Sense8
Executive Summary
Poster
![](/posters/poster08948ed54b137819a18a7236a31df4f57bfb9e50a70cf3e1b867d45cb669baa3.png)
Overview
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Action, Medical
Setting: Contemporary, Multiple locations including Chicago, San Francisco, Berlin, Mumbai, Nairobi, and Seoul
Overview: In a gripping tale of interconnectedness, eight strangers from various corners of the globe discover they are 'sensates', individuals who can connect with each other's minds, bodies, and emotions. As they navigate their newfound abilities, they find themselves thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse as a mysterious and sinister figure hunts them down. Amidst a mosaic of cultures, languages, and experiences, the sensates must confront their own identities, forge unbreakable bonds, and decipher the cosmic design that brought them together.
Themes: Connections and Empathy, Identity and Self-Acceptance, Violence and Loss
Conflict and Stakes: The primary conflicts include the sense8s' struggle to connect with each other and resist their enemy, Mr. Whispers, who wants to take them away. Each sense8 also has their own personal conflicts, such as Will's internal struggle with his sensory overload and the aftermath of his actions, Kala's internal conflict about her marriage, and Nomi's struggle with her identity and acceptance.
Overall Mood: Emotional, intense, and thought-provoking
Mood/Tone at Key Scenes:
- Scene 1: Emotional and intense as Angel struggles to connect the cluster and ultimately kills herself.
- Scene 2: Tense and urgent as Will searches for the blond girl/angel and ultimately witnesses her suicide.
- Scene 3: Discomfort and distress as Will grapples with his sensory overload and the guilt from his actions.
- Scene 4: Serious and professional as Sun tries to find the source of the music that's causing her migraine.
- Scene 5: Tense and dramatic as Lito struggles with his behavior and drug use on the telenovela set.
- Scene 6: Sensual and intimate as Lito struggles with his arousal and Nomi and Amanita have post-coital moment.
- Scene 7: Light-hearted and joyful as Kala's friends sing an Indian love song and celebrate her future.
- Scene 8: Emotional and introspective as Kala prays to Ganesha for help in falling in love with her fiancé.
- Scene 9: Somber and reflective as Sun visits her father's office and experiences a sudden change in environment.
- Scene 10: Comforting and reassuring as Capheus' godmother explains the significance of his vision and encourages him to embrace his destiny.
Standout Features:
- Unique Hook: The unique blend of science fiction, action, and drama with a diverse cast and innovative ideas.
- Plot Twist: The complex narrative and large cast create unexpected twists and turns that keep audiences engaged.
- Distinctive Settings: The distinctive settings in multiple locations around the world create a visually stunning and immersive experience for audiences.
- Genre Blends: The unique blend of genres, including science fiction, action, and drama, create a compelling and engaging storyline.
- Unique Characters: The unique and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personal conflicts and struggles, create a relatable and engaging storyline.
Comparable Scripts:
- The Matrix
- Inception
- Cloud Atlas
- Heroes
- The OA
- The Host
- Stranger Things
- The Expanse
- The 100
- The Leftovers
Writing Style:
The writing style across this screenplay is characterized by a blend of intense emotional drama, complex character psychology, and nonlinear narrative structure. The scenes incorporate surreal elements, supernatural phenomena, and philosophical themes, often with a dark and gritty atmosphere. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and intense, building tension through character interactions and exploring moral dilemmas.
Style Similarities:
- David Fincher
- Quentin Tarantino
- Charlie Kaufman
- Christopher Nolan
Pass/Consider/Recommend
Recommend
Explanation: Sense8 is a highly imaginative and compelling screenplay that explores universal themes of identity, connection, and acceptance through the unique and interconnected experiences of its diverse cast of characters. While there are areas for improvement in terms of pacing and character development, the screenplay's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The consistent exploration of themes, well-developed characters, and strong dialogue create a captivating and immersive narrative. By addressing the areas of improvement and incorporating the missing elements, the screenplay has the potential to become an even more impactful and memorable cinematic experience.
USP: This script offers a groundbreaking blend of supernatural and crime genres, exploring themes of interconnectedness, identity, and redemption through a unique ensemble of characters. With its vivid sensory storytelling, authentic dialogue, and poetic introspection, the script delves deep into the emotional struggles and growth of its protagonists, offering a fresh and captivating narrative experience. The innovative storytelling techniques, diverse representation, and thought-provoking themes set this script apart, making it a compelling and unforgettable piece of storytelling.
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:$50-100 million
Target Audience Demographics: Adults aged 18-49, fans of science fiction, action, and drama.
Marketability: The unique blend of genres and exploration of compelling themes with a diverse cast make this screenplay appealing to a wide audience. However, the complex narrative and large cast may make it challenging to market.
The innovative ideas and unique characters in this screenplay make it stand out from other science fiction and action films. However, the niche themes and unconventional storytelling may limit its appeal to some audiences.
The distinctive settings and genre blends in this screenplay create a visually stunning and immersive experience for audiences. The strong appeal to a wide adult audience and potential for award nominations also make it highly marketable.
Profit Potential: High, due to strong appeal to a wide adult audience and potential for award nominations.
Analysis Criteria Percentiles
Writer's Voice
Summary:The writer's voice is characterized by a blend of emotional depth, introspection, and vivid imagery. The dialogue is poetic, reflective, and filled with tension, while the narrative descriptions are atmospheric and evocative.
Best representation: Scene 13 - A Migraine Amidst Rivals: Wolfgang's Contemplation at Yuri Hassan's Funeral. This scene is the best representation because it showcases the writer's poetic language, introspective tone, and focus on emotional depth and spiritual themes. The dialogue and narrative style effectively capture the writer's unique voice and storytelling approach.
Memorable Lines:
- Angel: I... see them... (Scene 1)
- Nocker: I rocked them, in me arms. Never done nufink like that neither and no one said nufink. (Scene 4)
- LITO: I've come to blow your fuckin brains out. (Scene 5)
- Nomi: I knew I was going to marry you. (Scene 31)
- YUEN TAN-WU: Your nose is too big and tits are too small. (Scene 10)
Characters
Will:A Chicago cop who experiences sensory overload and has a connection with other sense8s around the world.
Riley:A DJ from Iceland who is haunted by her past and has a connection with other sense8s.
Wolfgang:A thief from Berlin who struggles with his father's legacy and has a connection with other sense8s.
Kala:A pharmacist from Mumbai who is torn between her duty and her lack of love for her fiancé.
Capheus:A bus driver from Nairobi who has visions and seeks advice from a 'godmother' figure.
Lito:A screenwriter and actor from Mexico who struggles with his identity and drug use.
Sun:A Vice President and CFO from Seoul who faces chauvinistic attitudes and inappropriate comments.
Nomi:A trans woman and hacker from San Francisco who faces discrimination and struggles with her identity.
Story Shape
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Click for Full Analysis | Tone | Overall Grade | Concept | Plot | Originality Score | Characters | Character Changes | Internal Goal | External Goal | Conflict | Opposition | High stakes | Story forward | Twist | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | Engagement | Pacing | Formatting | Structure | |
1 - Angel's Sacrifice: The Birth of a New Cluster | Intense, Emotional, Suspenseful, Dark | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
2 - Desperate Pursuit and a Tragic End | Tense, Mysterious, Heartbreaking | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
3 - Will's Sensory Overload | Intense, Suspenseful, Dark | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
4 - Will's Frustration and Riley's Cab Ride | Mysterious, Intense, Intriguing | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
5 - Telenovela Film Set Disrupted by Nun's Plea | Intense, Tense, Dramatic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
6 - Interrupted Intimacy and Creative Frustrations | Sensual, Playful, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
7 - Joyful Lockeroom Farewell Song | Humorous, Sentimental, Light-hearted | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | |
8 - A Plea for Love at Ganesha's Temple | Hopeful, Conflicted, Desperate | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
9 - Sun's Unsettling Workday | Tense, Mysterious, Serious | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
10 - Tense Meeting with Chinese Developer CEO | Tense, Confrontational, Sexist, Casual | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
11 - Sun's Unsuccessful Attempt to Speak with her Father | Tense, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Dramatic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
12 - Capheus' Destiny Revealed | Mysterious, Spiritual, Reflective | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
13 - Capheus Seeks Answers about a Haunting Vision | Mysterious, Reflective, Emotional | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
14 - A Migraine Amidst Rivals: Wolfgang's Contemplation at Yuri Hassan's Funeral | Melancholic, Intense, Reflective | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
15 - Buried Past and Stolen Identity: A Tale of Two Cities | Intense, Emotional, Raw, Serious | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
16 - Tension in a Dangerous Neighborhood | Tense, Dark, Suspenseful | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
17 - Encounter with Danger and Vulnerability | Tense, Intense, Emotional, Suspenseful | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
18 - Heroic Rescue in an Abandoned Building | Intense, Tense, Dramatic, Realistic | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
19 - Rush Through the Past: A Squad Car Scene | Intense, Emotional, Flashback, Tense | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
20 - Past Hurts and Obsessions: A Tale of Two Conversations | Intense, Dark, Suspenseful | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
21 - A Successful Heist and a New Identity: Wolfgang, Nomi, and Lola Achieve Their Goals | Tense, Emotional, Suspenseful, Empowering | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
22 - Deshawn's Reflections on Life and Death | Tense, Grim, Reflective | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
23 - Desperate Pleas in the Face of Hospital Policy | Intense, Heartbreaking, Frustrated | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
24 - Psychedelic Reality and Suspenseful Break-ins | Surreal, Intense, Emotional, Mysterious | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
25 - Sens8: A Moment of Solitude | Mysterious, Introspective, Emotional, Surreal | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
26 - Moral Dilemmas and Internal Struggles | Tense, Intense, Emotional | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
27 - Nomi's Empowering Voice: A Dyke March Awakening | Defiant, Reflective, Empowering | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
28 - Safe-Cracking and a Musical Interlude | Tense, Intense, Suspenseful, Emotional | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
29 - Past Shame and Pride Celebration | Tense, Emotional, Reflective, Intense, Dark | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
30 - Amanita Defends Nomi at Pride | Intense, Emotional, Confrontational | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
31 - Investigating the Dream and Enjoying the Dyke March | Intense, Emotional, Suspenseful | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
32 - Morning Alarm and Burned-Out Apartment Mystery | Suspenseful, Mysterious, Intense | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
33 - Dark Secrets and Perilous Heists | Tense, Suspenseful, Emotional, Intense | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | |
34 - Riley's Confusion and a Violent Encounter | Suspense, Mystery, Fear | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | |
35 - Deadly Confrontation at Veejay's Apartment | Intense, Violent, Suspenseful, Dramatic | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
36 - Nomi's Hospital Awakening and Identity Conflict | Tense, Emotional, Confrontational | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
37 - Introduction of a New Taskforce and a Dangerous Criminal | Suspenseful, Intense, Dramatic, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
38 - Felix's Energetic Karaoke Performance at Monster Ronson's | Humorous, Heartfelt, Light-hearted | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
39 - Nomi's Life-Changing Diagnosis | Serious, Emotional, Informative | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
40 - Two Paths, One Night - A Tale of Rage and Surgery | Intense, Emotional, Tense | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
41 - Conflicts of Identity and Acceptance in Two Settings | Intense, Emotional, Confrontational | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | |
42 - Riley's Solitary Struggle in the Rain | null | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Scene 1 - Angel's Sacrifice: The Birth of a New Cluster
She lies unmoving, with the heaviness of a corpse: the slender
curve of her limbs glow like pools of moonlight caught in the
smoke-stained rings of the burnt mattress.
Like an abscess, the room aches of rot, and yet: her eyes,
open as windows to some unseen bliss, impossibly beautiful
eyes that might belong to an angel, staring without judgment,
without regret or pathos or loss until--
She blinks.
Suddenly we become aware of the broken sink and the drip of
the faucet, barely audible at first, but quickly growing louder
and louder until it sounds like a hammer on an anvil.
A tinnitus swells in her ear, at first soft like an approaching
mosquito that becomes the piercing scream on an ambulance.
A rotten burrito is swarmed with flies.
She looks out at a small hole in the floor, poorly covered by
wooden floorboards, and something darkens behind her eyes.
She knows she must move.
Her arm slides across the rough polyester of the mattress and
it feels like a belt sander. Sweat soaks through her simple
t-shirt.
Nerves pulse with the tension of a toaster suspended about a
bathtub; the slightest movement threatening her life.
She drags herself up and begins to crawl, fingernails scraping
across the wood floor as she pulls herself forward, inch by
agonizing inch as--
The migraine bores through her temple as her shaking fingers
pry open the loose boards in the floor and reach into the
safety of her secret--
Folds of foil wrappers glitter in the darkness. She picks
through them, each one as empty as the last, each dropped
beside another metal object; a loaded .38.
