What I’m Watching: Sense8

Sense8: Season 1, Episode 5 “Art Is Like Religion” (B+)

I’m getting very into this show, but I’ll admit that I have to write this review with the Wikipedia page open because my notes just refer to each person by the country in which they live. I love the many interactions these characters have, spending more and more time in each other’s lives, gradually realizing their ability to control those moments. Capheus trying to channel Sun Bak’s material arts skills and failing was an amusing but enlightening development, and I like that they then got to engage in a long and heartwarming conversation. Capheus trying tea in Riley’s apartment was a nice touch as well, and I enjoyed Wolfgang and Kala trying to wrap their heads around the different bathroom settings in which they found themselves. Nomi overhearing Will’s call with her mother was pretty intense, and I like that Nomi took a backseat to the rest of the storyline in this episode and it was still very involving. Jonas was mentioned in the chewing out Will got from his boss, but otherwise there isn’t much tying the overall story together, but it’s clear that it’s headed somewhere, and these characters are going to be able to overcome their own struggles in order to unite and ultimately discover their true potential and purpose, whatever that may be. The production values on this show are pretty strong, and I think I was underappreciating them up until this point. The lavish Indian wedding and rural Africa are two particularly colorful and effective landscapes that deserve commendation.