I'm not so much confused as bamboozled by the oft changing storyline and objective of the show. The acting in this episode lacked though the cinematography continues to dazzle.
32 Reviews
Guys and Dolls
Calicodreamin9 August 2022
Quality dialogue, and the delivery of, are lacking
mnpsny7 August 2022
Either I was ignorant of particularly shoddy line delivery, or the written dialogue itself, in previous episodes or something is particularly off about this installment. Sometimes poor exposition can be covered up by amazing actors. That didn't happen here.
One would hope this is just a temporary dip in the series and future episodes improve.
Note: I hope no one who worked on the show reads this, as I assume they all tried their hardest. Or maybe they were dealt unfair hands by upper management and forced to compromise on quality in this particular episode for some reason.
One would hope this is just a temporary dip in the series and future episodes improve.
Note: I hope no one who worked on the show reads this, as I assume they all tried their hardest. Or maybe they were dealt unfair hands by upper management and forced to compromise on quality in this particular episode for some reason.
Mixed.
W011y4m56 August 2022
By far the weakest episode of the season thus far, "The Doll's House" feels like the beginning of a new chapter & tonally, completely unlike its predecessors. As I've personally never read the graphic novels yet (& thus, am not familiar with the source material), I can only hazard a guess that the first 5 installments adapt the original "Sandman" plot line & the next half of this debut season is tasked with bringing its sequel to life? Of course, only book readers will know whether I'm correct in that assumption but to me, that's certainly what it feels like; the previous story feels completed & therefore, there's a jarring realisation mid-way through this episode where you come to the understanding that it's actively endeavouring to set the foundations for a new tale - which later additions shall build upon - & everything that came before it kind of just... Inexplicably finished? The dream world's rebuilt, Morpheus has re-established control over his dominion & peace has been restored to the realm - off camera. Hence, the momentum's lost in the melee of the confusion this uncertainty creates & consequently, everything has the purpose of trying to start the ball rolling again... Only this time, it feels laboured & less easy than the initial 50%. That's not to say it's bad (far from it), but when the show got off to such a wonderful start, anything short of exceptional is undeniably "lesser".
What is this?
pinobarbaritano-448408 August 2022
Episode 6 was amazing. Almost a standalone shortfilm. And then this happened? 7th Episode another new character get's introduced?! Why does this happen so late? Who wrote this?! I still have no idea where this show is moving... What is Morpheus Arc? Why does nearly every side char has more Screentime than him?
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
slak96u6 August 2022
Why the hate?
pantelisandreou9831 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What is going on with IMDb and review bombing? Yeah this episode is not as awesome as the previous 6 but still is sets perfectly the stage for the next 3 final episodes. What's so troubling here? That Rose is a black girl or that the Corinthian makes out with a guy? Honestly people what's up with you? The only downside here is that we get so little of Desire. What an incredible portrayal! But just like the comics, Desire does so little early on. As for Morpheus barely being in it. Sandman is not supposed to be the main hero here, he is just the host of these stories so his appearance is present when it's absolutely necessary.
Wellllllll...
nomad-810719 August 2022
Utterly brilliant show until this episode (and the next; haven't done the final two yet). Everything that has come before has been lovely. But now, we're getting distinctly sub-par performances and a script that changes enough of the original material as to be a poor substitute. I'm disappointed, but will continue.
I will make a general observation that, by and large (and by no means universally), the British actors are much, much better than their American colleagues. Sorry, but it's just true. And it's not just the accent. There are some excellent US performances (for example, John Cameron Mitchell is quite good as Hal, Sarah Niles was excellent as Rosemary), but for the most part, they are simply outclassed.
Also, Cape Canaveral has not been Cape Kennedy since 1973.
I will make a general observation that, by and large (and by no means universally), the British actors are much, much better than their American colleagues. Sorry, but it's just true. And it's not just the accent. There are some excellent US performances (for example, John Cameron Mitchell is quite good as Hal, Sarah Niles was excellent as Rosemary), but for the most part, they are simply outclassed.