Her supply gone, her needles empty, she feels her mind
beginning to tear itself apart as if it were suddenly ejected
into the vacuum of space, every molecule trying to escape in
a different direction.
ANGEL TV Calling - For educational purposes only
...Please help me.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 2.
CONTINUED:
JONAS
I'm here.
Suddenly a dark silhouette is in the room, sitting beside
her.
ANGEL
Jonas...
JONAS
Yes, my love. I'm here.
ANGEL
It hurts...
JONAS
I know.
ANGEL
..need medicine.
JONAS
I'm sorry, my love. There's no
more time. It has to be now.
ANGEL
Not ready... too weak.
JONAS
None of us were ever as strong as
you.
Her eyes burn with tears.
ANGEL
I miss us. I miss you.
JONAS
Ohhh mon coeur s'ouvre a at voix.
She smiles and her smile brightens the room.
ANGEL
(French)
Your first words in French to me.
JONAS
I meant them then. I mean them
now.
ANGEL
How scared you were.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 3.
CONTINUED:
JONAS
I'm from Harlem. People from my
hood don't suddenly start speaking
French. Not to mention, I was
kissing a woman I'd never met.
ANGEL
French kissing.
He smiles.
JONAS
French kissing.
Her kisses her.
JONAS
You will always be mon coeur.
A surge of pain knifes through her.
ANGEL
Ohhhh, Jonas. Help me.
JONAS
You can do this.
She groans.
JONAS
It's the size of the cluster. Follow
the umbilicus.
She closes her eyes.
ANGEL
What if he's here? Waiting. I
don't want anyone else to die because
of me.
JONAS
They'll be hunted, born or unborn.
You can give them a fighting chance.
She nods as her breath comes violent and ragged as a sawblade.
She takes his hand and starts to scream.
When she opens her eyes she sees--
The medicine chest mirror flash open, her reflection
disappearing while--
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 4.
CONTINUED:
A handsome Chicago cop, WILL, flips the medicine cabinet
closed, holding a bottle of sleeping pills he looks up to
find the Angel's face reflected in the mirror--
ANGEL
I... see them...
The camera keeps moving as we see in a series of panning and
tracking moves, each character connected by a subjective POV
to another view of a different character but all the same age--
RILEY dances at an illegal warehouse party in London feeling
connected to everyone and everything until the Angel's eyes
find her--
CAPHEUS, a matatu driver in Nairobi swerves off the road when
he sees her--
High above the glittering spires of Seoul, SUN, her body as
lithe and effortless as the branches of a willow tree,
practicing her morning martial art, calmly understanding that
she is suddenly not alone--
As LITO, a living Bernini sculpture, dips a bloody hand into
the holy water of a small church outside Mexico, and begins
walking down the aisle, a gun dangling from his other hand
when the Angel appears--
While KALA, a beautiful Indian woman, watches a romantic
Bollywood film in the darkness of her bedroom, her younger
sister sound asleep, the Angel barely visible in the warm
electric glow as--
WOLFGANG, dressed in black, picks the lock of an expensive
flat, then opens the door to find the Angel while--
NOMI injects herself with female hormones in the bathroom,
startled when she looks into the mirror to find the face of
the Angel staring back at her.
JONAS
You did it...
ANGEL
Protect them.
There is a huge crash outside the Angel's apartment. Jonas
goes to the window. Outside the building there are several
gray vans.
JONAS
They're here.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 5.
CONTINUED:
ANGEL
So is he...
We pan to find another figure now standing in the room, MR.
WHISPERS.
He kneels beside her. His voice is like the rasp of a page
of the Bible being turned.
JONAS
Does he know?
She shake her head.
MR. WHISPERS
Then it's true. I've never seen a
birthing.
She tightens as he inspects her.
MR. WHISPERS
It was painful. I can feel it.
JONAS
Fight him.
ANGEL
I can't...
He notices the hole with the needles and foil wrappers.
MR. WHISPERS
Ahhh, that's how you were hiding
from me.
She turns away from him to Jonas.
ANGEL
Go...
JONAS
I won't leave you--
MR. WHISPERS
Is that Jonas?
ANGEL
Please...
JONAS
Mon couer--
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 6.
CONTINUED:
MR. WHISPERS
Tell him I'm looking forward to
meeting him.
JONAS
Don't listen to him.
She begins to cry. There are boots on the stairs, rising
towards us.
JONAS
I love you...
ANGEL
I... love you--
MR. WHISPERS
Does he know you're lying?
ANGEL
Stop--
MR. WHISPERS
Or is it still our little secret--
JONAS
Angelica--
ANGEL
I can't do it, not if you're here.
Jonas nods, knowing he will never see her again.
JONAS
Adieu, mon couer.
He kisses her hand, tears wet her cheeks and he is gone.
MR. WHISPERS
Does he know you betrayed him?
She reaches into the hole and pulls out the gun.
MR. WHISPERS
Come now my child, how many times
have you made that threat?
Tears stream down her face as she cradles the gun.
MR. WHISPERS
We both know you won't do it. You
can't. You're one of us. One of
the Good guys and we TV
still have
Calling - For educational purposes only
work to do. Put the gun down.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 7.
CONTINUED:
She stares at him. A resolve growing in her eyes. The boots
are outside the door.
MR. WHISPERS
You're coming home with me.
She shakes her head.
ANGEL
No.
The door bursts open--
Mr Whispers rushes in, leading a group of paramilitary soldiers--
He is no longer where he was beside her. She puts the gun in
her mouth staring hard at him--
MR. WHISPERS
Stop her!
She pulls the trigger.
SENSE8 TITLE SEQUENCE
CHICAGO
Ratings
Scene 2 - Desperate Pursuit and a Tragic End
A ten year old boy is running through the woods. There is a
feeling of panic in him but he is not running away from
something--
He is running toward it.
Stopping he looks around wildly until he sees her: a small
BLOND GIRL, her pale dress glowing in moonlight.
BLOND GIRL
Will...
He rushes toward her but as he runs she disappears. He plunges
after her until she appears again.
BLOND GIRL
Help me...
Again she vanishes.
The boy tears through the woods until arriving at an abandoned
hospital. He catches a glimpse of her in one of the windows
and he rushes into a rotted hole in the facade.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 8.
INT. ABANDONED HOSPITAL - NIGHT
The halls are cankered by age; the walls cracked and seeping
with mold, the ceiling slowly surrendering to gravity.
Another flash of the girl, whispering his name, drawing him
deeper into the facility.
He hears other footsteps and voices and hides in one of the
rooms.
Inside he sees a large crack in the wall that is bright with
light.
He moves toward it, the presence of the girl growing acute.
He leans to the crack and peeks inside.
It is a lab of sorts, clean and well-appointed. He sees the
girl staring at him: she is locked inside a cage.
BLOND GIRL
Help me.
We pan back to Will and now he is an adult, staring through
the crack, his heart in his throat.
We pan to the girl who is now the Angel inside her apartment.
ANGEL
Help me...
She puts the gun in her mouth.
WILL
No!
And pulls the trigger.
Ratings
Scene 3 - Will's Sensory Overload
WILL wakes from the sound of the gun shot.
His body is slick with sweat. Sensations flood in: the
dampness of the sheet sticking to his limbs, the open window
and the sweet fetid air from of the alley lined by dumpsters
cooked by the summer sun, the pulsing techno drum of a party
going on in the next apartment.
A migraine inserts itself. It bores deeper with every thump
of the base until he feels it is going to burst.
He goes to the bathroom. The light clicks on, searing,
painfully bright. The tap is sweating.
TV Calling -The
Forcoolness ofpurposes
educational the only
metal feels good. He cups water and presses it to his face.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 9.
CONTINUED:
He takes a handful of Advil.
The dance beat continues to throb. It's really loud. Too
loud.
Back in his bedroom, he is frustrated, struggling as he pulls
on a pair of pants. He grabs his police badge from on top of
his dresser.
Ratings
Scene 4 - Will's Frustration and Riley's Cab Ride
The sound of the music fills the wooden floored hall. He
finds the door where the party is. He knocks politely.
No one answers. He knocks louder.
WILL
Hello? Hello? I'm a neighbor...
Now he knocks like a cop.
WILL
Hey in there! This is the police!
Open the door!
He tries the handle. It clicks and opens. Will steps inside
and--
INT. HALL APARTMENT - NIGHT
The the room is completely empty. The music rings off into
silence.
He is alone with his throbbing migraine.
INT. HALL - NIGHT
An old man peers at at Will through a cracked door.
WILL
I'm sorry, did you hear music--
The crack shuts.
LONDON
EXT. STREETS - NIGHT
A tall cab black as a hearse leaves a ghost trail of glittering
rain, its wheels whispering secrets.
RILEY: a girl so beautiful she feels more like a work of
imagination then a human being. TVShe sits- with
Calling her hand purposes
For educational outside only
the window feeling the stinging droplets.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 10.
CONTINUED:
She is listening to music, throbbing dance music, the same
beat Will heard, her earbuds forming an impenetrable auditory
bubble.
Her boyfriend JACKS is conversing feverishly with three friends
crammed into the cab.
He snatches her ear plug letting in a rush of noise.
RILEY
Please, I told you I've got a
headache--
JACKS
I know but you gotta hear this.
Nocker was up Norf at his sist'as--
NOCKER
My sis was cheggers--
JACKS
Big as a lorry--
NOCKER
I'm watchin' the footy, Westham
gettin nobbed by Newcastle when my
nieces--
JACKS
They're young, six and eight--
NOCKER
Little birds come downstairs, climb
onto the couch, totally mum and
cuddle up in me arms. We're close
an all but they've never done nofink
like that 'fore in their lives. We
din't know it yet, but right then,
my sister was at the grocery store
and had started bleeding, somefink
gone higgly with the placenta tearing
or somefink, blood everywhere, they
had to call an ambulance--
JACKS
Her daughters knew, somehow they
knew she was in trouble--
NOCKER
I rocked them, in me arms. Never
done nufink like that neither and
no one said nufink.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 11.
CONTINUED:
RILEY
Your sister?
NOCKER
Fine. Full of beans. Tyke's a
cracker. Like his dad.
JACKS
See, there's all this shit going on
even though we don't know what's
going on--
VEEJAY
Limbic resonance. It is a language
older than our species.
NOCKER
Veej'll cob on all night. All I
know is what I felt with those two
bitty petals in my arms was what I
feel every time I smoke this shit.
VEEJAY
DMT is triggered in the brain in
moments of limbic resonance. It is
a simple molecule present in all
living things. Scientists talk
about it being part of an eco-
biological synaptic network. When
people take it, they see their birth,
their death, worlds beyond this
one. I have watched people talk to
God, to aliens, to past and future
lives. They speak of truth,
connection and transcendence.
JACKS
Meanin' this shit's going to blow
our fuckin' brains out.
MEXICO
Ratings
Scene 5 - Telenovela Film Set Disrupted by Nun's Plea
Bloody and battered, LITO lifts his gun with the focus of a
killer, aiming it at a head as we pull back revealing an older
Priest, praying in the wooden pew.
PADRE
My son...
He rises as Lito trains the gun on his head. Suddenly a
beautiful nun comes rushing intoTVthe church.
Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 12.
CONTINUED:
NUN
No Tino, don't do this! I beg of
you! I love you!
LITO
It's too late.
PADRE
Have you come to confess your sins,
my son?
LITO
No, Padre...I've come to blow your
fuckin brains out.
PADRE
What-- I'm sorry, are we going off
script?
From offscreen we hear-
DIRECTOR
Cut!
We cut for the first time in the scene to reveal the telenovela
crew. The director rushes at Lito.
DIRECTOR
Lito, what is going on with you?
Yesterday you are having visions of
suicidal angels and today you can't
remember your lines?
LITO
I'm sorry, really sorry.
The director puts his arm around him.
DIRECTOR
Come on, Litoissimo, level with me.
Are you straight? I mean, off the
drugs?
LITO
Totally clean, I swear it.
The director nods.
DIRECTOR
Okay. Why don't you take five and
we'll set up for the close-up. I
need the line in the close up.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 13.
Ratings
Scene 6 - Interrupted Intimacy and Creative Frustrations
Lito paces in his small trailer reading his script. Clearly
he is unable to concentrate.
An erection is throbbing in his tight pants. He squeezes it
then talks to it.
LITO
Fuck. What are you doing to me?
I'm going crazy...
He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a tube of lube. Sitting
down, he pulls his member from his pants, then dials his cell
phone.
Someone answers.
LITO
I need you. Bad.
SAN FRANCISCO
INT. NOMI'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Californian sunshine streams through the milky industrial
windows of the warehouse loft as two figures move with the
gentle rhythm of a sea lapping against the shore.
NOMI and her partner AMANITA lie in a tangle of tattooed limbs,
dreds and stuffed animals.
They kiss as their bodies grind with increasing urgency. An
orgasm begins building in Nomi, Amanita feeling that tipping
point until--
NOMI
FUUUUUuuuuuuuck!
