Netflix just announced that the queer celebrating show Sense8 has been renewed for Season 2. Upon hearing this excellent news, our own cluster of sensate bloggers got together (from all across the country) to talk about what we've enjoyed about the series, what we want from a Season 2, and why you should give it a chance if you haven't watched it yet.
On a Saturday (Caturday) afternoon, 8 different minds spanning the continental United States, got together to share their love and thoughts on the Netflix series
Sense8
Our Geeks OUT sensates:
Kevin
Okay fellow Sense8's let's introduce ourselves and where we are located
Amber
Hey all, this is Amber from Los Angeles. And Kevin, we're "sensate"-ing. wink emoticon
Charles
I'm Charles and I'm in New York.
Jen
I'm Jen, also in LA.
Tom
Tom, from DC!
Aria
This Aria in Chicago. Hometown of The Wachowskis.
Jon
Hey all! Jon here from the wilds of TN.
Nicole
Hello, beautiful people! As you may know, I am in Brooklyn
Kevin
This is Kevin in New York
Amber
This is awesome! We've actually got geographic diversity! And I did not know that, Aria!
Kevin
Let's start off with- What have you enjoyed most about the show (so far)?
Amber
The rainbow dildo plop heard 'round the world.
Jen
Haha yes!!!
Aria
Oh my goodness. Martha Jones.
Charles
Doona Bae's performance as Sun. I think she's centered, awesome, and ridiculously poised.
I want so much more of her Yasss martha.
Amber
But actually, the birth symphony had me weeping (which is in a bit later for your folks who haven't seen it).
Tom
I'm mostly excited at how they've handled a large cast so well. Doona Bae's definitely a stand out, that's no question. But I never really felt like "oh god, we're back to THAT character again?" with any of them
Amber
Totally, Tom! It has felt balanced and rich.
Jen
I actually have felt that way a little. I think too much of the story is centered on Will. He's the first person we see. And well. For those that have seen the end...
Jon
As far as I'm concerned, Sense8 is a brilliant piece of work for this reason: what better way to try and teach empathy than having a cast of characters that can LITERALLY walk in each others' shoes? It highlights the fact that each person has something meaningful to contribute to society and how we really are so similar despite our differences.
Nicole
What I've loved most about the show is how fearlessly it's shown queer relationships and how they've developed each of the characters beyond simple stereotype. Even secondary characters like Lito's bf Hernando* are fully fleshed out, with their own histories, motivations...
[*Side note: I really wanted the Lito/Hernando/Daniela story to be about them discovering the joys of a sexy triad, but It kind of stayed in the fag-hag zone. Maybe next season?]
Jon
One of the things that the show has done exceptionally well at is making me care about the characters on an individual basis and as whole. Each character is given time to develop, and, for most, we are able to see growth within the season.
Charles
A true ensemble piece. And probably the most diversity ever seen from a main cast.
Jen
I love the diversity though. There's a lot of cultural richness.
Aria
And the geek legacy of the performers is pure joy!
Kevin
I loved the joy in Aml Ameen's character at everything he experienced through the other characters outside of Africa
Jen
And I felt like it took a long time for us to learn much about Doona Bae. Sun is such an amazing character.
I love that too, Kevin!
Charles
I want to see more of her. Not just in Sense8 but period.
Like more movies and maybe at brunch.
Aria
(Follow-up to last comment) Blade Runner, Doctor Who, Lost…
Amber
Aria, good point about the geek bona fides. I get a thrill out of that. But it seems like that happens so much now. Is it because we've reached maximum cultural penetration, or because I have a curated viewing scope?
Aria
It probably has more to do with our good taste.
Amber
I'll take that.
Kevin
In the show, each member of the sensates provided key skills to help out the others (except for maybe Riley) in situations they weren't equipped to handle. Now, we brought this up in the Geeks OUT Podcast, but- What skills or experiences would you bring to this particular cluster of sensates we have going today?
Charles
You can all have my recipe for the world's best tomato sauce.
Tom
Good at talking to people? Pokemon breeding? I at least could do the bad covers of 90's karaoke classics.
Amber
Tom, you never know when that will come in handy.
Jen would definitely be the cat whisperer.
Jen
Can I be the all animal whisperer?
Amber
You can. Granted.
Jen
If not, I will gladly limit myself to cats, especially on this fine international cat day AND Caturday
Aria
All three of my cats are trying to get my attention right now.
Jen
Now you know why. It's their day!
Tom
I could actually use your help with that, my cat can be a jerk sometimes.
Aria
Babies really like me, for some reason. I'm not sure if that's a skill. Unless some kind of super-powered nurturing is a thing.
