Heartbreak Around the Globe
On June 1st 2017, the very first day of Pride month, Netflix cancelled one of their originals Sense8 and needless to say, fans are pissed.
The ground-breaking sci-fi show, which premiered in summer of 2015, is the brilliant brainchild of renowned producers from The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski and Babylon 5, J. Michael Straczynski. If you haven’t seen it yet, you are definitely missing out. Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers from different parts of the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. It is an all-inclusive globally diverse show that has been received extremely well by a large majority of the audience and has garnered positive reviews from all corners of the world. Because of these factors and many others involved, it has been quite a shock to fans to learn of the hasty cancellation, especially since no official explanation has been given as to why.
For fans of any TV show, cancellations are generally fraught with resentment and anger. This is natural and largely expected by TV networks as a whole but Netflix has always projected a different image to its consumers. For the most part, it has always seemed to be a place of solace for canceled programs to come back to life, receiving their much-deserved and satisfying final endings. Up until now, Netflix’s plan for it - by producing specials, wrapping up storylines and performing other services - is to ensure that disappointed customers do not turn into ex-customers. But in a rather unexpected move, their image has been flipped on its head.
Based on the current Internet movement to get Sense8 renewed, viewers in large numbers have come together to try and save the show. Through this movement, all the measurable features of the fanbase prove they are intelligent consumers; making it quite easy to see that Sense8 fans are generally savvy with social media, intelligent, unified, supportive of one another, and are amazingly articulate with expressing in every possible way how devastated they are by the news of this cancellation. They are not spoiled snowflakes, unable to accept that their favorite past-time has been taken away from them by Netflix, but are cunning and direct in their reasons for being upset with the international streaming service. They know what they're talking about. They're angry and heartbroken after falling head over heels in love with a show that matters to them (in some cases, more than anything has ever mattered) only to have it ripped from their grasp prematurely.
Why Does Sense8 Matter?
For those unaware, Sense8 is not just any show. Citing its diverse, international cast is certainly a hint that what we are dealing with is not the usual, middle-of-the-road mainstream production that gets force fed to the world on any given day. With Sense8, you don’t just get the first lesbian transgender lead or depictions of gay or interracial couples but you also get them being amazing and inspiring individuals, not because they somehow stand in for the stereotype they represent but because they make you feel something. They make you feel human, which is precisely what you are. They exist the way they would as regular every day human beings - part of healthy, loving relationships; living their lives with dignity, loving others in a definition of family that does not conform to a restrictive norm. You get a show that depicts personalities from an array of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds as people, not tropes. You get a show that depicts sexuality as fluid and worthy of celebration, because that’s how we got here in the first place. You get a show that demonstrates and depicts both sides of religious devotion - the fanatical and the inspiring - without judging any of it. You get a show that depicts love in every possible form, teaching us that this is what makes human beings so divine. No matter where we come from we love our friends, our family, our romantic partners, and our pets with such passion and devotion it redeems us from all that plagues the human condition. Even death has to back down from the exercise of that love.
Sense8 explores all of these circumstances, gathering them up into one never-before-seen concept; an artful breath-taking masterpiece, spanning over 23 visually stunning episodes. In a world where sexuality and identity are politicized and used to oppress, Sense8 delivers another alternative - one of acceptance, compassion and understanding. Here is where it shines best. We live in a political climate that is polarizing; a climate that has legitimized hate speech, promotes homophobia and dogmatism. We need shows that remind us there is another way of interacting with each other, one that puts our humanity on display as it truly exists and allow us to observe, learn and grow in empathy for each other.
This is where Netflix has made an egregious error.
Patience is a Virtue That Should Be Rewarded
Sense8 Season 1 was released on June 5, 2015 and devoted fans waited almost two whole years for the release of Season 2 in its entirety, which premiered on May 5th, 2017. Paying customers who had been patiently waiting for its arrival had their hearts ripped from their chest when the show was unexpectedly canceled only 3 weeks after its Season 2 premier.
Another upsetting factor was that Netflix axed the most LGBTQ+ friendly show in current existence on the first day of Pride month. Both seasons 1 & 2 were filmed at actual real-life Pride parades (San Francisco, California USA for Season 1 and São Paulo, Brazil for Season 2). Because of the decision to make the cancellation announcement during this time frame, Netflix sent a message to their loyal customers that they had total disregard for a large portion of content included in one of their own original shows. Not to mention, the ending of Season 2 has provoked an entirely livid reaction in fans due to the massive edge-of-your-seat cliffhanger, leaving an open-ended storyline and burning questions that may possibly never be answered.