Amanita kisses her, the heat of their bodies pooling in their
sheets like hot wax.
Reaching below, Amanita unbuckles something. A strap-on with
a rainbow colored dildo falls out from the sheets.
Nomi is almost unable to move.
AMANITA
Is that what honey needed?
NOMI
I can't answer that question because
you literally just fucked my brains
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
out.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 14.
CONTINUED:
Amanita smiles.
NOMI
I'm going to have to live as a post-
coital vegetable for the rest of my
life.
AMANITA
Lucky for me, I'm a vegetarian.
She bites her neck and Nomi smiles just as someone knocks on
their door.
AMANITA
Oh shit. That's got to be them.
NOMI
I don't care who it is...kill them
and come back to bed.
Amanita tears herself away, going to the door but just as she
opens it--
MUMBAI
Ratings
Scene 7 - Joyful Lockeroom Farewell Song
KALA opens the door of the locker room. She looks around.
No one is there.
PADMA
Who is it?
KALA
No one. But I swear I heard someone
knocking.
RAGINI
It's the spirit of Basabi--
PADMA
She doesn't want you marrying her
little Prince--
DEVI
Too late Basabi!
PADMA
Our girl's moving on up!
They all start singing an Indian love song.
DEVI TV Calling - For educational purposes only
Into that big house--
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 15.
CONTINUED:
PADMA
No more nasty white smocks--
DEVI
Silk saris and servants and--
RAGINI
Kala? You're not going to forget
us, are you?
She stares at them hiding a secret she can never share.
KALA
No, never.
Ratings
Scene 8 - A Plea for Love at Ganesha's Temple
The beloved, elephant-headed Remover of Obstacles is surrounded
by flowers and burning incense.
Kala slowly approaches the deity bearing her offering of home-
made sweets.
KALA
My Lord Ganesha. I hope you like
this gulgula. I made it especially
for you. I put peanuts on top.
She sets the tray at the base of the statue.
KALA
I also promise to pledge my weight
in bananas for the poor outside.
Of course these gifts come without
any attachments or obligations. I
want to be a good person. I know I
am not important enough to deserve
your attention when there are so
many terrible things wrong in the
world. I can't tell you how bad I
feel even being here because I know
I shouldn't be asking you this; but
I have no one else to turn to.
She takes a quick peek making sure no one is listening beside
Ganesha.
KALA
This weekend I am to marry a very
important man who you probably know,
Rajeev Ragul. He is the son of the
owner of the pharmaceutical company
where I work. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(more)
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 16.
CONTINUED:
KALA (Cont'd)
He is very smart and very handsome
and all the women at the company
want desperately to marry him but
he never took an interest in
anyone...until me.
She takes a deep breath.
KALA
I have never seen my parents so
full of joy as when they received
his proposal. Maybe you saw my dad
dancing around the house. How could
I possibly disappoint them. I mean,
he is rich and there is absolutely
no reason for me to not want to
marry him except for one simple
fact...
She has not yet said it aloud.
KALA
I do not love him.
The elephant gazes with kind eyes upon her.
KALA
So, you see, I am asking for your
help. Please. Perhaps you can
make me fall in love with him. Or
if that is too much, maybe a small
miracle, like a monsoon to stop
this wedding from happening. Your
humble servant, Kala.
She bows, then walks to the scale where she is weighed amidst
the glow of candles and the swirling clouds of incense.
SEOUL
Ratings
Scene 9 - Sun's Unsettling Workday
Sun is behind her desk working at her computer.
The overwhelming scent of incense is making it hard for her
to breathe.
She opens her door, addressing her assistant.
SUN
Are you burning incense?
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 17.
CONTINUED:
ASSISTANT
No, Ms Bak. I have a terrible
allergy to incense.
SUN
Is it bothering your allergy?
ASSISTANT
Is what?
SUN
The incense.
ASSISTANT
I don't smell anything.
SUN
How is that possible--
The phone rings and the assistant answers.
ASSISTANT
Ms. Bak's office. Yes. Yes, I'll
let her know.
She hangs up.
ASSISTANT
That was your brother's assistant.
She said he still wasn't here and
Mr. Han-do had just arrived.
SUN
I'll meet him in the conference
room.
Ratings
Scene 10 - Tense Meeting with Chinese Developer CEO
SUN bows several times as she presents YUEN TAN-WU, the CEO
of a large Chinese developer with several gifts.
SUN
(Chinese)
<Welcome, Mr Tan-Wu.>
The older man accepts them coldly.
SUN
You do us a great service with your
presence this morning.
YUEN TAN-WU
Who are you? TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 18.
CONTINUED:
She reaches to the desk and presents her card.
SUN
I am Sun Bak, Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer.
YUEN TAN-WU
Ahhh, the sister.
She bows.
YUEN TAN-WU
Where's your brother?
SUN
He was... unavoidably detained.
But I am aware of all current
negotiation and will be happy to
walk you through our proposal.
Yuen stares at her.
YUEN TAN-WU
You're a pretty girl but you could
use some surgery.
The comment is so causal it feels like a slap.
YUEN TAN-WU
Your nose is too big and tits are
too small.
She is about to hit him but instead she breathes.
YUEN TAN-WU
Look, I'm an old fashioned man. I
do not believe in this new Korea.
I do not believe women, especially
Korean women belong on a battlefield
or at a business table. I'm here
to close. Women don't close things.
They open them. If your brother
isn't that means your company isn't
ready to work with us.
He says goodbye but as he does, Sun hears the strange bray of
an animal.
A variety of animal barks and pig-like snorts continues until
the door bursts open and JOONG-KI flurries into the room,
texting even as he talks.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 19.
CONTINUED:
JOONG-KI
Tan-Wu you sly old fox. Did I see
you at Min-Ji's? Everyone has been
after that girl. She turned me
down three times. Even if you say
no to this deal, I'm going to beg
you for your secrets.
Joong-Ki scoops him into his arms as the older man grins like
the cat having gobbled the canary.
YUEN TAN-WU
Seasoning is not a secret, my boy.
Joong-Ki laughs.
JOONG-KI
Espresso? I got some gorgeous beans
from Italy. Sun grab us a couple
coffees. Thanks sis.
Sun bows her head.
Ratings
Scene 11 - Sun's Unsuccessful Attempt to Speak with her Father
Sun returns with espressos. The two men are enjoying
themselves. She serves each of them, then looks for a place
to sit down.
As she starts to sit.
JOONG-KI
We're good here, sis.
Sun eyes them both then bows and takes her leave.
INT. BAK INDUSTRIES - HALL
She walks through the slick modern office. Everyone is busy
on their mobile or their computer but as she walks the
soundscape undulates until she hears the sounds of a Nairobi
slum.
Her elegant heel suddenly steps forward off a plank of wood
and sinks into the fetid mud.
She shrieks. Several people look up from their devices staring
at her.
Trying to ignore them, she hurries to her father's office.
The assistant stops her.
ASSISTANT TV Calling - For educational purposes only
Can I help you, Ms. Bak?
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 20.
CONTINUED:
SUN
I need to talk to my father.
ASSISTANT
I'm sorry but he's out of the office
this morning--
The last word distorts into the cry of a rooster as--
Ratings
Scene 12 - Capheus' Destiny Revealed
Capheus stares intensely at a rooster inspecting the home of
his GODMOTHER, a follower of the Maasai religion, who sits
cross-legged on a rug watching him.
CAPHEUS
...Now it just sounds like a normal
rooster.
GODMOTHER
And so it is...
The rooster finally flutters out the door.
CAPHEUS
Godmother, am I losing my mind?
GODMOTHER (V.O.)
The things you have been hearing
and seeing, Capheaus, these are
visions. Not dreams. It means you
have been touched by the hand of
God. Ngai sends each of us a
guardian spirit to ward off danger
and carry us away when we die. If
we have lived justly, the spirit
takes us to a place with many cattle
and beautiful pastures. If we
brought evil into the world, the
spirit carries us to a desert, with
no water and no cattle.
She touches his face.
GODMOTHER
It is very rare for Ngai to let
someone see his guardian spirit.
It means you have been chosen for
great things.
CAPHEUS
I drive a bus, godmother.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 21.
CONTINUED:
GODMOTHER
That is what you do, it is not who
you are.
CAPHEUS
Tell that to the rest of the world.
GODMOTHER
The rest of the world is not here,
Capheus. There is only you, and
me, and your guardian spirit.
(beat)
Tell me, again how she appeared to
you.
CAPHEUS
It was the middle of the night.
Olapa was full and bright.
Ratings
Scene 13 - Capheus Seeks Answers about a Haunting Vision
The moon silvers the room giving it a quality of a nitrate
photograph.
Capheus wipes the brow of his withered mother. She is wasted,
covered in the sores of AIDS.
CAPHEUS (V.O.)
I was trying to cool Mother down.
He dips the rag in a bucket and when he looks up he sees the
Angel looking at him; a faint smile as soft and fragile as a
butterfly wing on her lips.
INT. APARTMENT - NAIROBI - DAY
Godmother has the same kind of smile.
CAPHEUS
She was sitting on the floor...and
she was...blonde.
(beat)
Then she had a gun.
(beat)
And she shot herself.
(beat)
Why would my guardian spirit kill
herself?
(beat)
Maybe you shouldn't answer that.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 22.
CONTINUED:
GODMOTHER
Spirits do not speak in the language
of mortals. They speak in signs,
prophecy and metaphor. To understand
them you must look within, through
the lens of the heart and the mind.
CAPHEUS
So...you're saying don't know what
they mean.
GODMOTHER
I'm saying that their meaning is
for you alone.
Which translated through his eyes means I have no fucking
idea.
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 14 - A Migraine Amidst Rivals: Wolfgang's Contemplation at Yuri Hassan's Funeral
A priest delivers a homily during a funeral. It is a large
funeral crowded with the elite crime families of Berlin.
PRIEST
We are born into this world the
same way we shall leave it: alone.
In the back, WOLFGANG, a thief with the melancholic eyes of a
Carravaggio painting, gobbles another handful of ibuprofen.
FELIX
You alright?
Wolfgang nods.
WOLFGANG
Migraine.
Rain pits and pats against Wolfgang's umbrella. The smell of
the fresh dug earth is pungent enough to be distracting.
PRIEST
We know this whenever we turn from
the light of Our Lord. We know
this when the thoughts in our head
cannot be shared, when the sins in
our hearts must be kept. It is by
our secrets we come to know who we
really are and it is by those same
secrets we shall be judged.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 23.
CONTINUED:
STEINER, a rival who has the kind of hooked smile you could
open a beer with, leans towards Wolfgang.
PRIEST
The secrets Yuri Hassan takes to
his grave, we bury with him. Let
us pray that our Father is merciful
and forgives his child Yuri for his
sins and welcomes him home. Let us
Pray.
STEINER
Got myself a few of them secrets.
Wolfgang's friend FELIX leans forward.
FELIX
Your virginity's not a secret.
STEINER
You know your problem? You're petty.
Petty thieves. But not me. I'm
like Grandpa Hassan up there--
FELIX
Cold and pickled?
STEINER
I dream big, like he did. Nothing
petty. Nothing small time. My
next score is gonna be huge.
Legendary. When you hear about it,
your dick's gonna shrivel.
He fades back into the sea of black suits.
FELIX
I'm not sure what'll give me more
pleasure; the money or seeing his
face.
Wolfgang smiles.
Later, the body has been interred. The umbrella's are flowing
to the fleet of black cars. Wolfgang steps up to pay respect
to his uncle SERGAI.
WOLFGANG
I'm sorry, Uncle.
SERGAI
Children are supposed to bury their
parents. It's as GodTVintended.
Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 24.
CONTINUED:
SERGAI'S WIFE
If there was someone who didn't
give a rat's ass about God's
intentions, it was that old man.
SERGAI
True. True.
She kisses Wolfgang's cheeks. His Uncle hugs him strong.
SERGAI
Last few days all he talked about
was your father. Saddest day of
his life, the day your father died.
That's what Grandfather told me.
SERGAI'S WIFE
You should go say hello. We'll
wait for you.
SERGAI
Pay your respects. He was your
father.
Ratings
Scene 15 - Buried Past and Stolen Identity: A Tale of Two Cities
A tombstone engraved with the handsome face of Wolfgang's
father, VIKTOR.
Wolfgang stares, his eyes full of secrets. He pulls out his
penis and urinates on it.
NOMI (V.O.)
There are parts of our lives we all
wish we could bury and be done with.
SAN FRANCISCO
INT. NOMI'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Amanita sets down an antique tray of tea, scones and fresh
made jam, which seems somehow natural despite her tattoos,
dreds and leather mini shorts.
NOMI
But what you are asking me to do is
the kind of illegal that makes even
me nervous.
LOLA and DISNEY, two young SF dykes, sit across from Nomi.
