Sense8 (TV Series) Happy F*cking New Year. (2016) User Reviews

celebration on multiple levels

[A_Different_Drummer · 10/10 · 31 December 2016]

The first thing you notice is that the whole idea of a X-Mas special is usually reserved for "Senior" shows that have been around for a while and want to strut their stuff for the long-term fans. Dr. Who has X-Mas specials. SNL has X-mas specials. But it is a bit brazen for an off-network "experimental" show to take this route....? Then you realize that the producers are killing several birds with a single stone. On the one hand, they are providing a transition for fans of the series, to compensate for the fact that the show has been off-air for several months and will not resume for several more months yet.

Then, as you watch, you realize that the producers really are celebrating. They are celebrating their success. The Wachowski clan set their sights high -- that not only wanted to produce a kind of show that had never been done before, but they wanted it to be a success too. In the crazy land of TV, those are actually two different goals. Usually you can achieve one but not the other. They nailed both.

The 2 hour special is itself a work of art. It starts with an underwater sequence backed by a full-track rendition of a popular song done by a popular artist. If you are paying attention, you realize that it takes great confidence in what is coming to run a full track, most directors would have cut or shortened the segment. But the Wachowskis let it run full length. But they knew what was coming was worth the wait.

And it was. The first hour or so is, as promised, a "celebration" of both the characters and the season. Seeing them interacting so much (not to mention the hottest orgy scene in the history of TV) simply reminds the viewer that this show contains more strong characters -- actors who could hold down an entire series by themselves if they had to -- than 10 ordinary series.

(BTW, of all the superb performances, Doona Bae is the "glue" that keeps the stories together. Every good series has someone who is the "glue" but with this many strong characters, it takes an exceptionally strong actor to pull ahead like Bae does. She is the conscience of the show.)

The second hour (approximately) nicely segues from the joy of the starting sequences into the the individual problems of the characters and sets up the coming season., Prediction: however long this show runs -- and I wish it a very long run -- it will be treasured as a cult find by viewers of the future for many years to come.

The perfect entry point for a hopefully excellent Season 2

[themanofhope · 10/10 · 23 December 2016]

Sense8: A Christmas Special was actually my most excited episode of television for the year 2016, but the true question is did it hold up to my insanely high expectations? Without getting into spoiler territory I'm going to start off by saying this episode of Sense8 does not move the plot forward by much and has a much more lighthearted tone then previous episodes in the series. At the same time it does hint at a darker upcoming tone for Season 2 as all of the characters are facing much tougher times compared to when the show began. The episode is 2 hours long and at times it doesn't really feel like a regular Sense8 episode but more of a Sense8 film with many montage sequences, different pop songs while giving us everything we love about Sense8 in one go. The performances were perfect as usual although Nomi still seemed quite bland compared to the other characters. The story was just as engaging and the cinematography was simply beautiful. The show held up with its cinematic loom from Season 1 and the episode did have some of the best moments in he entire show's run. Highlights include the opening underwater sequence, the birthday-styled orgy, the Christmas sequence while Hallelujah was playing and the ending action sequence. The episode did somewhat lack on the action front as the entire episode only had one action sequence at the very end of the episode but at the same time, it was great. The episode's lighter tone did work in keeping touch with the spirit of Christmas and the episode did touch on a lot of values and morals regarding Christmas. It also served as an excellent entry point to a hopefully perfect second series by immersing us back into these 8 people's lives while setting up future plot points. The episode was a tad slow and there was some choppy editing and pacing issues but otherwise it was masterful.

Sense8: A Christmas Special gets a 9.3/10.

Sense8 reminds us of its existence, recaps the state of all the characters, and preps us for season 2.

[Amari-Sali · 8/10 · 23 December 2016]

Trigger Warning(s):

Gun Violence| Needle Injections

Review (with Spoilers)

Topic 1: Thankful for Associates (Capheus {Toby Onwumere})

Unfortunately for Capheus, the original Van Dam bus explodes. However, thanks to the patronage of Mr. Kabaka {Peter King Mwania}, for all he did in the first season, a new Van Dam bus is gifted on Capheus' birthday.

Commentary

Capheus' legend after taking on the Superpower gang is what will be of interest in the coming season. It has inspired the people to perhaps quit their jobs and other crazy nonsense for after telling Jela {Paul Ogola} about Sun taking him over, though more so speaking of her as a spirit, it seems he has spread the word. Leading you to wonder when, or even how, will Kabaka's enemies strike back? Much less, whether this notoriety may go to Capheus' head to the point Sun may let him get his ass whooped in lieu of a reality check.

