Episode 9 recap: Mu Xing and Pan Han's collaboration
The route for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay was officially announced in April this year. The preparations for the torch relay are currently underway, and it is understood that the torch relay for the Beijing Olympics will fully embody the concept of a green Olympics.Wang Miao, a news broadcaster, paid no attention to the news reported on television. He quickly drove back home, where his daughter Dou Dou had been waiting for him all night. At the moment, Dou Dou had no intention of sleeping as she was busy completing her homework assigned by her teacher. Frustrated with an experiment, Dou Dou had put the bottle aside. Wang Miao promptly helped her complete the experiment, bringing a sense of joy to Dou Dou, who also realized the wonders of physics.
Shi Qiang obtained a video from Mu Xing, which he then handed over to Xu Bing Bing. The video revealed the locations of eight safe houses. Chang Wei Si found it incredible after watching the video because even the special police escorting the group of scientists were not aware of the exact locations of the safe houses until a minute before their arrival.
Shi Qiang found it strange that he was still sitting in his car, waiting for something to happen in the late night. Soon, a unfamiliar man appeared in his sight and got into a car, driving away. Shi Qiang quickly started his car and followed the man at top speed. The stranger deliberately drove slowly, allowing Shi Qiang to catch up. Consequently, Shi Qiang handcuffed him and brought him back.
Everyone's actions were exposed to the enemy, but their identities remain unknown. Chang Wei Si was also afraid of the current situation but preferred a real war rather than being like a Thanksgiving turkey waiting to be consumed. Chang Wei Si soon met the stranger together with Shi Qiang. They quickly learned the man's true identity, and he showed no fear. He proudly introduced himself as the enemy they needed to face. However, Chang Wei Si did not disclose the locations of the safe houses to anyone. He later realized that he may have unintentionally leaked the information while handling the documents. Moreover, he firmly believed that the man in front of him was not the formidable person. The man had only received an email revealing the safe house locations and then passed the video to Mu Xing. Chang Wei Si skillfully silenced the man, who didn't want to waste any more time with him.
Shen Yu Fei thought that Wang Miao's performance in the Three-Body game was excellent. She believed that it indicated the other person had a faster grasp of cognitive principles than herself. On the other hand, Pan Han felt that they were not like-minded comrades because everyone had their own unchangeable intentions.
Shi Qiang quickly had Wang Miao join him in his car to meet Shen Yu Fei. He sensed that she was not ordinary, and he wanted to ensure Wang Miao's safety. Mu Xing promptly arrived at the agreed-upon time to meet Pan Han, who explicitly expressed that she had chosen Mu Xing, and they were ready to collaborate.
While in the car, Wang Miao quickly made a phone call to Shen Yu Fei. She promptly arranged a meeting in the train compartment, and they soon boarded the train. Wang Miao was surprised to find that the civilization in this era had already progressed to the steam age. Shen Yu Fei considered their luck to be good, and this particular Eternal Era would last a long time.
The 138th civilization had already ended in the Stone Age. Wang Miao initially thought the 139th civilization would also come to an end, but it had unexpectedly progressed to the present, and he had forgotten what the Chaotic Era was like. Wang Miao also believed that there must be rules between the Eternal Era and the Chaotic Era or a way to protect and perpetuate civilization.
Soon, Shi Qiang followed in Wang Miao's footsteps and arrived in the train compartment where they were. The compartment experienced a significant upheaval, and the 139th civilization was destroyed under the Double Suns. Civilization evolved into the steam age, and they subsequently exited the game, preparing to find Shen Yu Fei.
Mu Xing quickly revealed her team's capabilities to Pan Han. He wanted her to collaborate with his team so that she could gain more of what she desired. After reviewing the information, Mu Xing immediately realized that he was not an ordinary scientist.
Wang Miao and Shi Qiang quickly found Shen Yu Fei's doorstep. She answered their long-standing questions one by one. Shen Yu Fei understood the reason for Professor Manfei's suicide but did not know the motive behind Yang Dong's suicide. She also mentioned that she had indeed revealed the truth to the scientists, but their subsequent choices were beyond her influence. She believed that the Main Consciousness had revealed the truth to everyone, making it the true Main Consciousness.
The first four episodes of "The Three-Body Problem" indeed faithfully adhere to the original work. It was only after watching episodes five and six together that I decided to write this post.
The TV series may never be able to fully capture the Earth's past as I imagined it, but taking a bold departure from the original storyline might not be a bad idea.
