2-12. Amor Vincit Omnia

One last ride for the Cluster...

Running Time: Approx. 151 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, David Mitchell, Aleksander Hemon. Directed by: Lana Wachowski.


THE PLOT:

Wolfgang is now a prisoner of BPO - But Will organized the other sensates into responding forcefully, infiltrating BPO and taking Whispers and Jonas hostage. Now hiding with their prisoners in Paris, the group is organizing an exchange. They know BPO will double-cross them as soon as the exchange is complete, and have a plan to complete the trade and escape.

That plan is threatened by several outside parties. River El-Saadawi (Amira Ghazalla), daughter of BPO co-founder Ruth El-Saadawi, reaches out to the group to tell them that Whispers is the sole pilot for BPO's drone program, and urges them to kill Whispers even at the cost of Wolfgang's life. Other sensate clusters, under the guidance of a woman known only as "The Mother" (Urusla Jones), take direct action to interfere with the exchange.

Meanwhile, BPO turns up the pressure by instigating a purge of known sensates worldwide. Jonas takes advantage of the confusion to escape, leaving Will's cluster to wonder whose side he might be on. And into the chaos strides Lila Facchini (Valeria Bilello), the sensate assassin who turned Wolfgang over to BPO. She appears to be working for them - But she has an agenda all her own, one that will soon put them on a collision course with the mysterious BPO Chairman (Stephen Boxer).


CHARACTERS:

It's the nature of the beast that a movie will have a narrower focus than an ongoing series. I figured relatively early in the series' run that the finale would inevitably center around the BPO arc, meaning that the regulars least involved in the BPO arc - Capheus, Sun, and Lito - end up getting less to do than the other five. Sun at least gets a few good action scenes and a love interest, but Capheus is reduced to little more than the team's designated driver, while Lito is basically comedy relief. Lito's significant others actually get stronger material than him; Hernando's extensive art knowledge helps the group to infiltrate Lila's fortress-like estate, while Dani gets an early confrontation with Whispers that is an absolute showstopper.

For the rest, it's largely business as usual. Will drives the plot, but aside from some interest/jealousy over some of Riley's past contacts, he doesn't get much in the way of character material. Nomi and Amanita provide a few emotional scenes - though for arguably the first time in the series, some of their dialogue (notably an early conversation about Amanita's fantasies about Paris) feels forced and stilted. Wolfgang and Kala probably get the best overall material, each repeatedly showing devotion to the other, and the resolution to the Wolfgang/Kala/Rajan triangle is unexpected but fitting for this series.

Oh, and Bug, whose role has continued to expand throughout the series, gets even more to do here. He proves to be a delight throughout the film, with just enough moments of insight sprinkled between the comedy to keep him from descending into being purely a "joke" character.


A BRIEF REFLECTION ON WHAT WAS LOST:

The BPO plotline itself feels reduced and simplified. Whispers had shown signs of being a potentially fascinating character - Sense8's equivalent of Babylon 5's Bester, a thoroughgoing villain who nevertheless saw himself as serving a greater good. Here, he's just a baddie, whose relatively brief bits of dialogue amount to sadistic threats. He isn't even the main bad guy, being quite literally reduced to a plot device: spending the first half of the episode as our heroes' prisoner before spending the second half as someone else's prisoner.

Then there is the matter of the mysterious BPO Chairman. The Chairman was mentioned multiple times in Season Two, so was always going to emerge as a major villain. I have difficulty believing, however, that had the series played out as originally intended, he would have been such a 2-dimensional figure, an impotent clone of Star Wars' Emperor Palpatine.

Ultimately, as I watched the movie, I felt that something was missing from both characters and the dialogue, and I think that something has a name: J. Michael Straczynski, who co-created the series and co-wrote all the episodes prior to this one. Straczynski has a particular creative voice, often expressed through monologues that are slightly heightened and theatrical but that are nonetheless spellbinding. The absence of that voice leaves a tangible void in this finale - Not in the big action set pieces, but in the quieter character moments. A layer is missing to the dialogue, and I am fairly certain that missing layer is best explained by his absence.


WHAT WAS GOOD, AND EVEN GREAT:

Most of my complaints amount to acknowledging the inevitable: some characters draw the short straw, ongoing plotlines are substantially simplified, and some of the exchanges lack the resonance of the series proper, with dialogue more focused on advancing plot than character. All of these largely fall into the category of "given," since this movie is tasked with closing out a series that was roughly intended to run for three more seasons; per original intent, the last regular episode wouldn't even have been considered the halfway mark!

Accepting those limitations, the movie does a solid job of closing out the BPO storyline in a manner that is largely consistent with what has been learned over the course of the series. I can speculate about where I think the plot might have gone had the series continued... But taking what was made purely on its own terms, the main ongoing plot of the series reaches a satisfying conclusion - with the door left just enough ajar to allow for future seasons or movies, should Netflix prove willing.

The major set pieces, from the botched exchange to the final pursuit of Lila, are uniformly outstanding, conveying intensity and excitement. I'm of two minds regarding a moment in which one of the regulars appears to be killed, only to survive with no apparent ill effects... But another part of me is just as happy for Sense8, a series that has largely embraced compassion and hope as its guiding principles, to embrace a celebratory atmosphere in its finale. Besides, "wringing emotion out of major character death in finale" has become a cliche in itself, so I was not too sad to see it subverted.

There's an epilogue that runs a little long, and a closing sex scene that - unlike most similar scenes in the series - seems to exist as much to make sure there is a sex scene as to serve any particular character or narrative purpose (though I did find the final shot to be an amusing swipe at those who expressed outrage at the series' very first sexual encounter). Overall, however, Amor Vincit Omnia does an admirable job of wrapping up a complex series. It will never rank among my favorite episodes, simply because of the built-in limitations of the situation. But given what it had to do, it is more successful than it had any right to be and represents a satisfying end to an outstanding series.

Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: You Want a War?



Review Index

2-10. If All the World's a Stage, Identity Is Nothing But a Costume.

Lito is startled at his transformation into his new role...

Running Time: Approx. 52 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Tom Tykwer.


THE PLOT:

Lito arrives in Hollywood for the audition Dani secured - and almost blows his chance by relying on too many acting tricks. Fortunately, director Kit Wrangler (Andy Dick) gives him another chance, which Lito is able to capitalize on with some assistance from Sun. But even after landing the part, Lito worries that he is a fraud and that the world will soon discover that he isn't really a good actor. He admits his fear to Hernando, who observes that "there is nothing more frightening than having a dream come true."

In Kenya, the election draws near. Capheus attends a rally for his supporters, and is stunned when he sees the sheer size of the crowd. He attempts to deliver a speech about unity and tolerance - Only for it to be interrupted by violent protesters paid by the opposition, complete with an attempt on Capheus' life.

Meanwhile, Whispers finds Will at his most vulnerable, and lives up to his name by giving quiet voice to all of Will's guilt and doubt. And in Seoul, Sun's infiltration of her brother's gala has been successful - leaving her to prepare to face her brother, and decide what she will do when they meet...


CHARACTERS:

I love that Lito doubts his own abilities as an actor. He earned fame in Mexican cinema through over-the-top action movies, not generally a repository of great acting. Though Hernando and Dani recognize how much he has brought to those roles, it likely weights on his mind that he has yet to try to carry the kind of material Burt Lancaster did in his beloved From Here to Eternity. Also, though he lands the part, he does so thanks to Sun's intervention - His first reading, which is all him, is a disaster. Almost certainly because of his anxiety and self-doubt, but it likely fuels his doubts that he was only able to secure a serious dramatic role through the help of one of his Cluster.

Capheus is also experiencing a seismic shift in his life, which is brought home at three key points in this episode. When he leaves for the rally, he starts to instruct the driver on the best route, only for one of the political operatives to cut him off. "You're not a bus driver anymore," the man tells him. At the rally, he is struck momentarily speechless by the size of the crowd, until Jela whispers his support in his ear: "Just drive the bus." After the rally is disrupted, Capheus experiences a moment of despair, certain that the violence will overshadow his intended message. His family and supporters assure him that the people at the rally heard him and understood his message, reassurance that seems to lend him strength and determination for the final leg of this journey.


THOUGHTS:

If All the World's a Stage, Identity Is Nothing But a Costume is a much quieter episode than I had expected. The BPO plot is barely touched on, and Sun's confrontation with her brother is clearly being held for the season ender. Instead, the episode focuses on Lito and Capheus, and the changes happening in their lives. Capheus' rally ends in one of those chaotic set pieces that this series, with its film-like production values, pulls off so well - But until that point, the episode is almost entirely character-centric.

I think it's also my favorite episode of the season.

Narrowing the focus to two strands results in a stronger connection with Lito and Capheus. There are minimal cutaways to the other characters, leaving our attention squarely on these two. As different as the stories are, they still complement each other in surprising ways. Both characters are told that their old lives are now behind them: Lito, when Kit dismisses his previous action films; Capheus, when the political operative tells him that he is no longer a bus driver. Both rely more on the support structures from their old lives than on the Cluster, as Hernando eases Lito's doubts and Jela and his mother ease Capheus'. As different as the settings and tones may be, the two strands thus feel very much of a piece with each other.

The other characters are not forgotten, however, even if they are largely confined to scenes that bookend the main part of the episode. Whispers' Iago-like approach to Will is particularly interesting. Not just because the villain pushes the most traditionally upright of the heroes into an ill-timed heroin indulgence (something foreshadowed a few episodes earlier, when Kala only narrowly diverted Will from the drugs) - But also because of Whispers' final words before he reaches for the heroin, as he tells Will that they are getting ever closer to each other. One of my biggest regrets about this series' premature cancellation is that I am certain Whispers has an interesting story all his own, one that I doubt the feature-length finale - burdened as it will be with resolving as many active plot threads as possible - will have time for.

Overall, while this series has almost always managed to envelop me in its world, this episode drew me in even more strongly than usual. Though it is often a challenge to individually score episodes of a series that is so heavily serialized, I still find myself awarding this particular installment full marks.

(Although I really could have passed on hearing about Kit's way of celebrating his Oscar win.  Definitely didn't need that mental image.  And from their expressions, Lito and Hernando would probably agree with me.)

Overall Rating: 10/10.

Previous Episode: What Family Actually Means
Next Episode: You Want a War?



Review Index

2-8. All I Want Right Now Is One More Bullet.

Wolfgang gets caught in an assassin's trap.

Running Time: Approx. 57 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Dan Glass.


THE PLOT:

Jonas is alive.

Though the group was certain they had witnessed his death, he reveals that he was saved through the intervention of BPO's Chairman. He is still BPO's prisoner, forced to work with them, but he is alive - and Whispers' position may not be quite so secure as he had believed.

Meanwhile, having been dropped by his agent, Lito decides that his career is over and wallows in self-pity and comfort food. But his skills may soon be needed. Sun's brother is soon to attend a function, and Nomi and Amanita have found a way to smuggle Sun in with the help. The catch? She will have to pose as a bartender, which will only be possible if she borrows the skills Lito learned on the set of a previous movie.

