The Sandman (2022) s02e08 Episode Script

You mustn't be unhappy, sister.
The Dreaming will survive,
even if Lord Morpheus does not.
You underestimate him, Cluracan.
I hope so. For his sake.
And for mine.
I'm coming back here.
The only reason I agreed
to go to Faerie
is to bring our troops here
to fight at Lord Morpheus's side.
If Titania sees you looking like that,
without your glamour on,
she's not gonna listen
to anything you have to say.
- You know what she's like.
- I do.
And she's about to find out
what I'm like.
While I cannot support your decision,
I also cannot help but admire it.
Luckily for you,
I'm glamorous enough
for the both of us.
Cluracan, take your glamour
off of me right now.
After your reunion with the queen.
You go first. I will follow.
Welcome home, Lady Nuala.
You're looking well.
Thank you, milady.
Apart from whatever it is
you're wearing,
but we'll remedy that back
at the palace.
You may take the horses, Cluracan.
The Lady Nuala
and I have much to discuss.
As you wish, Your Majesty.
I trust you did not think
your exile permanent, dear.
It was fitting for its time,
but I assure you, there is no one here
more pleased to see you back than I.
You are most gracious, milady.
That jewel you're wearing,
it's very pretty.
- It's new, isn't it?
- It is.
So how is he?
- Lord Shaper?
- Yes.
He is very well,
considering, but he is on his own now.
He's asked the residents of the Dreaming
to seek shelter in other realms
until matters are settled.
So I do believe
he is in need of some assistance.
Did he tell you to ask for me help?
No, I just thought
In your time there,
did he ever speak of me?
Not to me.
But he does tend to keep
his own counsel.
That really is a lovely little bauble.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
If I were to ask you for it,
what would you say?
I would be forced to admit
that it was a gift, milady,
and not in my power to give.
If, of course, you were to ask.
Cluracan, what news have you?
Come, my lady.
I will tell you everything.
Dream?
Are you all right?
- Forgive me, sister.
- For what?
No one ever comes to visit.
I'm glad you're here.
I mean
I'm sorry you're here.
I'm sorry
about Orpheus.
I used to go and see him.
I never told you.
Didn't think you'd approve.
He used to sing to me.
Billie Holiday.
A bit of Nick Drake.
And in return
I used to answer his questions.
About you.
Not that I ever had much to tell him.
You and I don't really talk,
which I understand.
If I had a sister called Despair,
I don't think I'd spend
much time with her either.
But people need
a place to go where they can
be miserable.
And grieve.
And hit bottom.
Before they swim up for air
and start breathing again.
That's what happens next.
Once you're ready.
I have not been
the brother I should have been.
Well
you're here now.
- Not for much longer.
- You don't know that.
Perhaps there will be
a better Dream to take my place.
You're talking rubbish.
I'm not.
His name
is Daniel Hall.
Daniel Hall?
His name is Daniel Hall.
He's eight months old.
We're in East Sussex.
If you could send someone.
Thank you, Officer.
They put me on hold.
The police won't find him.
You know who did this.
Hippolyta Hall?
Yes?
I'm Detective Pinkerton.
This is Detective Fellowes.
Ma'am.
I'm on with the police now.
Oh, you can, um, hang up.
We got the call. That's why we're here.
We understand a child
has been abducted?
- Daniel. His name is Daniel.
- Daniel. Right.
This is obviously a very difficult time
for you, but, uh
can you tell us what happened?
We went out for dinner.
And when we got back,
the front door was open
and the entire staff was unconscious.
But they're all here,
present and accounted for?
The only one missing was my son.
I found his stuffed animal
on the floor.
Right there.
Huh.
Look at that.
- Hmm.
- What?
Looks like sand.
Sand?
Any idea how the sand
might have got here?
I think I do know
how it got there, yes.
I must go.
According to Daniel's dream ledger,
he was awakened
and left the realm several hours ago.
Then I will have to find him
in the waking world.
Why don't you wait a bit?
He's a baby. All they do is sleep.
He could be back any moment.
I suspect he's been sedated
to keep him from dreaming.
And from me.
- What if it's a trap?
- I'm sure it is.
But the future of our realm
depends upon this boy.
Only if something happens to you,
which we can prevent.
How?
I've been doing
a bit of research on the Kindly Ones.
According to the source text,
the Endless are safe
from harm or harassment
as long as they remain in their realms.
I think Loki and Puck know that.
I think you know it too.
I will not spend eternity
a prisoner in my own realm.
Nor will I let anything happen
to Daniel.
Then I only ask that you are cautious.
Send someone else to the waking world.
Or if you have to go,
find a mortal agent there to assist you.