In this article, I want to convey my initial impressions of reading the original "Three-Body Problem" and make some speculations about the major modifications and themes in the TV adaptation.
Why do I say this?
Firstly, I must admit that the additions and adaptations of characters like Shi Qiang, Xu Bing Bing, and journalist Mu Xing in the TV series are successful. The scene where Da Shi is strapped with a timer and vows to reset it together with Wang Miao brought tears to my eyes.
Xu Bing Bing's portrayal representing the military instead of Sha Rui Shan provides a successful adaptation that brings forth memories of the tumultuous era as described in the original work. Based on the current previews, Mu Xing, as an informant for Pan Han, is likely to establish a specific motive for the death of Shen Yu Fei, which serves as a connection to Shi Qiang.
These adaptations are well-executed, and I'm satisfied with them. However, why did they choose to present the detail of the "master" issuing orders to eliminate Wang Miao and imply the possibility of winning him over in the concluding scene of the sixth episode?
Why did they modify the opportunity for Wang Miao to explore the true nature of the Trisolaran civilization? This action made me deeply reflect on what the entire series aims to convey. I remember the original character designs: Ye Wenjie, a human who experienced the unjust death of her father, her mother's madness, and the betrayal of her close friend, all pains that ordinary people cannot comprehend.
In desperation, she pressed the button to transmit Earth's coordinates to the Trisolarans.
Apart from that, she was just an ordinary person. The ETO organization was actually established by Evans, and Ye Wenjie informed him about the existence of the Trisolarans, which led him to make her the leader of ETO out of respect.
Wang Miao, a nanotechnology scientist, was invited to participate in the discussions of the Scientific Frontier organization because his research field could potentially contribute to the development of high-end technologies that benefit civilization's survival, such as the construction of the space elevator.
"The Three-Body Problem: Remembrance of Earth's Past" is primarily narrated from Wang Miao's perspective, and he is unequivocally a tool-like protagonist.
Firstly, Luo Ji is the only human in the entire book who issues an assassination order against the Trisolarans because he knows the secret of the Dark Forest.
We are insects, and the "master" does not care whether it's right or wrong. The scientist's suicide also has another reason, right? Wang Miao never explicitly expresses his refusal to join the Scientific Frontier, and considering the unknown threat and Shi Qiang's interest in him, why introduce a plot where a "master" orders his destruction?
We all know Shi Qiang's security capabilities (doge).
Secondly, Ye Wenjie has no direct connection to ETO, and she is not familiar with Shen Yu Fei. Furthermore, the communication between the Trisolarans and ETO is limited to electromagnetic waves, which takes eight years for a round trip.
Therefore, it is not possible to foresee in advance what Wang Miao is studying. In the original work, the first dialogue between the sophons and humans is simply "You are insects." So, who is the person giving the order?
And who is the one requesting a rescue? Lastly, this is the one point that I personally think the adaptation should avoid the most. The opportunity for Wang Miao to discover the truth has been modified.
It is no longer the result of accidentally stumbling upon a website, but rather, it is through what Shen Yu Fei refers to as a "miracle" vaguely related to the original work, unlocking the most magnificent part of the first volume of "The Three-Body Problem" - the Three-Body game.
Do you know how Wang Miao's initial experience of the Three-Body game is described from his perspective in the original work? Alone at night, unable to sleep due to thoughts of counting down, he opens the Three-Body game and experiences the civilization of the Bronze Age of Trisolaris for a brief moment.
Chaotic Era, Chaotic Era, Chaotic Era... Damn it! Don't think about it, why can't you stop thinking about it? Why?! Soon, Wang Miao found the answer... What sets 'The Three-Body Problem' apart is that, unlike other games, its designers took the opposite approach.
In general, game designers try to maximize the amount of displayed information to create a sense of realism. However, the designers of 'The Three-Body Problem' made every effort to compress the amount of information to conceal some immense truth...
I believe this is the shocking revelation that the original work wanted to pave the way for.
But when Wang Miao learned about it from Shen Yufei, did he still have that feeling of discovering a new universe on his own?
From which perspective would he contemplate the wandering stars? How could Shen Yufei possibly be the same as Shi Qiang in his mind? Two individuals with completely different meanings, trying to persuade the only breakthrough to the ultimate truth in the whole drama to play a game that comes closest to the truth.
Can I still see the same significance?
Yes, after all, the Wang Miao in the TV series kept repeating, 'I am just a turkey scientist,' replacing the details from the original work. Perhaps the 'turkey scientist' is the point the TV series wants to emphasize, right?