Amanita pours them tea.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 25.
CONTINUED:
NOMI
If I'm going to do something like
this, I'm going to need more than
an envelope full of Benji's.
She tosses the envelope full of hundreds back on the table.
The gentle timpani of tea occupies the silence.
DISNEY
Lo...just tell her the truth.
Lola stares into her tea.
LOLA
When I was eight, my mom caught me
wearing my sister's dress. My dad
took me into the basement and beat
me with his belt. I promised I
wouldn't do it again. I wanted it
to be true, my promise. I even
prayed to Jesus that he would help
me make it true. But it wasn't. I
got into a fight in school and the
teacher saw I was wearing a bra.
That's when I knew I would never go
home again. I was living on the
street and got caught shoplifting.
The next part is the part she doesn't talk about.
LOLA
The cop told me if I sucked him
off, he'd let me go. I guess I was
pretty stupid back then. He threw
me in juvie and told me if I said
anything, he'd make it worse. But
I told the case worker what happened
anyway. Like I said: stupid. And
then...he kept his word.
DISNEY
That's why she can't get her
paperwork changed. That's why we
can't get her passport.
AMANITA
You said your mom's in Canada.
DISNEY
Yeah. She's got cancer. Not doing
so good. So we were going to go up
and take care of her.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 26.
CONTINUED:
NOMI
But I don't get how he got you for
a felony, if it was just shoplifting.
LOLA
He showed up to court with a cut
across his arm. He testified I
assaulted him. His word against
mine.
Nomi shakes her head.
NOMI
Cops.
CHICAGO
Ratings
Scene 16 - Tension in a Dangerous Neighborhood
A squad car prowls through one of the more dangerous
neighborhoods in the city.
INT. SQUAD CAR - DAY
DIEGO a handsome latin man is driving. Will is in the
passenger seat.
DIEGO
--Like this time I was walking my
dog and this this guy goes by,
totally innocuous, thin, scraggly
beard, didn't look twice but Butkis
suddenly goes nuts, snapping at
him, barking like crazy. Couple
days later, I see a sex offender
warrant out for the guy.
WILL
There are some things dogs and
animals can sense that we can't.
DIEGO
It should also be noted that Butkis
licks his balls all day and if left
alone will also eat his own shit.
Young men eye the car with predation.
WILL
Every time I come down here I forget
how much you can actually, physically
feel hate.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 27.
CONTINUED:
DIEGO
Gangbangers hate cops. Cops hate
gangbangers. It's natural.
WILL
Natural?
DIEGO
Like dogs hate cats. They're the
enemy.
A pair of eyes follow, targeting them.
DIEGO
And you certainly got plenty of
reason to hate them. After what
they did to your old man, I'd never
forgive something like that.
Will nods, absently assenting.
RADIO
One Adam 12 we have a report of
gunfire--
Will grabs the radio taking the call.
DIEGO
With any luck they'll be a few less
cats in the world.
Diego hits the siren and the car lurches down the street.
Ratings
Scene 17 - Encounter with Danger and Vulnerability
The squad car howls around a corner and races into an alley.
EXT. ABANDONED BUILDING
Gunshots are heard as Will gets out of the car. Several young
men race away, flipping fences, rounding corners.
Diego and Will head into the building.
INT. ABANONED BUILDING
Inside a sudden quiet presses the breath from them. They
move through the rooms until another gunshot rings out. Diego
takes one route, Will takes another.
Will moves through the graffiti'd rooms until he finds--
A skinny black kid, maybe 15 years old, laying
TV Calling on his stomach,
- For educational purposes only
blood pooling around him.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 28.
CONTINUED:
He steps inside, moving to help the kid when the kid rolls
over with--
A glock aimed straight at Will.
Sound collapses into a void suddenly filled by--
LONDON
INT. VEEJAY'S APARTMENT
The burst of fire from a lighter as Nocker ignites the DMT
pipe and inhales. His pupils dilate and he collapses.
Moroccan lamps, rich Indian rugs and pots of smoking incense.
Riley feels everything very acutely as she watches Jacks light
up the pipe.
He blinks and wavers. His head bobbles. Tears brim his eyes
as he falls back in a drug fugue.
Riley's heart is racing. She clicks on her Mp3 and dials up
the volume, finding a song from the Antlers.
Jacks crumbles into the menagerie of pillows.
Riley looks at the enormous bodyguard standing like a statue
at the door. When she turns back, Veejay is standing above
her. He sits before her. His smile is beautiful and assuring.
Gently, he plucks her ear buds.
VEEJAY
Are you alright?
She nods.
VEEJAY
You're sweating and...
He touches her wrist.
VEEJAY
Your pulse is racing.
RILEY
I'm fine.
VEEJAY
No, you're scared. But you needn't
be.
His smile is warm. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 29.
CONTINUED:
VEEJAY
You are so beautiful. I do not
mean just your physical beauty. I
mean the warmth pouring out of your
heart. I can feel it now even though
you work hard to hide it.
Riley wishes she hadn't come.
VEEJAY
You don't belong with these men.
You know it's true don't you?
She looks at the two men, then back at the kind face of Veejay.
VEEJAY
I used to be like you. Like an
exposed nerve of a broken tooth. I
used anything I could to insulate:
music, books, booze, anything to
keep me separate from the rest of
the world. I felt too sensitive
for this world. So I made armor, I
built barriers and walls and
eventually I felt protected. I
felt safe. But I had also never
felt so completely alone.
His eyes sparkle like black diamonds.
VEEJAY
Then one day a friend gave me a
gift. She took away my armor, she
tore down my walls. Her gift
reminded me what it was like to be
alive.
RILEY
What did she give you?
He shows her the DMT pipe.
VEEJAY
This.
CHICAGO
Ratings
Scene 18 - Heroic Rescue in an Abandoned Building
Will stares at the barrel of the gun trying to control his
fear. The boy lowers the gun.
BOY TV Calling - For educational purposes only
Help me...
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 30.
CONTINUED:
Blood is gushing from his gut. Will stares at him for a
moment, unsure of what he is supposed to do.
BOY
Please...
Will can't just let him die. He bends to his knee and begins
working to stop the bleeding when Diego rushes into the room.
DIEGO
What happened?
WILL
Gunshot wound. Looks like a hollow
point. Get an ambulance.
DIEGO
What?
WILL
You heard me.
DIEGO
What you think this is? TV? Ain't
no ambulance coming to Chiraq for a
gunshot. Not fast enough to make a
difference, anyway.
Will looks at the kid who becomes very afraid. He then pulls
off his vest and rips open his shirt.
DIEGO
The fuck you doin' Gorski?
He uses the shirt to staunch the blood.
WILL
What's your name, kid?
DESHAWN
Deshawn.
WILL
I'm Will. You need to press this
as hard as you can.
He lifts the boy into his arms.
WILL
You're driving.
DIEGO
Are you kidding me? TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 31.
CONTINUED:
WILL
I know you, Diego. You don't want
to stand there and let this kid die
either.
DIEGO
That's what he'd do if it you or
me.
Will isn't going to argue; he rushes out the room.
DIEGO
Goddamnit!
Ratings
Scene 19 - Rush Through the Past: A Squad Car Scene
The squad car blares down the street, weaving through the
slowing traffic, siren flashing.
INT. SQUAD CAR
Will holds Deshawn in the back seat, helping him try to stop
the blood.
DESHAWN
First time in the back seat, Will?
Will smiles.
WILL
Been here more times than I care to
admit.
INT. OLDER SQUAD CAR - FLASHBACK
Will is thirteen years old and his father sergeant Gorski
handcuffs him to the bar in the back seat.
GORSKI
You are going to sit here and think
about the consequences of what you
did.
He shakes his head.
GORSKI
I should send you back to your
mother.
WILL
Do it! I don't care!
Gorski slams the door. Will watches him -head
TV Calling into the store
For educational purposes only
that he just got caught shoplifting in.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 32.
CONTINUED:
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a sewing needle. A
moment later the handcuff ratchets off.
Gorski turns just in time to watch his son shoot out of the
car and race around the corner.
GORSKI
Sunofabitch.
Ratings
Scene 20 - Past Hurts and Obsessions: A Tale of Two Conversations
Deshawn puts his hand over Will's, the pain suddenly acute.
DESHAWN
You some kind a gansta cop?
WILL
Old man was police. Had my share
of teen age rebellion, I guess.
Blood seeps out around their conjoined fingers.
DESHAWN
...never met my dad. He was shot
before I was born.
BERLIN
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
An old Audi waits merged with the dark pools of shadow across
the street from a large mansion.
INT. AUDI - NIGHT
Inside the car, Wolfgang and Felix sit. Felix lights a
cigarette.
FELIX
At the funeral, after you left,
Sergai started blowing on about
your dad. I never seen a dead guy
get such a fellating. Told everyone
there wasn't a better boxman in the
world then your dad. Now or ever.
WOLFGANG
Probably right.
FELIX
Said the only reason he got caught
was because he was obsessed with
trying to crack an S&P
TV safe.
Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 33.
CONTINUED:
Wolfgang nods.
FELIX
Said they're uncrackable.
He checks to see if there is any reaction but Wolfgang is
silent as stone.
FELIX
Said your father was an idiot for
trying.
Wolfgang sips his coffee.
FELIX
You know I brought a drill. There
is no shame in drilling.
WOLFGANG
If we drill then Steiner knows it
was us.
A large Mercedes glides out of the mansion gate. Wolfgang
starts the car.
WOLFGANG
Here we go.
Ratings
Scene 21 - A Successful Heist and a New Identity: Wolfgang, Nomi, and Lola Achieve Their Goals
The lock on the front door clicks and two shadows slip inside.
The alarm warning begins to beep. Wolfgang uses a circuit
loop to neutralize it with the ease of typing a code.
Felix checks his watch and sets a two hour countdown.
In an old wood-paneled den, Wolfgang slides open a cabinet
revealing a large wall safe.
Above the dial is the proud logo of the uncrackable safe:
S&P.
We see the same look in Wolfgang's eyes as when he pissed on
his father's tomb.
SAN FRANCISCO
INT. NOMI'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Several espressos later, Nomi is at her computer, stroking
keys with the ease of Sampras stroking tennis balls. She has
built her own network with enough server power to host itunes.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 34.
CONTINUED:
Wearing ear-phones, she uses the blasting music to help her
stay focused.
Disney, Lola and Amanita sit listening to the clicking of her
keys.
DISNEY
This is so perfect. We wanted it
to be on Pride.
LOLA
You guys riding this year?
AMANITA
Our ancestors fought hard for our
right to wear ass-less chaps. I'm
not about to let them down.
LOLA
Will Nomi write about it? I really
love her blog.
DISNEY
Yeah, there's so much cynicism and
negativity out there but not from
her.
AMANITA
My girl's motto-
She gestures to the tattoo on Nomi's arm: "Pessimism is for
Quitters."
Nomi pulls her earphones off.
NOMI
Okay. I think I got it all. Karl
Steimann is one key stroke from the
void. I can't undo it once it's
done.
Lola smiles, unable to believe it, nodding. Nomi hits the
return.
NOMI
And so we bid adieu to Karl and all
of his troubles while we say Happy
Birthday Lola Grey.
LOLA
Oh my god, I can't believe it?
There's now no trace of me as him?
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 35.
CONTINUED:
NOMI
Consider yourself digitally post-
op.
LOLA
I don't know how to thank you.
NOMI
One day I might need a favor.
LOLA
Anything!
She squeals and hugs her. The studs in her lip rub against
Nomi's cheek. Nomi can smell her perfume. Another squeal
feels like sandpaper against her ear drum.
Tears sparkle Lola's eyes.
DISNEY
Mom will be so happy to see you.
Disney puts her arms around her.
CHICAGO
Ratings
Scene 22 - Deshawn's Reflections on Life and Death
The car squeals around a corner.
INT. SQUAD CAR
Diego winds the wheel between flashing hands.
DIEGO
Almost there.
The shirt is soaked. Deshawn's eyes are glassy.
DESHAWN
...It's cold.
Will tries to wrap him in his vest.
DESHAWN
My moms believes in heaven and hell.
She said the devil was going to
come for me when I died. You believe
in any of that shit?
WILL
No.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 36.
CONTINUED:
DESHAWN
Yeah...
There is the fear of uncertainty in his voice when he says
it.
DESHAWN
I seen a lot of kills. I got more
friends dead then I got alive.
The cold spreads through his body.
DESHAWN
If there is a hell, can't be any
worse than Englewood.
Ratings
Scene 23 - Desperate Pleas in the Face of Hospital Policy
The squad car bucks into the hospital's emergency zone.
INT. HOSPITAL
Will rushes in carrying Deshawn.
WILL
Emergency. Kids bleeding bad.
The head nurse stares at them.
WILL
We need help here.
HEAD NURSE
That's a gunshot.
