Sense8 Review: Smart Money’s on the Skinny Bitch (Season 1 Episode 3)

Does anyone else just want to snuggle Capheus and never ever let him go?

Actually, I pretty much feel that way about every character on Sense8 as of now, and I don’t see it changing in the future. Each episode brings a new and deeper level to these eight people of such different backgrounds that it’s hard not to love them, flaws and all.

The one weakness of the show thus far, is the total irrelevance of Lito, the actor in Mexico City.

I’m not saying he’s not entertaining — far from it actually — it’s just that he’s a bit of an oddball in this interconnected world of sensates. He seems to exist completely in his own world as almost a telenovela break for the audience when things get too heavy elsewhere.

Daniela: This place is incredible! I mean, it’s a cliché, but you gay guys really know how to decorate, huh?

His interactions with Daniela and Hernando are cute, sexy, and comical certainly, but beyond that, he’s a little too wrapped up in his own world. If Lito doesn’t start interacting with the rest of the cluster soon, he might get lost in the shuffle.

As for the rest of the episode, it was dynamic and thrilling and 100% enjoyable.

The horrible sense of dread that something tragic is about to happen to Nomi builds all hour, until Amanita’s last minute save with a fire – you go girl! Unfortunately, that seems to only be a temporary solution. Will needs to move fast if he hopes to save her from becoming a vegetable.

He’s got problems of his own though, juggling a possible concussion, a bit of childhood trauma, and guilt over Jonas’ capture.

Capheus and Sun, two characters who have spent the first part of the season on the back burner, are also pushed front and center in “Smart Money’s on the Skinny Bitch.”

Sun being the “skinny bitch.”

In the throes of a financial catastrophe at her father’s company, Sun reveals herself to be our resident ass-kicker. There had to be one in the group, it’s just a surprisingly bold choice to make it the deferential Korean woman. Said ass-kicking comes in handy when Capheus, desperate to recover his mother’s stolen AIDS medication, gets into a bit of a scuffle. And by scuffle, I obviously mean a kill-or-be-killed street fight.

For the first time, we see two of our sensates use their bond to help each other, with Sun taking over Capheus’ body to defeat his attackers. And let’s not forget Will’s sharp shooting making an appearance too!

The way these scenes are shot and cut is the true masterpiece though, as nothing ever gets lost from jumping back and forth between characters. There is clarity and just enough orientation for the audience to understand exactly what is going on at all times, a potential pitfall I was worried about for this show.

All and all, we’re three episodes in and still going strong with Sense8, despite a few shaky elements.

What do you think of Netflix’s newest original series so far? Sound off in comments below!

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Sense8 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.