Also, Cape Canaveral has not been Cape Kennedy since 1973.
Another good episode
raj-bhullar6 August 2022
Ok this episode a new arc about this vortex starts. There are some new characters. Let me get this out of the way first, this episode was not as good as the last two episodes. Episode 6 especially was a masterpiece. But still I won't say this episode was bad. It was far from it. The new characters played their roles perfectly. I was engaged the whole time from start to finish. They touch up a little bit about the people who kept sleeping (when Morpheus was imprisoned) and what happens with one of them. I won't spoil more about it because it's a huge spoiler. But I didn't see that stuff coming. Also we learn who the real antagonists of the show are and are pulling the strings against Morpheus. Overall a good episode. Good intriguing storyline keeps you hooked and an ending which makes you wanna watch the next episode right away. 8/10.
Not enough Sandman....
SallyWilliams13 August 2022
I never read the comics, but I know the last 4 episodes are supposed to display another story. As most of the other reviewers, I felt this episode was a big drop in quality. The acting wasn't that great, the story felt lame in comparison to the 1st arc, and, most of all, a Sandman series shouldn't sideline the main character, who is really fascinating. Too much people here that weren't that interesting. I already read some spoiler free reviews of the season, that praised the 1st arc, but didn't like this one. Let's see......
What happened?
Peanutman20208 August 2022
How did we go from the incredible storytelling of episode 6 into this weird, corny, and uninteresting mess that is episodes 7-10? I just don't get it. The first 6 episodes were great, but this doesn't even feel like the same show at all.
Well... what happens now?
moviesfilmsreviewsinc30 November 2022
Episode 7 of The Sandman starts with us diving through time to 2015. We're in Cape Kennedy, Florida, and in the middle of a big family dispute no less. In the wake of a couple breaking up, two siblings, Jed and Rose Walker, are separated from one another. It's the most heartbreaking thing in the world, as Rose struggles to hold back tears. Meanwhile, Desire and Despair continue to scheme, believing there's a new vortex. As it turns out, this is actually Rose Walker. News of this spreads across to Dream's castle. Lucienne feeds back to Dream that were are over 11,000 entities in the vicinity but three of the Major Arcana are gone. Gault; a shape-changing nightmare, the Corinthian and Fiddler's Green. Dream blames himself, but shrugs off the vortex rumours, given Rose is no threat at the moment. So instead, Lucienne sends Matthew on to check on her. Moving from the first volume onto the second (which is aptly titled "The Dolls House", The Sandman moves into the intriguing story of Rose Walker along with The Corinthian and his serial killer convention. It's all quite accurate to the comics, although the inclusions I've mentioned previously - Matthew the talking raven most notably - hold this back from being a better adaptation. However, these are minor grumbles in what's otherwise been an absorbing watch. There's a lot to like with this one, including excellent visuals and a strong storyline.
Interestingly, Gault was the last nightmare Jed had and Lucienne theorizes that he may have been snatched then. However, they're interrupted by Rose showing up, inexplicably appearing in the Dreaming. The Corinthian also shows up but not to see Dream and Rose. He's seen the copycat killings and heads in to meet the serial killers. They implore him to join them at the convention and to give the keynote speech. Corinthian wants to bring a guess who can "take their shared dreams to a whole new level" and that is, of course, the vortex herself, Rose.
As the episode closes out, we see that Jed is alive but not necessarily well. His guardians don't take kindly to him and after he tries to run away, they catch up and bundle him in the trunk of the car.
Interestingly, Gault was the last nightmare Jed had and Lucienne theorizes that he may have been snatched then. However, they're interrupted by Rose showing up, inexplicably appearing in the Dreaming. The Corinthian also shows up but not to see Dream and Rose. He's seen the copycat killings and heads in to meet the serial killers. They implore him to join them at the convention and to give the keynote speech. Corinthian wants to bring a guess who can "take their shared dreams to a whole new level" and that is, of course, the vortex herself, Rose.
