Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dead Boy Detectives and the Sandman comic The Song Of Orpheus.
Summary
- A potential new character in The Sandman season 2 mentioned in Dead Boy Detectives hints at exciting cross-series connections.
- The Orpheus reference in Dead Boy Detectives alludes to a tragic love story that appears in the Sandman comic special The Song Of Orpheus.
- Allan Heinberg confirms his interest in bringing Orpheus to The Sandman season 2, with clues from set photos and plot hints increasing the likelihood.
Netflix’s The Sandman was renewed for season 2, three months after the show's release. Then, the Sandman Universe on Netflix expanded on April 25, 2024, with the release of the series Dead Boy Detectives.
The newer show has gone over just as well as the first, garnering a 91% return of Death in Dead Boy Detectives and a cameo by Despair, The Sandman will likely include connections between the two series going forward. One of the biggest connections could be a new character who plays a major role in the comics that Dead Boy Detectives sets up with a short and quippy line.
The Sandman Season 2 Changes Have Us Even More Excited For New Episodes
Writer Neil Gaiman and showrunner Allan Heinberg have promised changes for The Sandman season 2, making fans more excited for the episodes.
Dead Boy Detectives' Orpheus Reference Sets Up Possible Sandman Season 2 Appearance
Charles References Orpheus While Escaping Hell In Dead Boy Detectives
Dead Boy Detectives
Cast
George Rexstrew-
Jayden Revri
-
Kassius Nelson
-
Briana Cuoco
- Release Date
- April 1, 2024
- Franchise(s)
- DC Universe
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
One of the biggest Easter eggs in Dead Boy Detectives is a line referencing Orpheus, teasing the character who appears in both Greek mythology and the Sandman comics. In Dead Boy Detectives season 1, episode 7, “The Case of the Very Long Staircase,” Edwin confesses his love for Charles, who is ahead of him, as they’re escaping Hell by running up the staircase. Charles responds with, “Oh, I get it. This is like one of those Orpheus and Eurydice moments, yeah?” The line could be referencing Charles’ concern that Edwin will get stuck in Hell.
After all, in the Ancient Greek myth, Orpheus is allowed to take his love, Eurydice, back to the land of the living under the condition that he doesn’t turn around to look at her. This makes Charles and Edwin’s storyline a twist on the story. However, on top of referencing one of the most tragic love stories of all time, this quote perfectly sets up the DC character, Orpheus, who could appear in Netflix’s The Sandman season 2.
The two make it almost all the way, but Orpheus turns around at the last minute thinking that Hades is tricking him, the moment referenced in Dead Boy Detectives.
The character ing the cast of The Sandman 2 would work perfectly. The Sandman, season 1, episode 11, “Dream of a Thousand Cats/Calliope,” confirms that the mystical bard, Orpheus, is the son of Dream and Calliope in DC Comics. Additionally, when describing the character, Fate Crone confirmed that the story of Orpheus and Eurydice exists in the Sandman Universe as well. The myth’s mention in Dead Boy Detectives could be a clever hint that the character has a future in the Sandman Universe.
Every Deity & God In Dead Boy Detectives Season 1
Netflix's supernatural series Dead Boy Detectives includes cameos from two of the Endless and introduces many more deities that help shape the series.
How Orpheus Can Appear In Sandman Season 2 After Dead Boy Detectives
The Sandman Season 2 Could Use The Song Of Orpheus Comic
After the Dead Boy Detectives quote, Sandman season 2 can include Orpheus by using the The Song of Orpheus one-off comic by Neil Gaimon, published in 1991. In this story, the Endless gather for the wedding of Dream’s son, Orpheus, to his love, Eurydice. Like in the Ancient Greek myth, a poisonous snake bites Eurydice, killing her instantly. Dream refuses to help Orpheus get his wife back from the Underworld, so he turns to his aunt, Death, who tells him of a door to Hades’ Underworld. However, Dream warns Orpheus that mortals can’t return to the land of the living.
Because he returned from the Underworld, Orpheus becomes immortal, leading to a tragic ending that’s better left unspoiled.
In the Underworld, Hades agrees that he can take Eurydice back to the world; however, Orpheus must walk back to the land of the living silently with Eurydice behind him. He cannot turn around to look at her. The two make it almost all the way, but Orpheus turns around at the last minute thinking that Hades is tricking him, the moment referenced in Dead Boy Detectives. Sadly, she returns to the Underworld, and he returns to the land of the living. Because he returned from the Underworld, Orpheus becomes immortal, leading to a tragic ending that’s better left unspoiled.
How Hell Works In Dead Boy Detectives (& How Edwin Escaped)
Since Hell is a significant location in Dead Boy Detectives, major questions need to be answered including how the realm works and Edwin's escape.
This storyline would fit right into the established tone of Netflix’s The Sandman. It would also develop Dream further as a character, showing him in a different relationship dynamic – father and son. Additionally, while he isn’t the warmest or kindest father, he does show a slightly softer side when interacting with Orpheus, an unexplored side of his personality.
Dead Boy Detectives Tease Fuels Evidence Of Orpheus' Sandman Season 2 Role
Dead Boy Detectives Isn't The Only Evidence Of Orpheus Appearing In The Season Of The Sandman
The Dead Boy Detectives quote is just the most recent piece of fuel about Orpheus’ role in the plot of The Sandman season 2. Shortly after episode 11 of The Sandman released, Allan Heinberg confirmed to Variety that he wanted to include Orpheus in the show. He stated:
We’ve talked about someone that we feel very strongly about [playing Orpheus]. And we have had those conversations and if we get a second season, we would love to be able to cast that person.
Additionally, the The Sandman season 2 locations include Ancient Greece, the location of the Orpheus storyline. Combining all of these factors together, Orpheus's appearance in The Sandman season 2 seems more probable than ever.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Variety, and Daily Mail
The Sandman
- Release Date
- 2022 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Allan Heinberg
Cast
Tom SturridgeMorpheus / Dream
Boyd HolbrookThe Corinthian
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, David S. Goyer
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Main Genre
- Fantasy
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