Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for The Sandman season 2.The Sandmanseason 2 sees the return of many supporting characters and hints at some of the lore surrounding one (which probably can’t be said outright due to copyright issues). After he returned to the Dreaming and rebuilt his power inThe Sandmanseason 1, Tom Sturridge’s Dream is dealing with several, more personal conflicts this season.
It has been said thatThe Sandmanseason 3 isn’t happening becausethe plan was always to keep the story focused on Dream, and there is only so much source material left that is strictly about him. However,the first outing illustrates how tricky dreams can be, resulting in those whose existence and power complicate Dream’s authorityover his realm.
The Sandmanseason 2’s castis confirmed to include Vanesu Samunyai returning as Rose Walker, the dream vortex whom Dream nearly killed to prevent her from breaking down the boundaries between dreams and reality. Rose doesn’t appear inThe Sandmanseason 2, volume 1, buther family friend Lyta (Razane Jammal) has something of a cameo.
In Her Brief Scene In Episode 1, Dream Addresses Lyta As Hippolyta
Dream Uses Lyta’s Full Name
In season 1,Hippolyta “Lyta” Hall is a recent widow helping Rose search for her younger brother,who is being kept from her by the foster system. However, Rose’s growing powers make Lyta’s dreams much more real, as when she dreams about being with her late husband, she ends up actually pregnant in the real world.
Lyta gives birth to a son, but is terrified by Dream’s assertion that the child belongs to him, as he was conceived in the dreaming realm. This plot point isn’t followed up on in season 1, butwhen Dream prepares for a mission to Hell in season 2, he pays an unwelcome visit to Lyta and the baby.
This is apparently part of Dream’s plan to secure the Dreaming’s future should he not return.
This is apparently part of Dream’s plan to secure the Dreaming’s future should he not return. However, during this scene, Dream addresses Lyta by her full name, Hippolyta. Those who aren’t familiar with the comics may not have been aware that this is her name before now, and it nods to the mythology she is connected to.
Lyta Is Diana Prince & Steve Trevor’s Daughter In The Comics (& The Original Hippolyta’s Granddaughter)
Lyta Is Related To The Queen Of The Amazons In The Sandman Comics
Greek mythology plays a huge role inThe Sandman, as Dream is also Morpheus,the Greek god of dreams. So, the fact that Lyta shares her name with Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons in Greek mythology, is significant, and may leave viewers questioning how exactly she fits into this myth.
However,The Sandmancomic books are actually DC Comics,and feature some of the famous DC Heroes. Lyta is the daughter of the classic DC hero Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor, and was named for Diana’s mother, the original Hippolyta. Lyta’s first appearance as a character was inWonder Womanvol. 1, issue #300.
The Sandman Can’t Use DC Characters – But It Still References The Mythology Of Hippolyta
Lyta’s Name Holds Meaning In This Story
The SandmanTV show does not take place in the bigger DC Universe; to focus its story, and likely avoid complicated copyright issues, the series does not feature any references to characters who are strictly DC. For characters like Lyta, this means their connections to figures like Wonder Woman are erased.
Presumably, in this world, Lyta’s parents just liked the mythological name.
However,Lyta’s formal name still holds some weight inThe Sandman.In the first half of season 2, when Dream commissionsA Midsummer Night’s Dreamto present to the faerie court, we briefly see the players acting out a scene where the play’s version of Hippolyta is addressed by name.
Presumably, in this world, Lyta’s parents just liked the mythological name. However,The Sandmanacknowledges the connection to mythology. Lyta found herself on a strange path where she came into contact with ancient gods, making it fitting that she would have such a name, even by coincidence.