There is one mortal
as cunning as Loki and Puck.
And almost as dangerous.
Fuck.
Johanna Constantine.
You owe me the rest of that dream.
In the end, you murder your lover.
That tracks.
Even in my dreams,
the people I fancy end up dead.
Don't worry, you're safe.
Far from it, I'm afraid.
Right.
Heard about your son
and the Kindly Ones.
That is why I'm here.
I need your assistance
in finding a child called Daniel Hall.
Who is he?
In the event of my death
he will be the new
Dream of the Endless.
You know that already?
As do his kidnappers.
His kidnappers are
the Norse god of chaos and fire,
and an escaped hobgoblin from Faerie.
Are you joking?
Sorry, I forgot.
You don't have a sense of humor.
What's in it for me?
The handwritten journal
of your ancestor,
Lady Johanna Constantine.
And the secret knowledge therein.
Lady Johanna kept a journal?
- Have you read it?
- I am in it.
Did you shag my ancestor?
Did she shag you?
If you accept the assignment,
you can read it for yourself.
Not now.
There's no time to waste.
It's four o'clock in the morning.
All of England's asleep.
And if it turns out there's
no shagging in this, I will be too.
There's no use in crying over it.
She gets to be sad if she wants.
And angry.
Who are you?
- You know us, granddaughter.
- We're here to help you.
I'm dreaming. This is him, isn't it?
You give him far too much credit.
- Are you gonna hurt me?
- Hurt you?
Of course we're going to hurt you.
Everybody gets hurt.
But we're also going to help you.
Your baby's been stolen, after all.
- Where is he? Where is Daniel?
- I've had enough of her.
She's had her three questions.
She's wasted them.
I asked you where Daniel is.
You didn't answer.
Granddaughter, we do want to help you.
We will see you again.
And we can tell you this.
You've already met
those that took Daniel.
But they are not what they seem.
- They're going to put him in the fire.
- What?
Mind you don't get burned.
Boop!
Where are you?
- We're in here.
- Who's "we"?
Oh.
- He's actually a very good baby.
- I hate babies.
They're terrible conversationalists.
Utterly self-absorbed.
- This one's an excellent listener.
- Only 'cause he doesn't talk yet.
He doesn't cry. He doesn't fuss.
He just stares at me with those eyes.
Look at him.
With his absolute love and trust.
He doesn't love you.
He doesn't even know you.
Well, I think babies
are a little bit like dogs.
They can read people.
Oh Where is this coming from?
What's happened to my ruthless,
malevolent Puck?
I'm only ruthless and malevolent
to people who deserve it.
Daniel's an innocent.
He hasn't done anything wrong.
Give him time.
- So, did you never want to have kids?
- Never. And I had six of them.
- Six?
- You never talk about them.
Why would I?
One's a giant serpent,
one's an eight-legged horse,
one's a wolf.
Well, two now, since Odin
turned my third son into a wolf
who then murdered my fourth son.
That's terrible.
Yes. Children are terrible.
They make you vulnerable,
they break your heart,
and then Odin uses their entrails
to bind and torture you in a prison.
Oh, I don't think Daniel's like that.
He's not like any baby I've ever met.
Darling, you mustn't get attached.
Daniel's just a pawn in this game.
To be captured and taken off the board.
First Daniel, then Dream.
Now, since you all of a sudden
enjoy taking care of people,
why don't you order us some breakfast
while I'm in the shower?
- I don't understand.
- What don't you understand?
You offered Lady Johanna anything
that was in your power to give her.
- Yes.
- So you gave her the love of her life.
Yes.
You gave me a book.
Why did you give me this?
Why did you think I needed it?
Because I knew you both.
And the similarities are extraordinary.
- Mm. I'll take that as a compliment.
- You should.
She walked the path you are on.
She fought the same demons.
And found her way to love.
- You think I want love?
- Your dreams would suggest--
That was sex.
Everyone I've ever cared about is dead
because of me, so no, thank you.
- Right, I'll get ready. We can go.
- Go where?
Traditionally, an investigation begins
at the scene of a crime.
No.
- Why not?
- His mother will not wish to see me.
- Why's that?
- Because she thinks I've taken him.
- Why would she think that?
- Because
I told her I would.
Are you sure you don't want
to go home, leave this with me?
No.
From what I know about the Kindly Ones,
you won't be safe here if they come.
From what I know about Loki and Puck,
you won't be safe here if I go.
So you're fine,
going to see Daniel Hall's mum?
What's that?
My police warrant card.
One of the few perks of having been
chief exorcist for the royal family.
Yes. They have more than one.
- Hello.
- Hello.
I'm Johanna Constantine,
and this is my partner.