However, the true essence that 'The Three-Body Problem' wants to convey goes far beyond the theory of a turkey scientist. The truth of the Three-Body Problem will never change due to the search of Earth's scientists.
My feeling is that in the original work, the truth of the universe is independently discovered by human beings through meticulous exploration, while in the TV series, it feels like Shen Yufei has become a major antagonist who makes many small moves, seemingly aware of many truths and almost completely exposed under the surveillance of Shi Qiang.
But, well, it's hard to imagine that Shen Yufei in the original work was really a tool-focused person who turned a deaf ear to things outside his window and single-mindedly wanted to solve the Three-Body Problem.
So, I think the TV series of 'The Three-Body Problem' may not be able to recreate the profound sense of science fiction. Can the TV series still be watched? My answer is, it's worth watching.
Because the darkness that cannot be expressed in the original work, I hope it can be replaced by brightness. Wang Miao, even after believing that the universe flickers, still gives lectures as a flower of the motherland, telling me to pursue the truth.
Little Cotton Jacket's thoughtfulness tells me that life is not just a mess in front of us, but also the warmth and romance of family ties. Even if the Earth is destroyed, Shi Qiang is willing to accompany Wang Miao to start from scratch, allowing me to experience the calmness of Mount Tai collapsing in front without changing color and the composure of the Yellow River ceasing to flow from its source.
What hidden threads does the TV series version of 'The Three-Body Problem' have? The biggest change is the opportunity to explore the truth of civilization. I want to see what changes the TV series will make in its understanding of the universal truth.
Will the turkeys raised by the farmer really believe in the farmer's hypothesis? Does the fleeing turkey imply that Earth's scientists will never give up their tireless pursuit of truth? What is the truth after all?
Has the meaning of the game been weakened? Will the storyline of the ETO gathering be modified? I'm looking forward to it.
Perhaps the TV series of 'The Three-Body Problem' cannot fully capture its grand and vast nature, but if it is truly adapted in such a way, speaking from my original intention, I am excited.
Because 'The Three-Body Problem' ultimately carries the obscurity of that era, the difficulty of replicating the scenes, and the ability to extend the themes and boldly adapt them. If the adaptation is successful, it is itself a tribute to the classic.
When everyone feels that the first book, 'The Three-Body Problem: Remembrance of Earth's Past,' is not a dazzling science fiction novel, I still believe that I have seen the depth of civilization that Liu Cixin wanted to express when he wrote it.
For the TV adaptation, I still have expectations because brightness is equally dazzling, isn't it? I hope the significant changes in 'The Three-Body Problem' will also lead to a satisfying conclusion because this is the best time to bring this groundbreaking masterpiece to the public.
How could I miss it? Of course, I have to say some good things to win over the audience, haha. In conclusion, the final touch on the 'Remembrance of Earth's Past' chapter ends here, but the Three-Body Universe is not yet complete.
I hope I still have the opportunity to share my insights about the Dark Forest and Death's End with all of you.
First of all, I have to say that as a fan of the original work, I am very satisfied with the performance of "The Three-Body Problem" TV drama so far!
It has exceeded my expectations! However, I think it might be a bit challenging for those who haven't read the first book of the trilogy to follow (I'll explain this later, please bear with me).
Let's start with the analysis of the characters. Initially, almost all the important characters from the first book make their appearance in the first episode.
Among them, the ones with more screen time are Wang Miao (the absolute protagonist of the first book), Da Shi (a prominent character in both books), Chang Wei Si, Ding Yi, Yang Dong, Ye Wenjie, and so on (listed according to their importance in the story).
It's evident that the first episode has a lot of information to offer.
First, let's talk about Wang Miao. I'm very satisfied with the portrayal of Wang Miao's character!
Both in the TV drama and the novel, he gives off a scholarly vibe, with a touch of "bookworm" demeanor. However, he remains calm, which aligns well with his role as a university professor.
Moreover, there are some details in the TV drama, such as the scene where he takes a photo of Yang Dong, which perfectly match his personality. The portrayal of Wang Miao in the TV drama strikes a balance; whether it's his retorts to Da Shi, his responses to the superior, or his conversations with Ding Yi and others, it all feels true to his character and doesn't come across as unnatural.
I must give praise for this, and I hope the actor goes even further in his performance.
Da Shi, played by Chen Duxiu in the awakening era, is satisfactory so far.
