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Netflix's highly anticipated final season of The Sandman has arrived, and it's diving headfirst into one of the most iconic storylines from Neil Gaiman's original graphic novels: “Season of Mists.” This volume is practically legendary among fans, often cited as the pinnacle of the Sandman universe, and its adaptation promised a thrilling experience. But a key change to Dream’s character has sparked considerable discussion and debate.

For those unfamiliar, The Sandman follows Morpheus, also known as Dream (played brilliantly by Tom Sturridge), one of the Endless – powerful, anthropomorphic personifications of universal concepts like Death, Desire, and Despair. He's the ruler of the Dreaming, the realm of dreams and nightmares, and his responsibilities are vast and ancient.

“Season of Mists” sees Dream imprisoned and, upon his release, taking possession of Lucifer’s castle in Hell. This sets off a chain of events involving various deities, demons, and cosmic entities, as Dream navigates the complexities of power and responsibility in a way he never has before. The comic version of Dream is often aloof, detached, and bound by rigid rules and ancient traditions.

So, what's changed for the Netflix adaptation? The core storyline remains largely intact, but the showrunners have opted to portray Dream as a character grappling with a more profound sense of loneliness and vulnerability. While the comic Dream maintains a stoic facade, the series version allows viewers to see cracks in his armor, revealing a deeper emotional complexity. This is particularly evident in his interactions with Nada (Kelis), a mortal woman who becomes an unexpected source of solace and connection.

Why the change? Showrunner Allan Heinberg has explained that the decision was made to make Dream more relatable to a modern audience. “We wanted to allow the audience to see the toll that centuries of responsibility and isolation have taken on him,