Why Netflix’s Sense8 is the perfect binge while social distancing

Living in a world where it seems like the only thing uniting us is fear can be intense, but Sense8 reminds us that there is so much more to how we are all connected.

Many of us are stuck at home these days, whether it’s through self-quarantine, working remotely, or simply practicing social distancing. The news of the worldwide pandemic seems to get a little worse everyday, on top of everything else going on in our lives. Now more than ever we look to movies and television shows to bring us comfort during uncertain times. And while there are certainly a plethora of new shows to choose from, a former Netflix original series, Sense8, is giving hope and restoring faith in humanity for old and new viewers alike.

Sense8 was a critical darling that, like a lot of brilliant works of originality, took some time to catch on to mainstream audiences. The brainchild of the Wachowski siblings (The Matrix trilogy) and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5), the series premiere in June of 2015 and ran for just two seasons.

Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers from eight different parts of the world who suddenly find themselves sharing a unique psychic connection with one another. This connection allows them to communicate telepathically, share each other’s knowledge (including skills and language), and even share experiences. Their unusual bond also makes them targets for a shadowy, powerful organization that perceives them as a threat to society.

Here’s a look at some of the things that make Sense8 so essential right now.