WILL
I know.
HEAD NURSE
I'm sorry but we can't treat that
here.
WILL
What?
HEAD NURSE
It's the hospital's policy. You
have to take him to County or
Northwestern.
WILL
The kid will be dead before we get
there. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 37.
CONTINUED:
HEAD NURSE
I'm sorry, it's policy--
WILL
What kind of policy lets a kid die--
HEAD NURSE
We were losing so many resources to
gunshots, we couldn't take care of
all the other patients needing help.
We've been a better hospital since
we stopped taking kids like him--
Deshawn goes into shock, his legs twitching, his body shivering
in Will's arms.
WILL
Please.
LONDON
Ratings
Scene 24 - Psychedelic Reality and Suspenseful Break-ins
Riley inhales the DMT. She blinks several times and on the
final one we see her pupils dilate to the size of her iris.
She smiles.
RILEY
...do you believe in elves? If you
listen you can hear them...
Straining to hear their voices, suddenly all sound collapses
into a vacuum.
She floats somewhere between this world and another, fear
peeling way revealing ecstasy as--
The beeping of a heart monitor opens her to the soundscape of
a hospital--
INT. HOSPITAL
Will is watching the hospital staff trying to safe the life
of Deshawn.
The sound again collapses into void as the hospital sounds
become the scream of--
DIRECTOR
Action!
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 38.
INT. CHURCH
Lito turns to the nun.
NUN
I LOVE YOU!
She fires her gun, shooting Lito in the chest just as the
sound collapses again into silence--
Lito falls to his knees, fake blood pouring out of him as he
hears a bright metal clicking--
INT. MANSION
Wolfgang uses his high-tech stethoscope to listen to the
tumblers, dialing carefully each digit until the clicks
disappear.
He is disturbed that he can't hear anything until a Korean
pop song fills his ears.
Ratings
Scene 25 - Sens8: A Moment of Solitude
Sun is on the morning commuter train, plugged into her mobile,
listening a pop song when it goes dead--
She stares out at the car full of people plugged into their
own worlds until--
The sound of crickets fills the train--
INT. SHANTY
Capheus opens the package of retro-viral drugs and a bottle
of pain pills and feeds them to his mother, the sound of the
crickets pin-pricking into silence.
He looks around, walks to the door and looks out over the
slum as a huge crowd suddenly roars back at him--
EXT. DELORES PARK
Pink Saturday and the park with filled with LGBT from all
over the world.
Nomi and Amanita are stilling on a picnic blanket in the middle
of the maelstrom. Nomi is typing into her mini when the voice
of the park goes mute--
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 39.
INT. KALA'S BEDROOM
Kala is asleep, the room soundless. Slowly we begin to hear
the whole spectrum of sounds, each of the different
environments filling the silence until--
They start lapping on top of one another, layering until they
become a roar--
That jolts Kala awake.
The crash of the ocean fades back into a small tinnitus ringing--
INT. VEEJAY'S APARTMENT
In Riley's ears as she sinks back onto the pillows unsure of
where or even who she is.
Ratings
Scene 26 - Moral Dilemmas and Internal Struggles
The head nurse finds Will in the waiting room.
HEAD NURSE
Dr. Manno just came out of surgery.
Life signs are stable. He'll
probably make it.
WILL
Thank you.
HEAD NURSE
Can I ask you a personal question?
If he lives and then kills someone,
like maybe a cop, how are you going
to feel about that?
BERLIN
INT. MANSION - NIGHT
Wolfgang drips with sweat. He is suspended between two
numbers, two clicks, the nausea of a migraine disorienting
him.
FELIX
You alright? You look a little
green?
WOLFGANG
...I'm good.
He focuses back on the uncrackable safe.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 40.
CONTINUED:
NOMI (V.O.)
Saint Thomas Aquinas believed in
Sin.
SAN FRANCISCO
Ratings
Scene 27 - Nomi's Empowering Voice: A Dyke March Awakening
The Dyke march is getting ready to roll out of Deloras Park.
Rainbow flags wave wildly; the ecstasy of the event manifests
in all it's fabulous variations.
NOMI (V.O.)
He is considered an authority on
the subject, though he appears to
never have "inhaled" as they say.
He believed of all the venal and
mortal Sins, Pride was the Queen of
the Seven Deadlies. He saw it as
the ultimate Gateway Sin that would
turn you quickly into a Sinoholic.
But Hating isn't a Sin on that list.
Neither is Shame.
The park is a chaotic mess though there is a palpable feeling
of undeniable community bound by courage, respect and love.
NOMI (V.O.)
So today I am not marching for
myself. Today I march for all the
people who can't march. For the
people who are hated and shamed by
people like St Thomas because they
are different, people living crushed
up lives, hidden inside themselves,
made to feel inferior or unworthy,
made to feel not smart enough, not
pretty enough, not good or normal
enough. Today I march for everyone
made to feel ashamed for being just
who they are. Today I march to
remember I am not just a me. I am
also a we. And we march with Pride.
So go fuck yourself Aquinas.
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 28 - Safe-Cracking and a Musical Interlude
Every fiber of Wolfgang's body is poised tight, his breathing
controlled as he listens to the shape and sound of the turning
wheels.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 41.
CONTINUED:
He stares through a special lens at the dial, making notes as
he works through each and every number as if dismantling a
bomb.
FELIX
58 minutes.
We see a close up of the teeth inside the dial, each click
studied forwards and back. We realize the clicking is
familiar; it is the clicking Will heard.
FELIX
56 minutes.
Wolfgang exhales. He yanks the ear phones off and throws
them down.
FELIX
What?
Wolfgang find a remote and turns on the television, scrolling
through the stations.
FELIX
Whoa. Hey. What's this? We
throwing in the towel?
WOLFGANG
Need a break.
FELIX
You understand we got less than an
hour here? Unless I'm wrong and
Steiner is early, then we got less
than that.
WOLFGANG
You're never wrong about shit like
that.
He finds what he was looking for: Eurovision. He turns up
the volume.
FELIX
Really? Really?
WOLFGANG
It relaxes me.
FELIX
It's Greece for fuck's sake. How
can you care about Greece?
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 42.
CONTINUED:
WOLFGANG
This girl is really good. Her name
is Natalie. I watched her last
week.
The young female singer begins to pour her heart out.
WOLFGANG
Her voice is like a musical
instrument. She doesn't sing words.
She sings in a language of pure
emotion.
FELIX
Yeah. She's good.
Wolfgang tries to follow her voice, methodically pronouncing
the notes.
FELIX
She's never gonna win.
WOLFGANG
Why?
FELIX
Her eyes are too close together.
She looks like a camel.
Wolfgang can only shake his head.
FELIX
And no tits.
WOLFGANG
Shut up.
FELIX
Camel's never gonna win.
Ratings
Scene 29 - Past Shame and Pride Celebration
Wolfgang is an eight year old boy. He is at the front of the
stage of a small school auditorium. The other children are
behind him in the shadows.
The teacher is at the corner of the stage her face a rictus
of encouragement.
Parents sit in the uncomfortable silence of a child's sudden
paralysis.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 43.
CONTINUED:
The teacher hums the tune softly, trying to coax it out of
Wolfgang, but Wolfgang can't move, staring at something in
the back of the theater.
Suddenly we hear someone begin to laugh. Wolfgang's father
stands at the door in the back laughing at his mute son.
BERLIN
INT. MANSION - NIGHT
Wolfgang watches as she receives her judgment. Her tearing
eyes filled with excitement and hope slowly become fixed.
Her smile stiffens as her softness becomes hard.
She thanks her judges and crumples off stage.
FELIX
Told you.
A hardness sharpens in Wolfgang's eyes. He stands and returns
to the safe.
SAN FRANCISCO
EXT. PRIDE FESTIVAL - DAY
The Dykes on Bikes parade of the Dyke march is set to begin.
Amanita is topless, wearing ass-less chaps and well-worn cowboy
boots. She guns the throttle of her Harley, vibrating a giggle
out of Nomi perched on the bitch seat.
AMANITA
How's your headache?
NOMI
Keep vibrating my cooch. It's
distracting.
Amanita smiles and guns the engine again.
A green winged fairy floats out to them offering pot brownies.
Amanita pays the fairy and hands the brownie to Nomi.
AMANITA
Remember your first brownie?
NOMI
Our first Pride.
Ratings
Scene 30 - Amanita Defends Nomi at Pride
Amanita and Nomi are alone, the TV
parade long
Calling gone,
- For the park
educational purposes only
strewn with garbage, the fog coming in but--
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 44.
CONTINUED:
They are kissing. And kissing.
NOMI
...Your lips are soooo amazing.
EXT. DYKE MARCH
Amanita smiles.
AMANITA
You were so high.
NOMI
Oh my god I was... but you know
what I remember best about that
day?
EXT. DELORES PARK - FLASHBACK
Amanita leads a shy Nomi to her group of lesbian friends camped
out in the middle of the park
AMANITA
Hey y'all, this is the one I've
been talking about.
DYKE #1
Wait, I know you. You're that tranny
that blogs about politics.
Nomi nods, embarrassed from being recognized.
DYKE #1
I totally disagreed with what you
said about dropping LGBT.
DYKE #2
Hey, come on, relax, it's a party--
DYKE #1
We fought for that hard for that
recognition.
NOMI
I just thought the distinctions
were separating us--
DYKE #1
Bullshit. Just another colonizing
male, trying to take over any space
left to women.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 45.
CONTINUED:
AMANITA
You say one more thing about my
girlfriend and I'll colonize your
face with my fist.
The dyke clams up. Nomi is shaking from the confrontation.
She looks at Amanita, tears about to burst out of her eyes.
NOMI
I should go--
AMANITA
No, she's just a loud mouth Berkeley
bitch--
But Nomi is running. Amanita goes after her. She catches
her near the top of the hill.
AMANITA
Hey, come on...
She puts her arm around her and Nomi bursts into tears.
AMANITA
What is it? You never cry at stuff
like that.
NOMI
I'm not crying because of her. I'm
crying because...
Her eyes run as the words spill out.
NOMI
No one's ever defended me before.
Amanita smiles and kisses her.
NOMI (V.O.)
What I remember is, that was the
day--
Ratings
Scene 31 - Investigating the Dream and Enjoying the Dyke March
Nomi snuggles up behind Amanita.
NOMI
I knew I was going to marry you.
Amanita guns her engine again as--
Pride roars out from Delores park, bellowing down the crowded
streets of San Francisco with bubble machines,
TV Calling rainbow flags,
- For educational purposes only
leather, tats and feathered boas.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 46.
CONTINUED:
Despite her migraine, Nomi enjoys herself.
They see Lola and Disney, posing as they pass, Lola blasting
her music, "This is the first day of my life," by the Flaming
Lips.
CHICAGO
EXT. STREET - DAY
They are pulling away from the hospital. Will is buttoning
on a new shirt, replacing his vest.
DIEGO
Hey, do me a favor and warn me the
next time you're going to get all
crazy Samaritan on me? I'll take a
sick day.
WILL
I know you secretly feel good about
it.
DIEGO
Let's hope that nurse ain't right
and he ends up doing a police like
your dad got done.
The squad car rolls under the street sign for Damen. The
sign hits Will like a bullet.
WILL
Hey, wait minute. Turn here.
DIEGO
Why?
WILL
Do it!
The car whines as Diego forces the turn.
WILL
This is it. This was the street.
DIEGO
What street?
WILL
In my dream--
He is scanning all the buildings.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 47.
CONTINUED:
DIEGO
Oh, hell no.
WILL
I told you, I was there. I could
feel the sun from the windows. I
could smell the burnt mattress. It
wasn't a dream.
DIEGO
Of all the partners, I end up with
Mulder wanna-be--
Will sees the building where the vans pulled up outside.
WILL
There. That's it.
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 32 - Morning Alarm and Burned-Out Apartment Mystery
Felix alarm goes off.
FELIX
That's it. It's over.
Wolfgang can't hear him; he is deep in the zone. He can see
the shape of each and every wheel. The combination is a song
on the tip of his tongue--
CHICAGO
INT. BURNED OUT APARTMENT - DAY
The door clicks open. It is the same apartment where the angel
killed herself.
WILL
She killed herself right there.
DIEGO
Where's the blood?
There is no evidence.
DIEGO
Maybe she only shot herself in the
fifth dimension so we can't see the
blood.
Will examines the bed where the angel died.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 48.
CONTINUED:
WILL
Okay. I have never been here before,
yet somehow I know about this?
He opens the hidden compartment in the floor boards.
WILL
There were drugs. And a gun--
But the hole is empty.
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 33 - Dark Secrets and Perilous Heists
A car pulls up outside.
FELIX
It's Steiner. We have got to go.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT
Outside Steiner and two enormous goons unload his equipment.
Inside, Felix is in a full panic.
FELIX
Wolfgang! He's going to kill us.
