy, new kid. You're not the one
who's gonna have to build it.
Well, I'll help you.
Well, I don't think a wall
is going to be much use
against a trio of
vengeance goddesses.
It might slow them down
if we put our best marksmen up there.
Do we have any marksmen?
- We do not.
- Not even in the army?
Do we not have an army?
You forget, ours is a kingdom
whose second-in-command is a librarian.
Does Faerie have an army?
Aye, led by Titania
and her second-in-command.
And who's that?
Well, me. At least, I used to be.
Well, I think we've found
the general for our new army.
Gilbert, I thought you were a pacifist.
The true soldier fights not because
he hates what is in front of him
but because he loves
what is behind him.
- So am I buildin' a wall or not?
- You are not.
There is nothing to be done.
I have selected my successor.
My lord?
Surely it needn't come to that.
His name is Daniel Hall,
son of Lyta and Hector.
The first child conceived
in the Dreaming.
Well, yes, I remember Daniel well,
but how old can he be now?
He's not even a year.
He's eight months old.
Yes, but in time he will possess power
and insight far beyond my own.
Daniel Hall
will be the new Dream of the Endless.
Daniel, we're here.
You ready?
You must be Miss Walker and Miss Hall.
My name is Paul McGuire.
I'm manager of the care home.
Well, it used to be a care home.
Now it's your home,
thanks to your great-grandmother.
Oh, we actually haven't decided
on moving to London yet.
- With my work.
- And my brother's school.
Of course, my apologies.
I only meant that, whatever you decide,
the house is yours now.
Let me introduce you to the staff.
Rosie, look.
Unity.
It was commissioned
just after her death.
- She was the most extraordinary woman.
- So you knew her?
I met her the day she woke up
from the sleeping sickness.
That was, ironically, the same day
my partner, Alex, came down with it.
- Oh no.
- I'm so sorry.
Thank you.
The Foundation were good enough
to keep me on as a caretaker,
but obviously we'll move out
the moment you need us to.
No, please, stay.
We don't know
what we're doing yet, so
You're very kind.
In addition to me and Alex,
there's a housekeeper,
cook, and a valet on staff.
Simon, our valet,
is preparing your room.
Are you with our American guests?
I'm Simon, the valet.
You have a very nice face, Simon.
You don't mind if I borrow it, do you?
I need the uniform too.
Miss Hall, Miss Walker,
this is our housekeeper, Mrs. Shore.
I looked after
your great-grandmother as well.
If this little one needs looking after,
I'd be more than happy to do it.
I was hoping we could have dinner
in London tonight.
It's settled, then.
I don't want to leave him alone
on our first night.
He won't be alone.
He'll be with us.
This is Simon, our valet.
Is your name Daniel?
- Hmm?
- Mine's Simon.
What do you say
to a night in with us?
Hmm?
We can explore every room
in this great big giant house.
Would you like that?
We did bring the baby monitor.
Simon can set that up.
Absolutely, leave it with me.
Then I don't see why not.
Shall we be off then, Daniel?
You get the bags, Simon.
I'll get the baby.
Shall we go find your room?
Come on then. Off we go.
Can I help you in any way?
Can I build you an army?
Nuala.
If not me, then why not ask Titania?
Or Odin? Or your siblings?
I could have the greatest,
most powerful army imaginable.
And with you in command,
I'm sure I would.
But the law is the law.
Who says?
No, I I'm
I'm asking who wrote these laws.
Was it the Fates?
No.
- Was it Destiny?
- No.
Then who was it?
Because if there's someone out there
writing these laws,
then can't you go to them
and explain what happened?
Or ask for help or advice?
There has to be someone in charge.
There are authorities
beyond the Endless.
Who are they?
Before the beginning,
there was the Night.
And the Night was without boundaries.
And without end.
In the beginning was Time.
The relentless beat
in which things could happen.
In which everything could become.
Matter could exist.
In that coming together,
the universe was possible.
All versions of it.
They exist as he wishes it.
Such is the nature of Time
in his realm.
Well?
Hello, Father.
What do you want?
You only come here
if you want something.
Cannot a son call upon his father
with no motive but to wish him well?
Of course you can.
It just never happens.
The only one of my children
to ask nothing of me is Destiny.
But he has his book.
He asks nothing of me,
for I gave him all I had
as his birthright.
He leaves me alone.
Wish I could say the same
for the rest of you.
You've seen my siblings?
Not intentionally.
My children seem to think
that because I am Time,
that my time cannot be wasted.
Your time here thus far
has proven that is not the case.
- My apologies for having disturbed you.
- You have.
So at least give me
the satisfaction of having been right.
What do you want, Dream?
I came here seeking your help.
My child is dead.
Yes.
Because you spilt family blood.
Because he was suffering.
I could not refuse him again.
That is because you are weak.
And sentimental.
Children are
an inconvenient consequence of love.
They do nothing but take.
That was not the case with my son.
Did he not ask you to intervene
on his behalf to Hades and Persephone?
Yes.
And I did not to my eternal regret.
And when he asked you to end his life,
did he not know
that you would end yours by doing so?
