Playing House

There's something so jarring about the shift in this narrative that I can't help but be distracted by the random change in direction, mid-way through S1.

Granted, this "sequel" of sorts is still interesting & does contain genuinely creative moments throughout but since the problems that were introduced in the pilot have essentially been resolved already, I can't help but feel as though the plot is resultantly lacking any sense of perceivable threat - in comparison to the first 5 episodes; Morpheus is no longer stripped of his powers, his captors are vanquished, the dream realm has been restored & there seems to have been very little consequence to his spat with Lucifer... So the purposeful momentum which kept the pace moving forward (a frenetic search through multiverses & a fight against time - as scheming nemeses sought to claim the Sandman's talismans for themselves in a constant battle for power) has ironically... Lost its purpose. Plus, events which unfolded seem to have been fairly trivial (despite their apparent grandiosity) since hardly any ramifications seem to have been suffered in response to this supposed calamity. Therefore, as this continuation fails to directly address any of these issues (in a concise, timely manner that would theoretically justify further watching), it feels like a continuation for the sake of it, as opposed to one which is genuinely necessitated.

I say this not because I want to (alas, it genuinely pains me to be so negative) but because I can't help but feel as though that's how it is; we began this adventure, following the protagonist in his century long quest for reinstatement. Instead, he's relegated to a supporting role in his own debut series - so the story can change perspective & rather focus on a little girl... When it still feels as though there was so much left unexplored from the previous narrative - that's been brushed aside for this inferior replacement?

Granted, what we've seen of Tom Sturridge's character remains promising (I haven't read the novels so am unaware as to how he develops, but I'm sensing conflict on the horizon)... I simply don't get the impression we're seeing enough of him in his own show - in what's meant to be a debut that should hypothetically centre around his establishment.

So much of the last 2 episodes have been set up for the next few to become something special. Most of the story is a cat and mouse story that has to play out before the finale.

To be honest this was such an average episode that im trying to remember what happened during this. For the life of me i cant remember but the feeling that i have of the episode is just waiting for the next and for this to properly take off in this second story arc of the series.

So much of the visuals are awesome and the casting of every character through out this series, apart from a few, has been spot on. If this series does ever be commissioned for season 2 i will be very happy to see the next 30 issues of the comic come to life again.

I have been up and down about this series throughout. We started with high fantasy (pf the worst sort: self-important and bland) and we have seemed to have moved on to horror ( which disappoints me because I don't like horror.) I'm still unclear about who exactly Morpheus is in relationship to the waking world. But I am only writing this to complain about one thing.... This does not vaguely resemble Florida. We'll pass over that there is no town "Cape Kennedy_ nor was there ever. But if there were such a town, it would be on one of our barrier islands. Most likely Merritt Island. There are no basements on Merritt Island. There are no hills or changes of elevation really on Merritt Island. I realize there was Covid but what would it have hurt to come out to Satellite Beach and seen what the area really looks like. This kind of inexactitude and vagary is my general take of the whole show. Everything seems just a little sloppy. Despite their best efforts (and I do think they made an honest effort) to get it right. On the other hand I just seem to be watching the whole damn thing. I am in general impressed with the acting. But I'd much rather have seen a high budget production of Neverwhere.

At least this episode followed the same thread as its predecessor, but random scenes and slow moments. The acting was lacking but enjoyable cinematography and CGI.

The show started really good. It was dark, magical, funny then for some reason half way through the season they've wrapped up that storyline and started a new one and it's not a good one. It's a complete bore. I don't feel for any of the characters because they're all new characters and Dream isn't it in it much anymore. It's very strange.