S01.E10: What Is Human?

[Athena]

Will learns more about his origins and the threat to his future, while Wolfgang's actions catch up with him, even as his bond with Kala strengthens.

[Starla]

Hallelujah for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, one of my all time favorite pieces of music. That scene was totally sublime. I love that it was the first time they were all there together.

[MizStaken]

I did find that scene moving, what with the music and everyone remembering their birth. Beautifully done.

[Chaos Theory]

And someone brings out a rocket launcher.

 

That scene at the end with all the Eights births was really well done.  

[ahisma]

I just watched the concert scene and feel utterly high. I thought it was sweet that Sun and Capheus joined Will for fireworks. I LOVED that all 8 were there for Riley's dad's concert! Of course now I'm terrified because obviously Riley will be taken to the hospital and that is a really not safe place for her in Iceland ...

[debi49]

Lito's fight scene was hilarious!  I love that for all his cheesy action movie shticks, he had no idea how to actually fight without Wolfgangs help.

 

Loved the fireworks scene!

 

The birth scenes were so intimate I felt like an intruder watching.

[JessePinkman]

I just watched the concert scene and feel utterly high.

 

Tell me about it, I stared at my monitor in awe. Like...mouth hanging open. So beautifully done. And the newborns looked like newborns!

[SoothingDave]

So, we're seeing fireworks while we also see Amanita and Nomi in bed.  After, she says "talk about fireworks!"

 

Thanks, show.  I never would have figured out what you were going for with that complicated visual metaphor.  

[Trixie Belden]

The symphony scene at the end was one of the more powerful and moving things I've seen in a while.  

[justmehere]

This show...  I don't even care whether there's a conspiracy or shadowy corporation or whatever. I'm completely invested in these people's lives and am interested even without that other element.

 

This episode too -- just wow. Loved Lito and Wolfgang helping each other. Loved the fireworks and the talk between Will and his dad (Joe Pantoliano has always been a favorite).

 

And oh, the last scene. I don't even have words. This show is stretching boundaries (which are only conventions, after all -- Cloud Atlas reference) in such great ways.

 

 

I just watched the concert scene and feel utterly high. I thought it was sweet that Sun and Capheus joined Will for fireworks. I LOVED that all 8 were there for Riley's dad's concert! Of course now I'm terrified because obviously Riley will be taken to the hospital and that is a really not safe place for her in Iceland ...

 

Oh dear, you're right about Riley in the hospital. Yet I love that they took the time for something as beautiful as the symphony scene before getting back to the darker stuff. They really are so connected now -- hopefully that will keep her safe.

 

So, we're seeing fireworks while we also see Amanita and Nomi in bed.  After, she says "talk about fireworks!"

 

Thanks, show.  I never would have figured out what you were going for with that complicated visual metaphor.  

 

I took it for a laugh, a play on the cliche rather than the cliche itself.

[thuganomics85]

I like that even though it is the tenth episode, we still haven't gone through all the pairings yet, so it still feels refreshing.  Because, while a small moment in the grand scheme of things, I really enjoyed the stuff with Van Damme and Kala.  I like how Kala has never seen a flat-screen like that before, and apparently isn't big on films, since she's never even hear of Jean Claude Van Damme (but it all about the Fred Astire!)  And both of them are just so likable in their own ways, that it was a refreshing moment.

 

That said, anything involving Lito and Wolfgang stole the show.  Loved Lito popping in and using his acting skills to help buy enough time for Wolfgang to get the gun.  And, of course, Wolfgang had a rocket launcher in the trunk to add the exclamation point.  I shouldn't have expected anything less from him.  And then Lito finally goes and helps Daniela (after, what, six shots of vodka?  Damn!), and Wolfgang assets him with the fighting.  Awesome.  Glad Lito got her out of there and is willing to let his career fall for her and Hernando.  I think, as much as he likes acting, he will be happier this way.  Of course, we'll see if the ex goes through with the threat or not.

 

Glad for the return of Joe Pantolino, and liked his moment with Will.  The fireworks, including Van Damme and Sun watching, was nice.  Interweaving it with Nomi and Amanita getting in on, might have been on the noise, but I'll allow it.

