By: Kelly Kearney
After making preparations to journey into Hell and right the wrong of condemning Queen Nada we see Morpheus, the Dream King, embark on a mission that takes him beyond Lucifer’s grasp and places him at the center of her power. His search for the woman who once chose duty over the love he offered leaves Dream with impossible choices when all of Hell’s inhabitants come knocking on the Dreaming’s door. Cue the lavish banquet to determine which God, Demon, or Faerie, can fill Lucifer’s wings.
One Hell of a Dream
Despite the many secretive ways into Hell, Dream (Tom Sturridge) chooses the front gate. He is, after all, one of the Endless. The last time he entered this realm, he was powerless, but now, with his strength fully restored—and warned by Cain (Sanjeev Bhaskar) that Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) and her minions await—he’s prepared to storm the gates if needed. Oddly, when he arrives, the entrance stands unguarded and open. Even for Hell, something feels… wrong.
Lucifer appears, dressed in angelic white, and greets her cousin warmly. Dream immediately asks for Nada (Umulisa Gahiga). Instead of answering, Lucifer requests that he remove his mask so they can have a civilized conversation. He refuses – suspecting a trick – and she purrs, “Why, sweet Morpheus, are you afraid of me?” He admits he is and that honesty satisfies her. She solemnly promises not to harm him within Hell’s borders.
With that guarantee, he removes his mask and again demands to know where Nada is. Lucifer informs him that she is gone—along with everyone else stating, “The demons, the damned, the never-born… all gone.” It is official, she has abdicated her throne. Lucifer Morningstar has quit.
After ruling Hell for 10 billion years she’s tired. She’s also changed over the years and points out everyone has—even Dream. Once an angel full of compassion, she now hardly remembers who she used to be. It prompts her to ask Dream what she was like back then.
“You were very proud, Samael,” he replies. “And foolish,” she adds. A rebel fulfilling a role that was never hers to begin with. Hell was always going to exist—if not ruled by her, then by another angel cast down. Her story mirrors Queen Nada’s in many ways, and with gritted teeth she asks: how long must one pay for their sins? Apparently, ten billion years. Or, in Nada’s case, ten thousand.
Mazikeen (Cassie Clare), Lucifer’s loyal servant, remains by her side but even she won’t follow Lucifer on her next path. Wherever that may lead, Lucifer is going alone. She requests Mazikeen’s dagger, kisses her cheek goodbye and then dismisses her.
Dream, still confused, asks where everyone went but Lucifer doesn’t know or care. Heaven, Hell, Earth, Limbo—it’s all the same to her and since she never asked the dead to come to Hell–they chose it, she doesn’t care where they go next. She explains how everyone who landed in Hell wanted to be punished. They begged for torment, gave their orders for suffering, and what did she gain? Nothing. When Dream points out she gained souls she points out that she doesn’t need them. Souls can’t be owned and she’s tired of being blamed for corrupting humanity’s choices. “The devil made me do it,” they say, but she never made anyone do anything.
Now she’s done. Hell is officially closed, and the gates have been sealed. All but one that she left open for a purpose. She hands Dream Mazikeen’s dagger and asks him to cut off her wings. This is not the fight he came for, but Lucifer is finished fighting. She kneels in the warm sun as it breaks through the clouds, unfurling her wings for her cousin to free her from. Dream hesitates, then takes pity on Lucifer and saws off her feathers. Almost instantly as the black wings fall, her wounds heal and her tears dry. With the task she requested done, once again, Dream asks to see Nada.
Lucifer gazes across the vast nothingness promising her cousin he will find her. Then, with a smile, she reminds him how she once swore to destroy him. Dream replies that she also swore never to harm him, “That promise only applied within Hell’s borders,” she says. Handing him the key to Hell she departs, leaving Dream to realize—this is her revenge. She has made him the new ruler of Hell.