Please, I do not want to die.
The lock clicks and Wolfgang opens the safe. Felix can't
believe it.
FELIX
You did it? You cracked the
uncrackable?
WOLFGANG
Formerly uncrackable.
He grabs a tray of glittering diamonds, pours them into a bag
and tosses the bag to Felix.
Steiner opens the door just as Wolfgang unclips his loop.
The alarm begins to beep. Steiner rips the box off and cuts
the power and phone lines.
His two goons carry the heavy thermal lance through the door
while Wolfgang and Felix manage to slip out unseen.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 49.
CHICAGO
INT. BURNED OUT APARTMENT - DAY
Diego heads out the door.
DIEGO
When you're done with your seance,
I'll be downstairs.
Will is alone until suddenly he is not.
RILEY
This is where she died...
He whips around and finds Riley standing in the room with
him.
She is radiant in the dark room; his eyes meet hers and it
feels like the ocean meeting the shore.
WILL
Uhh, hi.
Riley nods.
WILL
Did you know her?
She shakes her head.
WILL
How did you know she died here?
RILEY
I saw her.
SAN FRANCISCO
EXT. PARADE - DAY
The parade winds its way to the Castro. Nomi is taking photos,
waving, happy, until a single pair of eyes in the blurring
sea of faces find her like a gun barrel--
Jonas.
Suddenly images from her unconscious come rushing back to her
as she sees Angel and Jonas and Whispers and then--
The taste of the gun in her mouth as we see Nomi where the
Angel had been, her finger on the trigger--
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
And the gunshot.
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 50.
CONTINUED:
AMANITA
Hey. You okay back there?
Nomi faints and falls off the back of the bike. Several on-
lookers scream.
CHICAGO
Ratings
Scene 34 - Riley's Confusion and a Violent Encounter
WILL
Do you live here?
She shakes her head.
WILL
Where do you live?
RILEY
London.
WILL
What are you doing here?
RILEY
I don't know. I don't know where I
am.
WILL
Chicago. The near South side.
RILEY
In America?
He nods and she smiles.
RILEY
I've never been to America.
Will isn't sure he understands what she means when she sees
something; something that frightens her
RILEY
Oh no--
We whip pan off her look to London, to Veejay's apartment as
she watches Jacks pull a gun out of an ankle holster--
RILEY
What are you doing?
Veejay turns as Jacks fires at the bodyguard, blood exploding--
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
We whip pan back to Chicago, where Riley screams--
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 51.
CONTINUED:
WILL
What is it? What's wrong?
He looks around trying to follow her look but when he looks
back--
She's gone.
LONDON
Ratings
Scene 35 - Deadly Confrontation at Veejay's Apartment
Veejay is on his knees with Jacks pressing his gun to his
head.
JACKS
Open the fuckin' safe! Open it
now!
Veejay dials the combination of the floor safe.
RILEY
Why are you doing this?
JACKS
He just got a shipment in. Me and
Nocker been tracking it.
Veejay opens the safe. Inside is a gun. He reaches for it
and Jacks digs the barrel against the back of his neck.
JACKS
Smart guy like you's probably got a
gun in there.
RILEY
Don't hurt him--
JACKS
Why? You wanna fuck him? You wanna
suck his uncut cock?
There is cruelty even in his laugh.
VEEJAY
You should get out of here. Now.
JACKS
Riles, he'd kill you without blinking
if I didn't have this.
Jacks kicks him down and reaches into the safe, finding the
gun. He laughs. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 52.
CONTINUED:
JACKS
See? A fuckin' Smart Guy!
RILEY
I have to go--
Jacks grabs her, snatches her purse and throws it to Nocker.
JACKS
You're a part of this. Now fill it
up.
RILEY
Let me go--
JACKS
Riles, this is the break we've been
waiting for. You said you wanted
to go to America--
Nocker fills her purse with bricks of cash and handfuls of
DMT while Veejay moves toward another weapon hidden near his
water pipe, his hand inching toward the handle of a knife as--
Riley sees the bodyguard, blood still pumping from his chest
as he tries to lift the shotgun--
Jacks follows her stare turning as he fires--
The shotgun blast ripping off Jacks leg just below the knee--
Riley screams as Jacks goes down--
Nocker grabbing for his gun as Veejay strikes, stabbing him
in the neck--
Nocker spins, emptying his gun into Veejay--
While Jacks fires at the body guard--
The body guard squeezing his last round, blowing half of Jacks
face off.
The violence ends as abruptly as it started. Riley is speckled
with blood, standing alone in a room full of dead men.
SAN FRANCISCO
Ratings
Scene 36 - Nomi's Hospital Awakening and Identity Conflict
Nomi wakes in a hospital bed. She is disorientated and for a
moment can't recognize the face of her sister Teagan.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 53.
CONTINUED:
TEAGAN
Mom! She's up! You lunatic. You
had us scared out of our wits.
Nomi's mother, JANET rushes in with the nurse.
JANET
Oh thank God! He's conscious. I
was sure he was going to be in a
coma for the rest of my life.
The nurse begins taking her vitals.
NURSE
How are you feeling Michael?
Nomi feels a unique kind of awkwardness that only the
transgendered know.
NOMI
My name is Nomi.
NURSE
I'm sorry. Your mom kept calling
you--
NOMI
My name is Nomi.
JANET
What kind of name is Nomi? Have
you ever heard of anyone named Nomi?
You were Michael before you came
out of me and you'll be Michael
until they put me in my grave.
TEAGAN
Mom! Come on, she almost died!
JANET
Serves you right. You shouldn't be
riding motorcycles. Do you know
how many people die per year on
those things? She was just telling
me--
NOMI
Where's Amanita?
JANET
She left--
NOMI TV Calling - For educational purposes only
She wouldn't have left me--
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 54.
CONTINUED:
JANET
The hospital only allows family
into critical care.
NOMI
She is my family.
JANET
Please Michael. This isn't your
blog. This is your life.
NOMI
I think you should go--
JANET
I'm not going anywhere. I'm your
mother and I love you. It may be
on my terms but I do, so I'm not
leaving here until you talk to Doctor
Metzger. If you still want me to
go after he tells you what he told
us, then I promise I will leave you
alone.
Ratings
Scene 37 - Introduction of a New Taskforce and a Dangerous Criminal
Turkel stands before the room full of cops in the briefing
room.
TURKEL
I know a lot of you have seen me
lurking about. It's not just because
I'm a Butterscotch bacon doughnut
addict which I freely admit I have
become since arriving in your fair
city--
The cops chuckle in approval.
TURKEL
The truth is I'm heading up a
taskforce with Home Security which
means I'm here to help you guys
catch Bad Guys.
He clicks on his computer bringing up photographs from airport
security.
TURKEL
And this guy here is one of the
worst. Goes by a lot of names.
Jonas Barnett most recently.
(more) TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 55.
CONTINUED:
TURKEL (Cont'd)
Wanted for everything from terrorism
to peddling government secrets by
every intelligence agency in the
West. He was caught by these airport
cameras coming into Chicago last
night on the red eye.
Will recognizes Jonas.
DIEGO
What?
WILL
You won't believe me.
DIEGO
Don't say it.
WILL
He was there.
DIEGO
Aw no. I told you not to.
Will begins to feel the infectious grove of Beyonce's "Crazy
in Love."
WILL
He was with her just before she
killed herself.
DIEGO
Have you lost your mind?
His head is bobbing as he starts to sing.
WILL
You Love's got me lookin' so crazy,
lookin' so crazy--
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 38 - Felix's Energetic Karaoke Performance at Monster Ronson's
--where Wolfgang and everyone else in the bar are laughing
their asses off watching Felix, rolling on the ground, twerking
it up Beyonce style as he finishes the last few bars of "Crazy
in Love."
They applaud as he climbs down off the small stage and lands
on a stool beside Wolfgang, laughing and sweating.
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 56.
CONTINUED:
FELIX
I need more beer.
(calling off)
More beer!
(to Wolfgang)
I am going next for Total Eclipse
of the Heart. If I do not survive
the attempt, tell my friends I died
in a worthy cause.
Wolfgang smiles and sips his beer while Felix chugs his.
FELIX
Oh my god. I think this could be
the best day of my life.
He slaps Wolfgang on the back.
FELIX
You did it! You fucking did it!
WOLFGANG
We did it.
He raises his arm.
FELIX
The best goddamn boxman in the world!
SAN FRANCISCO
Ratings
Scene 39 - Nomi's Life-Changing Diagnosis
DOCTOR METZGER shows the MRI scan as Nomi looks on nervously.
He calls up another MRI scan on the screen beside Nomi's.
DOCTOR METZGER
This is what a normal, healthy brain
looks like. Two distinct, well-
differentiated frontal lobes. The
problem begins here in the substantia
Alba of the frontal lobe. These
two masses are growing into one
another.
JANET
You see? There's no separation.
DOCTOR METZGER
It's often misdiagnosed as acute
encephalitis but it's a condition
called UFLS, Undifferentiated Frontal
Lobe Syndrome. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 57.
CONTINUED:
NOMI
Acronyms are scary.
DOCTOR METZGER
Yeah, I'll be honest with you, Nomi
is it?
She nods.
DOCTOR METZGER
It's not good. How is your headache
doing?
NOMI
Better.
DOCTOR METZGER
We can help mitigate the symptoms
for a while...
NOMI
But?
DOCTOR METZGER
There is a procedure for treating
UFLS but it requires a very
aggressive surgery where we go in
and try to cut away the growth.
NOMI
Oh my god...
JANET
The surgery is also incredibly
expensive. You're going to need
our insurance--
TEAGAN
Mom--
JANET
These are just facts Teagan--
NOMI
You're saying I have to have brain
surgery?
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 40 - Two Paths, One Night - A Tale of Rage and Surgery
Wolfgang starts listening to the YOUNG WOMAN singing another
love song. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 58.
CONTINUED:
She is not very good but she is trying.
Suddenly there is a large booming laugh from a corner table.
DRUNK MAN
Worse than going to the fuckin'
dentist.
He sends out another huge laugh. The laughter triggers the
memory of his father.
Wolfgang tries to suppress the rage that suddenly erupts inside
of him but another round of heckling laughter is too much.
Calmly he sets his beer down and gets up from the bar.
SAN FRANCISCO
INT. ST MARY'S HOSPITAL - DAY
DOCTOR METZGER
It sounds scary but the prognosis
is a lot scarier.
NOMI
You mean if I don't have the surgery?
DOCTOR METZGER
Without surgery the tissue will
continue to metastasize. Patients
begin to experience a deterioration
of mental faculties. It is very
common for them to experience very
intense, very real hallucinations
and synesthesia. The osculation of
the nervous system usually precedes
complete loss of memory and an
occlusion of identity.
JANET
He told us if he didn't operate
immediately, you could be dead within
six months.
TEAGAN
Jesus christ mom!
BERLIN
Ratings
Scene 41 - Conflicts of Identity and Acceptance in Two Settings
The drunk barely has time to look up before Wolfgang hauls
him out of the chair and begins TV
beating
Callinghim--
- For educational purposes only
(CONTINUED)
SENSE8 101 59.
CONTINUED:
His fists battering the helpless man as he tries to drive a
ghost from his mind.
Felix jumps in and saves the man's life, dragging Wolfgang
from the terrified room.
SAN FRANCISCO
INT. ST MARY'S HOSPITAL - DAY
With no one there to defend her, Nomi begins to cry. Janet
goes to put her arm around her--
JANET
You understand now, Michael? You're
going to need us. You're going to
need all the help you can get--
NOMI
Don't touch me!
She knocks her away with the same fury that Wolfgang unleashed.
JANET
Michael--
NOMI
(German)
<I HATE YOU!>
The foreign language catches everyone, including Nomi off
balance.
TEAGAN
Since when do you speak German?
Metzger makes a note.
METZGER
I've seen UL patients speak all
manner of languages. Including
some that don't exist.
NOMI
Can I be alone now--
JANET
I want you to know you're my child
and I love you--
NOMI
Please. Just leave me the fuck
alone. TV Calling - For educational purposes only
SENSE8 101 60.
LONDON
Ratings
Scene 42 - Riley's Solitary Struggle in the Rain
Riley sits in the rain, curled into a ball, hiding behind
dumpsters. Her bag is beside her. She opens it like someone
looking for a spider or snake.
Inside she sees the money and the drugs. She wants to throw
them away. But something stops her from doing it. She
clutches the bag and runs.