Now you show up here,
expecting me to be as weak
with you as you were with your son.
To save you out of love.
But I do not love you, Dream.
No.
I know that.
Do you?
Tell me something, Dream.
Do you love me?
A child cannot help
but love his father.
No matter who he is
or what he does or doesn't do.
I learnt that from my own son.
I abused him.
And yet, he loved me.
Did I abuse you?
And yet you love me.
I think that makes you
rather foolish, don't you?
I think I knew you wouldn't help me.
I think the reason I came here
was to thank you.
For everything you have given me,
for my existence.
Every moment of it.
Even this one.
And I think I came here to say goodbye.
I don't believe
we will see each other again.
And if I were inclined
to help you, Dream,
how would you propose I do that?
Shall I send you back in time?
So you can go to Hades
on your son's behalf?
I could do that for you, if you'd like.
But Hades will refuse your request.
And your son will find his way to
the underworld, no matter what you do.
That is the only help I can give you.
The peace that comes from knowing
it could not be other than it was.
There is nothing you could
have done then to save your son.
Just as you cannot save yourself now.
But the blank pages
in Destiny's book
Well, the specifics of your death,
how it happens,
when it happens, may yet be unwritten.
But make no mistake,
Destiny's book has an ending.
And so do you.
I will leave you now.
Thank you again.
Have you spoken to your mother?
No.
Why do you ask?
The two of you were close once.
I thought perhaps you'd gone to her
for help and she'd refused you,
which is why you came to me.
No.
I came because you're my father.
And I'm your son.
Well, if you talk to her, tell her
Just tell her I was thinking of her.
Time is dissolved in darkness.
A place of no light.
No information.
A place of endless night.
So, you've come home
after all this time.
Into the darkness.
Hello, Mother.
You are naughty
not to have called first.
You know how I value my privacy
and don't like to be disturbed.
A trait we share.
Are you hungry?
Would you like some wine?
I am being the most ungracious hostess.
Tell me of your siblings.
The only one I ever see is Destiny.
He comes and he talks.
And the little one?
Delirium.
Yes, I see her
skulking around here sometimes.
She's changed, though.
I'm not entirely sure
what she wants from me.
She wants what she's always wanted.
Your attention.
Your interest.
Your love.
I saw Father.
Did you?
And how's he doing?
He misses you.
You sweet child.
Do you think that if you reintroduce me
to your father,
we'll come together
in one glowing union
and everything that's wrong
will be healed?
That together we will rewrite
the laws of the universe
and save you from the Kindly Ones?
I assure you that was not my intention
in coming here.
And is that even possible?
You really have no idea
what you're doing, do you?
Oh, you poor thing.
I'll tell you what.
Why not let Mother make it all better?
How?
What if I were to make you
a perfect little dream world here.
With a partner, a relationship.
You've always wanted one of those.
And you'd be safe here and close to me.
You could see me whenever you like,
when I'm not working.
There.
That's my offer, darling.
It's not like
you've left yourself a way out.
I must, with respect, decline.
You would rather
be hounded to death by the Kindly Ones
than live here with me?
No.
But I have my realm
and my responsibilities.
You've always been selfish,
even when you were a child.
Everything had to be
your way or no way at all.
The rest of us didn't exist to you,
except as a means to an end.
Well, now you have your end,
and I leave you to it.
Forgive me.
I meant no disrespect.
I was merely trying to be the person
I thought you wanted me to be.
Of course.
It's always the parents' fault.
Well, if it gives you comfort
to blame me for the way you are,
or the way you turned out,
you are welcome to it, my love.
It will be my farewell gift to you.
I don't blame you, Mother.
Oh, I'm glad, darling.
It's much nicer that we end as friends.
Oh, and if you see your father,
tell him I said hello.
Did Lord Morpheus say
you could build an army?
He didn't say I couldn't.
Well, that is one nice thing
about his long, penetrating silences.
You can read into them
whatever you want.
At the very least, we should be able
to protect ourselves and him.
You're going to need more than
a bow and arrow to take down the Furies.
Mervyn, please. The Kindly Ones.
You think those broads
are listening to me?
I'm a pumpkin.
You're not even listenin' to me.
What do you suggest?
Well, I suggest one of these.
I call 'em "the unkindly ones."
And just in time. We got incoming.
Can you see who it is?
Well, perhaps it's a harbinger
of the Kindly Ones.
No. Worse.
It's my brother.
Cluracan, what are you doing here?
I told you I'd visit.
I expressly told you not to.
I've never been very good
at listening, though, have I?
Hello, Lucienne. Fiddler's Green. Bird.
Pumpkin.
May we speak in private?
Young man, the lady has made it
perfectly plain
that she has no wish to see you.
The young lady has never in the past
had trouble speaking her own mind.
Shall we hear it from her?
Thank you, Gilbert.
But the sooner he delivers his message,
the sooner he will leave.
There. You see?
I'll be all right.
What has happened to your face?
Why are you not wearing your glamour?
Because Lord Morpheus prefers to see
others as they truly are.
I hope he won't expect me
to remove mine.
No, he won't.
Because you won't be staying.