Perhaps due to his appearance, his performance in the drama doesn't quite match the imagination of fans of the original work regarding Shi Qiang. Although Da Shi has a rough personality, he doesn't excessively display his emotions through facial expressions.
After all, he is a criminal investigator, and his character development is currently lacking. However, this deficiency showcases a different style for Da Shi.
In the scene where he invites Wang Miao in front of his house in the first episode, the portrayal of his impatience and the subsequent conversation in the meeting are well done.
It really makes you dislike him when you put yourself in Wang Miao's shoes. He truly embodies Da Shi and uses provocative tactics effectively. Regarding Da Shi, based on the opening and ending credits, I can only say that I'm currently satisfied.
I hope he can portray the multifaceted nature of the character, the calmness amidst chaos, and truly embody the essence of Da Shi's Dark Forest theory.
(facepalm)
Now, let's talk about Chang Wei Si's portrayal, which I want to criticize. I'm not very satisfied with it. Previously, in the previews, it was mentioned that he had played a general before, but I feel his speech is too rigid.
He comes across more like a police chief than a general, creating an air of mystery but lacking the farsightedness that a leader should possess. It's hard for me to describe this feeling, but as soon as I see him and hear him speak, I feel like he hasn't truly seen anything and is just delivering formalities, too much like a bureaucrat.
He has three main scenes: the first one in the conference room, where his speech is not a problem, or rather, the whole scene in the conference room is acceptable, except for the sudden change when he individually calls Wang Miao.
I don't remember the details from the original text clearly, but this portrayal feels somewhat unnatural. However, during the private conversation with Wang Miao, he seems to be reading from a script, with no changes in tone or mannerisms.
It feels like a completely rehearsed dialogue. After Wang Miao declines his invitation and he immediately requests someone else, to be honest, if I were Wang Miao, I wouldn't accept his invitation either.
It lacks sincerity and urgency, and fails to convey the feeling that he is the one to whom the heavy responsibility should be entrusted. This doesn't resemble the attitude of a general.
The final conversation in the corridor also gave me a similar impression, that it was too mechanical and lacked genuine intent. Despite hinting at something important, his delivery of the lines still lacks the strategic essence of a leader.
What he says doesn't resemble the enigmatic leader with a sense of grandeur; instead, it feels like a mere recitation. Additionally, the squinting eyes of the character are quite out of place and lack the majesty a leader should possess.
Finally, let me mention Ding Yi. Ding Yi is very good. Wang Chuan Jun's portrayal of Ding Yi differs from my mentalimage of the character, but it's still very much in line with the essence of Ding Yi.
In the TV drama, Ding Yi is portrayed as a calm and rational person, with a touch of elegance. Her interactions with Wang Miao are well done, and the chemistry between the two characters is palpable.
Ding Yi's character is not limited to just being a love interest; she also plays a crucial role in the scientific research and investigation. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her character development in the upcoming episodes.
As for the overall production quality of the TV drama, I have to say that it's quite impressive. The visual effects, set designs, and cinematography are all top-notch.
The scenes depicting the Trisolaran civilization and the Three-Body Game are particularly well done. The attention to detail and the visual representation of complex scientific concepts are commendable.
The pacing of the story is also well-balanced, keeping the viewers engaged and intrigued.
However, I must point out that the first episode might be challenging for those who haven't read the first book of the trilogy.
The story jumps between different timelines and introduces a lot of characters and concepts, which might be confusing for newcomers. It would have been helpful to provide some context or explanations for those who are unfamiliar with the source material.
In conclusion, the first episode of "The Three-Body Problem" TV drama has impressed me with its faithful portrayal of the characters and its high production quality.
Despite some minor criticisms regarding certain character portrayals, the overall performance is quite impressive. As a fan of the original work, I'm excited to see how the rest of the TV drama unfolds and how it brings the epic story of "The Three-Body Problem" to life on the screen.
In the concluding part of the character section, I will explain why people who haven't read "The Three-Body Problem" find it difficult to follow.
The reason is that in a TV series, at least they could add subtitles to indicate the characters and their identities! But you have nothing. I have read the original work, and I had expectations, so naturally, I can correlate the relevant content.
But what about those who haven't read the original work? How many characters did you introduce in the beginning? In the first episode, Ye Wenjie also appeared, and the screenwriter inserted the scene of the launch at Red Coast Base.
However, if you start with that, I don't even know who this woman is. She just presses two buttons, and what happens? Right? In the end, there was a close-up shot of Ye Wenjie, implying that it was related to what happened before, but can Ye Wenjie really leave an impression on viewers who haven't read the book?