 

The concert scene was something.  First, I just like that all of the Sense8 was there.  But then when I realized that we were going to see everyone's births, and then I really got interested.  Liked that there were all kinds of births like the C-section (Nomi), that water birth (Wolfgang), and all the random places like a car (Will) and a graveyard! (Sun.)  And did that kind of amusing moment where everyone seem to be watching something on TV during Lito's birth (poor Lito's mom!)

 

Of course, I figured something bad was going to happen, and it looks like Riley just got a nosebleed and passed out?  That's not good.  I'm guessing that scene before was her giving birth and that's what caused the accident? But yeah, after all the warning about how dangerous Iceland is, I have a feeling her being in a hospital, is going to put her on Whispers guy radar.

 

Jonas still seems to be helpful enough, so I don't know what to think about him.  Except that Naveen Andrews is still awesome.

[MizStaken]

I rewatched this one again today and I really do think it's my favorite episode. I don't know why i get so moved in the scene where they are listening to the music and able to relive their births. It's just so haunting and beautiful and it chokes me up.

And Riley (if that's her real name. When I went to Iceland a couple of years ago, I was told that there was a preapproved list of names that Icelandics could name their kids. I have a feeling Riley isn't on it.) Anyway, Riley, is it a really good idea to give musicians X before a concert? They did seem very relaxed so....

And I have developed a major crush on the actor playing Lito. There is such a sense of earnestness and sweetness to him that I am desperate to see more of him. He's adorable!!!

Edited June 14, 2015 by MizStaken

[bluebonnet]

When Jonas was talking to Will about where he was from and mentioned not knowing what to say because he has three countries to think about, he goes on to say "I envy people their clear cut allegiances."  This quote has really stuck out to me.  Is Jonas thinking of more than just where he's from?  It brings to mind what the Iceland lady said to Riley about how Jonas isn't to be trusted.  

[DB in CMH]

This episode nailed it for me. I love the characters and the setting, but the dialog is atrocious. The fireworks/sex scene? Daytime soaps are more subtle.

[AllyB]

There was a lot to love about this episode but it was also the first where I disliked the writing a lot in certain scenes. First off I thought it was a bit weird that Lito was so happy to watch Wolfgang murder 5 or 6 people. I can understand Wolfgang's motivation and he himself took more of a grim satisfaction in what he did, whereas Lito was whooping it up like it was an action scene in one of his movies. Maybe that's something that will be explored further in the series but coming right off Jonas telling Will that humans find killing easy as they can't feel like the Sense8s do, it felt a bit jarring.

 

The other scene I really hated was Nomi's birth. As the births were happening I was most intrigued by the idea of Nomi (Michael) being born. Watching her mother birth and greet her son would have been such a powerful contrast to the lack of acceptance she showed that child when Nomi could no longer live as Michael. Having hers be a c-section birth felt a bit like an easy way out of a thought provoking scene as it gave her a detachment in that moment that mirrored her later detachment from who her child really is. And was also a bit insulting to c-section mothers as the circumstances of Michael's birth were almost an explanation of the conditionality of her love.

I'm also intrigued to know if waterbirth was really an option in the GDR.

[SanLynn]

I loved the Lito/Wolfgang interaction but Lito's reaction to Wolfgang and the rocket launcher surprised me. Maybe it was because he was living Wolfgang's confrontation with him but he basically just watched him murder two people who were running away. A scream of joy and a high five weren't what I was expecting. Granted that jerk deserved killing and it was clear Wolfgang would have been dead if he hadn't killed him but..... I don't know it just felt off.

 

And all of this is happening because Wolfgang stole the diamonds before dead guy could steal the diamonds. I'm sure that's happened before and probably frequently in the world ..... it just boggles my mind.

 

Wolfgang helping Lito on the other hand was awesome. I loved that whole sequence and the follow up at Hernando's place.... I just love those three together. Wonder how his career will be impacted when Joaquin inevitably leaks the pictures like the little weasel he is.

 

I found some of the actual birth scenes uncomfortable to watch but I thought overall that scene was so well done. And having that on the heels of Will/Sun/Capheus watching fireworks together was fantastic.

 

I really liked the interaction with Will and his dad this episode. After being suspended I figured there would be tension or something but they really played it as a father and son who, while they may have their differences, enjoy each other's company and love each other.

