3 Body Problem, a much-awaited Netflix series, has drawn in science fiction fans all across the world.
This series is based on Liu Cixin’s acclaimed novel Remembrance of Earth’s Past and is directed by Alexander Woo, along with Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
Is it worth the hype? Let’s explore the plot of the series and decide if it’s worth your time.
What Is the Setting of 3 Body Problem?
3 Body Problem has a complicated storyline that jumps between two timelines: China’s Cultural Revolution and the present-day 21st Century.
During China’s Cultural Revolution, Ye Wenjie, played by Zine Tseng, witnesses the brutal death of her father, a physicist, at the hands of the Red Guards.
Disheartened by humanity, Ye Wenjie becomes involved in a top-secret military project known as Red Coast, which aims to contact extraterrestrial life.
While working at Red Coast, Ye Wenjie makes a fateful decision. She transmits a message into space, hoping that a superior alien civilization will intervene to bring about the collapse of human society.
This message reaches the Trisolarans, an alien species from a nearby star system where the planet orbits three suns in an unpredictable pattern, causing extreme and chaotic environmental conditions.
Facing the impending destruction of their planet, the Trisolarans plan to invade Earth. However, the vast distance between their star system and Earth means that their invasion fleet will take centuries to arrive.
Meanwhile, a clandestine group known as the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO) emerges on Earth. It consists of individuals like Ye Wenjie who have lost faith in humanity and are willing to ally with the alien invaders.
Present Day 21st Century Mysteries and Alien Threats
In the present-day setting, scientists at the forefront of research are committing suicide worldwide.
This has caught the attention of Clarence (Benedict Wong), a seasoned investigator with cross-jurisdictional authority, who is determined to unravel the mystery behind these tragic deaths.
Five former Oxford classmates, known as the Oxford Five, who once showed immense promise in their respective fields, have also reunited to make sense of this global puzzle.
The Oxford Five include Jin (Jess Hong), Auggie (Eiza González), Will (Alex Sharp), Jack (John Bradley), and Saul (Jovan Adepo).
Out of nowhere, Auggie, a brilliant researcher in nanomaterials, starts seeing a cryptic countdown covering half of her vision.
She is confronted by a mysterious woman called Tatiana, who urges her to abandon her research and observe the sky at night.
Auggie and her fellow physicist Saul witness the stars flickering in the night sky, an event that captivates the world and prompts widespread media coverage.
The flickering stars in The 3 Body Problem are pivotal in setting the stage for the unfolding narrative and introducing the concept of an impending alien threat.
Additionally, the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO) uses a virtual reality game called Three Body designed by the aliens to identify and recruit the brightest minds from Earth.
The Trisolarans aim to share their story with humanity, revealing their plight and the reasons behind their impending migration to Earth.
Two members of the Oxford Five, Jin, and Jack, play this game. They navigate through stable and chaotic eras and experience the chaotic nature of the Trisolaran world firsthand.
What Is Sophon in the Series?
In episode 5, the series introduces us to Sophons. A Sophon is essentially a proton that has been unfolded into multiple dimensions.
These sophons have been manipulated by the Trisolarans to serve as a super-intelligent surveillance and communication device.
This unique design enables them to travel at the speed of light and infiltrate virtually any location on Earth, providing the San-Ti with real-time surveillance capabilities.
The Sophons can interfere with experiments at the quantum level, causing results to be random and meaningless, thereby halting progress in critical areas of research.
This effectively paralyzes human advancement in fields that could potentially be used to defend against the Trisolarans.
They can record conversations, monitor communications, and report back to the Trisolaran homeworld via quantum entanglement.
How Does Earth Plan to Defend Itself Against the Alien Threat?
Thomas Wade, the Chief of the Planetary Defense Council Intelligence Agency (PIA), plays a crucial role in the 3 Body Problem.
Wade, played by Liam Cunningham, is a formidable and mysterious leader who coordinates humanity’s strategy against the Trisolaran threat.
He is involved in developing key defense plans and overseeing critical projects, such as the Staircase Project, which aims to enhance humanity’s technological capabilities in response to the alien threat.
Additionally, in episode 8 of 3 Body Problem, Earth implements the Wallfacer Project, which appoints select individuals with the authority to create secret strategies without the need for transparency.
This is important because the Trisolarans, using advanced surveillance technology called Sophons, can monitor human communication but cannot read human thoughts.
The selected individuals for the Wallfacer Project include:
- General Hou Bolin – A distinguished military historian.
- Professor Leyla Ariç – A celebrated Kurdish war hero.
- Saul Durand – A physicist and member of the Oxford Five.
In addition to the Wallfacer Project, scientists are exploring methods to achieve interstellar travel at speeds close to 1.2% of the speed of light.
This research is critical for intercepting the Trisolaran fleet, which is expected to arrive in 400 years.
Furthermore, scientists are working on new technologies that could potentially neutralize or mitigate the effects of Trisolaran advancements, such as Sophons.
What are Fans’ Reactions to the Show?
Some reviewers praise the series for its bold adaptation choices and its ability to translate complex philosophical and scientific ideas into engaging television.
They appreciate the decision to streamline the novel’s timeline and focus on a central cast, which enhances accessibility while maintaining intellectual depth.
Some viewers criticized 3 Body Problem for altering the storyline in a way that portrays the West as the savior of humanity from a disaster that originated in China decades earlier.
Furthermore, the series’ obvious comparison to Game of Thrones emphasizes that, despite its strengths, it might not entirely satisfy those seeking the same level of character development.
Is 3 Body Problem Worth Watching?
So, is the 3 Body Problem worth your time? Yes, without a doubt. If you appreciate intelligent science fiction that intertwines complex themes and narratives, this series is for you.
The show features a unique blend of past and present, reality and virtual reality, making it a standout in contemporary sci-fi television.
However, if you prefer narratives centered on character development and seek immediate emotional engagement, some aspects of the series might not resonate with you.