As the episode closes out, we see that Jed is alive but not necessarily well. His guardians don't take kindly to him and after he tries to run away, they catch up and bundle him in the trunk of the car.
"Wha-wha-... what happened???!"
ReptilianPig15 August 2022
If you'll notice, most of the reviews which spout negative angles all have the same header. These are the SheepPeeps who cannot form their own thoughts or exercise some patience.
No, this isn't the best episode, but they cannot all be exquisite like the previous episode. I'd give it a 6, because I'm fair and not dramatic.
No, this isn't the best episode, but they cannot all be exquisite like the previous episode. I'd give it a 6, because I'm fair and not dramatic.
What Just Happened?
rlculpepper7 August 2022
Did this become a different show? Stilted acting of bad, trite and phony dialogue and the visual splendor is gone. They're continuing one unfinished thread with the nightmare but the show is now without the tone or panache of the 1st 4 episodes and nuance of eps 5 and 6. They've apparently started a new story line midseason and it is shallow, phony and uninteresting to say the least. I'm at a loss for words. It's not the same show, it's become something from CBS in the 2000s with a few bad words, attempts at gore and badly written modern progressive characters.
First story arc has officially ended
ha77y73ad976 September 2022
This is a great story to come to next but the start of the story is a very slow but is hopefully going to be a story that everyone can remember. But this is an episode that may lose a few people. Theres still over arching stories from the first arc but this is where Dream is at his most powerful but also most vulnerable.
WIth a lot of the details of the story not playing out until the end of the arc this is just a building episode for the things to come so i can see why this is a lower score across the board. After the near prefect episode that was the last this needs to kick on after this episode.
Overall i can see where they are going with this but most of these are lesser than the beginning part of the series but i want to see this none the less. Roll on the next episode!
WIth a lot of the details of the story not playing out until the end of the arc this is just a building episode for the things to come so i can see why this is a lower score across the board. After the near prefect episode that was the last this needs to kick on after this episode.
Overall i can see where they are going with this but most of these are lesser than the beginning part of the series but i want to see this none the less. Roll on the next episode!
Best part is Hal's drag performance.
twilightshadows-428-4003037 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The best part of this episode was Hal's drag performance. Enormous talent displayed in those few minutes. I gave an extra star just for that. As for the rest of the episode, it's hit or miss, and part of that is in the unnecessary changes. However, some of the other complaints in the reviews are unfounded. The switch to Rose Walker's story is part of the comics, though they skipped the backstory of Morpheus' love affair with Nada. And in the comics Morpheus is in the background, with Rose being the central character. Though The Sandman is basically Morpheus' story, it's structured a bit differently than what viewers are used to, with some arcs focusing on characters other than him, but which are largely connected to him. Additionally, Desire and Despair are quite true to their comic counterparts, with Desire being a standout. That being said, significant changes have been made; some were necessary and some weren't. Lydia and Hector's stories have likely been changed due to licensing issues. We fans all wish the various studios, networks, etc could just learn to play well with others, but it isn't likely to happen. Thus virtually all DC references have been removed, including Lydia and Hector's superhero roles. They have kept Hector being dead and Lydia being connected to him in dreams, but in a very different and, so far, less significant way. Rose is far more proactive here, and while it's just an ok performance, Rose wasn't a great character in the comics either. She was kind of moody and pathetic, so this might be a slight improvement. But why portray only Jed's foster father as abusive, when both parents were abusive in the comics? What, a woman can't be the abuser? She has to be a victim? If they were trying for woke they missed the mark. Making her a victim is a step back. Then there's the shift in the Corinthian convention plot. The Corinthian has been given a larger role overall, and the portrayal of the character is excellent. But why change from the hotel to the diner and have the convention organizers lure him to be the guest of honor instead of his already being an attendant and then being asked to fill in for the no show guest? Why have him looking for Rose instead of showing more of his activities as a serial killer? And while I don't object to LGBQ scenes when they fit the story, his was unnecessary in a story where that community is already well represented. It's also completely out of character for him not to kill the guy. They did do well with the boarding house members. All of those characters are straight out of the comics. However, they appear to be diminishing Gilbert's role, and not only is he a key player in the comics, he's played here by the incredibly talented Stephen Fry. I sincerely hope his role will be expanded in the next few episodes. However, Rose has entered the dream realm and met Morpheus much sooner, and now they're teaming up?? I'm afraid they may be placing Morpheus in Gilbert's role to fulfill audience expectations regarding screen time for the protagonist. Additionally, she already knows she's the vortex, but there's no real concern much less any mention of Morpheus having to kill her. This changes both the order and significance of certain events, which has created confusion and a disjointed storyline, as well as deflating the climax that was set in the original. And then there's the nightmare attached to Jeb. In the comics it was actually a duo who were trying to establish their own dream realm in Morpheus' absence. No idea who Gault is or where that story is going, but again the change feels unnecessary. Hopefully this will all get sorted out in the next few episodes, but it's a mediocre start. The original plot for this arc was complex, but it was more cohesive than this. They should have stayed closer to the source material.