I have my doubts about that.
Overall, I am quite satisfied with the plot of the first episode because it contains a lot of information, and I feel that its pace is relatively slow, which aligns with the nature of "The Three-Body Problem" itself.
Because "The Three-Body Problem" is ultimately a novel about the writing of history, by watching it slowly, you can savor its content. The intercutting at Red Coast is acceptable, and the appearance of Ye Wenjie and the photograph at the end echoes Chang Weisi's words in the middle, implying the changes in human civilization and the arrival of the Trisolaran civilization.
The casual conversation during the meeting also deliberately foreshadows the Guzheng Project. The added original plot about Yang Dong's experiment and how Shen Yufei made the topic of "Physics Does Not Exist" the content that killed a scholar is well done.
It also hides the problem of the Sophons within. I am quite satisfied with this. Additionally, Wang Miao's uniqueness is hinted at in the conversation between Chang Weisi and Dawei, as well as the exchange between Shen Yufei and Pan Han.
There are also some unique details, such as Shen Yufei's act of worshiping Buddha and seeking blessings from the deity. People who haven't read the book may not understand it, but those who have immediately understand that Shen Yufei is praying to the deity to ask the Sophons for help, including her own prayers.
The screenwriter has indeed read "The Three-Body Problem," and considering its sensitivity, the adaptation has been done quite well.
In summary, "The Three-Body Problem" TV series is decently made, but I believe it is quite challenging for people who haven't read the book to get into it.
I recommend that the production team create some short films or written materials to provide a brief introduction to the overall content of each episode of "The Three-Body Problem" and set the stage.
However, for those who have read the original work, they can genuinely look forward to it because the adaptation is indeed well done. In terms of domestic TV adaptations, this can truly be considered a benchmark work!
It is necessary to have a domestically produced TV series in the process of adapting "The Three-Body Problem," which is full of potential. This TV series has made us think about many things that we didn't have time to think about before.
Only by standing at a new height can we comprehend these things. In this regard, "The Three-Body Problem" TV series already has significant significance.
If there are even better adaptations of "The Three-Body Problem" in the future, that would be great. A bystander sees clearly, and the merits and demerits will be truly evaluated.
TV Series Review - Ding Yi's Perspective:
A few days ago, my fiancée took an overdose of Ansu pills and committed suicide at home. In her suicide note, she claimed that physics no longer exists.
Ah, her heart was too fragile. During the past few months, many scientists around the world have been taking their own lives, and most of them were theoretical physicists who had some interaction with the 'Science Frontier.' ADC established a presence in China and invited me to attend a meeting, but I didn't report Yang Dong's suicide note.
During the meeting, I noticed that Yusen was also present, and he seemed curious about Yang Dong's note... Big Shi, as mentioned by Chang Shisi, kept patting my shoulder, helpless...
(a bit tipsy) I gave Yang Dong's note to Wang Miao, after all, he was once a member of the 'Science Frontier.' After the meeting, Wang Miao came to find me. Due to Yang Dong's death, I had a few drinks and was a bit disoriented, but he came to me.
I explained my billiards table theory (the collision of billiard balls is similar to the collision of my quantum collider), and he was greatly impressed. The next day, at the 'Science Frontier' conference, I met Zhu Miao.
At the same time, Zhong Yufei explained the 'Marksman' and 'Farmer' hypotheses. However, having just suffered the loss of Yang Dong, I couldn't bear to listen anymore.
I got angry on the spot, cursed, and angrily left the 'Science Frontier' conference.
Review: The first four episodes of Tencent's "The Three-Body Problem" can be said to completely outshine the artistic "Three Poems." At this moment, "Three Poems" is thick with joy.
In the scenes, the deadly weapon mentioned by Shi Qiang, the precise countdown in Wang Miao's eyes, and the meticulous depiction of vehicles and mobile phones in the 2007-2008 timeline all show great attention to detail.
The fact that everyone in the "Golden World" speaks Chinese is a satire on the artistic "Three Poems," but in Tencent's "Three-Body Problem," Zhong Yufei converses with foreign scholars in English, which is realistic.
As for non-original readers watching "The Three-Body Problem," many are afraid they won't understand the plot. To be honest, Tencent's "Three Poems" is filmed with the arrangement of the "Three Stops," and there are descriptions of Red Coast interspersed in it.
