A Come to Senses

Netflix cancelled Sense8 this week after two seasons. The sci-fi series became an odd card in my viewing deck, a show so visually stunning that the finer points of what was actually happening mattered less. Eight people across the globe have interconnected psyches, allowing them to occupy each other's headspace and worlds. The show's varied and exotic locations were only rivaled by its characters; a diverse collection of races, sexualities and perspectives. With an ensemble cast there were at times as many as 9 plots going on, each character having their own strife to overcome, and the collective whole learning in unison about their capabilities and the dangers that await.

I don't know that Sense8 is a show that should have succeeded, but its ambition and global view are highly commendable. Thee world is a big place, and we often wear our differences on the outside, but for these eight characters, those differences became valuable. This was the compelling heart of the show, that no matter the continent or composition, the characters loved and embraced one another, and while the market for a heady International sci-fi thriller may not be there in full, we are for sure in need of a show that demonstrates the power of love and unity.

I write this the same week it was announced that the President would be withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and these sentiments that Sense8 builds upon feel as relevant and important as ever. I get that it was at times slow moving, expensive throughout. I get that the first couple episodes don't do a great job at explaining the central conceit and that the main star power exists in supporting characters or the production credits. Part of me understands precisely why Sense8 was cut short, while another part of me understands the casualties in forging new ground. I didn't often praise or share Sense8 but it was deserving.