- Oh, thank God. Have you found Daniel?
- Not yet.
But we'd like to speak to his mum,
if she is available.
Of course. Please, come in.
- Thanks.
- I'll let Ms. Hall know you're here.
Cheers.
Better let me do the talkin'.
Oi!
Where are you goin'?
Dream.
- What are you doing in here?
- No need to whisper.
Why not?
Eternal sleep.
This is Alex Burgess.
Son of Roderick.
You punished him.
Nothing compared to what he did to me.
I had hoped you'd come to wake him.
Haven't we suffered enough?
I punished him, not you.
You punished us both.
You both earned it.
Where is he?
- I don't know.
- You're lying.
I have never lied to you.
You said you were gonna take him,
and now he's gone.
Do you think I would be here now
if I had taken him?
What he means to say is
we are here to help.
I did not take the child.
Then who did?
- I have enemies.
- And we will find them.
And Daniel.
And when you find him
will you bring him back to me?
He's not safe with you.
Of course we will.
- Of course we'll bring him back.
- You'd better.
Because if anything happens to him
I will kill you.
You don't make friends easily, do you?
You think that was my fault?
I do, actually.
Paul's husband is
in a coma because of you.
Lyta's baby's been kidnapped
because of you.
If anything happens to that baby,
she'll find a way
to the Kindly Ones and destroy you.
Or Paul will. Or Loki.
Or God knows who else
you managed to piss off.
I have a suggestion.
- You won't like it.
- Go on.
- I suggest you go back inside
- No.
- apologize to Lyta
- Why?
and wake up Alex Burgess.
He deserved to be punished.
Sure the Kindly Ones
feel the same about you.
It's not the same.
I did as my son asked.
Alex did as his father told him to.
- You fucked up in there.
- I hired you to find the child.
And I'm trying to save your life.
But that's not what you want, is it?
You want them to punish you.
You want to be punished
for Orpheus's death.
You could be safe
in the Dreaming right now,
but instead, you're down here.
Picking fights with people
who already want you dead.
You're not here to find Daniel.
You're on a suicide mission.
I don't want any part in it.
- It's yours now.
- I want you to read it.
- I have.
- Then read it again.
So you'll know your son never blamed
you for what happened. Not once.
And if he was here, he'd be telling you
the exact same thing I'm telling you.
Go back to the Dreaming and stay there.
You hired me to find Daniel,
and I will.
But only if you go home.
Puck, have you ordered breakfast?
I'm starving.
Puck?
Puck?
Puck? Where are you going?
He's not a pawn.
He's just a baby.
Hello, Hob.
Hello, you.
What're you doing here?
I came to talk to you.
I was sorry to hear of your loss.
It's okay. People die.
Well, most people.
I've seen so many people die.
My wives, my children.
It never gets any easier,
the people you love
not being here anymore.
I must return to my realm.
I'm not sure when
if ever, I will come back to this one.
So I wanted to say goodbye.
You do this, you know.
You show up, you tell me
I'm never going to see you again,
and then you always come back.
Not this time.
I don't believe you.
But if that's the case, shouldn't
we have one last drink before you go?
So what's this all about?
Something wrong? You in trouble?
I've made mistakes.
The same mistakes.
Again and again, somehow.
In spite of myself.
You've just described
what it's like to be human.
My therapist calls it
checking your work.
Yes, it's taken me 600 years,
but I am finally in therapy.
And Jesse,
Jesse's my therapist,
he says it's like putting a record on.
And the needle looks like
it's staying in the same place,
but it's actually getting
closer to the center with every turn.
When first we met
you were a wager.
Between me and my sister.
What was the wager?
That no sensible creature
would crave an eternity of human life.
- Sorry I lost you that bet.
- No.
I'm sorry.
For your loss.
For all your losses.
- It was not right.
- Oh, stop.
You didn't force this on me.
You offered.
I accepted. No regrets.
I wish I could say the same.
Look I've been around a bit.
Not as long as you, obviously.
But I have never seen
anyone lead a perfect life.
The best any of us can do is
enjoy what little time we have.
And try not to ruin it for anyone else.
And whatever mistakes you've made,
or you think you've made
maybe it's not too late to fix them.
I'm sorry
for what I did.
And what I didn't do.
I'm so sorry.
As am I.
You are free.
Is is this real, or is it a dream?
It is time to wake up.
Paul?
Paul?
Oh, there you are.
Alex?
All right, Danny boy, it's been grand,
but let's let Detective Fellowes
get you back to your mum
before Loki kills us both.
Robin Goodfellow.
Lord Shaper.
I was just about to return
Daniel to his mother.
The child belongs to me.
