Sense8 Season 2 Episode 1 Review: A Very Sensate Christmas

The latest episode of "Sense8" was released on NetFlix as a two hour Christmas /New Years special. Season 1 ends on a cliffhanger with the "cluster" (that's what I'm calling this group of 8 sensates) on a boat riding off into the sunset. Of course they're not all physically on the boat. The only ones actually there are Riley and Will. Riley has Will sedated since he previously made eye contact with Mr Whispers (which means Whispers can find their location by tapping into Will's thoughts). Everyone is in mortal danger.

The new installment allows up to catch up with our old friends:

Sun is in solitary confinement in South Korea. And her no good loser brother is trying to kill her. I cant wait until she opens a can of whoop ass on him. Her scenes with the other inmates giving her birthday presents (candy and a drawing) was very touching. I also enjoyed her sex talk with a nervous Kala. I just love Sun! We meet much more of her please.
Capheus (who is now portrayed by Toby Onwumere) is still in Kenya. He's given a brand new Van Damme bus (named "Van Damn") by the girl's father whose life he saved in season 1. Interestingly the change in actors is acknowledged on the show when his friend says "speaking of faces, I must say you're looking a little different these days". Capheus replies with "new barbershop?" Too funny.
Kala is now a newly wedded wife in India. It's hard to pay attention to hubby Rajan when she pines for Wolfgang all the time. And what's up with the dude talking to her mom about their sex issues? If you're trying to get some Rajan, that is NOT the way to do it. Interestingly does Rajan own the pharmaceutical company that manufacturing the drug that Whispers uses? This might be a plot point in season 2.
Wolfgang (who is still in love with Kala as well) is trying to move on in Germany. He "swipes right" and meets someone for a date. He's also still dodging the baddies and his relatives (which are one in the same) from season 1. This "you must take your father's place as a crime boss" schtick is a bit much but whatever. It did make the final scene tense.
Lito has been outed by the Mexican press as gay (which was his biggest fear last year). At least he's still together with boyfriend Hernando. Daniela continues to be their BFF. Those three have an interesting relationship. They also have a wonderful Christmas with Lito's mother. I was worried she would reject him but she says she's know all along. He was way too good a dancer.
Nomi and Amanita are on the run from the feds due to Noni's hacking activities (and her being a sensate). They're hiding on Bug's houseboat for the time being. We also learn that Amanita has two gay dads.
Will gets advice from Jonas on how to dodge Whispers. Uh, I'm not sure shooting heroin is a good long term strategy (but no one asked me). Will has visions of Angelica shooting herself in the head in order to get away from Whispers. It appears Will and Riley are still in Iceland. I thought they would flee the country. Whispers knows has to get to Will and pays a visit to his father in Chicago. This cant be good.

Everyone celebrates a birthday. Don't forget, them all being born on the same days is one of the reasons Angelica psychically "birthed" them. Lito and Hernando's sexy times in a bathroom stall lead to a full-on sensate orgy. I'm all for it. These are some sexy, sexy people.

In the end, everyone helps Wolfgang as she tries to escape from the baddies men. And has Wolfgang's long suffering friend Felix been killed after he just recovered from his near fatal injuries? Surely not.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). While I dont think "Sense8" really needed a Christmas special (especially since not all of the characters celebrate Christmas) I know they were trying to rationalize the release of this episode around the holidays. I'll let it slide. I watch the show for the relationships among the cluster so I'm happy. I'm willing to ignore lots other stuff (including the mechanics of how sensates work) as a result. In a year where Americans (and the world) seem more polarized than ever, it's nice to be reminded that we're all in this together if we could find some common ground. I would hope simply being "human" would be enough. The season 2 of "Sense8" returns to NetFlix on Mary 5, 2017.