Capheus is drawing attention in his bid for public office, but is also drawing a backlash from his opponent, seeking to paint the upstart bus driver as a "thug" who extorts protection money from his neighbors. As Capheus absorbs this, he receives a visit at gunpoint by the leader of the Superpower Gang, who lets him know in no uncertain terms that his life is in danger - but that he also has support in some unexpected places.

Finally, in Berlin, Wolfgang realizes that Lila, the sensate assassin, is planning to play him off against gang leader Sebastian Fuchs (Lars Eidinger) - all to further her dream of transforming Berlin into a haven for sensates. She hopes to enlist Wolfgang to her cause - But will settle for eliminating him to remove the threat he poses!


CHARACTERS:

Nomi is rather adorable in this episode, from accidentally waking Sun and begging her not to hit her to admitting that time zones confuse her to her clutziness in high heels. When Amanita tries to relax her nerves, correctly diagnosing that she's worried about seeing her parents again, Nomi observes that Amanita knows her in ways her Cluster never will.  Speaking of Amanita, at this point she could be considered an honorary member of the Cluster.  When Nomi knocks herself out of action near the end, Amanita effectively fills her role via FaceTime (with an assist from Bug), which ends up working seamlessly.

Lito's self-pity is amusing, and Miguel Angel Silvestre continues to show a genuine knack for comedy. The scene in which he curls up on Sun's bed, clutching a stuffed animal and crying, is genuinely funny, with Sun alternating between exasperation and compassion in her response to him. At the end of the scene, after Sun has spelled out exactly how much worse her situation is than Lito's, he passes her the stuffed animal and grabs another one for himself.

My favorite part of the episode is, of course, the standoff between Wolfgang and Lila at the end. But there's a great character moment before the shooting starts, when Lila tries to persuade him to become a "king" for Berlin. He dismisses that as fantasy, telling her Berliners always ultimately reject would-be kings. When she tells him that he's not like other people, he dismisses her by replying, "You are." The great thing about a character who says little - When he talks, his words are never wasted.


THOUGHTS:

When Jonas returned at the very end of the previous episode, my first thought was that he was another kind of "meat puppet" for Whispers to use to try to ensnare the Cluster. When he coldly referred to Will as "Officer Gorski" at the start of this episode, I was certain my suspicions were about to be confirmed.

Instead, we discover that he is another kind of puppet - kept alive for the benefit of "The Chairman" (whom I do hope we meet before the series ends), as a potential check on Whispers. Later in the episode, Will gets a glimpse of Whispers, hiding with his family in a hotel room. His wife and daughter are losing patience with the disruptions to their lives, and he is losing patience with them, shouting that all he is doing is to "protect this family!" Will realizes that Whispers is just as much a prisoner of circumstance as he is, or as Jonas is.

These revelations are intriguing, likely setting up major plot developments for the finale. The episode also sets up other strands. Kala's husband comes home bleeding, then later takes an angry midnight phone call, both of which he lies about (and not very well, so at least Kala can take comfort in knowing that Rajan is a lousy liar). In the midst of Lito's epic self-pity, Dani and Hernando observe that his Sao Paolo speech has generated a lot of buzz, and that his situation is actually much better than he thinks; it's just that Lito is unable to see this in the midst of his wallowing. And of course, we set up the inevitable conversation between Sun and her brother.  With only a handful of episodes left, I actively hope they don't set up anything else - These strands and the BPO arc are already quite a lot to resolve in the four remaining installments.

In short, this is a transitional episode, carefully moving pieces into place. The kinetic action climax aside, this installment exists to get the characters ready for the season's final Act.  The script offers some amusing bits of comedy alongside several good character exchanges. But transitional episodes never are the ones that leave you breathless, and despite the fantastic final scene, this episode is no exception. It does its job well - But when I think back on this series after completing it, I doubt there is much my mind will cling to from this particular piece.


Overall Rating: 7/10.

Previous Episode; I Have No Room in My Heart for Hate
Next Episode: What Family Actually Means



Review Index

2-5. Fear Never Fixed Anything.

At an underground performance, Riley makes a plea...

Running Time: Approx. 52 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: James McTeigue.


THE PLOT:

Jonas is dead. He visited the Cluster one last time, to say goodbye, before being strapped down to a gurney for surgery - which would either have killed him or left him in a vegetative state. After a follow-up visit from Whispers, who gloats that the group's exposure of his BPO rival has put him in his most powerful and secure position ever, Will decides that he has had enough of running and hiding. "Whispers has turned me into a fugitive - He's got me acting like one and thinking like one. I'm not; I'm a cop. A fugitive runs because he's alone; a cop knows he's not... Why does BPO have so many resources? It has to be because there is a lot more of us out there than we thought. We need to find them!"

Even as Will and Riley prepare to reach out to other sensates through a concert, the others' individual complications continue. Kala's father butts heads with Rajan's father over politics, while Capheus' television interview results in an offer to run for office. Lito is frustrated at the terrible roles now being offered to him, while Nomi is given the opportunity to electronically erase her entire existence. Meanhwile, Sun prepares to go to war with her brother, declaring to her old sensei: "I have no plan. I have an enemy - And I won't stop until he's dead, or I am."


CHARACTERS:

In the previous episode, Kala told Wolfgang that she wasn't sure she really was a good person. Her conversation with her father in this episode continues that thread, as she expresses worry that if she pursues her own happiness, it will be at the cost of disappointing and hurting others.  Meanwhile, her husband has been consistently presented by the series as a basically good and decent man - However, in this episode, we see that he is completely unconcerned when Kala informs him of inconsistencies in the quality of drugs they are shipping abroad. He tells her that all that matters is that they ship, and all but says that she shouldn't worry her pretty little head about it. Of course, we've already seen the results of low-quality medication in Capheus' thread last season, in all of his efforts to find reliable medication for her, so the series has already shown us the human cost of Rajan's attitude.

