Sat Jul 05 04:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, summarizing the reviewer’s points:

**Headline: ‘The Sandman’ Returns with More Moping Than Magic, Critics Say**

Netflix’s “The Sandman” is back for its second season, but early reviews are painting a picture of a show that continues to prioritize gloomy introspection over the vibrant fantasy that made the original comic series a hit.

The series follows Morpheus, the Dream Lord, played by Tom Sturridge, as he navigates the consequences of his immortal existence. This season, Dream grapples with relationship woes, notably his strained connection with his former queen, Nada, whom he condemned to Hell millennia ago. Attempts at reconciliation lead him on quests involving Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie), a gathering of underworld figures, and strained family reunions.

While Sturridge is physically well-suited for the role, critics say his performance, coupled with the show’s overall tone, leans heavily into a “moody bloke in a long black coat” archetype. The review suggests the show seems less interested in grand battles, political allegories, or monsters, and more focused on a character who treats potentially fantastic adventures like tedious chores. The article highlights the show’s visual style, comparing it to the 1980’s New Wave movement.

The review also finds fault with the show’s dialogue, describing it as laden with pretentious pronouncements and lacking in subtlety. Even when incorporating Greek, Norse, and Christian mythologies, the reviewer argues “The Sandman” often falls short of delivering meaningful or engaging narratives, citing a convoluted Orpheus storyline as a prime example.

Despite its intriguing premise and occasional flashes of brilliance, the critic concludes that “The Sandman” smothers its own potential in a “fug of pretension,” failing to fully explore the possibilities inherent in a world where dreams can be shaped and made real. Even the presence of comedic elements, like a talking dog voiced by Steve Coogan, fails to provide significant relief from the show’s overall somber mood.

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