Picture: Netflix
The Sandman season 2 may have wrapped up, but the series has a bonus episode, Death: The High Cost of Living, available for fans who’re desperate for more. What’s The High Cost of Living all about, and how does it end?
Bonus episodes are not a new thing for The Sandman. Of course, the show’s debut season featured an additional instalment, A Dream of a Thousand Cats/Calliope, which told stand-alone tales. But in the case of that episode, especially the Calliope story, it still had a major impact on the overarching story. Conversely, The High Cost of Living is entirely self-contained. At its core, it’s a day in the life of Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), who spends one day every one hundred years living as a mortal, to better understand the gravity of her duties as Death.
The High Cost of Living is based on the spinoff graphic novel of the same name. It’s a very comic-accurate TV adaptation, but there are a couple of creative 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 in the world, and fed up with the cruel way humanity has treated both each other and the planet, he decides to end it all. However, whilst out in London, he bumps into Death.
Death, now known as ‘Didi’ in her mortal form, treats Sexton with kindness and respect. She’s sweet, welcoming, and gives him time to talk and be himself. Naturally, Sexton is apprehensive of her. In true Death fashion, she’s forward and totally outgoing; very much the antithesis of Sexton. Even so, she decides to spend the day with him. Inviting Sexton into her home — a modest London apartment — Death reveals who she truly is to Sexton, who somewhat believes her. Before long, Death is pursued by Mad Hettie (the elderly, eccentric recurring character from the main series), who demands that Death use her time in the mortal world to find her missing soul; and Death agrees to take on the challenge.
The Sandman. (L to R) Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death, Colin Morgan as Sexton Furnival in episode 212 of The Sandman. Cr. Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025
Death and Sexton’s day together takes them for lovely walks, and even a nightclub. Strangely, she gets things such as food and services for free, no matter how expensive. The reason for this isn’t explicitly mentioned; however, it could be due to a number of factors, most likely her being so inherently charismatic and compassionate that people are drawn to help her by any means.
In a nightclub, they encounter Theo (an old and unwelcome acquaintance of Sexton), who we learn has used a summoning circle to bring Death to him, so that he can steal her Ankh and bring his deceased girlfriend, Natalie, back from the dead. However, Death’s Ankh alone does not possess the power to bring people back to life, and Theo’s quest is, ultimately, fruitless. This storyline reinforces Death’s duties — she cannot bring back the deceased, but she’s there as a friendly, warm face to guide people to the other side. Death also puts Theo at peace.
In addition, it was found that Mad Hettie’s soul was actually a necklace, being sold by a merchant in the streets of London. Death uses her cash to purchase the necklace for Hettie (this item, apparently, cannot be given away for free. Turns out, Hettie’s soul is not as fantastical as it sounds. It’s a locket with a picture of her daughter, Cordelia.
As Death nears the end of her brief mortal existence, she becomes emotional. It feels like a real death; an ending to her life. When she dies, her mortal body falls lifeless and she’s even visited by herself, in Endless form. Not only is death itself frightening to mortals, but it’s even feared by Death herself.
As for Sexton, the day spent with Death shows him the preciousness and brilliance of life. His passion is rekindled, and he’s spurred to live for the moment.
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 is the meaning behind The High Cost of Living?
This bonus episode does a stellar job of portraying mental health struggles. Death’s profound insight and perspective into human life are eye-opening and thought-provoking. There are no cameos, as some fans hoped there would be, sadly.
Given the sheer breadth of stories within the Sandman mythos, the choice to end on a story such as this feels wise and extremely fitting. Like being visited by Death herself, the series ends with a friendly face and a gentle hand.
The Sandman Presents: Death: The High Cost of Living is now streaming on Netflix.