Last season, Lito observed that "You can't be an actor and get the parts I want and be gay." That prophecy seemed proved true in Who Am I?, when several members of the audience laughed during his kiss of the female lead. It is borne out again here, as he finds he is only being offered offensively stereotypical roles. Indulging in a bout of self-pity, Lito soundly rejects the idea of accepting an invitation to act as grand master of Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade, scoffing at the thought of the roles he would be offered after that. But, thanks to his connection with Nomi, he is able to witness a showing of one of his old films in San Francisco - the film playing to a large and appreciative audience. Reconnecting with the bartender with whom he had shared a kiss last season, he learns that he inspired the man to propose to his now-husband. "Courage is contagious," Capheus observes - and by the episode's end Lito is clearly reconsidering the Pride invitation.


THOUGHTS:

I strongly suspect that Kala's pharmaceutical company is linked to BPO. We see links to other strands already: In Polyphony, Rajan's business partner indicated that he missed their wedding because of "business in Seoul" - business to do with Sun's brother, perhaps? At the very least, it's a lot of coincidences.

An amusing note is struck by Nomi's meeting with the contact Bug refers to as "The Guy." A member of what is obviously intended to be Anonymous, "The Guy" meets Nomi at a screening of one of Lito's films. He appears in full costume, as "V" from V for Vendetta - an amusing nod, as that movie was directed by this episode's director, James McTeigue.

I loved the callbacks to Season One in the latter part of this episode. Lito revisits the bar and orders "tequilas cubed," to share with the other sensates as they summon courage before Riley's concert. When Riley calls out for other sensates to show themselves, she summons them by playing a remix of - what else? - What's Up?, whose performance in Episode Four marked the moment the eight collectively linked for the first time. That first performance marked, in effect, the series' first Act change; I think this second performance marks the next one.

The concert proves an exhilerating set piece. Not in a traditional way - There's not much in the way of action, the crowd disappearing as soon as they learn the police are on their way. But as the music comes up, and Riley appears on stage, flanked by the other sensates, it feels very much like a "hero moment." As Riley speaks into the microphone, the camera is tight on her face, brightly illuminated by the stage lights. Her plea - that "as long as we're together, I know that there's nothing we can't do" - feels as if she is coaxing the hidden sensates out into the open. And as the music comes up, we see them, the camera picking them out of the partying crowd.

"This was careless, Will," Whispers says, seeming genuinely disappointed at this act of defiance. But Will is no longer acting like a fugitive, and he is even more defiant in his response:

"No. This was amazing."

It was probably a little bit of both - But it certainly looks positioned to open up new avenues for the story, and I'm enjoying the idea of the eight going more on the offense in their fight against BPO.

Besides, what's to dislike about seeing Doctor Who's Sylvester McCoy popping up at a rave in Radagast beard, looking aghast before crying out profanities and fleeing in terror?


Overall Rating: 10/10.

Previous Episode: Polyphony
Next Episode: Isolated Above, Connected Below



Review Index

2-3. Obligate Mutualisms.

Sun escapes from prison.

Running Time: Approx. 51 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Lana Wachowski.


THE PLOT:

After barely surviving a brush with hit men disguised as prison guards, Sun escapes from prison in the company of one of her cellmates, Min-Jung (Yuh-Jung Youn). They hide with Mrs. Cho (Young Lan Lee), an old friend of Min-Jung's.

In Mexico, Lito discovers that the movie studio has pulled its deal with him, citing a "morals clause" in his contract... Even as he, Hernando, and Dani find a new apartment that may now be outside their price range. In Berlin, Wolfgang visits Sebastian (Lars Eidinger), one of the "crime kings" now eyeing the territory once controlled by Sergei. Sebastian has a tempting proposal for Wolfgang - and an even more tempting associate in Lila (Valeria Bilello), who is also a sensate.

Meanwhile, Will arranges an in-person meeting with BPO executive Richard Croome (Clive Wood), under the condition that Whispers be put "on ice" until after their talk. Croome agrees - but Whispers has other plans in mind...


CHARACTERS:

Just before the prison break sequence, there's a lovely moment in which Nomi and Amanita prepare to go out for a "normal" evening. There is something infectiously joyous in their brief moment of relaxation.  When Sun reaches out for help, Amanita doesn't skip a beat before sitting down at her computer to do her part in freeing her. I also love the little button on that scene, as the couple marvels that they just assisted in prison break. "So much for normal," Amanita remarks.

Though most viewers will realize immediately when Will strikes his deal that something is going to go wrong, it is nevertheless nice to see him finally step out into the sun with Riley. Their moment of celebration, shared with the rest of the cluster, is an effective grace note, even if it's clearly just a moment of calm before the next storm.


THOUGHTS:

Another strong installment - I'll be honestly surprised if the series has a weak one left in it, and I'm feeling confident that this is one series that will be free of any true clunkers.

The assault on Sun and her subsequent prison break form the episode's major set piece. As Sun is walked down the prison hallway, she realizes that this is not normal and that she is in trouble. When she reaches out for help, the others fill in details to confirm her worries. Will observes that the guards carry tasers, equipment the other guards have not possessed; Nomi lets her know that the camera is powering down in the room they are taking her to.