FADE OUT:
End
TV Calling - For educational purposes only
Ratings
Characters in the screenplay, and their arcs:
Character | Arc | Critique | Suggestions |
---|---|---|---|
will | Will starts as a rookie cop with an idealistic view of the world, eager to learn and help others. As he faces challenging situations and moral dilemmas, he grows into a determined and conflicted detective who carries emotional baggage from past events. Through his journey, Will learns to balance his sense of justice with his inner demons, ultimately becoming a compassionate and resilient police officer who is willing to go to great lengths to save lives. | The character arc for Will is well-developed, showcasing his growth and transformation throughout the feature. However, there could be more consistency in his rebellious nature and impulsiveness, as these traits are mentioned but not fully explored in the character descriptions. Additionally, more emphasis could be placed on Will's internal struggles and how they impact his decisions and relationships. | To improve the character arc, consider incorporating more scenes that highlight Will's rebellious nature and impulsiveness, showing how these traits both help and hinder him in his journey. Explore his internal struggles in greater depth, delving into the root causes of his emotional baggage and how they shape his interactions with others. Additionally, provide more opportunities for Will to reflect on his growth and development throughout the feature, allowing the audience to see his transformation more clearly. |
riley | Riley starts off as a mysterious and introspective character who is connected to a larger psychic network. Throughout the screenplay, she goes on a journey of self-discovery, facing her inner demons and vulnerabilities while also exploring the supernatural and unknown. As she witnesses violent events and experiences fear and horror, Riley's perspective on crime and violence begins to shift. By the end of the screenplay, Riley emerges as a more empowered and self-aware individual, finding peace and harmony within herself. | The character arc for Riley is well-developed and allows for growth and transformation throughout the screenplay. However, there could be more clarity in terms of how her experiences with witnessing violence and exploring the supernatural directly impact her personal growth. Additionally, more emphasis could be placed on her connection to the larger psychic network and how it influences her actions and decisions. | To improve the character arc for Riley, consider delving deeper into her internal struggles and vulnerabilities, showing how they shape her interactions with others and her journey of self-discovery. Additionally, provide more context and development around her connection to the psychic network, highlighting its significance in her character development. Lastly, ensure that her experiences with violence and the supernatural have a clear and impactful effect on her growth and transformation throughout the screenplay. |
nomi | Nomi starts as a free-spirited and passionate woman who embraces her sexuality with confidence. As the story progresses, she confronts difficult truths, challenges societal norms, and grapples with her identity and family acceptance. Facing a life-threatening medical condition, Nomi shows resilience and determination to overcome challenges, ultimately finding strength in her vulnerability and authenticity. | The character arc for Nomi is well-developed, showcasing her growth and inner struggles throughout the feature. However, there could be more consistency in her character traits and development to make her arc more impactful and cohesive. | To improve the character arc, consider establishing a clearer throughline for Nomi's journey, focusing on her core values and how they evolve over the course of the story. Additionally, ensure that her actions and decisions align with her established traits and motivations, creating a more cohesive and compelling character arc. |
amanita | Throughout the screenplay, Amanita evolves from being a supportive and loving partner to Nomi to becoming a key player in their fight against external threats. As she defends Nomi with passion and loyalty, she also learns to navigate her own vulnerabilities and fears, ultimately growing into a stronger and more confident individual who stands up for what she believes in. | The character arc for Amanita is well-developed, showcasing her growth and transformation throughout the feature. However, there could be more exploration of her backstory and personal struggles to add depth to her character and enhance her emotional journey. | To improve the character arc for Amanita, consider incorporating flashbacks or dialogue that delves into her past experiences and traumas, shaping her motivations and fears. This will provide a richer understanding of her character and make her transformation more impactful for the audience. |
kala | Kala starts off as a young woman trying to navigate societal expectations and her own desires. As the story progresses, she uncovers her hidden secret, which forces her to confront her inner turmoil and make difficult decisions. Through this journey, Kala learns to embrace her true self and find a balance between tradition and modernity, ultimately coming to terms with her identity and finding inner peace. | The character arc for Kala is well-developed and allows for significant growth and development. However, there could be more specific challenges or obstacles that Kala faces along the way to make her transformation more impactful and engaging for the audience. | To improve the character arc, consider introducing external conflicts or antagonists that directly challenge Kala's beliefs and values. This could create more tension and drama, leading to a more satisfying resolution for Kala's character arc. Additionally, explore Kala's relationships with other characters in more depth to further highlight her growth and development throughout the story. |
sun | Sun starts as a determined and curious character focused on uncovering the truth, but as she faces professional challenges and personal confrontations, she learns to balance her duty towards her family with her own desires. Throughout the screenplay, she grapples with her inner conflicts and vulnerabilities, ultimately finding a way to reconcile them and embrace her true self. | The character arc for Sun is well-developed, but it could benefit from more specific and impactful moments that showcase her growth and transformation. Additionally, there could be more exploration of her relationships with other characters to further enhance her development. | To improve the character arc, consider adding key scenes that highlight Sun's internal struggles and growth, such as moments of self-reflection or interactions with other characters that challenge her beliefs. Additionally, delve deeper into her relationships with other characters to provide more depth and complexity to her journey. |
capheus | Capheus starts off feeling inadequate and questioning his worth and purpose, but through his journey of caring for his sick mother and seeking spiritual guidance, he learns to embrace his destiny for greatness. He overcomes his self-doubt and finds strength in his compassion and resilience, ultimately realizing his true potential and the impact he can make in the world. | The character arc for Capheus is well-developed and allows for significant growth and transformation. However, it could benefit from more specific challenges and obstacles that Capheus must overcome to fully realize his potential. Additionally, there could be more depth added to his relationships with other characters to further enhance his development. | To improve the character arc, consider introducing more external conflicts and obstacles that force Capheus to confront his insecurities and push him out of his comfort zone. Develop his relationships with other characters to provide additional layers to his growth and showcase different aspects of his personality. Additionally, consider incorporating moments of self-discovery and realization that further solidify his journey towards embracing his destiny. |
wolfgang | Wolfgang starts off as a skilled and confident thief, focused on his craft and driven by personal motivations. As the story progresses, he grapples with his past and family legacy, leading to moments of vulnerability and introspection. Through the challenges he faces, Wolfgang learns to confront his emotions and embrace his resilience, ultimately finding a sense of closure and redemption. | The character arc for Wolfgang is well-developed, showcasing his internal struggles and growth throughout the story. However, there could be more clarity in depicting the specific events or conflicts that trigger his emotional journey. Additionally, exploring his relationships with other characters in more depth could enhance the complexity of his arc. | To improve the character arc for Wolfgang, consider incorporating key moments or revelations from his past that directly impact his present actions and decisions. Develop his interactions with other characters to provide more insight into his emotional depth and inner conflicts. Allow Wolfgang to confront his vulnerabilities and fears more openly, leading to a more cathartic resolution by the end of the story. |
felix | Throughout the screenplay, Felix starts off as a light-hearted and humorous character who provides comic relief. As the story progresses, he begins to show a more serious and supportive side, especially during high-stress situations. Felix's character arc culminates in a moment where he overcomes his fears and doubts to fully support Wolfgang in a crucial moment, showcasing his growth and loyalty as a friend. | The character arc for Felix is well-developed, showing a clear progression from a comedic relief character to a more serious and supportive friend. However, there could be more depth added to Felix's internal struggles and motivations, giving the audience a deeper understanding of his character development. | To improve the character arc for Felix, consider adding scenes that delve into his backstory or personal motivations, shedding light on why he behaves the way he does. This will add complexity to his character and make his growth throughout the screenplay more impactful for the audience. |
diego | Diego starts off as a hardened and cynical cop, hesitant to help others due to the dangerous environment they work in. However, as the story progresses, he begins to soften his exterior and show more compassion towards the people they encounter. Through his interactions with Will and the challenges they face together, Diego learns to balance his skepticism with empathy, ultimately becoming a more well-rounded and understanding individual. | The character arc for Diego is well-developed and provides a clear progression for his growth throughout the feature. However, there could be more specific moments or scenes that highlight his transformation from a hardened cop to a more compassionate individual. Additionally, exploring his emotional baggage and struggles in more depth could add complexity to his character and make his arc even more compelling. | To improve the character arc for Diego, consider adding scenes that delve deeper into his past experiences and how they have shaped his cynical outlook. Show more instances where he is challenged to confront his emotional baggage and struggles, leading to moments of vulnerability and growth. Additionally, provide opportunities for Diego to have more meaningful interactions with other characters that further highlight his transformation and development. |
janet | At the beginning of the screenplay, Janet is portrayed as a rigid and controlling mother who struggles to accept her daughter's identity. As the story progresses, she begins to realize the importance of supporting Nomi and allowing her to be true to herself. Through various challenges and conflicts, Janet learns to let go of her preconceived notions and ultimately embraces Nomi for who she truly is, leading to a more understanding and loving relationship between them. | The character arc for Janet is well-developed and provides a satisfying resolution to her internal conflict. However, to enhance the emotional impact of her transformation, it would be beneficial to delve deeper into the reasons behind Janet's initial reluctance to accept Nomi's identity. This could add complexity to her character and make her eventual acceptance more poignant. | Consider incorporating flashbacks or dialogue that reveal Janet's past experiences or beliefs that have shaped her views on identity and tradition. This will provide a deeper understanding of her character and make her journey towards acceptance more compelling for the audience. Additionally, exploring moments of vulnerability or self-reflection for Janet can further humanize her and make her transformation more impactful. |
Top Correlations and patterns found in the scenes:
Pattern | Explanation |
---|---|
Relationship between Emotional Impact and Overall Grade | There is a strong positive correlation between Emotional Impact and Overall Grade in this screenplay. Scenes with higher emotional impact tend to receive higher overall grades, indicating that emotional depth is a key factor in the quality of the scenes. |
Character Changes and Conflict | There is a positive correlation between Character Changes and Conflict in this screenplay. Scenes with more conflict tend to result in greater character changes, suggesting that conflict drives character development in the story. |
Dialogue and Emotional Impact | There is a positive correlation between Dialogue and Emotional Impact in this screenplay. Scenes with more impactful dialogue tend to have a higher emotional impact on the audience, indicating the importance of well-crafted dialogue in evoking emotions. |
Tone and Concept | There is a correlation between Tone and Concept in this screenplay. Scenes with a specific tone, such as 'Intense' or 'Tense', often align with the concept of the scene, suggesting that the tone sets the stage for the overall concept of the scene. |
Writer's Craft Overall Analysis
The screenplay showcases the writer's talent for creating vivid and emotionally resonant storytelling, with strong character development and engaging conflicts. The scenes demonstrate a unique voice and a knack for exploring complex themes and emotions.
