Why The Last Of The Endless Is Called The Prodigal (& What It Could Mean For Sandman Season 2)

Summary Destruction becomes The Prodigal in The Sandman after abandoning his realm and duties.

The Prodigal's story parallels the parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on redemption and finding one's way.

The Sandman season 2 introduces Destiny, Delirium, and The Prodigal, increasing drama within the Endless family.

Amid Dead Boy Detectives' surging popularity, Netflix dropped a brand-new teaser for The Sandman season 2. The thrilling glimpse into the sophomore outing of the show, which is based on Neil Gaiman's beloved comic book series, introduces the last of The Sandman franchise's Endless siblings: Destiny, Delirium, and The Prodigal. Like the source material, Netflix's The Sandman centers on Dream, a.k.a. Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) — the titular Sandman. The personification of dreams, Morpheus is also one of the seven Endless entities. At the show's start, Dream escapes after 106 years in occult-ritual captivity.

Determined to restore order to the realm he rules over, Morpheus sets out on a strange journey rife with The Sandman's unique cast of characters and inventive lore and world-building. In fact, part of what makes Gaiman's comic book series so beloved is that The Sandman's world feels so distinct and detailed. Like any good mythological story, The Sandman portrays the Endless, its godlike beings, as petty, squabbling siblings. While some of the Endless love each other, others can't help but fight, which prompts entire worlds to suffer. That said, season 2's new Endless will add even more drama.

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The Prodigal Was Destruction But He Abandoned His Post

The Character's Name Stems From The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

One of the three Endless who's introduced in The Sandman season 2 teaser trailer, The Prodigal (Barry Sloane) stands out in comparison to his siblings. For starters, The Prodigal sticks out because his moniker doesn't align with the naming convention of the other Endless entities. As chronicled in Gaiman's comic book series, this is because The Prodigal was originally known as Destruction. The character's real name, which feels much more in line with those of the other Endless, changed when he abandoned his post. Unlike the other Endless, the entity abandoned his duties, earning the name The Prodigal.

A story of someone who loses his way only to be found, the Prodigal Son parable is all about redemption.

Destruction's nickname is, of course, a reference to the "prodigal son." In the Bible, the Parable of the Prodigal Son centers on a father and his two sons. The younger child asks for a portion of his inheritance, and the father obliges. However, he's a wasteful man who squanders his fortune. As a result, he returns home, begging his father for forgiveness. Instead of being told off, the son is welcomed home by his father. A story of someone who loses his way only to be found, the Prodigal Son parable is all about redemption.

Related The Flash Discovers the Origin of Sandman's Endless - Theory Explained Flash's exploration of DC's cosmological realms has some fascinating ramifications for the publisher's most ancient beings: the Endless from Sandman.

How The Prodigal Is Different Than His Other Siblings

The Prodigal Is Seen As The Wisest Of The Endless

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The fourth-oldest of the Endless siblings, The Prodigal is often seen as the wisest of his kin. Unlike his siblings, The Prodigal is able to truly understand the place of the Endless in the universe, which undoubtedly relates to why he chose to abandon his post. Roughly 300 years before the start of The Sandman season 2, the Endless formerly known as Destruction abandoned his realm, The Fulcrum. Known as the bringer of change and destruction, The Prodigal has since been absent from his siblings' lives. Before leaving his post, Destruction was a warm-hearted member of the family.

The Endless Siblings Actor in The Sandman Dream Tom Sturridge Destiny Adrian Lester Death Kirby Desire Mason Alexander Park Despair Donna Preston Delirium Esmé Creed-Miles Destruction (a.k.a. The Prodigal) Barry Sloane

Related Every Sandman Character Who Appears In Dead Boy Detectives Season 1 Dead Boy Detectives' big two Sandman cameos further connect the two shows and could tease ways to bring them into new seasons of The Sandman.

How The Prodigal Might Figure Into Sandman Season 2

Destruction May Be The Sandman Season 2's Peacemaker

Destruction was known for keeping the peace between his ever-squabbling siblings. Although some of the Endless begrudge The Prodigal for abandoning his duties, Destruction was overwhelmingly well-liked before he left. At the end of The Sandman season 1, Desire tried to start a beef with Dream, which teases that The Prodigal may return to mediate his siblings' looming conflict. A peacemaker at his core, The Prodigal also tries hard to subvert his essential nature by focusing on creation instead of destruction. This notion may also figure into The Sandman season 2.

The Sandman season 2 will likely premiere on Netflix in late 2024 or early 2025.