The assault is brutal and visceral. As Sun is tasered, then hanged, we see the other sensates physically react. To those around them, it looks as if they are having seizures. I found myself actively wondering if they were about to kill her off (which would be a gutsy move - killing off the most physically capable member of the group). Eventually, with some help from Will and Wolfgang and the timely intervention of Min-Jung, she is able to turn the tables... at which point, Will, Capheus, and Lito take turns using their particular skillsets to make good her escape, with the tone now turning much lighter to allow us to enjoy the relief of her survival. The entire sequence - assault and escape combined - is lengthy, taking up a good percentage of the total running time, and it is spellbinding from start to finish.

Wolfgang's Season Two story continues to develop in the background. The revelation of a sensate who is apparently attached neither to our cluster nor to BPO is an intriguing one, and actress Valeria Bilello makes a striking first impression. Wolfgang is a little too stricken, which I suspect will lead him to consequences down the road.

Narratively, the main thread is again Will's. Through his deal with Croome, he is able to talk to Jonas again. We learn new information as a result, including that the sensate population is increasing worldwide. We also receive additional backstory about Jonas' life with Angelica, and about the gradual disappearnce of Angelica's first cluster. The episode ends with Will's meeting with Croome - at an art gallery, discussing a particular piece, in a direct reflection of Lito's first conversation with Nomi.  There, the piece overlooking the conversation was Diego Rivera's subversive Man, Controller of the Universe, with mention made of Rivera's clashes with J. D. Rockefeller and his belief in artistic freedom; here, it's Rembrandt's The Night Watch, with mention made of the artist's eyes being on the flag, on the "bigger picture."

The conversation that ensues hints to schism at BPO, with indications that not all at the organization share the same vision. An intriguing revelation... that segues into yet another of this series' spectacular shock endings.


Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Who Am I?
Next Episode: Polyphony



Review Index

2-2. Who Am I?

Whispers closes in on Will... or does he?

Running Time: Approx. 55 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Lana Wachowski.


THE PLOT:

Lito's movie has its premiere. Since Lito's secret is now officially public knowledge, he decides to bring Hernando, as well as Dani. Some of the public is demonstrably supportive - But Lito observes that the movie's poster does all it can to downplay his presence, while a reporter eagerly ambushes him for his sexuality and for "lying to (his) fans." Capheus also deals with a potentially hostile journalist, who resents the "Van Damn" for glorifying "white courage," though she proves more persuadable.

Will is in decline, as the constant drugs that diminish Whispers' link take their toll on his health despite the group's best efforts. He continues to pursue the opportunities of that link, trying to glean information about his tormenter's identity and location, with Nomi and Amanita following up on every clue he finds. Whispers is fully aware of Will's attempts to monitor him, however, and prepares to turn the tables...


CHARACTERS:

As the series goes along, the sensates are working more and more as a unit. Early in the episode, Lito and Capheus find themselves simultaneously talking to journalists who are determined to make them look either hypocrital or foolish. Their replies intertwine, and bring in the others, basically smashing their experiences together into a single, heartfelt reply, that also gives the episode its title: "Who am I? Do you mean where I'm from? What I one day might become? What I do? What I've done? What I dream? ...I guess who I am is exactly the same as who you are. Not better than, not less than. Because there is no one who has been or will ever be exactly the same as either you or me." Rapid-fire editing has all eight speaking at various points, their words overlapping each other and in some cases anticipating each other, as quick cuts of some particularly memorable moments play over the speech. It's a breathtaking moment - and not the episode's only one.

The eight also work together to try to help Will. Kala's pharmaceutical expertise helps Riley maintain his health (or at least, slow down his decline) even as she keeps him drugged. Nomi and Amanita follow up on every clue Will gleans about Whispers, while Bug tries to hack into BPO's servers (thus far, without success). Meanwhile, Riley shows herself to be wilier than anticipated. A memorable scene sees Whispers laying out for Will just how in over his head he is, and just how close BPO are to tracking him down... Only for the very next scene to reveal that some of Whispers' moves have been anticipated.


THOUGHTS:

Lito observed back in Season One that he couldn't be both openly gay and a star of the kind of ultra-macho action movies that have been his trade. The scene at his movie premiere shows how prophetic that statement was. When the scene comes up in which he dramatically declares, "We will all be judged by the courage of our hearts!", followed by his melodramatic kiss of his leading lady, the audience... giggles. Not all of the audience, or even most (which is a nice touch), but enough to show that many of his accustomed viewers will no longer take him seriously in the roles he's been playing.

It isn't all doom and gloom - He clearly does well dealing with the journalist's attempted ambush, and we see some enthusiastic fans showing their acceptance of him on his way in. His career isn't likely to be over... But it will need to evolve, with him taking different types of roles - Which honestly, might prove more rewarding in the long run. I suspect that's where his career arc is heading, though time will tell if it's able to advance to that point given the show's pPreremature cancellation.

Lito doesn't appear to convince the journalist who confronted him, but Capheus fares a lot better. Not only does his sincerity transform Zakia (Mumbi Maina) from critic to supporter, she comes back later to invite him to lunch, leading to another heartfelt scene in which she is impressed by his optimism in the face of adversity. While I still occasionally find myself mentally inserting Aml Ameen into some of these moments, Toby Onwumere is growing on me; I'm confident in another episode or two, my brain will fully accept him as Capheus.

Will's strand is the dominant one of the episode, and his confrontations with Whispers stand alongside the interview scene as particularly memorable moments. Will might be constantly drugged up, and in visible physical decline, but he remains determined to find a way to turn the tables on his tormenter. There's a scene in which first Will, then Whispers, deconstruct what each man can deduce about the other's location based on the glimpses of their respective surroundings. Each man is intelligent, and each is given a moment in which he seems to have the upper hand... Only for that moment of strength to be taken away again.

