Not long ago, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were at the top of the television world. Game of Thrones was a juggernaut and continuously won many Emmys. They had been tapped to help the future of Star Wars. Even HBO was moving forward on questionable projects, simply because their name was attached. However, even though Game of Thrones left the air almost five years ago, the creative duo has been missing in action.
Finally, 3 Body Problem gives them an opportunity to return to the television throne. With the help of co-creator Alexander Woo, the three men take on the mammoth task of adapting the book series. While 3 Body Problem is not a perfect show, it is among the best premieres of the 2023-2024 Emmy season. It’s also the big sci-fi showcase we’ve been waiting for from Netflix.
The Plot
Following the iconic novels from Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem follows a group of scientists exploring a rapidly changing scientific community. Physics as a discipline has seemingly broken. Colliders around the world are producing impossible results, and scientists are killing themselves as their world crumbles. A group of scientists referred to as the Oxford Five, reunite for the first time in years. However, the mother of one of their common friends has a secret stemming from a horrific tragedy during the Cultural Revolution. The events of the past, present, and future, may forever change because of this secret.
The Critique
Few shows have the punch to break through immediately. However, 3 Body Problem proves its bonafides as an epic tale in just a few episodes. The sprawling cast showcases Benioff, Weiss, and Woo’s first significant change. While Liu’s novels, the series almost exclusively stars East-Asian characters. This version of 3 Body Problem does not honor that aspect, instead including dozens of actors from around the world. Eiza González, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, and Alex Sharp take on the roles of the “Oxford Five,” and shine across the board. Their bonds deliver some of the season’s best moments, with Sharp standing out in a superb supporting performance.
Benedict Wong nearly steals the show from them all. His disillusionment as a former police officer makes him a unique figure in the events. Additionally, he’s funny, brash, and charming. This is a starring role that Wong should have received years ago. Now that he has it, he’s making the most of it. His charm, wit, skepticism, and intellect all play perfectly into the role.
Beyond the impeccable performances, the craft is simply stunning. The costumes in the 1960s are phenomenal. The Cultural Revolution sets feel tactile and hardened by the world. The present-day allows incredible experimentation. 3 Body Problem leans into the best way to view future sci-fi, in part because it draws from modern technology as the base. While there is an overcommitment of some CGI, in other moments, they become the showcase of the episode. We would like to see more consistency, but regardless, the CGI works on the whole.
Beyond the scope of the cast, Benioff, Weiss, and Woo allow the story to take on meaning in our real world. If nature and the ways it operates are changing humanity, there must be a method to keep life in alignment. This eventually results in an issue that involves the global community, and 3 Body Problem does not shy away from the difficulties this presents. Yet, it clearly states that this collaboration is not only helpful, but the way to save humanity. As climate crises become more common globally and other environmental factors are rapidly changing, a series like 3 Body Problem feels more like a playbook than fiction.
Conclusion
Netflix finally has its big whale, which should build enough momentum to contender at the 2023-2024 Emmys. With so many worthy performances bringing their all, it’s exciting to see such a strong group coalesce. 3 Body Problem is not an easy story to adapt, especially when transplanting the ideas to new cultures and ideologies. Yet Benioff, Weiss, and Woo have hit the mark with this adaptation, crafting a visual powerhouse that asks hard questions about character and our future.
9/10
