Image: Netflix
The Sandman season 2 could have wrapped up, however the sequence has a bonus episode, Dying: The Excessive Value of Residing, out there for followers who’re determined for extra. What’s The Excessive Value of Residing all about, and the way does it finish?
Bonus episodes usually are not a brand new factor for The Sandman. In fact, the present’s debut season featured an extra instalment, A Dream of a Thousand Cats/Calliope, which instructed stand-alone tales. However within the case of that episode, particularly the Calliope story, it nonetheless had a significant affect on the overarching story. Conversely, The Excessive Value of Residing is totally self-contained. At its core, it’s a day within the lifetime of Dying (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), who spends in the future each 100 years residing as a mortal, to raised perceive the gravity of her duties as Dying.
The Excessive Value of Residing is predicated on the spinoff graphic novel of the identical title. It’s a really comic-accurate TV adaptation, however there are a few inventive liberties. It begins with our central character, Sexton Furnival (Colin Morgan), writing to his ex-girlfriend and revealing his plans to commit suicide. Feeling like a castaway on this planet, and fed up with the merciless approach humanity has handled each one another and the planet, he decides to finish all of it. Nonetheless, while out in London, he bumps into Dying.
Dying, now often called ‘Didi’ in her mortal type, treats Sexton with kindness and respect. She’s candy, welcoming, and provides him time to speak and be himself. Naturally, Sexton is apprehensive of her. In true Dying trend, she’s ahead and completely outgoing; very a lot the antithesis of Sexton. Even so, she decides to spend the day with him. Inviting Sexton into her residence — a modest London residence — Dying reveals who she actually is to Sexton, who considerably believes her. Earlier than lengthy, Dying is pursued by Mad Hettie (the aged, eccentric recurring character from the principle sequence), who calls for that Dying use her time within the mortal world to search out her lacking soul; and Dying agrees to tackle the problem.
The Sandman. (L to R) Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Dying, Colin Morgan as Sexton Furnival in episode 212 of The Sandman. Cr. Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025
Dying and Sexton’s day collectively takes them for pretty walks, and even a nightclub. Unusually, she will get issues similar to meals and companies at no cost, regardless of how costly. The rationale for this isn’t explicitly talked about; nonetheless, it could possibly be on account of a variety of components, most probably her being so inherently charismatic and compassionate that persons are drawn to assist her by any means.
In a nightclub, they encounter Theo (an previous and unwelcome acquaintance of Sexton), who we be taught has used a summoning circle to carry Dying to him, in order that he can steal her Ankh and convey his deceased girlfriend, Natalie, again from the useless. Nonetheless, Dying’s Ankh alone doesn’t possess the ability to carry individuals again to life, and Theo’s quest is, in the end, fruitless. This storyline reinforces Dying’s duties — she can’t carry again the deceased, however she’s there as a pleasant, heat face to information individuals to the opposite aspect. Dying additionally places Theo at peace.
As well as, it was discovered that Mad Hettie’s soul was really a necklace, being offered by a service provider within the streets of London. Dying makes use of her money to buy the necklace for Hettie (this merchandise, apparently, can’t be given away at no cost. Seems, Hettie’s soul isn’t as fantastical because it sounds. It’s a locket with an image of her daughter, Cordelia.
As Dying nears the top of her temporary mortal existence, she turns into emotional. It seems like a actual loss of life; an ending to her life. When she dies, her mortal physique falls lifeless and he or she’s even visited by herself, in Countless type. Not solely is loss of life itself horrifying to mortals, nevertheless it’s even feared by Dying herself.
As for Sexton, the day spent with Dying reveals him the preciousness and brilliance of life. His ardour is rekindled, and he’s spurred to stay for the second.
The Sandman. (L to R) Jonno Davies as Theo, Colin Morgan as Sexton Furnival in episode 212 of The Sandman. Cr. Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025
What’s the that means behind The Excessive Value of Residing?
This bonus episode does a stellar job of portraying psychological well being struggles. Dying’s profound perception and perspective into human life are eye-opening and thought-provoking. There aren’t any cameos, as some followers hoped there can be, sadly.
Given the sheer breadth of tales throughout the Sandman mythos, the selection to finish on a narrative similar to this feels smart and very becoming. Like being visited by Dying herself, the sequence ends with a pleasant face and a delicate hand.
The Sandman Presents: Dying: The Excessive Value of Residing is now streaming on Netflix.