Episode 5 recap: Shen Yu Fei's prediction is successful,the universe will twinkle for you.
Shi Qiang's car was scratched by a woman. She approached to inspect the car and quickly apologized. She was also prepared to leave her contact information to help with the repairs. Shi Qiang asked the woman to show her driver's license, and that's when he learned her name was Mu Xing. Mu Xing quickly recognized Shi Qiang as the suspended police officer mentioned in the news, and she happened to be a journalist working in new media. At that moment, she was investigating an environmental matter and had noticed the situation regarding Shi Qiang a couple of days ago.
Mu Xing believed that the case shouldn't fall under Shi Qiang's jurisdiction and her presence at the scene was related to her own investigation. She approached Shi Qiang to inform him that she knew about his investigation into the scientist suicides, as she was also conducting her own investigation. Shi Qiang quickly realized that she was not an ordinary person, but he had no intention of cooperating with Mu Xing and left without looking back.
In the evening, Wang Miao, accompanied by Sha Rui Shan, a student of Professor Ye, entered the instrument room. Once inside, Sha Rui Shan asked Wang Miao what data he wanted to access. Wang Miao inquired about the overall fluctuation of cosmic background radiation, specifically the isotropic fluctuations in the amplitudes ranging from one to five percent in the 3K microwave background radiation. After listening to Wang Miao, Sha Rui Shan concluded that Wang Miao was not an expert in this field and proceeded to ask him if he had any understanding of the cosmic 3K background radiation. Wang Miao had some knowledge, mentioning that in the 1960s, two Americans accidentally discovered the cosmic background radiation while calibrating a high-precision satellite receiving antenna. Sha Rui Shan added that the radiation background fluctuations in the entire universe were negligible on the scale of the universe, even with the precision of the advanced Planck satellite, it might not observe much even after a million years.
Wang Miao aimed to measure a five percent fluctuation that night. Sha Rui Shan informed him that it would mean the entire universe would constantly flicker like a broken light bulb. He even thought that Wang Miao was joking. Soon, at the appointed time, Wang Miao successfully observed the flickering of the universe. Initially, Sha Rui Shan firmly disbelieved him and insisted it was a malfunction of the equipment. Wang Miao continued to confirm his findings, and he suddenly remembered Shen Yu Fei's words to him.
Wang Miao quickly obtained the 3K glasses and, after observing through them, immediately called Shen Yu Fei to inquire about the significance of the countdown. However, Shen Yu Fei was unsure.
Not getting the answer he desired, Wang Miao sat in front of his chair, holding his head and crying. Shi Qiang, who had been following him all along, finally couldn't bear it and approached him, comforting him by patting his shoulder. The two of them subsequently sat down together and had a drink. After finishing the drink, Wang Miao revealed the truth to Shi Qiang. He explained that what he had experienced was not just an optical illusion but a countdown appearing in his eyes. Shi Qiang knew that if Wang Miao had come to find him, he hadn't questioned anything. Wang Miao also mentioned Shen Yu Fei's request for him to halt the nanomaterial experiment, and he complied, resulting in the countdown disappearing. At first, he thought it was a trick, but the other party had actually achieved it, down to the exact time and scale.
However, Shi Qiang simply didn't believe everything Shen Yu Fei had said. He hadn't even considered where the universe came from or where it was going. He patted his chest and confidently assured Wang Miao that he wouldn't easily let himself die.
The next day, Wang Miao returned to his room and handed the countdown photo directly to Shi Qiang. While they were eating, his daughter approached and played with him, bringing a moment of joy that Wang Miao had never experienced before.
Soon, Wang Miao fell into a deep sleep. He woke up in the morning to the sound of his daughter calling him and then accompanied her to attend a lecture. In the classroom, Wang Miao earnestly explained physics to the children and advised them to study science diligently. Meanwhile, Shi Qiang returned and immediately handed the countdown photo to Chang Wei Si.
This episode can be seen as a sublimation of Wang Miao's overall character development. In the original work, Wang Miao was somewhat like a tool character. His portrayal in the original work was relatively pale, to be honest.
The first time I read The Three-Body Problem, he left me with the impression of a relatively active supporting character. However, the TV series made some breakthroughs in the fifth episode. The segment where the "elementary physics lecture is interspersed with nanometer experiments" was absolutely brilliant.
The feeling of dispelling the gloom was just too good. Initially, I was afraid that the production team would deviate from the original storyline. But after realizing that they almost faithfully recreated it, I started to worry that I might not be able to focus and fully appreciate the work.
However, everything changed in the fifth episode. All my concerns disappeared. The production team tried their best to stay true to the original while also adding some artistic touches. It's possible that they have some pleasant surprises in certain details, which prevents fatigue for fans like me who have read the original multiple times.
The fifth episode also marks the completion of Wang Miao's character development, and the story enters the next stage—the collaboration between Ye Wenjie and the Red Coast Base. Compared to the original work, I actually prefer the portrayal of Wang Miao in the TV series.
His character is more three-dimensional. I look forward to the upcoming pleasant surprises.
The slight numbness of ordinary life and the reluctance towards things outside of work, unique to researchers, were portrayed perfectly by Zhang Lu Yi. His thin face, metal-framed glasses, and the big double eyelids behind them, coupled with the slightly dull gaze due to concentration, brought the original character, Wang Miao, out of the two-dimensional pages and made him three-dimensional and vivid.
There is no doubt about it.
This episode serves as a small climax to the first prologue. Wang Miao, the "tool man" throughout the book, is unquestionably the protagonist. The plot hardly jumps or intersperses and the highlight is when Wang Miao witnesses, and even visually observes, the flickering of the cosmic microwave background radiation.
The panic, doubt, fear, and confusion portrayed by the actor were extraordinary. The adaptation finally fills the gaps between the written words and takes it to a new level. The later part, where Wang Miao regains his composure and prepares to fight back, also aligns with the positive expansion of the literary work.
Now, let's talk about the flickering of the cosmic microwave background radiation. It was perhaps the boldest move by the Sophons. I wonder if the Trisolarans later felt a sense of aftershock. They actually unfolded a two-dimensional representation around the Earth.
As mentioned in the book, it could be destroyed. At that time, there were still other Sophons present, but if successful, it would be the only creation of the Three-Body that humans managed to destroy—a proton, to be precise.
Let me explain why scientists like Yang Dong would commit suicide. Yang Dong and others are theoretical physicists, specializing in microscopic scientific research.
The nature of the sophons, which are subatomic particles, can interfere with microscopic experiments, rendering the results invalid. This prevents the researchers from summarizing experimental laws and verifying or deducing new physical theorems.
It directly negates their value of existence. It's like scaring you while smashing your rice bowl, delivering a dual blow to both their mental and practical well-being.
On the other hand, Wang Miao is an applied physicist who conducts macroscopic scientific research based on existing physics. As a subatomic particle, the sophons cannot influence research at the macroscopic level.
Therefore, Wang Miao only experiences mental attacks. With the support of family and Shi Qiang, Wang Miao overcomes his fears and re-engages in the development of the "Flying Blade." At this point, the sophons become powerless against Wang Miao.
In comparison, Ding Yi is like a deity. Despite facing the triple blow of losing a spouse, the nonexistence of physics, and unreliable experimental data, Ding Yi manages to hold on, displaying incredible resilience.