Hell is Empty; All the Demons are Here
Back in the Dreaming, the skies rumble and darken as Morpheus AKA Dream storms through the gates. Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong), Merv (Mark Hamill), and Matthew (Patton Oswalt) greet him, expecting war, but when their Lord tells them Lucifer gave up her throne and cursed him with the job, they realize that soon every demon, deity, and god will be knocking on the Dreaming’s door to claim it.
From his gallery, Dream summons his sister, Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), asking her what he should do. She, in turn, asks him what he wants, and of course, the answer is finding Nada. Death reminds him that can wait, because now that Hell is empty, its former inhabitants may try to remake Earth in its image. Dream has two choices: rule Hell himself, or give the key to someone else.
He considers Death as a candidate, but she refuses—she’s far too busy with the flood of souls now released. Before she leaves, she reminds him that Hell needs a responsible ruler. Luckily Morpheus does tend to make the right decision—eventually.
Matthew interrupts the sibling’s chat with news: visitors have arrived and among them, Thor and his mighty hammer. Dream tells Merv to prepare the Great Hall for a Hellish banquet.
One by one, prospects vying for Hell’s top job present their case. Odin (Clive Russell), All-Father of the Aesir, arrives with Thor (Laurence O’Fuarain) and Loki (Freddie Fox). Lucienne takes notes, marking the strongest contenders and he is at the top of her list. When the demon lord Azazel (Will Coban) demands his homeland back, Lucienne reminds him who rules the Dreaming and spoiler: it’s not him. Furious, Azazel transforms into a monstrous form—until Morpheus steps in and silences the room. He agrees to hear all arguments and will decide who is Lucifer’s worthy successor.
Next to arrive Nuala (Ann Skelly) and her brother Cluracan (Douglas Booth), emissaries of the Faerie. Their message is a plea—not to give Hell to any of the contenders. If left empty, Hell could benefit the Faerie, but Dream cuts Nuala off before she can finish.
That night, as the banquet is held, Dream watches his guests carefully from above. When Lucienne asks about Odin, Dream admits he seems capable—but his desperation, including freeing Loki from prison, raises concerns.
Speaking of the rebellious Loki, he tries to impress Dream in the hopes of becoming a trusted ally. Odin suggests he might make a useful master of deception, but Dream, wary of Loki’s chaos, sees through his act.
Meanwhile, Azazel seethes as Hell should be his since he was Lucifer’s commander of the Demon Army. Merkin (Olamide Candide-Johnson), one of his agents, lures Cluracan into a trap—revealing herself to be a gift meant to bribe Morpheus with seduction and horror, but Azazel has more to offer.
Enter a storm god Susano-o-no-Mikoto (Kristofer Kamiyasu) who claims Hell reformed him. He promises to treat it with respect if made ruler. Odin, meanwhile, offers something more tempting—the location of Dream’s lost brother, Destruction. Morpheus likes both men for the job, but the added appeal of Destruction boots Odin’s chances above the Storm God’s.
Commander to King
As the night ends, Dream tells Lucienne he started the day with no candidates and now, he has two or three. Then, Lucienne informs him that Azazel is demanding a private audience, and Morpheus should hear him out because the Commander could tame the demons in Hell or unleash them.
Sitting on his throne, Dream meets Azazel again, as the demon blames Lucifer for their current situation. He apologizes for his earlier outburst, and pleads for his people to get the leader they already follow. To sweeten the deal, Azazel offers a gift if he is chosen. Azazel will hand over Choronzon (Munya Chawawa)– the demon who once challenged Dream in Hell. Dream is unmoved so Azazel reveals something more shocking—a human soul trapped within one of his mouths. That soul belongs to Queen Nada who he will release and exchange for the keys to Hell’s Kingdom. If Dream refuses, Azazel promises to devour her soul. To prove his point, he vomits up Choronzon and rips him apart in front of the Dream King. Morpheus trembles with rage as Azazel asks, “Do we have a deal?” Dream looks him in the eye, understands the risks, and asks for time to make the announcement.