The Sandman season 1 episode 6 recap: The Sound of Her Wings

This article contains SPOILERS for The Sandman season 1 episode 6.

With help from his sister, Dream is reminded of his purpose as an Endless and has a long overdue meeting in the sixth episode of The Sandman season 1.

Catch up here on everything from the last episode!

The episode begins with Dream sitting on a British park bench when a woman approaches him. She asks him how he is feeling since he is clearly moping.

In response, Dream recaps his journey up to this point. Even though he has all of his tools and more power than he has had in millions of years, Lord Morpheus is without a purpose.

He still feels as empty as when he returned to his palace. The woman stands up and reads Dream the riot act for admitting defeat when he could just find a new quest.

Since she is busy, the two go about dealing with Dream’s sister’s work.

The Sandman season 1 episode 6: Dream’s sister lends her help

They walk through a market and catch up on their family drama, with Dream remarking how Desire was likely overjoyed with his disappearance. They walk into an apartment where an elderly man is playing a classical piece on his violin.

Dream’s sister gently approaches the man and tells him it is time to go, proving she is Death. Dream gives his sister some privacy to help this man along before they carry on with their day.

He explains to his sister she was being looked for all those years ago, but Death states she knows. They go to a lake where Death helps a man move on after he died on his honeymoon.

The day continues with Dream watching his sister peacefully flying away with souls, taking them to the afterlife. The audience hears Dream and Death talk during this where Death explains how she is a welcoming face in this natural process of life and how souls always understand.

Lady Death goes on to explain how she is not alone in her job, but rather she is going through it with the humans who have died. She reminds Dream that their whole family is here to serve and be in a symbiotic relationship with humans.

After a lovely goodbye, Dream heads off to an appointment he says he is late for.

The Sandman season 1 episode 6: The Ballad of Hob Gadling

This appointment Dream is late for takes him to an abandoned house which sparks a memory. In 1389, a different-looking Dream and Death have arrived at this same building, a tavern.

Death is showing her brother the humans on their own terms, rather than his own. The Endless walk around the pub until one man, referred to as Hob, talks about how he has seen “death” and how he thinks death is stupid.

He boasts that he could never die which sparks a wager between the powerful siblings. Dream decides he wants to tell him and walks up to Robert “Hob” Gadling that they will meet in 100 years in this same tavern.

So, in 1489, Hob and Dream meet up at the same place, neither of them aging a day. Hob has a lot of questions that Dream answers by saying he is interested in learning how he enjoys being immortal.

Hob explains how it is amazing because of all the inventions and advancements civilization has made. Since he still wants to live, they agree to meet in another 100 years.

Now in 1589, Dream arrives at the bar and finds Hob who is now the knighted Sir Robert Gadling. He is rich in wealth and love since he has a wife and newborn now.

Dream cuts Gadling short since he overhears a young man wanting to make dreams come true with his words. Hob explains that man is Will Shaxberd.

Dream leaves his friend at the table full of food to go talk with this new man. Hob looks on disappointed.

The Sandman season 1 episode 6: People learn about Dream and Hob’s meetings

The year is now 1689 and Dream is waiting for Hob. The immortal human explains how he lost his land and his wealth over the last 80 years after losing his wife to childbirth and his son when he was 20.

However, he still wants to live since he has so much to live for. Jumping ahead another 100 years to 1789, Hob explains to his longtime friend how this place could be next for revolution after the colonies and France revolted.

During this talk, the owner of the bar leads a cloaked woman to the private meeting room of Dream and Hob. When Hob explains he is shipping people from Africa to become slaves, Dream advises him to change careers.

As Hob brings up King Lear and Will Shakespeare, he asks if Dream made a deal with him all those years ago. Dream confesses he did but that is when the cloaked woman makes her presence known with two large scary men behind her.

She introduces herself as Lady Johanna Constantine. She has heard tales of the devil and a Jewish man meeting here every 100 years to make deals and give gifts, so she wants in.

Dream declines and when the guards make their move, Hob defends both of them. As Lady Johanna pulls a knife on Hob, Dream uses his sand to distract her.

Hob learns more about Dream before they go their separate ways. In 1889, Hob appears to have settled into comfortable living that had just begun the last time he had met Dream.

He discusses how he learns from his mistakes but never stops making them, and also remarks about how Dream has changed in the 500 years they have been meeting. Hob believes Dream is lonely, which Dream takes great offense to.

In response to this, he leaves Hob at the bar stating he does not need his companionship, and storms away into the night.

The Sandman season 1 episode 6: Dream has an appointment to go to

It is now the year 1989 and Robert Gadling is waiting for Dream who will never arrive since he has been captured by Burgess at this point. Hob talks to the bartender about his friendship with Dream and how they fought the last time they were here.

He sadly believes it was his fault. The bartender explains that they will have to find a new pub since this one is being closed for apartments.

Hob is heartbroken by this one standard in his life disappearing. Returning to the present day, Dream is standing in front of the tavern he returned to every century to find it closed down.

A new tavern is opened next door that is nothing like the uncivilized White Horse tavern he met Hob in. In the corner, he sees his friend and apologizes for being late since it is rude to leave one’s friend waiting.

The two sit and prepare to have a lovely conversation. The episode ends again with Desire who states that even though Dream is out of his cage, they still have a plan for their brother.

Was Desire the one responsible for Dream being captured by Sir Roderick Burgess? Did Death know Dream was going to be captured?

Do you think Hob will ever seek death?  Let us know your answers and opinions in the comments below!

Watch all of The Sandman season 1, only on Netflix!