Death is one of the favorite characters in The Sandmanby Neil Gaiman. And the television version of him, played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, caused a sensation. Especially, for transferring the essentials of the personality of the mysterious figure to streaming. Now, Netflix released an edited scene from the original version of the series that delves into the unique way of thinking of the older sister of Los Eternos.
The Sandman became a sleeper hit for Netflix. Not only is this one of the best adaptations on the platform, it’s also an exciting and amazing ride for fans of the source material. The unpublished footage, released by Netflix on the occasion of Christmas, demonstrates the level of care that the production team dedicated to the series. The sequence explores Death’s motivations and why he is able to view his work the way he does.
“In the spirit of the holidays, we have a gift for the best fans in the world: more Death [y] Dream”, wrote the developers of The Sandman, Allan Heinberg and David S. Goyer. The post hit Twitter and YouTube simultaneously. “This scene deleted from the episode The Sound of Her Wings it gives us a bit more insight into why Death is the way it is. We hope you enjoy it.” An announcement that excited the fans of the program and moved the broad fandom of the comic.
The Sandman: A Tour of Dark and Sweet Places
As the producers mentioned, the deleted scene comes from the sixth episode of The Sandmantitled The Sound of Her Wings. It is a faithful adaptation of volume number #8 of the comic, published in 1989 by Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III and Todd Klein. In the episode, Dream (Tom Sturridge), devastated and confused, accompanies his older sister, Death, on a day at work. What it implies is assuming the transit of death from an almost intimate point of view.
In the scene revealed by Netflix, Death tells his brother how he managed to capture the meaning of death as something more than a physical transit. Also a high caliber spiritual experience that could even move “the entire universe.” An amazing concept that surprised both in the comic and now in its television version. “I resolved that every hundred years I would take a day to see what I could learn about life as an experience.“, He says. “And at the end of my first day, when I met her, I told myself that she was a cold, smug bitch. So I understood the message and the importance of existence itself.”
Death experiencing one day of a mortal life every 100 years is a direct reference to Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham and Steve Oliff. The volume is part of a limited series originally published under DC’s Vertigo Comics imprint, as a spin-off of The Sandman. The three-part story follows a day in the life of Sexton, a suicidal young man who ends up getting a second chance. The already iconic anecdote of Death taking a day to live the human experience to the full, is an essential part of understanding the meaning of the story.
A look at the fragility and beauty of life
Howell-Baptiste herself previously discussed the importance of the scene when CCXP was screened at the panel dedicated to the series. “She lived for one day (as a human being) and then she met herself,” the interpreter said. “The reason why she is so compassionate is because she understands the meaning of dying. Even as Death and knowing what was to come, she still didn’t feel ready to go.”, he explained. A more than philosophical approach that the scene shows in all its painful beauty.
The Sandman It was renewed for a second season by Netflix. It is expected that the new episodes will include the rest of the Eternals, as well as other adaptations of the popular comic. “There are some amazing stories waiting for Morpheus and the rest of them. Now it’s time to get back to work,” Gaiman said at the time to celebrate the news. “After all, there is a family meal ahead. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to hell.”