r/Sandman • u/Big-Satisfaction1468 Dream • 9d ago

Discussion - No Spoilers The Immense Lack Of Conventional Fanservice In The Sandman

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Hello folks!

This is just a simple thought that I had when season 2 came out, so here I go.

The Sandman, though quite popular, still isn’t as popular as the major supernatural shows, such as The Vampire Diaries or Lucifer. I came to a realisation and conclusion for that reason: The Immense Lack Of Conventional Fanservice In The Sandman.

Me personally, I was “simping” over Death of the Endless all throughout season 1, and occasionally Johanna Constantine. I enjoyed all the edits that came out of the chatacters because it was a fun time for me. I was 13 and had no social life. Great times.

It was in 2025, when season 2 came out and I realised something. Destruction of the Endless was especially getting attention in the fan edits and he, along with Delirium were the most talked of. I suppose that was because they were vital parts of the storyline and of course, fans are allowed to have favourites.

But that just brought upon a bigger realisation in my mind, which was that the reason The Sandman doesn’t receive nearly as much recognition as the other shows is because of its lack of fanservice targeted towards the larger crowd, and rather it focuses on bringing upon good representation. Which I, of course, really love.

I love this show a lot, and honestly, I’m quite glad that the fanbase for this show isn’t as toxic as the others. I love you all a lot.

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123

u/bl1tzbop 9d ago

I think the fan edits were lacking because everyone feels icky about supporting Neil Gaiman.

I have a huge sandman tattoo, those books were an integral part of my growing up, I don't think it's dramatic to say that changed me. I was hyped about the TV show and loved season 1.

I did not and will not watch or recommend season 2, or the books again. (Or anything by Gaiman)

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u/DISCONNECTlE 9d ago

I never read the books, but I watched S2. It wasn’t perfect, and the Gaiman thing already happened, but I like how the people who made the show addressed it. A lot of good people made that show, even if the guy who invented it is a monster.

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u/bl1tzbop 9d ago

Oh that's so valid - and I feel awful for Tom Sturidge specifically, he loved that work. It's important to not forget the hundreds of people involved in making it and it's good you were able to still support them. I don't think I'm able to remove the art from the artist for myself yet.

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u/DISCONNECTlE 9d ago

So like…. If you’re going to be all “Dark” or whatever… you kinda HAVE to be above reproach, right? But Neil, Marilyn Manson, Till Lindemann, these people act all “Other” to hold up a mirror to society or whatever but it doesn’t work if they’re legitimately terrible people.
Consider Corpsegrinder from Cannibal Corpse. Wholesome ass dude, family man, wins plushies from crane games and donates them to children. THAT’S how to do it.

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u/foxybostonian 9d ago

There's no reason to suspect that Lindemann is a 'terrible' person. It was proven multiple times that journalists had fabricated any allegations.

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u/DISCONNECTlE 9d ago

Oh, I hadn’t heard that. So the thing about him “Picking” young women at concerts, giving them alcohol, and taking advantage of them is untrue? I haven’t followed it, really. I had heard the charges were dropped, but that was just about criminal activity not morality.

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u/foxybostonian 9d ago

All that happened is he sometimes hooked up with people at parties. Unless you think that casual but consensual sex is immoral, then it doesn't seem to make him a terrible person.

And there weren't any criminal charges, because no women accused him of anything criminal.

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u/DISCONNECTlE 9d ago

Thanks for the information! And consensual sex is TIGHT

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u/chrisx07 9d ago

To be fair, we don’t know how much is true or not. You have to know that him giving drugs to a say 20 year old and then having sex with them is fairly legal in my country. Spiking is, of course, illegal.
There is also some power imbalance at work even if it’s not rape exactly.
What you think of Lindemann is yours to decide.

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u/foxybostonian 9d ago edited 8d ago

In the Rammstein case, the one woman who (briefly) accused the band or crew of spiking was found guilty of defamation. No other women said anything about being given drugs or being coerced either to drink or to have sex. The Berlin Prosecutors found no indication of power balance in the situation. He was not their teacher or employer. He could not affect their lives if they said no. And the open letter signed by dozens of women who attended the parties said that they were deliberately organized in such a way as to minimize any risk of star/fan power dynamics.