Topic 2: Thankful For Family & Lovers (Lito {Miguel Ángel Silvestre} & Will {Brian J. Smith})

While Will deals with Milton haunting him, and his father, Riley {Tuppence Middleton} tries her best to keep him hidden through continuous shots of drugs. However, like with Angelica {Daryl Hannah}, so it seems, this method can't work forever. Especially as Milton seems ready to threaten Will's close ones.

As for Lito? Well, his relationship with Hernando {Alfonso Herrera} is exposed in the worse way possible. With a picture of them having sex. With this, it seems his career is over but with Hernando, Daniela {Eréndira Ibarra}, and his mother {Dolores Heredia} by his side, it seems Lito will survive.

Commentary

I'd be lying to you if I said I remembered Will or Riley's story at all. Though all things considered, they are the most normal out of everyone. At least if you are used to American media. She is a DJ and he is a cop, they become lovers and while Angelica haunts Will, as does Jonas, Riley is there to make things better. They would as each other's strength and while a beautiful thing, compared to the diverse depictions of life that the other cast members have, it makes theirs dull and forgettable in comparison.

I mean, just look at Lito's situation. Granted, coming out and gay characters has been normalized in media. However, one could argue when it comes to Latin men, especially of the masculine variety, there isn't as much visibility. I mean, if you look hard enough you will surely find quite a few web series, but trying to find a TV series, of this magnitude, featuring a queer Latin man will be quite difficult. So it is quite lovely to see him, Silvestre, sort of balance the masculinity with the femininity. In the sense that we get to see him be emotional, vulnerable, yet still maintain the stereotypical male strength. It is like, through accepting, acknowledging, and verbalizing he is gay, he is now able to tap into the full range of his humanity.

Topic 3: Thankful For Friends (Nomi {Jamie Clayton}, Kala {Tina Desai}, Sun {Doona Bae}, and Wolfgang {Max Riemelt})

Nomi is still on the run, but Agent Bendix {Anthony Cistaro} is hot on her tail. Luckily, Bug {Michael Sommers} provides shelter to Nomi and Amanita {Freema Agyeman} over the Christmas holiday. Thus giving them some time to breathe. Meanwhile, Kala and Wolfgang are still having issues with their attraction to each other. It is especially affecting Kala's relationship to Rajan { Purab Kohli[} who still hasn't had sex with his wife. To the point, he is asking her mother for advice. Focusing on Wolfgang, it seems a gang war is brewing in Berlin and with Felix {Maximilian Mauff} finally getting out of the hospital, it seems hanging around Wolfgang may send him back.

Thus leaving Sun. Her brother continues to sully her name and even sends people to kill her. Luckily, though, her friends both inside the prison and around the world provide her the support to continue. Just as she continues to support them with her willingness to listen and to kick ass.

Commentary

Is it wrong I completely forgot who Wolfgang was, what he did, who Felix was, until his aunt, mother, or whoever, started talking about the mobster stuff they were involved in? I mean, say what you will, but it does feel the white guys on this show got the blandest of story lines and arguably the actors aren't given much to not drown in the awesomeness of everyone else. I mean, just take Kala. On top of there not being a huge amount of Indian women on TV, she is this odd mix of tradition and yet being modern. I won't say it is fear which keeps her from having sex with her husband but the unknowning, the second thoughts due to Wolfgang, and there is something appealing about that.

Though, of course, perhaps the two best characters on the show are the ones who are the most different: Nomi and Sun. As the western world continues to adjust to the idea that gender isn't Black and White, we see a trans woman in love, have sex, and the trans label, except when other people, her parents, make an issue of it, isn't that big of a deal. It is something she identifies as, yes, but it isn't her total being.

Switching to Sun, honestly, how can she not be your favorite character? She can whoop ass, give sex advice to Kala, and have this cute communal relationship with the other women in prison. One which perhaps, like Daniel in Lito's story, maybe the first taste of what a family is like outside of her sensate siblings. Thus, for those sappy like yours truly, it may make you a bit teary-eyed.

Christmas special by Sense8

[shivamt25 · 25 December 2016]

I used to check the internet all the time for any news about the next season. So when this special came out of the blue, I was more surprised than happy. I was disappointed that they made us wait so long, they shouldn't be getting away with just one episode. Well, my anger faded after watching it. The problem is that they left us again wanting for more. But it is good they gave us something to look forward to for the next season, a buzz among us fans.