 

It was also nice to see Kala interact with another member of the cluster besides Wolfgang. Has that happened to date? It feels like she's been particularly isolated in her own little world so seeing her with Capheus was fantastic. And I loved what he had to say about the TV. Feels like they really got some quality time together. I really liked that a lot.

 

Oh dear, Riley's in heep big trouble now.

Edited June 16, 2015 by SanLynn

[merryn]

 I like how Kala has never seen a flat-screen like that before, and apparently isn't big on films, since she's never even hear of Jean Claude Van Damme (but it all about the Fred Astire!)  And both of them are just so likable in their own ways, that it was a refreshing moment.

 

 

 

India has a massive homegrown film industry. We've seen Kala at the cinema with her family watching an Indian film. An Indian woman born in the mid 80s not being familiar with trashy 80s American action movies does not say that she isn't big on films any more than Capheus not being familiar with 80s Bollywood would say that he is not big on films. 

[jhlipton]

Does it bother anyone else that they keep referring to Bombay (even the Indians) instead of Mumbai?
 

Liked that there were all kinds of births like the C-section (Nomi), that water birth (Wolfgang), and all the random places like a car (Will) and a graveyard! (Sun.)  And did that kind of amusing moment where everyone seem to be watching something on TV during Lito's birth (poor Lito's mom!)

The other scene I really hated was Nomi's birth. As the births were happening I was most intrigued by the idea of Nomi (Michael) being born. Watching her mother birth and greet her son would have been such a powerful contrast to the lack of acceptance she showed that child when Nomi could no longer live as Michael.

Poor Nomi. All the others got these awesome births -- even Lito, foreordained to be a telenovela star, huh? She got a drugged-out mom and a c-section

Nomi's mom seemed like the type who would get a c-section. Can't let a small thing like having a child interfere with her real life.
 
 

And Riley (if that's her real name. When I went to Iceland a couple of years ago, I was told that there was a preapproved list of names that Icelandics could name their kids. I have a feeling Riley isn't on it.)

"Riley" could be a nickname based on her dad's favorite piece, The Who's Baba O' Riley.

[Rinslet]

It was also nice to see Kala interact with another member of the cluster besides Wolfgang. Has that happened to date? It feels like she's been particularly isolated in her own little world so seeing her with Capheus was fantastic. And I loved what he had to say about the TV. Feels like they really got some quality time together. I really liked that a lot.

I believe she had a moment in which she was "sharing" with Riley. She woke up in Riley's bed to the sounds of Riley's friends (Shugs and his girlfriend) having sex in the next room, but yes, at that point I think almost all her interactions were with Wolfgang.

[ahisma]

Does it bother anyone else that they keep referring to Bombay (even the Indians) instead of Mumbai?

I only remember hearing it once, and it stood out to me. But iirc, it was a reference to being born there. Since the city was not renamed to Mumbai until 1995, it would be correct to say any local 20+ was born in Bombay.

[jhlipton]

I only remember hearing it once, and it stood out to me. But iirc, it was a reference to being born there. Since the city was not renamed to Mumbai until 1995, it would be correct to say any local 20+ was born in Bombay.

 

Kala is in her 20's, so she would have heard Mumbai most of her life.  It's a silly, trivial thing to be hung up on -- on such a great show! -- but it does twinge for me.  

[Anisky]

Listening to Jonas speak about what "humans" are like-- the non-sensates, I couldn't help thinking:

 

Oh! Jonas is Bester!

[charming]

Lito and Wolfgang for the win! I loved their fight scenes. I want to see more of them. So happy Lito was able to put love over his career. I teared up when he went to see Hernando.

I loved that Kala's Father didn't act like a dick over her hesitancy to marry.

The birth scene was beautiful. I didn't know how much I would love it until it was over.

[darkestboy]

Holy shit, that was another brilliant episode. The birth scenes, the orchestra, all of it.

 

Kala and Capheus meeting up was rather lovely.

 

Lito and Wolfgang both stepping up to the plate.

 

Nomi/Amanita and Lito/Hernando reunions.

 

Will learning more from Jonas as well.

 

Can't believe I have two episodes left to go, 9/10

[ganesh]

I'm a puddle. I did really like how Lito understood Wolfgang's plan immediately, which he would have, but I finally got that Wolfgang is so strategic. When he opened the trunk I had a flashback to Breaking Bad. Oh, more yelling at the tv. 

