One can only imagine how demanding the live-action adaptation of The Sandman was owing to the vast source material. Today, with the best cutting-edge CGI and VFX technology at our disposal, rendering fantastical worlds is definitely easier and more attainable. However, the real challenge lies in recreating the emotionally driven narratives on screen. Therefore, overcoming that mountain and producing a beautiful rendition of the emotionally rich The Sandman episode 6, titled The Sound of Her Wings, is absolutely commendable.

Granted, art remains an art, irrespective of its form. However, when an artwork established for one medium is reinterpreted for another, it brings several challenges along with it. Every medium has its advantages and limitations. Moreover, the same story presented in different media might have distinct impacts on consumers. So, a scene that comes across in an organic manner visually might be extremely overbearing and possibly disturbing in an audio-visual medium. This is precisely why the showrunners omitted a particular scene from episode 6 of the fantasy show, even though it appears in the comics.

The Sandman episode 6 clips an emotion-heavy scene

The episode The Sound of Her Wings introduces us to Dream’s elder sister, Death of The Endless. Breaking the stereotype for the many interpretations of the grim reaper that came before, The Sandman‘s Death, portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, is a young, jovial, and kind-hearted celestial. She is the “friendly face” that appears before every human being as they die and acts as their guide to the beyond.

In the episode, Dream accompanies his sister as she interacts with the souls as they breathe their last. Mirroring the comic book, The Endless siblings arrive at the crib of a baby to take her away. It’s an absolutely tragic scene as Death picks the baby up in her arms and admits this was “all there was.”

https://youtu.be/kQWrJ2ujoiw?t=240

Actor Kirby Howell-Baptiste assumed that the gut-wrenching death of the baby might not make it to the screen. While that scene made the cut, the comics had yet another panel following that scene that did not. In an interview with Netflix Tudum, showrunner Allan Heinberg illustrated the scene was “too much to bear.”

It was the mother’s reaction after seeing the lifeless body of her baby lying in the cradle. The mother’s initial shock makes her scream “No!“, drop the bottle of milk all over the floor, and finally, the realization of what really happened brings her down to her knees. In the Netflix show, the scene cuts out just before the mother enters the frame.

We, for one, are glad for the edit. It definitely would’ve been really tough to watch and listen to the mother scream in agony. What do you think of the creator’s decisions? Let us know in the comments.

You can always refresh your memory by re-watching The Sandman episode 6.