So remember that huge sense8 gush post? Yea, well here comes another. Except this one has a different focus. That post was about how amazing the characters were. This post is about the impact it’s made on me, and surely so many others
First off, since this show is about people connecting, it’s extremely diverse. There’s people of all nationalities, genders, and orientations. Their culture and their cultural problems are brought to light in this show.
We see a gay man, an actor, trying to make his way through the world
He’s constantly judged and beaten down. He lived in fear his whole life, hiding behind “girlfriends”. He constantly denied being gay, even in the moment when it was extremely obvious he WAS gay. He was terrified. Then his fears were brought to life. He was kicked from the agency, he lost his followers and fans, he was scorned and mocked… You see the struggle of trying to be yourself in a world that is judgmental and against you. You see Lito fight against the hate, stand back up time and time again. His friends constantly pull him back onto his feet when he can’t anymore. You find him slowly gaining confidence in himself. He learns it’s ok to be gay, and he shouldn’t have to live in hiding. His character is so empowering, showing love trumps hate. His character and his development can bring hope in the hearts of sense8 fans. His character can give others courage to be themselves and fight against the world’s hate. Not to mention, he’s a scared, yet brave, gay person ON AN ACTUAL SHOW. The show isn’t solely about gay struggles, it’s just shown as a part of his life. It shows this is who he is, and it empowers others.
Next, we see a man from Kenya.
Capheus inspires those around him. He’s a literal ray of sunshine. He yearns for good to be done. When there’s a water riot, he’s there, picking people back up onto their feet. His situation shows the struggle of poverty and wealth. There’s such a sharp contrast constantly made throughout his story. You can start to imagine what the people in third world countries have to go through every day. It’s horrible. Getting clean water is so expensive. There’s so many horrible ways that business people can cut corners and earn money over useless products. It shows the injustice, and the constant danger due to the missing justice. You see Capheus working INCREDIBLY hard just to get his mother the meds she needs. He’s the justice his home needs. Yet… despite this horrible situation he was brought into by no fault of his own… he’s still happy. He’s still optimistic, he still believes in people and the world. He longs for right, he always sees the good. His character shows viewers how despite any hardships in your life, you can still have hope. His character shows you can find good almost anywhere, and if you can’t, you can make it. He gives courage to sense8 fans, showing them they can get through the rough patch, and they can find happiness in it. He shows there’s always hope and goodness around no matter how horrible the situation.
Then, we have this beautiful woman
Nomi is such an amazing character. She’s played by an actual trans actress. Do you know how rare that is??? Most TV shows just hire someone cis to play the character, and don’t write the character well. But Nomi? Her whole story just gives me life. Her struggles and the discrimination are so realistic that it brings me pain and support all at once. Her parents are accepting of her for the longest time. They call her by her dead name, taunt her, and mentally abuse her. They tell her she ruins everything, and sometimes she fears they’re right. She worries she only screws everything up. Luckily, her girlfriend is always there to support her. A gay transwoman. The representation is just so beautiful. You’ll be lucky if you get someone that isn’t straight, or someone that isn’t cis, in TV shows. Nomi however, haha. She’s neither straight nor cis. She’s a gay transwoman. Her sister’s wedding comes along, and we see her struggle with her parents. We see that look of pure, overwhelming joy when her dad finally accepts her. We see that hope that parents can change, and they can come to accept you. We see the judgmental stares, all the questions from family friends. Yet she braves through it all. She’s so strong and it’s amazing. It shows the sense8 fans they can be strong enough to fight the discrimination. It shows all the fans that are trans, that they’re valid and they can get through the hate. You not only see the hate, but you see the trans fetishization. It’s shown multiple times, and it’s shown that it’s not ok. Nomi’s just such an amazing character.
And here we have this precious woman
Sun, precious precious sun. At some points you just want to give her a hug, tell her everything’s gonna be ok, and fight anyone trying to harm her. But then when she’s defending herself… WHOOO BOY. She’s this perfect mix of child-like innocence, and destroy-everything-in-her-path strength. Her character shows her as this strong independent women, battling the stereotype that Asian women aren’t able to take care of themselves. But that isn’t the only side to her, she’s also seen as this happy child. She loves her dog, and at one point would even go to jail for her family. She’s just a girl who wants to be happy, and cuddle with her dog all day, but instead she’s thrust into this constant hell. She always has to watch her back and lay low. Her brother murdered her father in cold blood. The brother she tried so hard to raise, and blames herself for how he turned out. She just wants love, but she’s so so so so strong and she can survive by herself. She shows that people aren’t just one sided. Her character shows people have layers, it reveals how injustice can seep in through cracks and destroy lives. Her character shows you can be strong and weak at the same time, and it’s ok.
And let’s not forget, our amazing friend here
She’s this strong woman who tries so hard to have some sense of normalcy. She’s in love with someone, but because of the culture where she lives, she pretty much needs to marry Rajan. She tries and tries to love Rajan and hopes it’ll work out. She does the best she can, but who can help love. You see her torn between what she wants and what her life is. You see this woman who’s supposed to be dainty but is hardcore and wants things she doesn’t believe are good. Her character is just A+. Her character shows the struggle of fitting in to her society, yet how she wants to carve her own path. You see the struggle between her heart and brain. It shows viewers that society’s one big hellhole that usually doesn’t let you have what you want. You can fake normalcy, you can fake happiness… but you can’t deny the fact you’re uncomfortable. It shows viewers they’re not alone in the struggle between what society wants, and what they want. Who they are, and who society paints them to be.
For the next three, I don’t really have much to say. Also, i’m making this very late at night and I just wanna post it at this point. But I will mention one aspect involving Will (hah, will Will… get it?? Ok sorry i’ll shut up now).
I’m really glad they added the affect drugs have on you. They showed how he kept wanting more even after he didn’t need it. He was so dependent on it, and he was willing to go back to it. But he didn’t. He kept fighting the urge to not depend on it. And it can really give hope to those viewers that have trouble stopping an addiction.
If anyone wants to add anything about Riley, Will, or Wolfgang, please feel free. I can’t think of anything super influential about them at this moment. But let me just say, this show gives me so much hope, even when I don’t realize it. It has so much positivity, diversity, and representation. I was having a particularly bad day today, and being trans was really taking a toll today. But I turned on this show and just bam. I felt happy, I felt like I wasn’t alone. I knew others struggled, like Nomi and Lito, to be accepted by those around them. I knew people like Sun and Capheus had to fight injustice every day, and they stood tall despite it. I knew Kala was living in a society where she couldn’t follow her heart, and also where she trapped herself. I’m heartbroken hearing that it will not get a season 3, because this show is so supportive and amazing. Not only that, but the story’s constantly action filled and extremely entertaining. I will definitely miss sense8, but i’m so glad it exists. I hope one day, media will have this much representation throughout all their shows. I’m specifically hoping for maybe some more a-spec characters. And I hope that day comes soon. Who knows, maybe sense8 can be a starting point to shows not just having characters with one layer and one side gay character. I’m truly grateful for this show
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