The topic of taking creative liberties gives rise to interesting discourse when it comes to comic-book adaptations. We have seen projects getting totally messed up by misinterpretation of the source material, and at the same time, some ventures find strength through changes or the addition of new ideas. Netflix’s The Sandman is a mixed bag in this context, as the series has simultaneously made some interesting alterations to make the narrative more appealing, and omitted elements which have ended up affecting the overall treatment. Pairing up Corinthian and Johanna Constantine in the final part of The Sandman is one of the series’ additions that the makers have implemented very well in accordance with the established lore. Not only has this decision worked incredibly well to bring closure to the respective characters’ arcs, it has enhanced the established lore of the source material as well.
Spoiler Alert
Constantine’s life reflects Lady Johanna’s
In the 18th century, Morpheus sought Lady Johanna Constantine’s help to rescue his son, Orpheus, and three centuries later, Morpheus employs her descendant, Johanna Constantine, to rescue Lyta Hall’s son, Daniel—whom he has assigned as his successor as the Dream of the Endless. This is no mere coincidence; Constantine and her ancestor are cogs of the larger mechanism that functioned to bring about change in Dreaming—in ways that even Destiny couldn’t have predicted.
However, Johanna’s life shares a spiritual connection with that of her ancestor in more ways than one—as is revealed in the final half of the series. While rescuing Orpheus, Lady Johanna fell for him. The forlorn, cursed soul didn’t need his enchanting voice to move Lady Johanna’s heart. She was captivated by Orpheus’ spirit, which masked the tragedy of his plight so very well. It can be said that Lady Johanna also found a kindred spirit in Orpheus, given she never let her own sordid past define her life either. However, Lady Johanna knew at the same time that she had gotten herself entangled in a doomed romance. If contemplating a future with a severed head was not unfortunate enough, Orpheus, cursed to immortality, outlived Lady Johanna anyway. Additionally, Orpheus’ devotion was to Eurydice; he could probably never reciprocate the feelings Lady Johanna had for him. Still, when Morpheus wanted to reward Lady Johanna for rescuing his son, she asked for the only thing she desired—the company of Orpheus. She probably spent a major part of her life in the ill-fated romance, as the site of her burial is seen on the secretive island of Naxos, where Orpheus’ temple is located.
In the present day, the first time Morpheus meets Lady Johanna’s descendant, Johanna Constantine, in the third episode of the first season, she is seen tormented by the nightmare of losing Astra Logue. In fact, Constantine is shown to be always associated with nightmares one way or another. Either she is on the receiving end of the torment, or she is directly or indirectly subjecting her loved ones to torment—as happened with Rachel, who was consumed by dreams and nightmares in “Dream a Little, Dream of Me.” It is only fitting that, in the end, Johanna found herself falling for Dream’s finest nightmare, Corinthian—she was never able to find companionship with mortals anyway. Like her ancestor, Constantine is cursed to be in a doomed romance. No wonder Morpheus offered her Lady Johanna’s journal in exchange for her assistance in finding Daniel Hall. Dream asked Constantine to go through the journal. Viewers will notice that Constantine repeats the same line to Corinthian that Orpheus had mentioned to Lady Johanna all those years ago, when she tried to express her wish to seek his companionship.
Corinthian Fulfills His Heart’s Desire
Corinthian’s arc comes to a fitting end as well, through his budding romance with Constantine. Viewers must remember that the first Corinthian, who wreaked havoc in the waking world and inspired a cult of serial killers during the time Morpheus was trapped by Roderick Burgess, had mentioned his wish to experience what it is to be like humans with his dying breath. This version of Corinthian was created by a stoic, conceited Morpheus who considered mortals, humans, to be beneath him, and had very little regard for sentiments or emotions. As a result, his finest nightmare was a reflection of that as well. However, by the time Morpheus creates the second Corinthian, he has changed a lot—there are a lot more human traits in him than he would like to admit, and it makes sense that his finest nightmare has such elements embedded well within him. Whereas the first Corinthian was a psychopath, incapable of feeling empathy or love, the second Corinthian is a more balanced individual. His feelings for Constantine are a reflection of his reformed condition, and so are his protective feelings towards Daniel Hall. During the concluding moments of The Sandman season 2 finale, Johanna Constantine and the second Corinthian give in to their feelings for each other—and by doing so, Corinthian fulfills the wish his past self had. By falling in love with Constantine, he will finally realize what it feels like to be human. Whatever the future might hold for the duo, Corinthian will grow, learn, and change—inculcating the quintessential essence of humanity within himself.
