Perhaps a series ahead of its time, Sense8 was Netflix’s masterpiece science fiction, globe-hopping epic. Created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski, the series followed eight strangers from different parts of the world who share a psychic connection. A major factor in the series’ success was Sense8’s ability to tap into themes of prejudice, sexuality, and identity in a way that many sci-fi series avoid. Earning itself a devoted fan following, Sense8 may have had a feature-length conclusion, but it ended with further stories to tell.
What Is ‘Sense8’ About?
Over two seasons and a movie dedicated to fans, Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers who are a part of a physically linked cluster, individually called sensates. Capheus (Aml Ameen and Toby Onwumere) is a matatu driver in Nairobi. Sun (Doona Bae) is the daughter of a business executive and an master at martial arts in Seoul. Nomi (Jamie Clayton) is a hacktivist who is trans in San Francisco. Kala (Tina Desai) is a pharmacist trapped in an engagement for an arranged marriage in Mumbai. Riley (Tuppence Middleton) is an Icelandic DJ living in London. Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) is a German-Russian thief and safe-cracker living in Berlin. Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) is a closeted Spanish superstar actor in Mexico City. And finally, there’s Will (Brian J. Smith), a Chicago cop who discovers their connection is linked to a woman named Angelica (Daryl Hannah). As they attempt to discover why they are connected, the cluster begins navigating their everyday lives while being hunted by a man known only as Whispers (Terrence Mann), who is out to destroy the sensates through a company called the Biologic Preservation Organization (BPO). Helping one another by utilizing their fellow sensates’ greatest assets, the cluster becomes a found family that must unite to protect themselves and the ones they love.
A bold and complicated premise, Sense8‘s ability to tell its story seamlessly through brilliant writing and extraordinary editing made it unlike anything that came before. From a production standpoint, the international set pieces were so distinct for each character that Sense8 went to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of the locales. The on-location filming was the series’ best asset, but also its biggest money drain. As the individual characters begin to integrate into one another’s lives, Sense8 does a remarkable job of using its surroundings to enhance the ambitious storytelling, advising us of whose mind we are in.
‘Sense8’ Brought Sexuality and Identity to Sci-Fi
Sexuality and gender expression are monumental for the series. While some sci-fi stories might leave these themes open to interpretation, Sense8 makes them a pivotal part of the story. Most prominently is Nomi, whose experience as a trans woman is central to the story. Her narrative includes her struggles with her family, who essentially sell her out to the BPO via a conversation therapy plotline. She is used as a mouthpiece to discuss the public’s misguided fear of the trans community. With Lito, the series highlights the projection of perceived masculinity in Mexico and in the entertainment industry as he is forced to stay in the closet to keep his acting career. In both cases, it’s thanks to the cluster that they find solace and acceptance. These stories not only open up the audience to new communities, but they are integral to Sense8 and its themes of interconnectivity.
Very few sci-fi shows have attempted to be as daring, especially in the concept of sexual fluidity. With the nature of the communication within the cluster, they share emotions and physical sensations. It’s in these moments of intimacy that the cluster engages in shared sexual experiences that challenge traditional binary gender roles and sexual orientation. The core eight are effectively pansexual, something Smith himself confirmed when he came out. Sense8 put queer representation at its center without making it feel superfluous.
‘Sense8’ Never Got the Conclusion It Deserved
For some, Sense8 falls out of the perfection category because of its ending. The two seasons were sensational, but then the series was cancelled. The series ended because, despite the passionate fan base, it was far too expensive. Despite the abrupt cancellation, the show did earn a movie special that wrapped up the Sense8 story thanks to a fervent online petition. Though the story ends there, the movie is ultimately seen as a thank you to the dedicated fans rather than the true ending the showrunners had in mind. Sense8 was forced to abandon the Season 2 cliffhanger, rushing to wrap up the series in 151 minutes rather than being given a full third season. It’s particularly disappointing after Straczynski confirmed a story was plotted for Season 3.
As much as it was wonderful spending one last adventure with the cluster, it was not the ending the series deserved. With hints of where certain characters’ trajectories would take them, it was clear Sense8 would have been on track for something extraordinary had it continued. But with a flaw that was completely out of the show’s control, Sense8‘s legacy will forever be that it was a groundbreaking sci-fi show that opened up doors for the types of stories that could be told in the genre.
Sense8 is available to stream on Netflix.