Key Improvement Areas
Suggestions
Type | Suggestion | Rationale |
---|---|---|
Book | Save the Cat by Blake Snyder | This book provides valuable insights into structuring and pacing your screenplay, which can help refine the overall narrative arc and improve the transitions between scenes. |
Exercise | Practice writing dialogue scenes with subtext to deepen character relationships and conflicts.Practice In SceneProv | Improving your ability to convey emotions and motivations through dialogue will create more engaging and impactful moments in the narrative, allowing the audience to connect more intimately with the characters. |
Screenplay | Read 'Milk' by Dustin Lance Black | This screenplay explores similar themes of LGBTQ+ activism, identity, and pride, offering insights into character development, dialogue, and narrative structure. Studying this screenplay can help enhance the emotional impact and authenticity of character interactions in your screenplay. |
Stories Similar to this one
Story | Explanation |
---|---|
The Matrix | Both stories involve a protagonist who experiences a sensory overload and discovers they are part of a larger system they don't understand. They also both feature a mentor figure who helps them navigate this new reality. |
Inception | The structure of interconnected dreamscapes in Inception is similar to the way the characters in Sense8 connect with each other. Both stories also feature a protagonist who struggles with reality and must navigate multiple layers of consciousness. |
Cloud Atlas | The non-linear structure and interconnected narratives of Cloud Atlas are similar to Sense8's use of multiple perspectives and locations. Both stories also explore themes of identity, connection, and the interconnectedness of all things. |
Heroes | The concept of individuals with special abilities who are connected to each other is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who can connect with each other. Both stories also feature a villain who is hunting down these individuals. |
The OA | The use of interconnected stories and the supernatural in The OA is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' and their unique abilities. Both stories also explore themes of identity, connection, and the power of community. |
The Host | The concept of a protagonist who is invaded by an outside force and must navigate a new reality is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who are connected to each other. Both stories also explore themes of identity, connection, and the power of community. |
Stranger Things | The use of a group of individuals with unique abilities who are connected to each other is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who can connect with each other. Both stories also feature a villain who is hunting down these individuals and explore themes of identity, connection, and the power of community. |
The Expanse | The use of multiple perspectives and locations in The Expanse is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who can connect with each other. Both stories also explore themes of identity, connection, and the power of community. |
The 100 | The use of a group of individuals who are connected to each other and must navigate a new reality is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who can connect with each other. Both stories also explore themes of identity, connection, and the power of community. |
The Leftovers | The exploration of identity and connection in the aftermath of a traumatic event is similar to Sense8's use of 'sense8s' who can connect with each other. Both stories also explore themes of grief, loss, and the power of community. |
Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay
Trope | Trope Details | Trope Explanation |
---|---|---|
The Chosen One | Capheus, one of the main characters, is chosen for great things according to his godmother, who is a follower of the Maasai religion. | The Chosen One is a common trope in storytelling where a character is selected by a higher power or destiny for a significant purpose. This trope can be found in movies like 'The Matrix' and 'Star Wars'. |
Tragic Past | Several characters, including Will, Capheus, and Lola, have tragic pasts that influence their actions and decisions in the present. | The Tragic Past trope is used to give characters depth and motivation, often creating an emotional connection between the audience and the character. This trope can be found in movies like 'The Lion King' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. |
Unreliable Narrator | The story is told from multiple perspectives, some of which may be unreliable or biased. | The Unreliable Narrator trope is used to create suspense, mystery, or humor in a story. This trope can be found in movies like 'Fight Club' and 'A Beautiful Mind'. |
Forbidden Love | Kala, one of the main characters, is in a loveless arranged marriage and is struggling to fall in love with her soon-to-be husband. | The Forbidden Love trope is used to create tension and drama in a story. This trope can be found in movies like 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'The Notebook'. |
The Mentor | Jonas, another sense8, appears to help Angel as she goes through the painful process of connecting the cluster. | The Mentor trope is used to provide guidance, wisdom, and support to the main character. This trope can be found in movies like 'The Karate Kid' and 'Star Wars'. |
The Rival | Steiner, a rival, hints at having secrets of his own. Yuen makes inappropriate comments about Sun's appearance and qualifications. | The Rival trope is used to create conflict and tension in a story. This trope can be found in movies like 'Harry Potter' and 'Mean Girls'. |
The Hero's Journey | The story follows several characters as they go through a series of challenges and transformations, ultimately leading to their growth and self-discovery. | The Hero's Journey is a common narrative structure in storytelling, where the main character embarks on a quest, faces and overcomes challenges, and returns home transformed. This trope can be found in movies like 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Indiana Jones'. |
The Mystical | The story features elements of mysticism, including a guardian spirit, a nun who shoots Lito, and a psychedelic trip experienced by Riley. | The Mystical trope is used to add a sense of wonder, mystery, and spirituality to a story. This trope can be found in movies like 'The Fifth Element' and 'Avatar'. |
The Anti-Hero | Wolfgang, one of the main characters, is a thief with a migraine who struggles with his father's obsession and his own rage. | The Anti-Hero trope is used to create a complex, morally ambiguous character who challenges the traditional hero archetype. This trope can be found in movies like 'Breaking Bad' and 'Fight Club'. |
The Love Triangle | Nomi and Amanita are in a relationship, but Nomi is recognized and criticized for her views on LGBT politics by a group of lesbian friends, causing tension and conflict. | The Love Triangle trope is used to create drama and tension in a story. This trope can be found in movies like 'Twilight' and 'The Hunger Games'. |
Theme | Theme Details | Themee Explanation | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Connections and Empathy | The screenplay features characters who can connect with each other across the world, and the story revolves around this concept. Empathy is also shown when characters try to understand and support each other. | This theme explores the importance of connections and empathy in building relationships and understanding between people, even when they are from different cultures or backgrounds. | ||
Strengthening Connections and Empathy:
| ||||
Identity and Self-Acceptance | Several characters struggle with their identity and self-acceptance, including Nomi, a trans woman who asserts her name and identity despite her mother's disapproval. | This theme highlights the importance of accepting oneself and being true to one's identity, despite societal or familial pressures. | ||
Violence and Loss | The screenplay features several instances of violence and loss, including shootings, deaths, and injuries. | This theme explores the consequences of violence and the emotional impact it has on individuals and communities. |
Screenwriting Resources on Themes
Articles
Site | Description |
---|---|
Studio Binder | Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters |
Coverfly | Improving your Screenplay's theme |
John August | Writing from Theme |
YouTube Videos
Title | Description |
---|---|
Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics | Screenwriting basics - beginner video |
What is theme | Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay. |
Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script | Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts |
Voice Analysis | |
---|---|
Summary: | The writer's voice is characterized by a blend of emotional depth, introspection, and vivid imagery. The dialogue is poetic, reflective, and filled with tension, while the narrative descriptions are atmospheric and evocative. |
Voice Contribution | The writer's voice contributes to the script by enhancing the emotional impact of the scenes, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue, and delving into the characters' internal struggles and growth. |
Best Representation Scene | 13 - Capheus Seeks Answers about a Haunting Vision |
Best Scene Explanation | This scene is the best representation because it showcases the writer's poetic language, introspective tone, and focus on emotional depth and spiritual themes. The dialogue and narrative style effectively capture the writer's unique voice and storytelling approach. |
- Overall originality score: 9
- Overall originality explanation: The screenplay demonstrates a high level of originality through its unique characters, diverse settings, and fresh perspectives on familiar themes. The use of supernatural elements, such as the sensate cluster and Mr. Whispers, adds a unique twist to the narrative. The exploration of themes like identity, connection, and redemption is done in a way that feels fresh and engaging. The vivid sensory descriptions and authentic dialogue further enhance the originality of the scenes.
- Most unique situations: The most unique situations in the screenplay include the sensate cluster's ability to connect with each other across different locations, the supernatural presence of Mr. Whispers, the fresh take on the theme of redemption and revenge, the authentic portrayal of sexual desire and exploration, and the unique juxtaposition of a modern office environment with the sounds of a Nairobi slum.
- Overall unpredictability score: 8
- Overall unpredictability explanation: The screenplay is highly unpredictable, with unexpected plot twists and character dynamics. The use of multiple locations and quick scene changes adds to the overall sense of danger and mystery. The fresh approach to exploring gender dynamics in a corporate setting and the conflict between law enforcement and criminals also contribute to the unpredictability of the narrative. The characters' internal struggles and emotional complexity further enhance the unpredictability of the scenes.
Goals and Philosophical Conflict | |
---|---|
internal Goals | The protagonist's internal goal is to find peace, escape inner demons, and seek love and protection. |
External Goals | The protagonist's external goal is to protect herself, save others, investigate mysteries, and navigate dangerous situations. |
Philosophical Conflict | The overarching philosophical conflict involves themes of redemption, forgiveness, duty, and connection, challenging the characters' beliefs and values. |
Character Development Contribution: The goals and conflict contribute to the protagonist's growth by challenging their beliefs, values, and actions, leading to introspection and evolution.
Narrative Structure Contribution: The goals and conflict drive the narrative forward by creating tension, conflict, and resolution, shaping the character's journey and interactions with others.
Thematic Depth Contribution: The goals and conflict add thematic depth to the screenplay by exploring complex themes of identity, redemption, connection, and inner struggles, highlighting the characters' humanity and growth.
Screenwriting Resources on Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Articles
Site | Description |
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Creative Screenwriting | How Important Is A Character’s Goal? |
Studio Binder | What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict |
YouTube Videos
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How I Build a Story's Philosophical Conflict | How do you build philosophical conflict into your story? Where do you start? And how do you develop it into your characters and their external actions. Today I’m going to break this all down and make it fully clear in this episode. |
Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great | By Michael Arndt: I put this lecture together in 2006, when I started work at Pixar on Toy Story 3. It looks at how to write an "insanely great" ending, using Star Wars, The Graduate, and Little Miss Sunshine as examples. 90 minutes |
Tips for Writing Effective Character Goals | By Jessica Brody (Save the Cat!): Writing character goals is one of the most important jobs of any novelist. But are your character's goals...mushy? |
- Physical environment: The physical environment in the screenplay is diverse, ranging from burnt-out apartments, dark woods, urban alleys, and various indoor settings such as apartments, hospitals, mansions, and a karaoke bar. These settings contribute to the overall mood and tone of each scene, creating a sense of despair, mystery, tension, or celebration.
- Culture: The cultural elements present in the screenplay include diverse religious practices, supernatural themes, LGBTQ+ representation, and various ethnicities such as Indian, Maasai, and German. These cultural elements contribute to the unique atmosphere of each scene and add depth to the characters' experiences.
- Society: The societal structure in the screenplay is depicted as hierarchical, with power dynamics and societal norms playing a significant role in shaping the characters' experiences. Conflict and tension between different societal groups, such as law enforcement and criminal elements, are also present.
- Technology: The technological elements in the screenplay are minimal, with the exception of advanced medical equipment, surveillance technology, and high-tech stethoscopes. These technological aspects contribute to the narrative by facilitating the characters' actions and adding tension to certain scenes.
- Characters influence: The unique physical environment, culture, society, and technology shape the characters' experiences and actions by creating a sense of place and context. The characters' interactions with their surroundings reveal their personalities, motivations, and conflicts, driving the narrative forward.
- Narrative contribution: The world elements contribute to the narrative by providing a rich and immersive setting for the characters' actions to unfold. The diverse locations, cultural practices, societal structures, and technological aspects add depth and complexity to the story, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- Thematic depth contribution: The world elements also contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring themes such as identity, connection, power, and survival. The diverse cultural and societal structures reveal the characters' struggles and triumphs, while the physical environment and technology highlight the consequences of their actions.
central conflict
The central conflict is the struggle between the 'sense8' cluster, who have a psychic connection and are hunted by Mr. Whispers, and the antagonists who seek to exploit or destroy them.
primary motivations
The primary motivations include the sense8s' desire to understand and control their abilities, Mr. Whispers' pursuit of the sense8s for nefarious purposes, and individual character goals such as Kala's wish to fall in love with her fiancé.
catalysts
The catalysts include Angel's connection with the cluster, Will's connection to Riley, and Nomi's involvement in Lola's case. These events bring the sense8s together and set the story in motion.
barriers
Barriers include the sense8s' struggle to understand and control their abilities, the enmity between cops and gangbangers in Will's storyline, and the stigma against transgender individuals in Nomi's storyline.
themes
Themes include the power of connection, the struggle against oppression, and the exploration of identity.
stakes
The stakes are high, as the sense8s face the threat of being hunted and exploited by their enemies, and individual characters face personal struggles and life-altering decisions.
uniqueness factor
The story engine's uniqueness lies in its exploration of a diverse, international cast of characters with psychic connections, and its examination of themes such as identity, connection, and oppression.
audience hook
The audience will be engaged by the thrilling premise, the diverse and relatable characters, and the exploration of universal themes such as love, identity, and the struggle against oppression.
paradoxical engine or bisociation
The paradoxical story engine is the concept of a group of individuals who are both connected and separate, as they share a psychic bond but also maintain their own distinct identities and struggles.
paradoxical engine or bisociation 2
A second option of what the bisociation engine could be is the intersection of technology and spirituality, as the sense8s' abilities are both a scientific phenomenon and a spiritual experience.
Consider
Executive Summary
The screenplay for 'Sense8' presents a compelling and ambitious narrative that explores the interconnected lives of a diverse ensemble of characters from around the world. The screenplay's strengths lie in its effective use of sensory experiences to link the characters, as well as its exploration of cultural and social themes. However, the pacing and character development could be tightened in places, and the overall narrative could benefit from increased clarity around the central mystery or driving force. With some refinement, this screenplay has the potential to be a captivating and thought-provoking feature film.
- The screenplay effectively establishes the interconnectedness of the main characters through the shared sensory experiences. This narrative device creates a compelling sense of unity and mystery around the characters' abilities. high ( Scene 25 (Multiple Scenes) )
- The screenplay provides insight into the cultural and familial contexts of several characters, adding depth and nuance to their motivations and decision-making. medium ( Scene 8 (Ganesha's Temple) Scene 10 (Bak Industries) )
- The screenplay addresses timely social and political themes around identity, marginalization, and the importance of community, demonstrating a strong thematic core. medium ( Scene 27 (Pride Festival) )
- The screenplay could benefit from tighter pacing and more consistent character perspectives in the opening sequences, as the transitions between the various storylines can feel abrupt at times. medium ( Scene 1 (Burned Out Apartment) Scene 32 (Burned Out Apartment) )
- While the character of Will is well-developed, his storyline feels somewhat disconnected from the broader narrative, and could benefit from stronger integration with the other characters. medium ( Scene 16 (South Side Street) Scene 18 (Abandoned Building) )
- The screenplay could benefit from more consistent character development and backstories, particularly for the supporting characters. Some characters feel more like archetypes than fully realized individuals. medium ( Scene )
- The overall narrative could be strengthened by providing more clarity around the central mystery or driving force that connects the various storylines and characters. medium ( Scene )
- The screenplay effectively utilizes sound design and sensory elements to create a visceral, immersive experience for the audience, blurring the lines between the characters' individual realities. high ( Scene 24 (Multiple Scenes) )
- The screenplay explores themes of morality, spirituality, and the weight of family legacy, providing nuanced perspectives on these complex issues. medium ( Scene 5 (Church) Scene 14 (Cemetery) )