Tried to watch an episode (Have no knowledge of Sandman) and failed to understand what was going on.
Do you need to have read the comics or does it become clearer the more you watch ?
No, I'd not read any of the stuff before. I'm a little 'revel in it's sumptuousness and pick up the story later and return if necessary' type viewer which may not be most people's watching style. It does build and explain itself more later.
Wow, superb TV. 5 episodes in and breath taken away.
Without spoiling, Episode Fives spiral is amazing.