The bonus episode of Netflix’s original fantasy series, The Sandman, was a treat for the viewers. The two-part bonus episode is a big deal because it reveals a major character, Calliope, from the comic. Her story, in the original comic, is written at another time and the adaptation of the narration is in an extremely different time. Therefore, one might be triggered to see the Goddess as a victim. However, Neil Gaiman’s portrayal of the delicate character and the treatment is commendable. Let’s break down the differences in the portrayal of the muse.

Is Calliope different in The Sandman?

Calliope is the daughter of Zeus. In Greek mythology, Calliope is the Muse who presides over eloquence and epic poetry. As such, she is called from the ecstatic harmony of her voice. Hesiod and Ovid called her the “Chief of all Muses”. True to her purpose, the muse inspires a novelist, Erasmus Fry, but he keeps her captive against her will. Fry hands her over to another aspiring novelist named Richard Madoc. “Not all of us,” were the words that Madoc said to the muse, promising to set her free.

He slowly fell slave to the power and fame that he got. However, he tries to woo her and convince her to help him. Madoc even begs her even. But ultimately, he forgot about his promise of setting her free and rapes her to get what he wants. They do not show the rape scenes on screen, nor do they show the screaming. Everything came down to just a knock on the door and Madoc’s returning to his computer to write.

But in the original graphic novel, Richard Madoc is already desperate and is ready to take what it takes from the muse forcefully. When Morpheus comes to rescue his former lover in the comics, he shuts down as he is cold towards her. He is distant from her. Similarly, Calliope merely wished to visit her ex-lover in the realm of Dreaming, the screen adaptation showed a different narration.

In the series, we see Dream closer to Calliope. He even asks her, “Let me help you, please.” Clearly, she was afraid to call Dream to help her, as her conversation with the Fates and even with Dream depicted. However, towards the end, she asks Dream if she can visit him in his kingdom to mourn their child. Instead of shutting down, he politely asks for some more time for himself.

Neil Gaiman created a masterpiece with The Sandman. While keeping the original essence of the narration alive, he beautifully modernized the story and portrayed the character with modern light and ancient roots. The differences in the Goddess’ character are perfectly suitable and very much close to the original one.

At the moment, there isn’t any official announcement about the second season of the show. We would love to see how the muse inspires the writers further, as she said at the end of the episode.

Meanwhile, re-watch The Sandman on Netflix.