Watch it, because “The Three-Body Problem” must get a sequel. Netflix created a hit [RECENZJA]

The risk was high – the last seasons of “Game of Thrones” were (to put it mildly) very weak, and the further into the plot, the worse it got. David Benioff and DB Weiss lost touch with base literally and figuratively. When they ran out of George RR Martin’s books, they composed the ending of “Game of Thrones” out of their heads, or, as it quickly turned out, out of nothing. The simultaneous global success of the HBO hit and its final failure meant that the next series the duo would create would say “I’m testing” their true skills. Was Game of Thrones a coincidence in their career? Is it really George RR Martin’s support that is behind their success and not their ability? How will they manage to shorten a three-volume, thick space epic and translate it into a Western language?

Netflix decided to take a risk. They received a huge loan of trust and access to a lot of money. How did it turn out?

Netflix. The “three-body problem” is breaking away from China

I’m writing this from the perspective of a viewer who is very new to this re-read. I usually don’t have problems with some elements from books being changed for the film adaptation – I’m happy that I get a visual version of what I read. “The Three-Body Problem” seemed impossible to translate into film and television. Dozens of threads, several dozen different concepts of futuristic technological solutions, the action spanning over 450 years… Moreover, China has already tried to adapt prose into films and it did not end well. In the case of “The Wandering Earth” we got a terribly long, absurd gibberish, while their version of “The Problem” dragged on and on and on and on… Netflix’s interpretation condenses the entire first book and a bit of the second into eight hour-long episodes, thus retaining and decent pace, and skillfully doses moments of relaxation and action. It omits what is unnecessary and slightly modifies what would not necessarily work on the screen. It’s not the second Game of Thrones, but it’s the very smooth, suspenseful science fiction we needed.

The story we get in the series is seemingly simple. During the raging Cultural Revolution in China, an excellent physicist is transferred from the gulag to a secret military base. There he makes a decision that will affect the fate of all humanity, which the world will only find out 40 years later. The consequences of the past will directly affect a group of talented friends living in Great Britain – physicists, a technician, an entrepreneur (yes, this is a fundamental change compared to the book). They will initially try to understand what is happening and then counteract it. I don’t want to spoil the viewing, so I won’t write directly what, why, who is who – let it all be a surprise for you (especially the excellent episode 5!), because the book is also based on surprise. Dramatic plot twists are something that Liu Cixin has mastered to perfection – the sometimes lengthy plot suddenly takes a direction you couldn’t expect, which you probably know if you’ve read his novels. Suffice it to say that you will learn a lot about physics and space itself, but also something about the motivations of people faced with impossible choices.

‘The Three-Body Problem’, Zine Tseng Photo Netflix

Creators achieve this in various ways. Some (like Auggie or Jin) develop their plots quickly and deepen them well. The others (Saul) spend most of the screen time completely meaninglessly, which was repeated many times in the last episode. Also, Will’s story – although touching – is not connected with the ending that this character strives for. They tried to build it, but the result was a colossus with legs of clay, based solely on emotion – it was too little, much too little despite all my sympathy for this character. But Weiss and Benioff also fortunately chose actors who had already proven themselves in “Game of Thrones”. Some scenes are a real deja vu, when Samwell Tarly suddenly appears, then Lord Davos Seaworth, then the High Sparrow suddenly enters. They are mixed with more (Eiza Gonzalez) and lesser known names (Saamer Usmani, Rosalind Chao, Alex Sharp, Jovan Adepo, Marlo Kelly, Jess Hong and many others), but even those with less experience manage to cope, although they are not always helped by the script . Particularly noteworthy, however, is Zine Tseng, whose anger at the universe can be felt in every glance of young Ye Wenjie. Would anyone make a different decision in her place, after everything she’s been through?

Liam Cunningham and Benedict Wong make such a good duo that when they appear on screen, it’s Their Time. They are having a great time, although some of you will probably think that they are “too much fun”. Wong was based here on Da Shi written by Liu Cixin (and it is identical), but Cunningham created his Wade from scratch. It’s clear that he takes great joy in playing the calculating head of a special agency for whom the end justifies any means. He is brutal, effective, bloodthirsty – a difficult man in difficult times. It’s so exaggerated that it’s almost comical at times, but it manages not to cross that line and become ridiculous.

‘The Three-Body Problem’, Liam Cunningham and Benedict Wong Photo Netflix

Have you read it? Watch. Haven’t you read it? Read it

Fanatical fan of the book – yes, the series changes a lot, but not what is most important – it improves the spirit and events, not spoils them. Before you burn with holy indignation, consider whether we would really be able to watch eight hour-long Chinese epics, where the heroes are Chinese (not counting Ye Wenjie), immersed in a Chinese universe that still has problems with the Cultural Revolution. The main characters had to be adapted to the needs of Western viewers. If you are able to swallow this fact, you will notice that each important character in the book “Problem” has been given a different acting counterpart, and thanks to the slight confusion in the relationships between them, their motivations become more expressive. In fact, the Netflix series is not much different from the trilogy (although Thomas Wade was actually the character whose role was changed dramatically). What until now you could only see in your head using your imagination, you get on the screen – and it is a truly worthy performance. If this is how the first, slightly dragging part of the trilogy was handled, I can only hope for a second season (and maybe a third one!) as well. Especially since now the action will only intensify.

Dear viewer who hears about the book for the first time. Since I follow the principle “first I read and then I watch”, I will encourage you to read it. Yes, the series won’t surprise you with anything then, but that’s not a bad thing. It turns out that even if you know the original book, we managed to create eight episodes that keep you in suspense, slowly add information, and when it comes down to it, even though you already know what’s going to happen, it’s visually delicious. and emotionally engaging.

‘The three-body problem’ Photo Netflix

Dear viewer who does not intend to touch the book before the screening. Apart from the fact that I will continue to encourage you to read it, I am afraid that not everything will be clear to you and you will not always know why, who and what. However, if the first episode doesn’t turn you off, I have no doubt you’ll stick around until the end. I keep my fingers crossed that watching the whole thing will encourage you to read the book, because believe me, it’s only from the second part that the thrill begins. Try to believe in the slightly far-fetched story of scientist-geniuses who will want to save humanity. Let subsequent threads unfold before you and surprise you.

“The Three-Body Problem” is not an “equal” series – not every episode delivers the same emotions in the same proportions. You will find here those that are the quintessence of a crime puzzle. Here you will find several with action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are also episodes designed to bring tears to the viewer’s eyes – and they are beautiful too. You will also find those with problems with special effects, like with the first dragons in “Game of Thrones”. I keep my fingers crossed that this won’t be a characteristic feature of “Problem”, but only minor accidents at work. But I have no illusions that for many people “The Three-Body Problem” will be convoluted boredom or too much interference with the book, so they will watch the series in its entirety and get carried away by this project.

I support him very much, mainly because I enjoy film adaptations of books that make me look at the world differently. And the entire “Memories of Earth’s Past” series has made me not only look at space with fear, but also make me compulsively buy subsequent books by Liu Cixin. I hope Netflix doesn’t kill this series after the first season. Fortunately, one of the three parts is already behind us, so the chances for the next two increase. Watch “The Three-Body Problem”, read the books and join me in rejoicing that we have come to a time when such gigantic projects as this series are even possible.

“The Three-Body Problem” hits Netflix on March 21.