Needless to say, the dedicated fanbase is just not having it. Since June 1st, the Sense8 fandom has been raising holy hell to make sure the powers that be hear their voices loud and clear. They have bombarded Netflix HQ call centers, signed a petition at change.org (which currently has almost 470,000 signatures at the time of this post), and launched Twitter campaigns which have trended worldwide for two whole days straight around the time of the announcement and have been continuing to trend in certain countries ever since. Every single day they wake up determined. They post about their devastation on all of the social media platforms in existence, pleading for Netflix to save their beloved show. And it might serve Netflix well to listen. If they get this show back on its rightful track, there may be a chance to save themselves in the eyes of a large portion of their paying customers.
Even celebrities have chimed in on the matter:
Singer/Songwriter Melissa Etheridge:
Lauren of Fifth Harmony:
Kirk Hammett of Metallica:
Actress Bella Thorne:
Psychic/Medium John Edward:
Does it Come Down to the Numbers?
Although there is no demographic or viewership data because Netflix is notorious for keeping those numbers to themselves, there have been hints via Twitter regarding what may have gone down. It is hard to tell for sure whether it was due to production costs or not and since Netflix has been ignoring the outcry, the only comments we have to go on are the ones made by the cast and crew.
Actor Brian J. Smith, who plays Will Gorski, has offered up the only possible reason for the cancellation:
It is understandable that Netflix is a business that has to make money but even so, the reason provided for the abrupt cancellation of a show that has been otherwise critically acclaimed and earned a devoted fanbase can definitely be argued. It has been previously reported by executive producer Roberto Malerba that Sense8 Season 2 cost an estimated $9 million per episode. This means the season in its entirety cost a total of around $99 million. But article after article has been written about how flimsy this reason appears (Business Insider wrote an excellent article about it here). For example, Netflix original The Crown has a budget far more expensive than Sense8 and focuses on the British monarchy, something we have already seen done too many times to count. Sense8’s enthusiastically renewed second season was more powerful than the first and the storyline was just beginning to take off, but its voice has been silenced prematurely and given to other shows that lack originality. Regarding viewership, it is hard to believe that it can be determined in so short of a time frame (3 weeks) given the fact that many people wait to watch, or space out their viewing over the course of several weeks. You may boast algorithms and other predictive methods but binge-watching is something people with lots of free time do, and the reality is that most of us don’t have that kind of time available.
Because Netflix isn’t required to share viewership information, there is no way to fact check this excuse. But if it was the reason Brian was given, then it seems to be the only reason that holds weight. Lending only 3 weeks after the premier for viewership statistics to rise comes off as a contradiction to the image Netflix tries to portray. It was a terrible choice not just for Sense8 but for Netflix’s image as a destination for binge-watching any time, any place, at your own pace. How can viewers trust that they will continue to create full-fledged shows without wrapping up the storyline? How can customers trust that the company won’t continue to cancel all of their shows without giving them a proper conclusion; even after 2 years of patiently waiting? This is exactly what standard TV networks do, and Netflix was supposed to be different. All of these complaints have been addressed by the fandom as a whole, and Netflix is being bombarded with backlash.
So Who Do We Point the Finger At?
During the campaign to save Sense8, there have been several Netflix customer service representatives giving fans incorrect information regarding the cancellation. Some have blamed the show runners for pulling out, continuing to claim that it was “out of Netflix’s control” but co creator J. Michael Straczynski has silenced this rumor himself.
It seems safe to assume that Netflix, and Netflix only, is the one to blame for this heartbreaking decision.
CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings appeared on CNBC the day before the cancellation was announced, claiming they want to provide daring, bold programming that sets them apart from other streaming services. With all of that being said, fans felt secure in a Season 3 renewal, but Netflix then decided to cancel the original that would best demonstrate their supposed commitment on the very next business day. This move only added fuel to the fire, creating even more frustration in the fandom. Sense8 is everything Netflix says they want to be defined by yet they have contradicted their very own comments while silencing the passionate fanbase in the process. This virtually ensures that no one will even bother watching the show because it isn’t complete. Who wants to invest time in that?