I will also note that the more we see of Terrence Mann's Whispers, the more impressed I become with the performance. At this point, he's more than a mere creepy presence - He's emerging into a fascinating character in his own right.

The episode ends on a particularly strong note, making it an effort of willpower not to just move onto the next installment.  From the very beginning, this series has demonstrated its mastery of the art of the cliffhanger, and I imagine that many viewers just binged the season in a single weekend when it originally dropped.


Overall Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Happy F*cking New Year
Next Episode: Obligate Mutualisms



Review Index

2-1. Happy F*cking New Year.

Amanita and Nomi, ready for the holidays.

Running Time: Approx. 120 minutes. Written by: Lana Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Lana Wachowski.


THE PLOT:

Will and Riley have escaped from BPO, but not without a cost: Whispers (Terrence Mann) was able to look Will in the eye, and now he can visit Will wherever he goes - which means he can potentially use Will to track down the others. Riley is countering that by giving Will regular heroin injections to shut down the psychic link, but it's clear that this is a temporary solution. And with Whispers making contact with Will's father, whose health is deteriorating without his son there to take care of him, Will may need to act sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, the photos of Lito and Hernando go public, leaving Lito "watching (his) career die in real time." Sun finds her life in prison growing more precarious. Amanita fends off the persistent Agent Bendix (Anthony Cistaro) who is certain she knows more about Nomi's whereabouts than she's saying. Kala's honeymoon with Rajan proves less than ideal, while Capheus' friends and community show their appreciation for his recent actions.

In Berlin, Wolfgang discovers that killing Sergei has opened up a power vacuum in the criminal underworld. Rival crime families are on the brink of war - a war he might prevent if he takes his uncle's place as one of Berlin's four criminal kings!


CHARACTERS:

OK, just how cool is Hernando? He's in mid-lecture in his art appreciation class when the pictures of him and Lito hit the Internet. A smugly homophobic student is all too happy to share, and the picture goes up on the screen. And Hernando... literally turns it into a teaching moment. He doesn't miss a step as he answers Mr. Smug's challenge, "Is this art?" and quickly gets the entire class laughing with him and laughing at the homophobic student who thought he was going to come out of this as The Big Man (TM).

Meanwhile, I have come to the conclusion that I am never going to care about the endless running subplot involving Kala and Rajan's marriage. By this point, it seems evident enough that Rajan is a genuinely nice guy, and that I was wrong when I thought I picked up on something sinister in his possessiveness. But I don't care about him, not even a little bit. I don't care about his and Kala's sex life, or lack thereof, though I'll admit that his injury in this episode gave me a simultaneously laugh and wince. I don't care about him in any way, not even enough to dislike him, and the thread involving him remains my least favorite part of the show - Though Kala and actress Tina Desai absolutely sparkle when playing opposite Max Riemelt's Wolfgang, with the scene in the snow late in this episode a particularly charming highlight.


THE CAPHEUS RECAST

Happy F*cking New Year sees the debut of Toby Onwumere as Capheus. A fairly minor amount of Internet research reveals that Aml Ameen's departure was abrupt, occurring in mid-production after a period of creative disagreement with Lana Wachowski. Additional information varies, and I doubt the full truth will ever be made public knowledge. Suffice to say, while I normally prefer shows write out a character rather than recast - In this case, with production already underway, I doubt there was any viable alternative.

I do regard it as unfortunate. Capheus started as a nonentity in the first couple episodes, but he rapidly became one of my favorite characters, and Ameen's performance had a lot to do with that. This episode is fairly Capheus-light, so I will wait to form an opinion on Onwumere. He does perfectly well with his material in this episode, so I suspect all will be well... But he is a much larger and more imposing physical presence, and he doesn't convey quite the same sense of innocence, so it will definitely be an adjustment.


THOUGHTS:

This episode dropped during the almost two-year gap between seasons, airing as a Christmas special about six months before the rest of the second season launched on Netflix. It's a lengthy episode, running about two hours, and serves to catch us up with the eight leads while at the same time setting up the threads that will run through this season.

As a series, Sense8 has leaned heavily into the notion that family isn't just decided by birth - That we form our own families based on the connections we make with others. That theme is abundantly visible in this episode. At one point, Nomi receives a message from her sister, asking her to act as Maid of Honor at her wedding. Nomi remarks to Amanita that if she went, her parents would be the very first people to turn her in as a fugitive; by contrast, Nomi and Amanita form a sibling-like connection with Bug, who is genuinely touched when they invite him to share their Christmas plans.

Lito, Hernando, and Dani already have been acting as a sort of family unit, with Dani tearfully admitting that this Christmas, shared with them and with Lito's mother (Dolores Heredia), is the happiest she can recall. Wolfgang is far more connected to Felix than to any of the members of his murderous extended family, and Sun is treated as family by her cellmates who tell her, "Welcome home," when she is finally released from solitary confinement.

Ultimately, I don't have very much more to say about Happy F*cking New Year. It does its job, setting various threads in motion: Lito's now-open sexuality, Wolfgang being called on to become a crime boss, whether he wants to or not, the FBI agent pursuing Nomi and Amanita, and of course Whispers' pursuit of Will. There are some very strong scenes, from a shared birthday celebration to an effective rendition of Hallejulah as the eight celebrate Christmas. And Terrence Mann continues to be a wonderfully creepy presence as Whispers, sinister even when being superficially friendly to Will's father.

What it lacks is the momentum Season One had built by its final episodes. This episode is effectively a new start, establishing the characters' new situations for future developments. It is absorbing, because by this point we are so absorbed by the lives of these characters that it would be interesting just to watch them navigate their most ordinary respective days. But it's definitely less compelling than the series' very best - More of a foundation for developments to come than a gripping piece in its own right.