 

Lito getting beat up was comical and it was fitting Wolfgang helped out. Throwing the flowerpots was hilarious. I'm wondering if that jerk would even release the pictures, knowing he'd probably get beat up again. 

 

The births scenes were intense. I actually thought Nomi's birth was spot on. It didn't matter who she was, she never had a chance with a mother like that. What a terrible person.

[jhlipton]

I'm a puddle. I did really like how Lito understood Wolfgang's plan immediately, which he would have, but I finally got that Wolfgang is so strategic. When he opened the trunk I had a flashback to Breaking Bad. Oh, more yelling at the tv. 

 

Lito getting beat up was comical and it was fitting Wolfgang helped out. Throwing the flowerpots was hilarious. I'm wondering if that jerk would even release the pictures, knowing he'd probably get beat up again. 

 

"I know how to lie -- it's what I do."

 

"I know how to hit -- it's what I do!"

[ganesh]

You could seriously build an episode just off those two lines.

[Clanstarling]

Does it bother anyone else that they keep referring to Bombay (even the Indians) instead of Mumbai?

Yes, it does bother me.

 

I only remember hearing it once, and it stood out to me. But iirc, it was a reference to being born there. Since the city was not renamed to Mumbai until 1995, it would be correct to say any local 20+ was born in Bombay.

They've referenced Bombay multiple times, I always notice because I have friends from Mumbai. As for the history of the renaming, which was partly to get rid of vestiges of the British rule, and partly because of this: (quote from a Slate article)

 

"The name change didn't impact all of Mumbai's residents. Speakers of Marathi and Gujarati, the local languages, have always called the city Mumbai. "Bombay" is an anglicization of the Portuguese name "Bombaim," which is believed to derive from the phrase "Bom Bahia," or "Good Bay." (Portugal held territories in western India until 1961.) *"

[Valny]

And someone brings out a rocket launcher.

 

That scene at the end with all the Eights births was really well done.  

Was it graphic?....because I was basically hiding my eyes during the birth montage.(I never know how far they will go on this series, so I didn't want to see anything too gross. And this is coming from someone who doesn't mind all the crazy stuff they do in horror movies)

[ottoDbusdriver]

Was it graphic?....because I was basically hiding my eyes during the birth montage.(I never know how far they will go on this series, so I didn't want to see anything too gross. And this is coming from someone who doesn't mind all the crazy stuff they do in horror movies)

 

It was graphic -- I'm pretty sure those were actual births they showed.

[ganesh]

If they weren't, I don't know if I'm ready for a real birth.

[Valny]

It was graphic -- I'm pretty sure those were actual births they showed.

 

Thanks ottoDbusdriver, I'm glad I hid my eyes then! But I did accidentally see something in another episode afterwards that I can't unfortunately unsee. :(

Edited July 11, 2015 by Valny

[myril]

The births scenes were intense. I actually thought Nomi's birth was spot on. It didn't matter who she was, she never had a chance with a mother like that. What a terrible person.

 

A C-section doesn't make a bad mother nor is it prove of being a bad mother. We don't know if that was a C-section out of medical necessity or decision by the doctors or a caesarean delivery on maternal request. Maybe it was implied that we should think the later, but then that works because they've already established that Nomi's mother is not a sympathetic person and likes to take control. It doesn't surprise, that Nomi's birth was the most clinical one of the 8, because we already think, her mother has no good relation with her.

 

Nomi's and Wolfgang's were the two births in hospital, Riley, Kala, Capheus and Lito were home birth, Will's happened on the way in his dad's police car, and Sun's was a bit of a surprise, happened on a cemetry. Could be all random, or not.

Edited July 11, 2015 by myril

[ganesh]

I highly, highly, highly, highly highly doubt that the choice to show Nomi's birth in this way was "let's make sure one of them is by c-section."

 

In the context of the births that we saw, clearly, this was a deliberate choice on TPTBs part. I'm not talking in general; I'm talking strictly within the paradigm of these specific 8 births. And knowing that JMS pays attention to detail. We were introduced to the mother first and then showed the birth subsequently. The likelihood that it was random is improbable though. 

