The narrative of Episode 6 of The Sandman Season 2 unfurls in England, during the year 1794, where Lady Johanna Constantine finds herself visited by Morpheus, a half-decade removed from their initial encounter. He entrusts her with a mission of paramount importance: the retrieval of Orpheus' head, which had somehow found its way to France and ended up imprisoned by Robespierre, who feared the oracle's potent abilities.
In the streets of Paris, Johanna manages to stealthily reclaim Orpheus' head, but her actions draw the unwanted attention of two vigilant soldiers. As she seeks refuge, an unexpected bond forms between her and Orpheus. He expresses his longing for his father and ponders whether Morpheus might be orchestrating his rescue. However, Johanna's expression darkens as she adheres to Morpheus' strict order of confidentiality.
The following morning, the shadow of Robespierre and his men looms large. Unable to locate Orpheus, they instead apprehend Johanna. Through the veil of her dreams, Morpheus too inquiries about Orpheus' wellbeing. Johanna conveys the vitality of his spirit, unbroken despite his ordeal, and pleads for assistance. Morpheus, ever the strategist, suggests a song as their escape plan.
In the waking world, Robespierre offers Johanna a deal: return Orpheus and face a lesser punishment. Pretending to accept, she cunningly conceals him amidst the decapitated heads, retrieving him just in time. As Orpheus begins to sing a melody of liberty, the soldiers are ensnared in a trance, affording Johanna and Orpheus their freedom. Shortly thereafter, Robespierre meets his fate at the guillotine, bringing an end to his reign of terror.
Our unlikely pair journeys back to Orpheus' island, where Johanna hesitates to bid farewell. She proposes visiting Orpheus further, but he cautions against it, fearing her infatuation with a severed head. Nevertheless, he expresses a yearning for his father's visit, a sentiment she relays to Morpheus. The Dream King deflects her plea and instead demands his fee. Johanna, however, desires only more time with Orpheus.
Cut to the present, where Johanna lies buried on the island as Morpheus and Delirium arrive. Delirium, nerves visible, attempts to deter Morpheus from initiating a chain of events that could lead to the tragic demise of his son. For an Endless to slay one of their own kin invokes the wrath of the Three Sisters. Yet, driven by compassion tinged with sorrow, Morpheus is resolved to end his son's suffering and steps inside. Orpheus, overjoyed to see his father, shares in a bittersweet reunion, both apologizing for their past follies.
Outside, Delirium awaits with a mournful countenance as Morpheus returns. Their mission, however, has borne fruit; Destruction resides on a neighboring island. Not unexpectedly, this second reunion is tinged with both joy and sorrow. Destruction, having come to terms with their siblings' perseverance, greets Delirium and Morpheus with warmth. Delirium bombards him with inquiries about his absences, while Morpheus scorns him for sacrificing innocent lives as omens.
This amusement piques Destruction's mirth, who reminds Morpheus of his former indifference to humanity. Morpheus persists in goading him, accusing him of neglecting his duties. Yet, Destruction stands firm in his refusal to return. He elucidates that his presence is not a prerequisite for destruction; it operates autonomously. He refuses to shoulder the blame for it. Although delighted to see his kin, he insists on remaining incognito.
Delirium pleads with him to reconsider, citing her loneliness, but he entrusts Barnabas to keep her company. Destruction then notes Morpheus' positive transformation, exemplified by his aid to Delirium and Orpheus. He reminisces that his love for humanity prompted his departure; he does not wish to bear the burden of their annihilation. After an emotional embrace with his siblings, he soars off into the cosmos.
Delirium feels a sense of closure, yet her smile fades as she recalls the boon, which inexorably seals Orpheus' fate. Meanwhile, Orpheus breathes a sigh of relief upon Morpheus' return. The Dream King confesses his initial hesitation to slay Orpheus, driven by the fear of a world devoid of his son. Ultimately, Morpheus fulfills his duty and bids farewell to Delirium.
In a trance, he arrives in the Dreaming, instructing Lucienne to entrust Orpheus' burial to the priests. Isolated and helpless, he tries his best to wash the blood off his hands, and finally his eyes are wet with tears.
In the climactic scene of The Sandman's Season 2, Episode 6, the Three Sisters are engrossed in a tranquil ritual of sipping tea and meticulously knitting. Their calm demeanor is disrupted by news of a tragic filicide, which evokes a compassionate response from the younger two sisters, who subtly attempt to circumvent destiny's decree. The eldest sister, however, serves as a steadfast reminder of their unyielding rules, insisting that Morpheus must atone for the slaying of his own flesh and blood. With a resolute hand, she snips a thread, signifying the inevitable consequences.