Sense8, if you don't already know, follows the life of eight individuals living far away from each other who somehow got connected after an unfortunate event. All of them help each other in various ordeals of life while there is a bigger evil waiting right around the corner to destroy them. This Christmas special gave us a glimpse of their life right after the finale of the first season (while was amazing, by the way). Also, it moved the story just a little bit to keep our minds going. Now, I am never shutting up about this episode and I know it.

The thing which I like the most about Sense8 that it feels surreal. It blends the life of all the 8 characters almost perfectly. This, they kept with this episode also. The characters celebrated Christmas together, even if they were far apart from one another. They laughed together, cried together, they celebrated what they have, together.

I rarely review specific episodes but this time I felt the need of just writing something about it. This is that one show which is unique guys. I just can't wait for the next season.

An hour episode stretched to two hours

[cherold · 7/10 · 2 January 2017]

I was disappointed by this episode, which feels like it exists mainly to just remind people the show exists in anticipation of season 2. Not a lot happens in the show; even if this were only an hour long it would still probably feel light on content compared to a typical episode.

The series also steals from itself, including a Sense8-style orgy scene that is very similar to one from a previous episode. It's great the first time, but what is the point of doing it again?

There were some nice, if rather corny, moments appropriate to the Christmas season, there were a couple of good action sequences, but trimmed down to an hour this would have been so much better.

Getting worse!

[ahmxii · 6/10 · 22 September 2021]

An Hour long episode stretched two hours, story is getting worse because when a character got into any trouble another come for his help so that's not a big problem.

IDK man, show makers should have figured it out, expect keep stretching it.

Not the same show...

[bigalrc · 3/10 · 5 May 2022]

Literally feels like I'm watching a different show... montage heavy episode where nothing happens.. hopefully the rest of the season is better.. and recasting van damn was a terrible decision...

First season was great, this two hour episode leaves me undecided

[solipsist_in_a_cloud · 7/10 · 11 November 2023]

First, recasting one of the main actors is never a good thing, and throughout the episode I was not able to accept it, the original naive good mood got lost. Tolerance is a two headed ax, I am always sorry to see if the one asking for it have a hard time providing it.

This said, the Wachowskis are few of the truly visionary directors, and besides a good story, this show has so much more and deeper content. This episode tries to set up for more, but somewhat it got caught up in clichés and unnecessary fillers.

I did not realize when starting straight after the last episode of season one that this would be extra long, therefore I became a bit inpatient and was hoping, that this episode would make a point that was beyond a pathetic birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and new year's eve. Well, maybe the last words of the episode will keep my hope up, but the episode itself was unsatisfactory.

A Rushed, Sloppy, and Jam-Packed Two Hour Special

[tgrock · 5/10 · 3 February 2017]

"Happy ****ing New Year" takes places over four months time. That's considerable given that the whole first season could not have been more than two months. So, it's no surprise that it feels like we miss out on a lot of side character interaction. Equal time is spent almost on each character here when in the first season's episodes, they had the wisdom to focus on only a few characters per episode. That being said, an awful lot of plot progression happens for Lito, Kala, Sun, and Wolfgang. But Wolfgang's plot line is particularly confusing, because there just is not enough time in 120 minutes given to him.

The most important story line for the show obviously involves Will and his possession by Whispers, which endangers all of the Sensates. It would make narrative sense not to advance his plot too much for the special and to focus on the other characters. Instead, the main thread is teased at us a lot and confusingly the only one concerned about it is Riley, since she is physically present with Will. Rule-wise, what is also confusing is when Will interacts with Whispers, the other characters are not present to these conversations. We are not given an answer to why this is the case. Even worse, they do not even seem to be discussing these events with Will afterwards.

That is what is the most lazy aspect of the episode: the strategy of the Sensates' overall mission. An intelligent decision was made to subdue Will with drugs constantly (this scene would have great to see, but we don't). But after that, everyone just went on with their lives, not putting any great haste into trying to wrap up their drama. Obviously, for Kala, Capheus, and Lito, this would be a lot easier than for Nomi, Wolfgang, and Sun.

When it comes to maintaining Will's subdued state though, Riley cannot even keep this up consistently and even takes him out for their shared birthday and for Christmas. Even when danger strikes near the end of the episode for Will, Riley still cannot keep Will subdued after that, as we see Will in the final scene present with everyone.

Also, in four months time, Nomi, with all her computer skills, makes zero progress on the overall mission on gathering information on the secret organization, and is shown not even attempting to do so.

With all of these lapses in logic, one has to wonder what about the show's future quality.