 

This isn't to pass judgment on people irl who have given birth by c-section or born by c-section. This is strictly an interpretation of the specific 8 births shown in this episode.

[Clanstarling]

This isn't to pass judgment on people irl who have given birth by c-section or born by c-section. This is strictly an interpretation of the specific 8 births shown in this episode.

I took Nomi's C section birth only as an indication that there was a medical necessity. I thought the umbilical cord looked strange when the baby was pulled out. When she was born (given she's around the age of my children), so far as I know very few doctors would do C sections by request - and few insurances would pay for it. My personal knowledge came from my requesting one, and my doctor saying that if it wasn't for an immediate medical reason, then insurance wouldn't pay. (I anticipated a medical reason, but as it turned out, it was a non-issue).

 

I was surprised to see some interpret the C section as a negative against Nomi's mother (who has many reasons to be vilified, but this isn't one of them). Even if a woman is allowed to schedule a C section these days (which I understand is true), that doesn't make her selfish or in any way a bad mother. There are many reasons why you might want to control the timing of the birth. Just as taking the pain-killing drugs doesn't make a woman a bad mother. We judge ourselves way too harshly most of the time.

 

I'm sure there was symbolism, which could be simply that Nomi's birth as a boy was easier than her rebirth as a woman. 

Edited July 12, 2015 by clanstarling

[Cirien]

Yes, it does bother me.

 

They've referenced Bombay multiple times, I always notice because I have friends from Mumbai. As for the history of the renaming, which was partly to get rid of vestiges of the British rule, and partly because of this: (quote from a Slate article)

 

"The name change didn't impact all of Mumbai's residents. Speakers of Marathi and Gujarati, the local languages, have always called the city Mumbai. "Bombay" is an anglicization of the Portuguese name "Bombaim," which is believed to derive from the phrase "Bom Bahia," or "Good Bay." (Portugal held territories in western India until 1961.) *"

It's complicated: The name is inherently political so while some might call it Mumbai to cut ties with the imperial historical ties, there is the "South Bombay metropolitan elite" who have resisted the change and will continue call the city Bombay because of the ties that the name change has with Hindu extremist nationalism that they want resist. In the context of the show, it makes sense that Kala 's family would refer to the city as "Bombay" rather than Mumbai, since the name change was very recent and they seem like they would be happier saying Bombay, while the extremeists would call it Mumbai.

 

TL: DR Since the name change was political it would depend on which side of the spectrum they sit on with regards as to what they call it. Neither one is right or wrong

[jhlipton]

NTL: IDR [grin] Since the name change was political it would depend on which side of the spectrum they sit on with regards as to what they call it. Neither one is right or wrong

 

Thanks for the explanation.

 

ETA: I just did a quick, highly unscientific poll of several Indians in my office -- they all said "Mumbai" and that only a few people still say "Bombay".  None of them seemed to think it was political.  But this was just 5 or 6 people, with several selection biases.

Edited August 4, 2015 by jhlipton

[Cirien]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

ETA: I just did a quick, highly unscientific poll of several Indians in my office -- they all said "Mumbai" and that only a few people still say "Bombay".  None of them seemed to think it was political.  But this was just 5 or 6 people, with several selection biases.

 

 

Exactly: The key word is bias. OTOH I just asked my father who's the same age (in fact probably older) than the Indian fathers seen in the show and he still calls is Bombay. All of his friends back in India call it Bombay. All of his friends over in the U.K ( where we live) call it Bombay. This post goes into much more of the political nature of the name change including this: Most liberal Indians still prefer calling it Bombay. They are not opposed to the new name, but they don’t like the pro-violence, xenophobic political parties and the agendas behind the name change. http://www.sameerhalai.com/blog/mumbai-or-bombay-doesnt-matter-youre-probably-saying-it-wrong-anyway/

From here: http://www.sameerhalai.com/blog/mumbai-or-bombay-doesnt-matter-youre-probably-saying-it-wrong-anyway/

[jhlipton]

Exactly: The key word is bias. 

 

Yep.

 

I had thought that Mumbai was a "corrected" pronunciation of of Bombay (like Moscva or Roma).  But they are completely different words from different languages.  

 

Thanks much for the info!