Best episode so far
Chiefbukowski25 August 2022
Don't believe all the other confused reviews. This is the best episode so far, perfectly setting up a plethora of characters and actually telling a story rather than the previous cliched "quest" episodes. I was wary when I saw it was the worst rated episode but pleasantly surprised that the series has finally gotten into its stride. Actually looking forward to the next few episodes...
[6.8] Potter-field
cjonesas30 October 2022
Episode 7: Semi interesting of an episode with countless deep fantasy messages, gorgeous cinematography, average CGI and visual effects for the pleasure of eye candy lovers. Deep storyline and plots adaptation doing justice to the comics, a somewhat unrealistic and weak flow at the same time while the vibe is shinier, all the while telling the story in a mishmash way. The weakest link of the episodes so far is its convoluted, sort of slow burn storytelling, having all the bright ingredients, but not falling to coherently grab viewers interest.
A sort of new storyline plots related to like another show. The sort of drastic turn in vibe shows the writers dismay to provide continuous entertainment like the comics "books" do.
A sort of new storyline plots related to like another show. The sort of drastic turn in vibe shows the writers dismay to provide continuous entertainment like the comics "books" do.
Endless
athenabvb25 August 2022
I want more Desire, let me make that clear. They are perfect for the role. The most interesting thing about this series is the relationship between the Endless siblings.
This second storyline is interesting, though I bit confusing. I feel for Rose and her little brother- their father is such a jerk.
I can't say I'm interesting in the Corinthis, though. The actor is acting brilliant, but it's the only thing that's interesting about him.
This second storyline is interesting, though I bit confusing. I feel for Rose and her little brother- their father is such a jerk.
I can't say I'm interesting in the Corinthis, though. The actor is acting brilliant, but it's the only thing that's interesting about him.
What happened?
emilydammer8 August 2022
From episode 1 to 6, I was absolutely impressed with the quality of the acting, the amazing storyline, and gritty visuals, but this episode felt so disjointed and the acting was almost too bad/cringeworthy to watch. I would love to say the acting improves in later episodes, but it was a struggle to finish this season. I just wish they had kept the quality consistent throughout.
What the....
Rasalgheti_200028 August 2022
The series until now was remarkable, coherent, well structured, each chapter left a good taste in the mouth, (relatively) But when I saw this episode the only question I was able to ask myself was, what the hell? I really felt that I was watching a different series, incoherent and unnecessary scenes, dialogues without meaning, poorly interconnected with the main plot, really an absolutely disappointing episode. Well I can think of another adjective with which you can qualify this episode: this is undoubtedly the most woke episode of the entire series (so far) this episode was not a dream, it was a total nightmare.
Incoherent mess. Relentless forced identities
anthonyjlangford7 September 2022
As opposed to some earlier excellent episodes this one is just a minefield of confusion with discrepant characterizations. The writing is well below par. They seem far more concerned with grossly exaggerated ideological virtue signaling than trying to craft a coherent screenplay.