She might disagree with you about that.
Shall we ask her?
Give me the boy.
On one condition.
Release Loki from his obligation.
The deal you made
with him was not a fair one,
as it requires him
to be other than he is.
He is not,
nor will he ever be responsible,
principled, or honorable in any way.
And why risk my displeasure
to save him?
Because he's clever.
And he makes me laugh.
Well, I don't know about you,
but I get lonely being
the smartest person in every room,
so it's nice having someone
who forces you to raise your game.
So
if I release Loki from our agreement
you will give me the boy?
I will.
Very well.
Loki is free from his obligation
from this day forward.
Thank you, Lord Shaper.
All right, Danny.
Your friend Dream here
is going to take you back to your mum.
I really hope we get
to see each other again soon.
You will.
I can't believe you fell for that.
Or that you were so nice about me.
You're not in love with me, are you?
Not at the moment, no.
Well, let's go home and see
if I can change your mind about that.
What about Daniel?
Is he still a pawn in this game?
I promise you
that when the time comes
Daniel is going to be king.
Apologies, my lord.
I didn't know you'd returned.
The guardians said
you wished to see me?
Yes, Lucienne.
Did you find the child?
I did not.
Johanna Constantine will continue
the search without me,
since it is imprudent for me to be away
from the Dreaming at this time.
She will need
all the assistance we can provide her.
Of course. How may I help?
I gave you something once
to keep safe for me,
should the time arise
that I might need it once more.
Do you still have it?
- It's locked away safely, but--
- Will you bring it to me?
Are you sure about this?
I have no choice.
We have no choice.
As you wish, my lord.
He's very quiet in there.
He's sound asleep.
Then I have to admit, you were right.
He is a very good baby.
Then I have to admit that, uh
I may have sprinkled
some faerie dust over his crib.
If it's good enough for the pope
Shall I make you a drink?
You're very persuasive.
You have no idea.
I once convinced Thor he was pregnant.
You did not.
I was disguised
as a wandering physician.
So, I fed him a gallon of castor oil,
shoved a cork up his bum,
then I said I'd be back
in a few days to deliver the baby.
- What? And he believed you?
- Yeah, he's not very bright.
A few days later, he's got a pain
in his gut like you cannot believe,
as the pressure builds.
Then, suddenly,
through the open window comes
Ratatoskr, the squirrel.
And Ratatoskr is insatiably curious.
He climbs on top of Thor's quivering,
heaving, straining buttocks
No, no, no, he doesn't.
He does. He pulls out the cork.
An explosion of shit
thunders forth from the god of storms.
And the mighty Thor sits up.
He sees Ratatoskr on the floor,
befouled and gasping.
He clasps the squirrel to his bosom.
And he says,
"You are ugly, you are hairy,
and you are covered in shit."
"But you're mine."
"And I love you."
What are you doing?
Sorry, babe.
You don't want to be awake
for this part.
Now, young man,
while we're telling bedtime stories
Do you know the one
about the goddess Demeter?
Who put the king's baby on the fire?
Thank you for coming, Miss Hall.
Is there news?
I'm afraid so.
DC Fellowes and I recovered a body.
But it's been badly burned.
So you don't know if it's Daniel?
There's a photograph, but
it's not something
you or anyone should ever have to see.
Show me the photograph.
We'll know more
when forensics get their report--
Show me the photograph.
Please.
I'm sorry, Miss Hall.
My lord.
Lucienne told me what you were up to,
but I had to see it for myself.
It is almost finished.
What do you think?
I think it looks
just like the last one.
Yes.
I made the first one a long time ago.
Before my son was born.
- And aren't you worried?
- Why should I be?
- The first one tried to kill you.
- The first one was a fool.
This one will not be.
Did you bring it?
Against my better judgment.
Now live.
Thank you, Lord.
I await your command.
Whoo!
Ooh
Don't wanna be every now and then
Don't wanna be just a good time
Something that you save
For the weekend
To take the edge off and unwind
I'm the nicest of the vices
Love it so much
You gotta hide it, yeah
I wanna be your pack a day
Spend your money on me
Soon as you get paid
Friends say
You'll throw your life away
But you can't put it down
Can never put it down
I wanna be your 90 proof
Only thing that you ever wanna do
We both know that I'm bad for you
But you can't put it down
Can never put it down
I wanna be your new bad habit
Whoo!
Yeah!
I wanna be your 90 proof
The only thing that you ever wanna do
We both know that I'm bad for you
But you can't put it down
Can never put it down
I wanna be your new bad habit
Wake up cold
Shiver, just gotta have it
Can't quit cold and you can't rehab it
I wanna be your new bad habit