Amber
But (going back) Kevin, I think Riley's skills are of an emotional intelligence variety,
Kevin
okay, point taken
Aria
There's a lot of emotional intelligence in this series.
Amber
Related to her musical skills - people feel things very intensely and deeply with her. She also bring a sense of wonder.
Amber
I like the question, Kevin. Did I derail it? I think it's challenging, since we're all complex people and not characters.
Aria
But if we were...
Kevin
No of course not, and if I was more connected with you I would have gotten more out of Riley they way you did. For me, I guess everyone would get my quick wit, big heart, and my ability to grow facial hair quickly
Aria
I don't want your facial hair, Kevin.
Amber
We always need rope, so hair comes in handy.
Aria
Super-powered nurturer / smartass right here.
Kevin
I'll take it Aria smile emoticon
Amber
I think I'm the ferocious rogue - capable of charming, but I will cut someone if needed. (I get it from my mom.)
Aria
Thanks, Amber's mom!
Amber
No tech geniuses among us? I am shocked.
OH, but I can also navigate the legal system. I speak legalese.
Kevin
so you can get us all out of jail
Charles
I've been on the duo lingo app for German for the past 5 days. You guys can have that.
Amber
Charles is officially our polyglot.
Aria
Jawohl! It's working!
Jon
I think my uncanny English abilities and musicality will be a nice addition to the overall cluster. smile emoticon
Nicole
In some magical world where I would be a sensate, I would still be a librarian so, obvs, my skill would be super-smarts and research. Lady Giles to the rescue!
Jon
What gets me excited as an audience member is waiting to see how each member of the cluster will impact her or his fellow members--what stamp each personality leaves. It's exciting to look back and say, "Kala wouldn't have done this if not for Wolfgang's influence" or "Nomi's less-than-legal approach is influencing how Will views situations".
Amber
This exercise reminds me of how impressive Sense8 really is - how it creates not only these distinct characters of particular skill, but inserts them into the story at places that have you pumping your fist in the air.
Like when a certain German takes the wheel at a certain time.
Charles
No spoilers. But yes he really came through, that crazy guy.
Are we rooting for him and Kala in the 2nd season?
Kevin
Excellent segway
Amber
That part I love - when it's not just the ability to know chemistry, but the ability to do a tough thing.
Tom
I think later in the season they got much better at bringing in everyone at opportune moments, rather than it just being "Sun, save us." That's what I'm curious about seeing in a second season--plus any downsides to being so connected all the time.
Jen
That must be really fun to write. It takes the eye roll out of those easy plot twists. In sense8, it's needed and really works.
Kevin
What do you want to see (as spoiler-free as you can be) in Season 2?
Charles
I want to see Elizabeth Debicki make an appearance but I don't think I'm going to get it.
Amber
I want their physical contact with each other to bring about new powers or skills. Maybe transference?
Maybe body swapping?
Aria
Body-swapping! Ghost in the Shell style?
Kevin
I'd love to see more interaction between Nomi and Lito, they've had some through the season, but the moments they've shared have been beautiful and powerful.
Amber
Yes, totally, Aria! If anyone can handle that in a way that's interesting and not lowest common denominator, it's The Wachowskis.
Jen
I agree, Kevin! Also more fun scenes like the Lito/nomi/will (and probably others? I forget now) scene. Because how could that not be happening? (I want to see more about why Lito claims Spain but is acting in Mexico.)
Jon
For the upcoming season, I would like to see more non-romantic pairings and a deeper exploration of other clusters (particularly their "parent" cluster).
Also, I would like for Riley to have a useful skill (when would the group need a DJ in a pinch?!), Sun be more than just the group bouncer, and for Will to deal with the looming question of how and IF he'll hold Wolfgang responsible for his crimes.
(Also, more of Wolfgang's "trunk" as Kala put it)
And I'd TOTALLY be fine with less white people.
Amber
I second the call for Full frontal male nudity.
Tom
Thirded
Aria
I'm good for now. I would, however, like to see more rainbow strap-ons!
Jen
Haha I'm up for either or none.
Amber
Both. Always.
Nicole
I fourth Jon's nom for more "trunk". Not because I'm especially desperate for peen, but because I'm so sick of Hollywood's double standard - naked women are as good and plentiful as props, but show a sacred full frontal and be prepared for an NC-17.
Jon
I'm glad you actually picked up on the reason behind the desire for more peen (I'm not just some thirsty gay man). Hollywood has been too focused on appealing to the male gaze and shying away from anything that might make straight cis men uncomfortable. Meanwhile, women are free to be nude and, as a byproduct, can wind up being objectified. In Sense8, however, they reversed this trend. The one major scene where I remember female nudity is the love scene between Nomi and her gf, and it wasn't a hyper-fetishized version of their love (like one might see in straight "girl-on-girl" porn).
