Ep 1. A Christmas Special

The highly acclaimed sci-fi series, Sense8, premiered its second season with a special Christmas episode that picks up the story immediately where it left off in the first season. In "A Christmas Special," viewers are reunited with the eight sensates who discovered they were psychically connected and shared each other's experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

The episode starts with a thrilling car chase as Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) evades the police after killing his abusive father. Back in San Francisco, Nomi (Jamie Clayton) and Amanita (Freema Agyeman) are living in hiding after surviving Whispers (Terrence Mann) attempt to capture them. Meanwhile, Kala (Tina Desai) struggles to reconcile her love for Rajan (Purab Kohli) while remaining connected to her cluster of sensates.

As the episode progresses, the individual stories of the eight sensates start to merge, and their skills and abilities begin working together. Sun's (Doona Bae) combat training comes in handy when Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) and Will (Brian J. Smith) are threatened; Will's law enforcement background helps the sensates gain vital information about their enemies, and Riley's (Tuppence Middleton) DJ skills come in handy when the cluster needs to communicate privately.

The Christmas special is a series of action-packed and emotional sequences that help strengthen the bond between the sensates. The episode ends with an ominous warning, setting up the show for its second season.

One of the most significant achievements of Sense8 is the representation of different cultures, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. The Christmas season showcases this diversity with a range of holidays celebrated among the sensates, showing their unique traditions and customs.

The acting performances in "A Christmas Special" are exceptional. Each of the eight leads brings a distinct personality and skill set to the show, keeping the audience invested in their lives. The chemistry between the characters feels authentic, and the development of their relationships is one of the show's strongest points. The writing and the dialogue are witty, emotional and thought-provoking, resulting in an episode that hits all the right notes.

The cinematography in "A Christmas Special" is stunning. The show is shot in different international locations, making the viewer feel like a citizen of the world. The visual effects that allow the characters to interact with each other, despite being in different parts of the world, are flawless. The music selection is equally impressive, adding the right amount of energy, emotion, and suspense to each scene.

Overall, "A Christmas Special" is an excellent example of what makes Sense8 such an extraordinary show. The episode builds on the strengths of the first season, and the future of the show looks promising. The series continues its message of empathy, love, acceptance, and diversity, creating a unique television experience that is sure to captivate viewers. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, leading viewers to want to watch the entire second season. Sense8 is a show that is not to be missed and is sure to become a timeless classic.