That's true. The queen wants us back
as soon as possible.
Wants us back? Why?
She's heard about the Kindly Ones.
Everyone has heard.
She wants me back
because she wants the gossip.
You are too harsh with Titania.
And you are her lapdog.
I have a duty to my queen,
and so do you.
My duty to her ended
when she gave me to Lord Morpheus.
- When you gave me to Lord Morpheus.
- Do you think I enjoyed doing that?
I had no choice.
Will you forgive me?
Come home?
No.
And Lord Morpheus will not allow it.
Of course he will.
I will ask him to send you back,
and he will wave us on our way.
I promise you, he will not.
Shall we ask him?
Find out.
Then you can be beautiful again.
Where is the throne room?
Cluracan, you can't just barge in.
Why not?
Lord Shaper, where are you?
- Ah.
- Hello, Cluracan.
My lord.
I have come to ask a favor.
It concerns a gift.
A gift?
The Lady Nuala.
She was a gift to you from my queen.
And I've come to ask
if she may return to Faerie with me.
And how does
the Lady Nuala feel about this?
I have no wish to go, my lord.
My home is here now, thanks to you.
And, Cluracan,
what does your queen say?
Well, speaking informally,
as a private individual,
I can state the queen would view
the idea of the return of the Lady Nuala
with unmixed pleasure.
Perhaps she has heard
of my recent loss
and fears the Dreaming
is no longer safe.
- No, sire, I assure you--
- She would not be mistaken.
Were you not able
to speak with the authorities?
I was.
But the law is the law.
I think it would be safer
for you to go.
As you wish, my lord.
Thank you, Lord Shaper.
Come, sister.
Let's go home.
Come in, Nuala.
Oh, sir.
Did you summon me?
I I would have come to you.
Nuala said you'd gone
to see your parents.
Were they at all helpful?
No.
I'm so sorry.
Between them, they have everything.
All of time and space.
And yet, they want
only what they cannot have.
Which is to be left alone.
So, I have given them what they want.
And did they give you anything?
They gave me life.
It is a child's vanity to believe
his parents will give him anything more.
There are parents who
actually love their children, you know?
Who take pleasure in their company
and would do anything for them.
Not mine.
No.
But you did for your son.
As you have done
for me.
Here you go, Hettie.
Thank you, love.
You're welcome. Cheers.
I just feel guilty leaving Daniel.
It's fine. He's asleep.
And Mrs. Shore is a trained nurse.
Rosie, look.
My son has a stuffed animal
who looks just like him.
He's called Shadow, that one is.
- What's your boy's name?
- Daniel.
Like the prophet.
Interpreted the king's dreams,
didn't he?
In Babylon.
Well, say good night to Daniel for us.
All right, come on you lot.
Time to go home.
Uh, what are you doing?
I just need to call
Mrs. Shore to check in.
You can do that inside. Come on.
All right, Daniel.
What do you say
to a night out instead? Hmm?
He's sending me back.
He let us know.
I'm so sorry.
I don't know what he's thinking.
He's not thinkin'.
He's grieving, Merv.
He said he's worried about my safety.
I suspect
he'll say the same thing to us.
Surely not. I can't think
what he'd do without you all.
But if it comes to that,
there's a place for you in Faerie.
You will hate it, but having you there
would make it feel like home.
Well, here's a little piece of home
for you to take back with you.
Chesterton.
He's very good company,
even at the worst of times.
Or especially.
Thank you, Gilbert.
I too would like to thank you
for your service, Nuala.
A gift.
It's beautiful.
Here.
If you are in need, hold the stone
in your hands and call me.
I will come to you
and grant you a boon.
- Sire, I--
- Are you ready, sister?
Hello.
Where did this come from?
A gift from His Majesty.
Your horse, Cluracan,
is fed and watered.
Nuala, I have taken the liberty
of furnishing you with a mare.
Thank you, Lord.
Farewell.
I'll see you all again.
Come, sister.
Let's go home.
I know you think she'll be safe there,
but her life with Queen Titania
is anything but.
At least she will have a life there.
I could not guarantee that
if she stayed,
as I cannot guarantee it
for any of you.
- Well, I'm not going anywhere.
- No. Nor am I.
You're stuck with us, boss.
I guess we're all stayin', then.
As you wish.
But I will urge everyone else
to take shelter in other realms,
until such a time
as it is safe for them to return.
And when will that time come,
if I may ask?
After my death.
Hello? Mrs. Shore?
There is nothing I or anyone can do
to keep the Kindly Ones from
performing their duties.
Mrs. Shore?
From this day forward
the future of the Dreaming
is Daniel Hall.
Ah.
It's over
But it's not done
We're forgetting the sun is setting
On a love that seems so young
But it's not over
'Til it's over and done
It's useless
We've come undone
And you know it
We both know we're wounded
War is hell and nobody won
Nobody won
All the fighting left us bleeding
But no one found the smoking gun
And it's not over
'Til it's over and done
We're forgetting the sun is setting
On a love that seems so young
But it's not over 'til it's over
It's not over 'til it's over
It's not over
Until it's over and done