photo credit: google.com

The Netflix series, Sense8, was a show that attempted, as much as possible, to push the envelope. To be more than one thing with its diverse characters who allowed eight different storylines to converge. It was a sci-fi show, a mystery, a high-octane adventure, a multifaceted romance… and much more. The Sense8 finale,“ Amor Vincit Omnia” was quite fitting for this huge and layered show. It was truly one for the fans as the end credit states “for our fans.”

The show welcomed inclusivity and diversity with characters from India, Kenya, Iceland, the U.S., South Korea, Mexico, and Germany. Many of the characters were also from the LGBTQ community. Sense8 was unafraid with its explorations of identity, race, gender, sexuality, and I dare say spirituality and sci-fi. Although the show will not be continuing, I’m glad they summed up the series in all its grandiose nature. I felt that the essence of the show still came through, flowing so naturally from where the series left off with episode 11. It was such a celebration of the show’s intensity and levity.

The main, and simplified, premise of the show is that eight people are one day psychically and emotionally linked, thereby exchanging memories, skillsets, thoughts, language, etc. They became a secret species called Sensates, and for a long time, a war has been waging to control/eliminate them. I’ll write as much as I need to that I simply love stories and characters and I appreciated where Sense8 tried to take me. Sense8 hooks you with the characters and how they work together. Lito is hilarious and full of drama. Sun is reserved yet ferocious with powerful martial arts skills. Nomi and Amanita are eccentric hackers. The list goes on and on. Yet, all the character’s differences are seen as assets to the overall aim, which is to celebrate difference with empathy, instead of fearing it or trying to control it.

The Sense8 finale is as much about spectacle, with so many action sequences and settings, as it is about emotional connections. The series, of course, expects you to be knowledgeable of the characters and their dynamic. Having been a viewer since the first episode to the very end, I loved seeing the main characters all together in one space since they are usually in their different corners of the world. The whole episode was a thrill ride from Paris to Naples, as the Sense8 crew tried to save one of their members, Wolfgang, from the baddies, BPO. The wedding at the top of the Efiel Tower was so satisfying because all, literally all, the characters were in attendance. At the very end of the episode, you can tell the showrunners were saying a huge we-don’t-give-a-f*ck-we’re-gonna-be-ourselves goodbye.

A critique can be the show tried to joggle too much, telling eight individual stories and the main conspiracy plotline. I will admit the conspiracy around the big-bad organization BPO can seem convoluted at times. Yet, when the characters all came together in episode 11 and turned the tables on main antagonist, Whispers, it was still exciting. In the finale, it was quite exhilarating when they teamed up again and finally eradicated the domination-driven faction of BPO with explosions, to say the least.

Despite some reservations of “incoherence” with the show and/or finale, I think if you allowed yourself to submerge in the highly visual and sensation-driven experience, it wouldn’t seem so confusing. Sense8 is incoherent if you haven’t accepted the show’s premise and you don’t allow the journey to unfold. Yes, this can be said for many canceled shows, yet Sense8 can still be considered a diamond in the rough. During the wedding scene, Amanita delivers a speech that resonates with the ideals of the show and makes the viewer pause. She states, “We live in a world that distrusts feelings, over and over, we are reminded that feelings are not as important as reason.” The show challenged the viewer to be so radically open-minded while anchoring the idea of being human and seeking connection.

That’s the show at it’s best. Farewell, Sense8!

Best,

– Kai 😀