[Holmbo]

I felt like the birth scenes were meant to be symbolic for each one of the sensates. Will was born in a cop car, Riley was born while her father played for her, Lito was born to tv sounds, Kala was born by a Ganesha statute,. Sun was born on a cemetery which could perhaps symbolize lonliness or a lacking in her life. Nomi was born through c section symbolizing a lack of connection between her and her mother (only symbolic, it obviously doesn't matter in real life) The only ones I can't think of anything for are Capheus and Wolfgang.

[myril]

While we might look at cemeteries more as places of morning and death, they can be as well seen as place of connecting with ancestors, family, evoking the idea of continuity and reassuring tradition. In Sun's case both is possible, a hint of coming isolation as much as her life centering around family and family tradition.

Wolfgang was born into water - and he shows some liking for swimming later. But thinking a step further : Water means life, it stands for purity, cleansing, renewal, rebirth, transformation, water is essential for life but also can be violent, destructive, deathly.

Some people noticed, that it was heavily raining in Kala's birth scene. Aside from the obvious conclusion, Wolfgang and Kala meant for each other (if you want to see it that way), can take it as well as them being these two sides of water.

 

Capheus - his birth scene made me think of earth as symbolic element, mostly because of the colors, down to earth, stability, steadfast, the classical element representing motherhood, caring. But as well found it noticable how bare the place was, the hut, the had pretty much only each other, with a little help.

 

Riley's father didn't just play music to her, he did so over phone. Music creating a connection over distance. Additionally interesting that her father was an important part of the birth scene, as was Will's father, while there were no men present in the case of Wolfgang, Capheus, Sun and Kala.

 

Lito was kinda born into a soap opera, with his family mingling excitement about the fictional story with the excitement of his birth. His father was there by the way.

[romantic idiot]

I love that. That is cool. 

 

Does it bother anyone else that they keep referring to Bombay (even the Indians) instead of Mumbai?

No. I still call it Bombay and i was born in 1981, lived in Bombay for 2 years, and have it as one of my 2 favourite cities in the world. The other being Calcutta, which I still call Calcutta and not Kolkata.

 

Yes, it does bother me.

 

They've referenced Bombay multiple times, I always notice because I have friends from Mumbai. As for the history of the renaming, which was partly to get rid of vestiges of the British rule, and partly because of this: (quote from a Slate article)

 

"The name change didn't impact all of Mumbai's residents. Speakers of Marathi and Gujarati, the local languages, have always called the city Mumbai. "Bombay" is an anglicization of the Portuguese name "Bombaim," which is believed to derive from the phrase "Bom Bahia," or "Good Bay." (Portugal held territories in western India until 1961.) *"

Eh. Renaming cities and streets is what politicians do when they haven't done any real work and elections are nigh. Doesn't mean I have to follow it. 

 

Exactly: The key word is bias. OTOH I just asked my father who's the same age (in fact probably older) than the Indian fathers seen in the show and he still calls is Bombay. All of his friends back in India call it Bombay. All of his friends over in the U.K ( where we live) call it Bombay. This post goes into much more of the political nature of the name change including this: Most liberal Indians still prefer calling it Bombay. They are not opposed to the new name, but they don’t like the pro-violence, xenophobic political parties and the agendas behind the name change. http://www.sameerhalai.com/blog/mumbai-or-bombay-doesnt-matter-youre-probably-saying-it-wrong-anyway/

From here: http://www.sameerhalai.com/blog/mumbai-or-bombay-doesnt-matter-youre-probably-saying-it-wrong-anyway/

This. 

 

What I found more confusing than referring to the city as Bombay (by the way, I love that some of my favourite (and best) Indian actors are in the series, and they'd have been the first to protest) was Kala's birth being at home. WTF was up with that? With the Ganesha statue and all. Their family look well off enough to have gone to a hospital or a nursing home.

[Holmbo]

What I found more confusing than referring to the city as Bombay (by the way, I love that some of my favourite (and best) Indian actors are in the series, and they'd have been the first to protest) was Kala's birth being at home. WTF was up with that? With the Ganesha statue and all. Their family look well off enough to have gone to a hospital or a nursing home.

 

I found that weird too. But I think it was just to make each birth personal. Riley too was born at home and while it could be just a personal thing for her mother I think people in Island would prefer giving birth in a hospital rather than on a couch. I'm assuming it's free like in other scandinavian countries. In DDR it would probably also be standard to give birth at a hospital too.

