Netflix’s 3 Body Problem made me feel incredibly stupid – what a relief

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In the previous year, Justine Bateman, an actor, made a revelation about something that apparently many writers in the American television business already knew: streaming platforms require series with "visual Muzak," which means TV content that is similar to the background melodies you hear while you're on hold during a customer service call.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bateman stated that showrunners have been advised that their shows must be more focused on second-screen viewing. According to him, viewers tend to prioritize their phones and laptops as their primary screens, and they do not want any distractions from the TV show they are watching. This is because if they get confused or distracted, they might lose interest and turn off the TV.

In essence, the concept is that streaming services are causing us to become less intelligent and deep-thinking. In a world where numerous platforms are vying for our attention, these content providers have opted for mindless content featuring familiar faces and predictable plotlines, instead of producing high-quality material. This could potentially explain the recent release of the Netflix romantic comedy Irish Wish starring Lindsay Lohan, but that's beside the point.

As I watched Netflix's new show "3 Body Problem" - a cosmic drama adapted from a best-selling Chinese novel by Liu Cixin and created by the masterminds behind Game of Thrones - I couldn't help but ponder some of the wild claims being made. The show's plot spans across different universes and timelines, following a group of science enthusiasts who explain complex concepts like "dipole magnets, muon chambers, and calorimeters" while enjoying a pint at the pub. With all the hype surrounding its release this week, I tried my best to follow along, even turning on the subtitles and keeping my hand ready on the rewind button. But to no avail, the show was mind-bendingly confusing and I found myself struggling to comprehend what was happening. However, despite my difficulty, I have to admit that I might actually have enjoyed it.

So, before anything else, let's try to make sense of this. The story starts off in Beijing during 1966, which was the time of the Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao's leadership. An astrophysicist named Zine Tseng writes a paper called "The Possible Existence of Phase Boundaries Within the Solar Radiation Zone and Their Reflective Characteristics". However, she gets thrown in jail after being found in possession of Rachel Carson's influential environmental book, Second Spring. Then, she's taken to an enigmatic government building, where she's asked to help a team of scientists reach out and connect with other universes.

Many years after, a professor from Oxford University died by taking their own life. This was only one of many unexplained deaths linked to experimental science. The professor had with them a strange headset which allowed the user to enter into a huge video game. The aim of the game was to figure out whether different alternative worlds were balanced or disordered. These worlds alter with each player. For example, John Bradley, a person known for creating offensive snack food, was guided through an ancient version of England by famous author Thomas More. Is this making sense to you so far?

The group of scientist friends of the deceased woman includes Auggie, who has invented a type of fiber. She is seeing a countdown clock that glows wherever she looks. The deaths are being investigated by a detective who always seems confused and lost. I found comfort in this character. Additionally, there is a dubious oil tycoon played by Jonathan Pryce and Alex Sharp, who discusses the multiverse and is then diagnosed with a terminal illness. A mysterious woman who can’t be seen by CCTV gives Auggie a ring from a cereal box and guides her to see stars in the night sky that "blink" on and off. Many characters provide information on quantum mechanics and the solar system using chalkboards. The "three-body problem" is the title of the show and refers to the astrophysical issue of how and why the moon, earth, and sun interact in their orbit.

The cast of “3 Body Problem” which includes Eiza González, Jess Hong, Saamer Usmani, Jovan Adepo and Alex Sharp has left scientists puzzled.

The fact that 3 Body Problem is so complicated might be a problem for a lot of people who watch it. Some reviewers don't like it, saying that it doesn't do a good job of setting the scene or telling the story, and that the acting isn't great. I'm not sure if I actually like it or if I'm just impressed by how amazing it looks – it's rare for a TV show to look as expensive as this one apparently was (over $125m or £99m).

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However, there is a certain sense of fulfillment in its mere existence. Nowadays, most streaming platforms lack creativity, relying instead on a handful of quality shows to support a network of subpar content. There are too many imitations of previous hits and too many series that should have been condensed into a single, longer production, such as Apple TV+'s Constellation and Netflix's Inventing Anna. Movies made exclusively for streaming platforms are often criticized as being subpar and unworthy of big screens. I watched Irish Wish while chatting with a friend about its poor quality. Later, I pondered Justine Bateman's assertion that second-screening was the future while considering if Irish Wish was meant to be viewed this way, with one eye observing the TV while the other poked fun at the app being used.

How did 3 Body Problem slip by without notice? Maybe it was because Benioff and Weiss, who now have a lot of influence over the show, prioritized their creative vision over something more generic and pleasing. It would be ideal if lesser-known showrunners could get the same recognition. However, television is increasingly filled with superficial, shareholder-driven "content." 3 Body Problem is unique in that it demands attention and isn't afraid to explore complicated ideas without watering them down. It challenges viewers and stimulates their minds. We need more shows like this.

You can watch '3 Body Problem' on Netflix.