Suddenly, the world is 80% black or mixed race and every romantic and sexual interest is LGBT etc.
There's inclusion and then there's vast overrepresentation to the point of farce. It's almost funny. Neil Gaiman is a straight white male for God's sake. Apparently screen poison today. Unless depicted as inept or the villain.
In Hollywoke at least.
The opposite of inclusion is division and that's exactly what this is.
If the story was consumable in any form it wouldn't be as bad.
Actually no. It's still ludicrous.
So many shows today adopt this approach. They hook you in with excellent opening episodes like Foundation and 1883 and then halfway through start forcing their mis-representative agendas to the fore in place of plot and story.
Another series wasted.
Suddenly, the world is 80% black or mixed race and every romantic and sexual interest is LGBT etc.
There's inclusion and then there's vast overrepresentation to the point of farce. It's almost funny. Neil Gaiman is a straight white male for God's sake. Apparently screen poison today. Unless depicted as inept or the villain.
In Hollywoke at least.
The opposite of inclusion is division and that's exactly what this is.
If the story was consumable in any form it wouldn't be as bad.
Actually no. It's still ludicrous.
So many shows today adopt this approach. They hook you in with excellent opening episodes like Foundation and 1883 and then halfway through start forcing their mis-representative agendas to the fore in place of plot and story.
Another series wasted.
What happened
XTheXXTruthX8 August 2022
The show was pretty good up until this point (it's not great, let's not pretend otherwise, but it's one of the better comic book adaptations, sticking to the source material for the most part - casting aside)
Episodes 5 and 6 being high points
But this episode is all over the place.
I've read the comics about a dozen times, the delivery of this great storyline in this episode is really shoddy
Hope they get back on track for episode 8 because another one like this and I'm out.
I've read the comics about a dozen times, the delivery of this great storyline in this episode is really shoddy
Hope they get back on track for episode 8 because another one like this and I'm out.
Chewing Lines, Anyone?
rdatsoy12 August 2022
I admit, I don't really care how wonky the storyline is. The acting certainly doesn't help it though. Did Casting go down to a local theater troupe and just rope a bunch of randos in, hoping heavy eye make up and hair extensions would save the show?
There was no great emotional connection happening here w/ the main character, so halfway through I just skipped it. No Vortex to hold my interest.
None of the characters were compelling enough to watch; it felt like the actors just were saying their lines, hitting their marks. Snooze.
A real drag on the first half of the season.
There was no great emotional connection happening here w/ the main character, so halfway through I just skipped it. No Vortex to hold my interest.
None of the characters were compelling enough to watch; it felt like the actors just were saying their lines, hitting their marks. Snooze.
A real drag on the first half of the season.
Such a shame
WarBerg1118 August 2022
The first six episodes were great and the last two were fantastic even. I was hooked after episodes five and six. The acting, cinematography, atmosphere and dialogue all were on an incredible high level.
But somehow this (disconnected) episode is mediocre. The story is uninteresting and confusing (with random hopping between UK and USA) and the production quality plummeted. There are too many new characters introduced, the acting is average, and the dialogue is subpar. Finally, so many LGBTQ characters are shoved in your face that it becomes annoying to watch. If this episode is foreboding season two, then don´t sign me on. Such a shame really, because I enjoyed episodes 1-6 thoroughly.
But somehow this (disconnected) episode is mediocre. The story is uninteresting and confusing (with random hopping between UK and USA) and the production quality plummeted. There are too many new characters introduced, the acting is average, and the dialogue is subpar. Finally, so many LGBTQ characters are shoved in your face that it becomes annoying to watch. If this episode is foreboding season two, then don´t sign me on. Such a shame really, because I enjoyed episodes 1-6 thoroughly.
One can clearly see the Poor Director choice for this episode.
chroniclesofphoenix13 August 2022
Everything was going quite wonderfully until we got to this episode. The acting has taking a turn for the worse... well, overall the direction is quite awful and uneducated. It had been a quality series until they decided to switch to this Director. Hoping it gets better after they switch directors again.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
