Every so often, a show arrives that not only captivates but also challenges our perceptions. It’s been a while since a sci-fi series has had such a profound impact, reminiscent of the X-Files era. However, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo have achieved the seemingly impossible, breathing new life into the genre with their remarkable adaptation of the Three Body Problem trilogy by Cixin Liu.
The story revolves around a group of scientists who, following the mysterious deaths of their colleagues, find themselves confronted by an unfathomable enemy. While the narrative may deviate from the source material, it’s nonetheless remarkable for the world and story it creates. The series begins in 1960s China, during the Cultural Revolution, with Ye Wenjie (Zine Tseng), who witnesses her father’s execution for his teachings in science. She is later offered a chance to work at a secret research facility in Mongolia, tasked with searching for extraterrestrial life, setting in motion a chain of events that will alter the course of history.
Fast forward to the present day, we are introduced to the Oxford Five: Saul Derand (Jovan Adepo), Auggie Salazar (Eiza González), Jin Cheng (Jess Hong), Will Downing (Alex Sharp), and Jack Rooney (John Bradley). They are forced to reunite after the mysterious death of a colleague, coinciding with a worldwide malfunction of particle accelerators, indicating as one of the characters puts it, “Science is broken”.
Enter Da Shi or Clarence (Benedict Wong), a former cop working for a clandestine organization tasked with unraveling the mystery behind the attacks on scientists. His enigmatic boss, Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham), adds a layer of intrigue and humor to the series, and his role will have you questioning things until the very end.
As the plot unfolds, we discover that Ye Wenjie’s contact with an advanced alien civilization in 1970s Mongolia has inadvertently led to Earth’s impending invasion by the San-TI. Back in the present day, a group in league with the aliens, prepares for their arrival.
Tatiana (Marlo Kelly), serves as a key character in this group. Her mysterious nature really adds to the intrigue of who or what this character is, and what it is she is truly after. Her boss Mike Evans will stop at nothing to get to meet the San-TI. Meanwhile, Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao) remains a pivotal figure, as the story takes unexpected turns from here. This is where things start to get downright terrifying, showing us the true power of these beings that will leave a chill down your spine.
The narrative intensifies as Auggie experiences ominous visions, and Jack and Jin are drawn into a virtual reality world, attempting to solve the titular “three-body problem.” The three body problem follows that you have three celestial objects, planets, stars, or suns, in this case a sun, they are exerting force onto each other which then causes a chaotic and unstable environment.
The complexity of the scientific concepts within the series is balanced by a compelling storyline, keeping viewers engaged. While the series starts slow, it gradually builds momentum, culminating in a jaw-dropping revelation in episode five. Episode 5 is where Auggie (Gonzalez) really gets to shine. What unfolds here will have her questioning everything she has ever done and it truly shows the range that Eiza brings to the table. This honestly might be one of the most shocking sequences ive ever seen, and my jaw was on the floor the entire time.
Everyone involved is given an opportunity to shine but it’s Jess Hong’s Jin Cheng who is the standout. She is a brilliant scientist who is thrust into this world, and with her ideas, may just be humanity’s last hope. Her relationship with the oxford 5 is what really holds this family together and it culminates in one of the most bittersweet and devastating storylines.
In conclusion, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo have delivered a masterful adaptation that maintains the intrigue and depth of the original trilogy. The production’s visual and cinematic quality is stunning, complemented by a haunting score. The series is a visual and intellectual feast, filled with twists and turns that will keep you enthralled from start to finish. The depth of scientific detail adds to the narrative’s complexity, ensuring a captivating viewing experience.
The Three Body Problem is available to stream on Netflix, and I highly recommend it for your next binge-watch.
Rating: 9 Seths out of 10
