Netflix’s Sense8, a show that started in 2015, has taken its viewers on a wild and emotional ride. After season 2’s cliffhanger ending, we were aching for more, only to find out that Netflix cancelled the show due to the high production cost and not enough viewership to maintain the budget. Though it was a fairly straightforward reason to do so, Sense8’s audience was enraged that one of the most refreshingly inclusive, diverse, and thought-provoking shows was cancelled. Many petitioned for a renewal, though the odds seemed dire. However, in true spirit of the hopefulness in humanity that Sense8 inspired, the petition led to success; a two-hour finale that would give fans the proper closure they needed. Set to come out in June 2018, we can safely say that all Sense8 fans are beyond excited, despite the bittersweet nature of the finale as opposed to a full season. Here’s why we think Sense8 was such a revolutionary show, and why it deserved a season three.
Created by the Wachowskis, known for directing incredibly successful sci-fi films such as The Matrix, V for Vendetta, and Cloud Atlas, the expectations for Sense8 were set high. We even included it on our list of 5 Best Science Fiction Shows to Watch on A Sick Day. What resulted was an incredibly LGBTQ+ positive show that specifically aimed to highlight characters of differing races, religions, sexualities, and genders. Most outstandingly – and what sums up the spirit of the show so well – is that it never attempts to ‘imitate’. Set in multiple global locations, the show is actually filmed in each proclaimed location (India, Germany, USA, South Korea, Kenya, Iceland, and Mexico City are just a few on the list). The cast, an inclusive list of actors, are all from the same cultural background that they are in the show. Not only is Sense8 actively mindful about the representation of race, but of gender as well; trans character Nomi Marks is respectively played by trans actor Jamie Clayton. The way Sense8 demonstrates representation by incorporating a believable sense of reality to each character is vastly important, because a lot of mainstream media has failed to portray accurate representations of race, sexuality, and gender (think of all the white-washing, neutering of sexual orientation, and underrepresentation of trans actors in TV and film). Instead of simulating, Sense8 goes straight to the source, which is both refreshing and ground-breaking. Furthering the topic of representation, Sense8 is unapologetically sexually charged and liberated, portraying all manners of sex scenes without too much censorship, and portraying all kinds of partners no matter the race or sexuality. This factor is important in the topic of inclusion, because anything other than heterosexual sex scenes are scarcely found in a lot of shows.
Now, moving on to the concept, the idea of a ‘sensate’ (presented as a secret human race that are able to psychically connect to others like them) is exceedingly interesting. The result is a story that carefully intertwines each of the eight main characters into the others’ lives, in ways that either help them succeed or suffer the consequences. And that’s another thing – the show is not afraid of showing the consequences. While the tone can sometimes approach cheesiness, we are always made aware of how precarious success can be, which makes for a thrilling and realistic show. Even the aforementioned cheesiness is more an indication of the raw, openly emotional nature of Sense8 than it is melodramatic.
My one warning to new viewers is not to get too concerned with the science of it all, as the idea of ‘sensates’ is one of the slightly flawed in its execution, and therefore one of the less believable sci-fi concepts. Instead, allow yourself to get swept up in the artfulness and of every moment. Of each location, its colours, its atmosphere, each shot; of the carefully choreographed fight scenes, of the tender moments; of the beauty of each human that is on the show.
There was so much story left to tell, as the second season branched more into the logistics and danger of being a sensate than it was in the first. Ultimately, the concept leaves so much room for expansion that one can easily imagine the show going on for multiple more seasons. The cinematography was consistently beautiful in its portrayal of international settings, and knowing it was a Netflix original made it so refreshing to see a mainstream show be so inclusive in so many ways. The chemistry between all eight of the main characters was unreal, each actor being able to successfully carry their own storyline and shine individually as well as collectively. The fight scenes are intense, the romantic plots heartrending, the drama relentless – overall, the hopefulness and acceptance unwavering. Sense8 was a show for the people, for those who have ever felt out of place, underrepresented, or misunderstood. The arrival of the series finale approaches, but even the Wachowskis are hopeful that a renewal could be a possibility in the future. Because that’s what Sense8 ultimately teaches us – that anything is possible.
~ Z ~
Photo by Robert Magnusson on Unsplash