Will We Ever Get Closure?
What is most insulting is the fact that not only was the show cancelled just as it was finding its narrative momentum, it was cancelled on the previously mentioned cliffhanger, indicating that even the creators did not have forewarning of this move.
What’s worse, they are killing a show that was at the forefront of representation. By axing this and shows like it (The Get Down, anyone?), they are expressing their lack of faith in the ability for this kind of programming to sell. This is dangerous and, what’s more, it’s a lie. Representation does pay! This Is Us on ABC has been wildly successful because of its diversity and also because it was well promoted, something you just can’t say was done for Sense8. The full Season 2 trailer was released on May 4th, 2017 - only one day before it was set to premier. Netflix is sending a clear message that they would prefer to have programming that looks a certain way and that tells a certain story to promote certain worldviews, over a vision that is more inclusive and diverse.
And see, that’s the deal-breaker for fans all over the world. Because art can’t only be about money. So many of us live in countries that do not listen to the needs and preferences of the majority of its citizens, and even though Sense8 has a passionate fanbase (and even though Netflix had their hands on a truly amazing product) it was taken from the world without any explanation as to why. It has set not only a reputation for storytelling excellence but also displayed responsible stewardship for the human enterprise, yet it was axed anyways.
At what point does humanity, beauty, and aesthetics transcend corporate greed? Netflix is a multi-billion dollar corporation who, at the very least, could have broken even on Sense8 and could have profited by allowing the slow to grow into its narrative. They could have profited even more if they had advertised Sense8 as much as they have for some of their other originals as well but fans became frustrated during the two year hiatus and had to promote it themselves by word-of-mouth. Why would a show as stunning, as important, as brilliant as Sense8, not be given the chance to come into its own? Does Netflix really want the reputation of being the corporation most hostile to representation?
It would probably be a smart choice to listen to the outcry of at least 470,000 customers, who's annual net membership fees amount to a total of $56.4 million.
So What Are Fans Doing to Help?
Well, they are definitely not taking this lying down. They have united in one of the most inspirational and all-inclusive movements that Netflix has possibly ever had to face because they refuse to have their voices silenced.
In the words of Will Gorski himself: "You want a war? We'll give you a war."
Sensies Unite!
Below are some of the things the fandom has organized to let Netflix know they aren’t going down without a fight. If you would like to join in on the efforts to save Sense8, please find a list of tips below:
Sign the Petition with 470K+ signatures and counting - Sign & share!
Contact the Netflix Help Center - If you are on a desktop computer, log in to Netflix. Scroll to the bottom and click “Start Live Chat” and you will be put in touch with a real customer service rep from Netflix. Here, you can let them know you are upset about the cancellation, that you’re very very interested in further seasons, and that the show is very important in the current cultural and political climate. You may express all of your complaints here.
Here is a loose template for chatting with a Netflix rep in the Live Chat
Important points to make when speaking with a Netflix rep
Visit the Netflix Request Tool - Type “Sense8” or “Sense8 Season 3” in one (or all) of the title slots and click submit. It’s useless to do this more than once though, since they keep track of what each customer requests, which will only be valid once.
Comment on the Netflix Twitter account - This is the Netflix US account, but there’s quite a few different ones that vary from country to country. Tweet at all of them. Use the hashtag #renewsense8 or #bringbacksense8 or #savesense8. Let them know you’re upset about the cancellation and would love to see more seasons. Tag @netflix and tweet at celebrities/press.
Join the Worldwide trending campaign on Twitter and tweet #renewsense8 #bringbacksense8 or #savesense8 and make sure to tag @netflix
Call in to Netflix US HQ at 1-866-579-7172 or 1-800-585-7265. There are many other phone numbers that you can find here.
#OperationFlipFlop - Mail Netflix one of Lito’s missing flipflops to HQ with the message "The world needs Sense8 like Lito needs his missing flip flop."
'Sing for Sense8' fanvid - in which recordings of singing and/or lip-syncing to What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes are compiled together (if you've seen Sense8, you know why).
Email Netflix Execs - Tell them how you feel!
Netflix Emails:
Love is Unconditional
If there is one thing the Sense8 fandom has shown the world, it’s that love has the ability to conquer all. What an amazing thing it has been to be a part of!
Join in on this amazing fight and share your comments below.
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