Overall I think the story has dealt well with the diversity. There are a lot of clishes but because they are quiet evenly distributed over the whole cast it doesn't feel insulting to any particular ethnicity IMO. If I would have any complaints it would be about Capheus character. I liked his story but I feel that perhaps it would have been more interesting to see a middle class Kenyian. Like they could have had him be the cop and Will the bus driver.

[possibilities]

I don't know about Iceland, but in the 1980s when I was studying birthing norms around the world, it was very common to have home births in the Netherlands. The hospital was only used for high risk situations and in many places home birth is the preferred, normal course. I wouldn't be surprised if this were true in Iceland, as well. In many ways, the USA is much less accepting of varied birthing options (like water births, for example) than other places, and regards them as strange or fringe. By contrast, in many other places birth is not so much a medical procedure as a part of normal life, so more freedom and less fear or weirdness surrounds individual preferences.

[Holmbo]

Wonder no more http://english.hi.is/science/home_births_iceland_increase_considerably

About 2% of births in Iceland are home births according to University of Iceland. So not at all the norm for Iceland just as it would not be the norm for Kala to be born at home.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I'm not a diamond thief so I never knew that ice cubes were the perfect place to hide them!

Man, Steiner is a little prick. I can't decide if I feel sorry for Steiner's father for having such an asshole of a son or if I should blame Steiner's father for raising him to be such an asshole.

Lito's "May I?" cracked me up, as did his glee after Wolfgang blew up Steiner's car (mostly because I think he needed something really big to pull him out of his depression about Hernando). I just wish Wolfgang would have at least said thank you. Where was Sun when Lito was getting his ass kicked by Joaquin? Come on, guys, you have to work together! Loved when Wolfgang showed up and gave Joaquin the ass kicking he so richly deserved after all the times he hit Daniela.

When Will and Riley kissed, I was expecting Diego to show up and catch him making out with air again.

When Sun hesitated and then asked what would happen to her brother, I was afraid she wouldn't sign the papers. Thank goodness she did!

Knowing how close BPO has come to catching several of the sensates, every time one of them is near a family member, I'm afraid that BPO is going to sneak up and kill someone's dad (or Neets). For that reason, I was glad that Sven was sitting next to Riley at her father's show so that BPO wouldn't just show up and toss her off the balcony or kidnap her.

While I get Nomi's logic in the previous episode about why she thinks BPO won't look for her at their apartment, I still don't think it's safe for them to be in their apartment. BPO could have just one guy watching their place and that's all it would take for them to be found.

Heh, when Will's father lit the grill, all I could hear was Eddie Murphy yelling, "Now that's a fire!" Loved that Sun and Capheus showed up for the fireworks and everyone in the audience at Gunnar's performance. And I'm glad that we got an example of the sensates showing up during a happy situation for a change. As glad as I am when they pop up to help each other out during dangerous situations, it was really nice to see them sharing a happy experience together. Best part of all the birth scenes was Lito's family watching the soap opera. I really enjoyed the variety of the birth scenes too.

 

On 7/10/2015 at 11:20 AM, Clanstarling said:

They've referenced Bombay multiple times, I always notice because I have friends from Mumbai. As for the history of the renaming, which was partly to get rid of vestiges of the British rule, and partly because of this: (quote from a Slate article)

"The name change didn't impact all of Mumbai's residents. Speakers of Marathi and Gujarati, the local languages, have always called the city Mumbai. "Bombay" is an anglicization of the Portuguese name "Bombaim," which is believed to derive from the phrase "Bom Bahia," or "Good Bay." (Portugal held territories in western India until 1961.) *"

I thought it was understandable. I know that this isn't nearly as politically charged, but I know people who still refer to stadiums by their older names (not the new corporate sponsored name). It's not because they have strong feelings about the commercialization of sports either - it's just that they and everyone they knew grew up referring to the local stadium by a particular name so they still call it that out of habit. One of the stadiums in San Diego was originally San Diego Stadium (1967-1981), was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium (1981-1997), and then was renamed Qualcomm Stadium in 1997. People STILL call it the Murph even though it's been twenty years since the name change.

Edited August 4, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo