Sense8 - A Christmas Special Netflix Series Review

Sense8 (2015)
Christmas Special (2016)

Watch Sense8 - A Christmas Special on Netflix
Created by:  Lilly Wachowski
Starring:  Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, Tuppence Middleton, Naveen Andrews, Daryl Hannah

Rated: TV-MA

Plot
This sci-fi thriller was created by the Wachowskis. Eight people from around the world are telepathically linked.

Verdict
If you like this show you'll like the special as you wait for season 2. The problems I have with the special are the same I had with season 1. There are equal parts I like and don't like.
The development of the characters is uneven, some are really good, some are kind of flat. It often goes over the top just for the shock value.
The core concept that people from vastly different backgrounds and regions aren't all that different. This captures the main idea of a Christmas special, something fun just outside of the main story.
It depends.

Review
This special bridges the gap between season 1 (read my review) and season 2 which premieres May 5, 2017.

When we last saw the group, they were finally all together though the villain Whisper could potentially infiltrate the group. In the lead up to the finale of season one, Riley (Tuppence Middleton) to told to kill herself to protect the group so that Whisper can't infiltrate her thoughts and find them. Her love interest Will (Brian J. Smith) convinces her not to and has his mind infiltrated by Whisper. Jonas (Naveen Andrews)  tells him to kill himself, but he takes enough sedatives to render himself unconscious so that Whisper couldn't follow him.

This special is a soft reset, with no immediate threat or danger. It lampshades the new actor for Van Damme fan Capheus, mentioning his new haircut.
Half way in this seemed to miss the point of a Christmas special. I had yet to see anything Christmas related. It seemed more like a bridge from season 1 to season 2.They share a birthday and celebrate before recreating the orgy scene from season 1 episode 8. To what end?
This special has more of the same drama but none of the drive. The bad guy was close in season 1, and now he's a non-factor.

This does focus more on fun and finally works its way to Christmas in the last half hour. It's not a bad Christmas special. If you like the show, you'll like this. It's a show meant to connect people from different backgrounds. As different as they are, each share similarities. I applaud the show for that, but season 1, and this special, often have me ask, "Did I need to see that?" It often seems to go too far just for the sake of it. This Christmas special encapsulates the show in two hours,t heir abilities create some great moments when they visit each other, it's got great fighting choreography, and there is an orgy.