Sense8

Focusing on eight strangers from different countries in the world who one day become emotionally and mentally linked, Sense8 is a science-fiction drama series that was launched on Netflix on June 5th, 2015. I was excited to check it out simply because of the Wachowskis (The Matrix Trilogy), who have created and executive-produced the show. The entire first season of twelve episodes is available on Netflix. 

Allow me to start off with the positive elements of the show, one of the major ones being that is a real visual treat. Apart from the States (San Francisco and Chicago), scenes were also shot on location in seven cities: Seoul, London, Mumbai, Reykjavik, Nairobi, Mexico City and Berlin. Due to this, the episodes are simply beautiful to watch, the creators having also incorporated cultural events happening in the cities and I got a little taste of each place in all the episodes. 

Additionally, I also found the series to be impressive for it's broad representation of topics like sexuality, identity, culture and politics. Each character is unique and brings forth their own strengths/weaknesses and it was interesting to see how they channel each other's skills and languages depending on the situation. This is particularly evident in the action scenes, which had a very good choreography. 

Now, moving on to the negative aspects of the show, I want to begin by saying that the story was initially just too slow. Sure, there are episodes that let viewers get used to the atmosphere of the whole thing, but this prolonged for a little too long. Nothing spectacular happens within the first three hours into the show, and it is only after that the main plot comes into light. Even then, at times it felt as though the characters' individual conflicts were coming in between the main story and that was a little off-putting. 

Another thing that bothered me was that the characters weren't all that amazed or astounded by what was happening to them. They were a little surprised in the beginning but other than that, they weren't really freaked out and treated it like a usual occurrence. I felt like that angle was very much unrealistic as they adapted to their new found 'connections' too easily. 

All in all, it is a very interesting concept with a scope for something greater and despite the flaws, it was an entertaining watch. Sense8 has been renewed for a second season but the premiere date has yet to be announced. 

Happy binge-watching! 

The Shannara Chronicles

Based on the fantasy series by Terry Brooks, 'The Shannara Chronicles' is a drama television series that premiered on MTV on January 5th, 2016. As of now, there are just five episodes released, with the first season set to have ten episodes in total. It is set around 300 years after the War of the Races; a war that caused all demons to be locked in the Forbidding by an ancient tree, the Ellcrys. But now the Ellcrys is dying, which poses a threat for the Four Lands since the demons could escape and it is up to rest of the creatures (elves, druids, humans) to save the tree. 

Yes, sounds like your basic fantasy formula. But even if the story may not sound all that enticing to you, the show is worth checking out for it's visual effects, sets and costumes. It is evident that MTV has spent more than a considerable budget on the series and overall, it is most certainly a visual treat. Since the plot is just starting to get on track, I do not want to criticise it all that much and the episodes do seem to be getting better. However the situation, it is a storyline that has a lot of potential to become something engaging and exciting. 

Apart from that, if there is one problem that I want to bring to the forefront, it is the performance of the cast. Most particularly, it is Poppy Drayton's (Amberle Elessedil, the Elven Princess) acting that is the main turn-off. It is as though she is not even trying to put on a convincing act for the audience or even if she is, it has so far become a fail. The worse part is that she is the lead for the show, which makes me wonder how could she have been cast for that position. Even the performance of Ivana Baquero (Eretria, a human) is not up to the mark and needs a lot of improving. 

That aside, the notable actors for the show who are doing a good job are Manu Bennett (Allanon, a human and druid), Austin Butler (Wil Ohmsford, half-human/half-elf) and John Rhys-Davies (Eventine Elessedil, Elven King). Hopefully the rest of the cast will get better as the series progresses. 

Whilst it is not one of my absolute favourites, it has most certainly raised my curiosity and made me want to stay till the end of the season. 

Happy binge-watching!