Best of the 2010s: The relationships that shaped the decade

Best of the 2010s in 2017: Nomi and Amanita, “Nomanita,” from Sense8

While progress is still crawling along at a snail’s pace, one of the best things about this past decade was television’s move to finally be more inclusive and do a better job of representing the world that we live in. Enter Netflix’s Sense8, which explored an intense connection between eight people from all walks of life around the world, and one could argue that the series itself and the relationship between all of its characters was one of our biggest moves forward. Much like Timeless, Sense8 was canceled far too soon, then given a wrap-up movie.

But forget about the (totally unfair, and yes we’re still kind of bitter about it) cancellation for a moment: Sense8‘s second—and final—season finale featured a proposal between Nomi and Amanita, a moment in 2017 that gives their relationship the perfect excuse to be featured for that year’s ranking in the best of the 2010s. After all, if you want to see television moments for shippers, proposals are usually pretty high on the list of wishes.

All ship outcome wishes aside, though, Nomanita could—and should—be on our best of the 2010s list in any year we choose, though; and it all comes down to representation. This pairing featured a transwoman (Nomi) in a loving relationship with a woman of color (Amanita), something television was sorely lacking up until that point. As icing on the cake, Nomi was played by a transwoman, rather than having the role given to a cisgendered woman as happens far too often.

And as Jamie Clayton points out in the video below, Nomi’s story wasn’t about her coming out or transitioning. Instead, it was about the incredibly complex and dangerous life she lived as one of the sensates—and, of course, her beautiful love for Amanita.

Add that to the wonderfully diverse cast of characters living alongside Nomanita in Sense8, and if that doesn’t scream “best of the 2010s” at you, I don’t know what does.