Overall Rating: 7/10.

Previous Episode: I Can't Leave Her
Next Episode: Who Am I?



Review Index

1-12. I Can't Leave Her

Riley relives the worst day of her life.

Running Time: Approx. 55 minutes. Written by: The Wachowskis, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: The Wachowskis.


THE PLOT:

Riley is now in BPO's clutches, a prisoner at their facility in Iceland. Fortunately for all of the cluster, she remains unconscious; Whispers is unable to use her to locate the others until she wakes up - leaving Will and the others a narrow window to attempt a rescue. Nomi and Amanita frantically hack their way through BPO's security measures, while Will acts as an avatar for the members of the cluster to utilize their skills to locate and free Riley.

But Whispers knows Will is coming, and has a few surprises of his own in store...


CHARACTERS:

Riley spends this episode trapped. Not merely in BPO, but worse - reliving the most horrible hours of her life: The car crash that killed her husband, followed in rapid succession by the birth and death of her baby girl. Even after Will manages to wake her, she remains a prisoner of those memories - so much so, that she seriously considers dying rather than continuing to carry her grief. Fortunately, Will matches that grief with sheer stubbornness. Even faced with a hopeless situation, he refuses to give up, believing that there must be a better solution than the one Angelica pursued.

The rest of the ensemble is in support mode, but every character gets his or her moment. Kala's skills as a chemist save Wolfgang in the first half of the episode, then help Will to save Riley in the second half. Kala also gets a close-up look at the violence that is part and parcel of Wolfgang's life, with him even declaring himself to be a "monster." Lito, who a few episodes back cursed himself by crying, "All I do is lie," now gets to put those very skills to good use. Sun continues to make Rambo look like Strawberry Shortcake (actually, one of the few criticisms I have is that Sun is so hyper-capable that she's become the default solution to anything that can be solved with fighting skills), while Capheus gets an amusing bit in securing a getaway vehicle. Meanwhile, Nomi and Amanita are a pure delight providing tech support and occasional wry commentary.


THOUGHTS:

Though this series always looks more like a movie than a television show, the location shots of Iceland in this episode are breathtaking.  From the barren winter that Riley confronts on the worst day of her life, to the single highway that is both Will's approach and escape from BPO, to the final shot of the entire group on a ship at sea - This episode looks absolutely incredible.

Throughout the season, Sense8 has gradually increased the degree to which the main characters interact. The first direct interactions were conversations: Will and Riley in the first episode, Nomi and Jonas in the second. Then we see the characters borrowing each other's skills: Capheus drawing on Will's police training and Sun's martial arts skills, Nomi doing the same to escape first from the hospital and then from Whispers, Wolfgang using Lito's skill at lying and Lito using Wolfgang's fighting and endurance abilities to defeat Joaquim. Those moments have become more and more complex as the season has gone on, with an increasing number of characters involved in these interactions - as in Nomi's escape from Whispers or Capheus' confrontation with the Superpower Gang.

It all builds to this episode, in which Will draws on the abilities of all six of his fellows to rescue Riley. At each step, Will encounters an obstacle that he himself could not clear, but that another member of the cluster can. The resulting sequence moves from suspenseful to startlingly funny to occasionally surprising - And just as it seems the abilities of the cluster are going to allow Will to get through with relative ease, Whispers throws a curveball with a single glance.

Though the rescue makes a strong climax to the season, plenty of plot threads are left dangling for Season Two. Sun is still in prison for her brother's crime; Capheus may want to return to his old life, but it seems very unlikely that he will be able to; Wolfgang's moment of violence seems poised to push Kala into a marriage she doesn't really want, and at the same time has pushed Wolfgang into a more nihilistic emotional space. Not to mention that Whispers is still hunting Will and Riley, and Will's solution in this episode seems like a very temporary one.

The final shot - in which we at last see all eight of them together, enjoying their moment of triumph, however fleeting it may be - is a wonderfully satisfying visual. But all the nagging threads mean that it leaves plenty of compulsion to dive straight into the next season - Which I am greatly looking forward to.


Overall Rating: 10/10.

Previous Episode: Just Turn the Wheel and the Future Changes
Next Episode: Happy F*cking New Year



Review Index

1-8. We Will All Be Judged by the Courage of Our Hearts.

Hernando is troubled by Lito's recent decisions.

Running Time: Approx. 50 minutes. Written by: The Wachowskis, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: Dan Glass.


THE PLOT:

Nomi is forced to go on the run when Whispers arrives, flanked by police with a warrant to search the home of Amanita's mother and to take into custody anyone who interferes. Nomi is cornered, but is able to channel Will's police knowledge, Sun's martial arts skills, and Capheus' driving abilities to escape.

Meanwhile, Sun protects Soon-Ji from her bully, who then makes the mistake of attempting to pick a fight with Sun in the Yard. It does not go well for the other prisoner, but Sun is both wounded and taken to solitary confinement. Wolfgang watches over Felix in the hospital, blaming himself for the attack. And Lito learns that Dani has bought Joaquim's silence... but only by agreeing to marry him, which does not sit well with Hernando.

In Kenya, Capheus decides he must break ties with Silas. But he soon discovers that this is not so easily accomplished...


CHARACTERS:

A strong episode for the regulars' significant others. When Whispers comes to her mother's house, Amanita insists on staying behind to buy more time for Nomi's escape. Meanwhile, when Lito is too willing to go along with Dani's decision to return to Joaquim, even after seeing Dani's black eye, Hernando decides he has had enough. "I can't be with someone who will allow someone else to be hurt in order to protect their career," he tells Lito, and walks away without a single glance back - something which has to be at least as difficult for him as for Lito.

An extended flashback sequence details Wolfgang's childhood bond with Felix, and helps make Felix into a much stronger character in the process (the child actors in these scenes are excellent). Meanwhile, the help Sun gives to Soon-Ji earns her the appreciation of her cellmates. When she needs allies, she will have them - Something that will almost certainly be important quite soon. Will's Fox Mulder-like investigation has eaten up all the goodwill he earned from arresting Jonas, and now appears likely to derail his career.

Finally, Capheus' desire to return to his previous, simpler life ends with a harsh wake-up call; he appears to have no way to protect both his mother and Jela, whose life is on the brink of falling apart without the bus job, despite the money Capheus has given him. Given a choice between his mother and his friendship, it's obvious what choice Capheus will end up making - his mother is basically his berserk button, after all. But at this stage, it's hard to see a convincingly happy ending to this story.


THOUGHTS:

We Will All Be Judged by the Courage of Our Hearts is the first episode of the series which felt more devoted to plot than character. There are still strong character moments, particularly for Amanita and Hernando, but for the first time the emphasis has shifted to moving the story forward.

That results in an episode that's less instrinsically memorable than What's Going On? or Demons, but the hour moves along rapidly. Every thread advances, some significantly, and the sense of threads coming together is ever stronger. The episode has a strong set piece in Nomi's escape, which utilizes half of the regulars and shows off how formidable these skills can make an otherwise ordinary person, and it ends with me actively anticipating what will happen next.

For all the fun of that action scene, however, the part of the episode most likely to stick in my memory is the extended flashback to Wolfgang's childhood friendship with Felix. Chiron Elias Krase and Lenius Jung are terrific as the young versions of these characters, and both are similar enough in appearance that we never doubt that we're watching the same people as in the present day. In previous episodes, I'll admit to sometimes wondering why Wolfgang hangs around with Felix, whose lack of impulse control seems like a liability. After watching the flashbacks, I like Felix a lot more as a character, and now fully buy into the friendship they share.

Overall, another good episode, with some strong scenes and fine moments. The focus here may be to move the plot forward, but that doesn't come at the expense of the characters - And the 50 minute running time passes quickly.


Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: W. W. N. Double-D?
Next Episode: Death Doesn't Let You Say Goodbye



Review Index

1-7. W. W. N. Double-D?

Capheus cheers up Riley.

Running Time: Approx. 55 minutes. Written by: The Wachowskis, J. Michael Straczynski. Directed by: James McTeigue.


THE PLOT:

Nomi makes contact with Bug (Michael X. Sommers), an old hacker friend for whom she once took the fall. He is able to provide equipment that allows them to track down Dr. Metzger and clone his phone. Nomi copies his contacts and emails, but decides that isn't enough - She needs to get into his apartment. "If these people know who I am, then we need to start figuring out who they are!"

Meanwhile, Will makes real progress in his investigation of the night of Angelica's death. Sun begins her sentence, and discovers that one of her new friends, Soo-Jin (Sara Sohn), is being bullied by another prisoner. Lito, Hernando, and Dani return from a night out to find Joaquim waiting for them - and though drunk, Joaquin leaves with information that could destroy their arrangement. Riley returns to Iceland, to the home of her father (Kristján Kristjánsson). Kala and Wolfgang continue to visit each other, and Wolfgang resolves to take a trip to India as soon as possible.

But that may not be soon enough, as Wolfgang's recent burglary begins closing in on him...


CHARACTERS:

Nomi and Amanita are tremendous fun to watch in this episode. Jamie Clayton and Freema Agyeman share a natural onscreen chemistry, which makes them very appealing as a couple, and a Nancy Drew comparison drew a genuine laugh from me - followed by rapid unease, as it became clear that these two are in very far over their heads.

Capheus and Riley share a nice moment on a plane, as he cheers her up with his wonder at flying "above the clouds." We also see Riley's genuine bond with her father, as she enjoys listening to him play the piano or chatting with him while eating pancakes. Her face darkens noticeably, however, when he mentions a "Sven" who is looking forward to seeing her again.

We once again see the softer side of Silas, who is the perfect father as he surprises his little girl with a birthday party. He tells Capheus that his love for his daughter is not a weakness, but a strength. But don't get too comfortable... Because this is instantly followed up by an explicit reminder of how dangerous and ruthless Silas is, a demonstration that leaves Capheus suitably shaken.


THOUGHTS:

For most of its running time, W. W. N. Double-D? feels more sprightly and light-hearted than previous entries. Capheus cheers up Riley, Sun's cellmates turn out to be friendly instead of the collection of prison gang clichés we are led to expect, and Nomi and Amanita make for an engaging pair of investigators.

That tone is maintained long enough to lull is into a sense of security... Just in time to take that false security and beat us over the head with it. Silas' moment of shocking violence kicks off a series of reversals: From Capheus' appalled expression at the end of that scene, to Wolfgang discovering that he is now definitely in danger, to the end shock that greets Nomi and Amanita's investigations into Dr. Metzger. The tone goes very dark, very fast - And each shock manages to outdo the one before it.

There is a definite sense of threads starting to come together. Nomi and Amanita discover that Metzger plans a trip to Chicago - where Will is starting to make headway in uncovering The Evil Conspiracy. Both Will and Nomi see the mysterious "Whispers" (Terrence Mann) - one through a visit, the other in a photograph. Though not all the strands are connected yet (Lito has yet to significantly brush up against any of the other seven, for example), it is feeling more and more like a story that's coming gradually together.


Rating: 8/10.

Previous Episode: Demons
Next Episode: We Will All Be Judged by the Courage of Our Hearts




Review Index