3 Body Problem TV review — mind-bending sci-fi with splashy production
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David Benioff and DB Weiss aren't actually making their first series following the end of Game of Thrones with 3 Body Problem. Their initial project with Netflix, known as The Chair, is a witty and underappreciated satire set on a campus which they were executive producers for. The show, with a relatively low budget, never made it beyond one season and the resources once allocated to it may now have been exhausted in funding just a mere second of CGI for their latest and incredibly expensive sci-fi series created in collaboration with Alexander Woo.
The TV program features attractive scientists, the end of the world scenarios, and unusual events in the galaxy. It is inspired by the novel with the same name written by Liu Cixin. The book is a fusion of physics, politics, and philosophy. However, while the source material seems like an obvious choice for an adaptation, the TV program falls short and fails to captivate viewers with its reflections on humanity, technology, and the state of our planet, as well as those beyond.
The initial eight episodes of the first series start off in Communist-era China during the 1960s. Ye Wenjie, a highly-intelligent astrophysicist who rejects the government's authority, is compelled to labour undercover at a military observatory. It is at this location where she unearths an exceptional revelation leading to a monumental decision that affects the world in the second plotline set in present day.
In a different 2024, the field of science is perceived as "faulty." Many prominent scientists have taken their own lives due to concerning irregularities in data and disconcerting visions. A tech innovator by the name of Auggie (portrayed by Eiza González) notices a foreboding countdown before her eyes, leading her and four of her former Oxford classmates to investigate. However, they come across more bewildering enigmas, including vanishing stars, an imperceptible woman, and a Virtual Reality (VR) headset equipped with an eerie, highly immersive puzzle-solving game. Meanwhile, a dark, morose detective named Clarence (played by Benedict Wong) relentlessly shadows their every move, adding a procedural edge to this otherworldly, space-gazing science fiction narrative.
Although the show is exciting, fast-paced, and reveals information at strategic moments, the beginning may be perplexing, but it gets easier to understand. However, as it goes on, it becomes complicated and challenging to follow. Additionally, the characters who have to clarify complicated mechanics don't seem to be complex themselves.
Even though there is enough excitement and extravagant production to keep some viewers interested, it may not be enough to save 3 Body Problem from meeting the same fate as The Chair. Personally, I would prefer if The Chair was renewed instead.
, you can stream the third and final season of "The Kominsky Method". This popular show follows two aging friends, Sandy and Norman, as they navigate their way through life in Los Angeles. Starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin, "The Kominsky Method" tells the story of their friendship and their struggles with aging, relationships, and family. The show has been praised for its authentic portrayal of older adults and its heartwarming, humorous moments. Don't miss out on the final season of "The Kominsky Method" – tune in to Netflix on March 21st!
