Achi news desk-
Chinese science fiction writing has experienced an unprecedented surge in global acclaim over the past decade, with author Liu Cixin and his novel The Three-Body Problem (2006) at the forefront. Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg are among the many readers captivated by Liu’s Three-Body trilogy, thanks to its unique blend of historical and cultural storytelling.
The eight episodes of the new Netflix adaptation take place across the trilogy, including the other two novels, The Dark Forest (2008) and Death’s End (2010).
The series offers an intense story journey that investigates the core questions of the trilogy. If a technologically advanced alien civilization were to invade Earth – a planet already plagued with ecological destruction and human conflict – how should humanity respond? Is humanity worth saving? Is saving ourselves even possible?
The series begins with the story of astrophysicist Ye Wenjie’s (Rosalind Chao) disillusionment with humanity, which leads her to invite aliens called Trisolarans to intervene. The show then follows several strategic defenses against the impending Trisolaran invasion, leading to complex interstellar efforts to preserve human civilization. It weaves together a story of survival, betrayal, and the relentless search for human and alien coexistence with cosmic threats and the search for mutual understanding between very different beings.
The series showcases some of the most talked about plots from Liu’s science fiction universe, bringing them to life with stunning visuals. It’s a great viewing experience, for fans of Liu’s original novel and those new to the story.
A strange echo of the Cultural Revolution
China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) is an important cultural background for Liu’s novels. This national political campaign brought death and disaster to millions of families in the People’s Republic of China, led by Mao Zedong.
Ye Wenjie witnessed this disaster. The Netflix series opens with a harrowing scene where she sees her father, a leading physicist, brutally beaten to death by the Red Guards.
Ed Miller/Netflix
Almost every episode in the series refers to the Cultural Revolution in some way. However, the adaptation oversimplifies his impact on Ye’s life, and consequently his complex role in the conflict between humanity and the Trisolarans.
For example, in the second episode, Ye immediately sends a message to the Trisolaran after encountering the unrepentant Red Guard who killed her father. This heightens his deep bitterness towards the Cultural Revolution and his subsequent disillusionment with humanity.
But in the novel, her confrontation with the Red Guards doesn’t happen until much later. By now, she has gone through a whirlwind of ideological shifts and emotional developments that are key to her changing attitudes towards China and humanity as a whole.
The Netflix adaptation glosses over the Cultural Revolution’s significant influence on the plot of The Three-Body Problem. These changes to the story, presumably aimed at adding global appeal, miss a deeper exploration of the novel’s important themes.
Rewriting humanity’s characters and decisions
The Netflix series introduces the “Oxford Five” – a diverse group of Oxford-educated physicists and intellectuals with diverse skin colors and diverse cultural backgrounds, who do not appear in Liu’s novels. This creative decision highlights the message that humanity, despite our differences, should be united in addressing existential threats.
Through the Oxford Five, the series successfully explores deep ethical questions. Should we sacrifice individuals today to prevent potential crises in the future? Or should we focus on contemporary issues, such as poverty and social inequality?
Despite the additions and changes, 3 Body Problem masterfully develops Liu’s vast universe. He teases possible collaborations between the scientists and the United Nations, and questions how humanity might reassess its social fabric and relationships amid external threats.
The first season offers a range of varied answers but ultimately, its mix of curiosity and open-ended storytelling encourages viewers to come to their own conclusions.
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