Nicole
Yes, Jon! There was something very empowering spending so much time with a black woman and her trans gf. Queer love is beautiful, frak the male gaze!
Nicole
Also there were a few moments where their handling of race was a bit bungled. Will's black cop buddy is casually racist and Will gets to step in as white savior? The climactic reunion of sensates has all but our white (straight cis) romantic leads literally disappearing from frame?
Jen
Nicole - yes!!! How they handled the black race stuff in Chicago was super white savior.
Aria
I'd like to take this opportunity to say how much the characterization of Nomi means to me.
Amber
Can you speak more to that, Aria, if you're comfortable doing so? I'd love to hear more of your thoughts.
Jen
In what way, Aria?
Nicole
Aria, please describe!
Aria
The handling of the trans character is not only beautiful and powerful, but also shows her to be vulnerable in a way that is disarmingly true to life.
Jen
I also appreciate that they are using a trans actress to play the role
Amber
Do you think some of her strength comes from her vulnerability?
And TOTALLY agreed, Jen.
Nicole
Yes! (Also, I'm really digging our "cluster", everyone!)
Aria
Jamie Clayton was a perfect choice for this role! She has literally lived it.
Tom
Not to mention Lana Wachowski being behind the scenes, too. Who's acting and creating these shows matters so much
Aria
Yes, Amber, I do think Nomi's strength is drawn from, or motivated by, her vulnerability, and I think Jamie Clayton's real-life experience informs her performance in that way.
Charles
After Sense8 and OITNB, I'm definitely over the whole sis, hetero, male playing trans characters. Unless it's done in an everything-blind way like Cloud Atlas
Amber
I like to think Lana insisted a trans woman play the trans woman character.
Charles
Lana is definitely killin' it for the community. I heart her to pieces.
Aria
She most certainly did!
She talked a little about that in her keynote presentation at the Trans 100 here in Chicago in this past March.
Jen
That's rad!
Charles
Does a vid exist of that? I'd love to watch it.
Amber
That's how it starts - by someone in a position of power saying "I insist."
Aria
Charles, I can post the link to the Livestream of the event here, or send it in a private message.
Amber
Post it here@!!!!
Tom
Please do!
Charles
Do it! Do it! Lana! Lana!
Aria
Here is the Livestream of the entire three-hour Trans 100 event:
Also, someone in Germany—which is kind of meta right now, considering our conversation earlier—posted Lana's speech on their personal YouTube channel, and here it is:
Kevin
We just need more people like Lana Wachowski doing that, and more people in the industry realizing that there is an audience out there for stories accurately reflecting humanity.
Kevin
Well before we separate, Any last thoughts on Sense8?
Maybe a reason why people should give Season 1 a gander?
Charles
It's the most ambitious television show ever made.
Aria
Because I have to go watch Sylvia Rivera: The Not Movie
Nicole
Watch Sense8 because its just plain ol' good creative storytelling with a sci-fi bent and I want this show/genre to get all the attention and accolades it deserves!
Amber
It is the Heroes we deserve.
Tom
Haha, Amber, that's perfect
I'm a bit anxious about how they'll handle the scope going forward. I don't want it to get too outlandish, the way that it's grounded in their personal stories is more exciting to me than the larger conspiracy. But I'm sure the Wachowskis and the others behind it will work it out. Didn't they say they had some mutli-year plan?
Charles
They did
Jen
It's the scifi version of what our power could look like in real life.
Charles
5 seasons I think?
Amber
Love that, Jen! Speculative fiction FTW.
Amber
We haven't mentioned J. Michael Straczynski, but his master screenwriting influence is clear. I like that he might be the yin to the Wachowskis yang.
Aria
I have really enjoyed melding with all of you today!
Amber
Because we have to end on this:
Kevin
before everyone takes off Can we get your twitter handles (if you have one)?
Mine is @Gilligan_McJew
Amber
@amberhardfemme
Jen
@skinnedkneesnet
Aria
@msbaci
Tom
Confession time: I legit did not know that it was an original song for an unforgivably long time, I really thought it was just from that He-man video.
@tmlotito
Amber
Tom, you are so young. And adorable. And young.
Tom Lotito
I'm 29, I have no excuse :-(
Charles
Oh I neva use twitta but my theatre company has one @envelopeny
Nicole
@cocodevaux
Jon
@HeyMrTullyman
Kevin
Thanks everyone!
Amber
Ciao sensates!
Aria
Ciao!
Tom
bye!
Charles
Bye
Officially Geeks OUT!