Top 10 Things To Know Before Watching 3 Body Problem
#10: The Adaptation
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“3 Body Problem” is an adaptation of a multi-award-winning sci-fi book series penned by the Chinese author, Liu Cixin, with the first installment first published (in full) in 2008. The original series is a trilogy, known collectively as the “Remembrance of Earth's Past”. And this actually isn’t the first time that it’s been converted to the screen. In fact, there are multiple past versions, including a 2022 animated series and a 2023 live action. According to those behind the Netflix show, “reading the books is not a prerequisite for understanding or enjoying [it]”. However, if science fiction is your bag, then there’s a load of source material to sink your teeth into.
#9: The Creators
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But who are those behind “3 Body Problem”? In short, it’s a stacked production. The series is created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (internationally known for “Game of Thrones”) plus Alexander Woo (a lead writer on “True Blood” and co-writer of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”). The big names keep coming though, with a long list of executive producers including the likes of Rian Johnson (known for “Star Wars” and “Knives Out”) plus the actors Brad Pitt and Rosamund Pike. The opening two episodes are directed by Derek Tsang, while Pixar’s Andrew Stanton takes the helm for an episode, as well.
#8: The Cast
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What’s immediately clear from even the first trailers is that there’s a fair amount of crossover between “3 Body Problem” and “Game of Thrones”, when it comes to acting talent. John Bradley, Liam Cunningham and the one-time High Sparrow Sir Jonathan Pryce all have key roles in “3 Body”. That said, it’s the MCU’s Benedict Wong who heads the bill, starring as Da Shi, an ex-intelligence officer tasked with investigating a spate of disturbing and mysterious deaths. The role of Ye Wenjie is set to be pivotal, but it’s split between “Sweet Tooth”’s Rosalind Chao and breakout star Zine Tseng, with the character’s key story playing out across multiple decades.
#7: The Setup
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We’ve covered the background, so what actually happens? It’s always been acknowledged that while the series is faithful to the books… there have also been changes made. For example, while the books are predominantly set in China, the show takes a more global approach, with much of the drama set mostly in the UK. According to Derek Tsang, “we’ve widened the scope and have more characters from all over the world”. All tweaks have been made with the blessing of Liu Cixin, however, and the central stories, themes and threats all remain. The action begins in 1960s China, during the Cultural Revolution era. But ultimately, when one decision is made with repercussions beyond our planet, the impact is felt for many, many generations to come.
#6: The Mystery
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In the here and now, there’s the ‘Oxford Five’, a group of supremely talented scientists called to team up with Wong’s Da Shi under the shadow of a seemingly linked series of troubling deaths. There’s a recurring and ominous countdown that threads through the story, and a growing realization that whatever’s happening isn’t only bad news for those who are directly caught up in it… but is possibly catastrophic for all of humankind. Why are people suddenly dying left, right and center? Precisely what is the countdown counting down to? And can five talented minds really unite to save the world? “3 Body” is packed with questions that need answering.
#5: The Invasion
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Among the biggest unknowns in terms of where the series will go is how it will deal with the key concern in the “Three Body” books; an imminent alien invasion. What’s interesting is that much of the story is built not around alien life itself, but around how we (the lowly humans) might deal with the emergence of an extraterrestrial force. It also forces us to consider the question; how might an otherworldly being view us, if we ever were to be discovered? And, most pressingly of all, could we have any hope for survival if Earth was to be targeted? Clearly, you need to watch the show to be in the know… but the existential crises are always lurking in the background.
#4: The Headset
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Possibly the most intriguing object in all of the trailers and clips pre-series launch is a sleek and shimmering headset, which we see various characters put on. Now, in the year of Apple Vision Pro, this feels like a pretty fortuitous piece of blending between sci-fi and the real world… but that bit of kit is more than just a gimmick. We get our best look at it in a pre-released clip featuring John Bradley’s character, Jack Rooney. Netflix describes Jack as having “used his physics degree to develop a snacks empire” but in this scene, he seemingly finds himself transported to a whole new reality.
#3: The Real Science
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To continue bleeding over into the real world, there are various elements (and potential plot lines) in “3 Body” that are actually more than science fiction. In the books, Liu Cixin’s alien group hail from the planet Trisolaris, which is positioned in a far off star system that’s built around three suns. Scientists know that triple star systems do exist in reality, although Trisolaris itself isn’t a real place. More broadly, the three body problem is also a true phenomenon; it’s an unsolved physical conundrum, to do with the laws of gravity and movement whenever any system has three masses entangled together. Looking further ahead, there’s also the Dark Forest Theory, a real-world idea that advanced enough alien groups would creep through the universe in fear of being discovered. The theory gets its name from the second book in the “Three Body” trilogy, “The Dark Forest”.
#2: Famous Fans
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All in all, and in the run up to this particular series, the hype and expectation has grown and grown. But with that comes a huge responsibility to get it right. In the eyes of some, “3 Body” perhaps represents a chance for David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, especially, to re-emerge after a “Game of Thrones” finale that didn’t exactly go down well. It’s encouraging, then, that they and Alexander Woo are on record many times over, waxing lyrical about the “Three Body” books. Meanwhile, among the series’ other most notable readers are the former US President Barack Obama, head of the Metaverse Mark Zuckerberg, and also the author of “Thrones” source material, “A Song of Ice and Fire”, George R. R. Martin.
#1: Is There More to Come?
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OK, so this isn’t exactly something to know before watching , but it could be very important as to how the story pans out. The initial series is set for eight episodes, all coming in at roughly one hour long. However, and as we’ve seen, there’s a wealth of story in the original novels, and surely far too much to cover in just those eight instalments. There are then rumors of a “Dark Forest” specific follow up, and perhaps one day we’ll make it to the final book, “Death’s End”. For now, what is certain is that “3 Body” will have a companion podcast series, featuring the British space scientist, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock. So, what’s your verdict on “3 Body Problem”? Are you excited to see it? Have you read the books? Let us know your take in the comments!