In the first four episodes, the young Ye Wenjie doesn't say a word, so I guess there will definitely be a depiction of Ye Wenjie's experiences later on. I speculate that it will be narrated during the gathering of the "Science Frontier." Also, I want to mention that the first four episodes of Tencent's "Three Poems" are indeed filmed in a somewhat mysterious style, but I believe this filming style is meant to emphasize humanity's fear of unknown forces.
The colors should become brighter in later episodes, so please enjoy it without worries.
I stayed up all night in excitement after watching the 15th episode of the TV series. It's a pity that there's no new episode today (don't mention the transformation). I went to see The Wandering Earth 2 a couple of days ago, and it was really good.
It lingered in my mind for several days. Both The Three-Body Problem and The Wandering Earth are works by Liu Cixin, and 2023 is truly a great year for him. With some free time these days, I've discovered many interesting aspects, and I'd like to share them with everyone.
1. Space Elevator: The concept of a space elevator has been around for a long time. It is an epic project that involves a space station in synchronous orbit with the Earth, directly connected to the surface with high-strength materials.
It would greatly reduce the cost of human space travel. In The Three-Body Problem, Wang Miao's nano-flyblade is a key material for building the space elevator, which is why it becomes the target of the Arrivalists. The beginning of The Wandering Earth 2 film features a CG representation of the space elevator, and to be honest, it surpasses my meager imagination.
It's truly amazing.
2. "Artificial Intelligence" Computers: In The Three-Body Problem, the three million people forming a human computer is a perfect example of a "truly artificial" computer. Liu Cixin's vast imagination is truly awe-inspiring.
The novel portrays the most primitive form of computers, while The Wandering Earth 2 showcases a 5.5 million quantum computer, depicting a possible future form of computers. The comparison between the two is quite interesting.
3. Three-Body Fleet and the Spaceship Faction: The technological advancements of the Trisolarans in The Three-Body Problem are remarkable. After realizing that doomsday is approaching, why didn't they choose to flee with a wandering Earth?
First of all, let's assume that it's possible (since it's a hypothetical scenario, if the Trisolarans can't even accomplish what The Wandering Earth depicts, then it's just nonsense). The reason might be that the Trisolarans are naturally small in size, and they possess the ability to dehydrate.
The spaceships can already accommodate many individuals, and the Trisolarans have a stronger collective consciousness. Their choice is made for the continuation of their civilization.
4. Extreme Relocation: The chaotic movements of the three suns torment the Trisolarans.
After discovering Earth, they immediately set off to the solar system 4.3 light-years away, where the beautiful paradise of Earth is located. However, in The Wandering Earth, the sun rapidly ages and is about to experience a helium flash that will engulf the Earth.
The people of the world unite and embark on a journey with the Earth. But where is their destination? It's the Alpha Centauri system, 4.3 light-years away—the same system where the Trisolarans reside. If we consider the storyline in a certain time and space, the Three-Body Fleet encounters the wandering Earth halfway.
Both sides are dumbfounded. It's an extreme case of relocation.
Trisolarans: Don't come to my place; the environment is too harsh, and we can't survive.
Wandering Earth: Well, that's unfortunate. My place is even worse.
With a TV series and a blockbuster movie, this year is truly satisfying. I welcome everyone to join in the discussion and share their thoughts.
Currently, it seems that ETO's claims are also limited in their truthfulness. First of all, they have exaggerated the hierarchical status of the Trisolarans, elevating them to the level of creators, while claiming to be the ones revealing the truth to everyone.
In reality, they are actually covering up the truth! In this regard, there is not a single decent faction within ETO. Many scientists committed suicide because "physics no longer exists," implying that there is a god in the world who rolls the dice and controls all the laws of physics.
The research they conducted was nothing more than a whim of a whimsical farmer. However, in reality, the Trisolarans are far from reaching the level of creators. Their gathering and hypotheses are simply aimed at undermining scientists.
Is there anyone else who, like me, particularly loves the two moments in the TV series where Wang Miao reconciles with the countdown? The first time was when he reminded his wife that the fish on the stove was ready, and the second time was when he accurately calculated the timing of the traffic light change using the countdown.
Both of these moments, in terms of cinematography, dialogue, and the actors' performances, struck me with tenderness. After experiencing extreme fear, he stumbled but managed to stand up again. He not only coexists with the parasite but even actively integrates it into his life.
It's truly a mix of tears and laughter. Even during the green light scene, there were no lines, but the cinematography and the actors' expressions were exceptionally well done—subtle, gentle, yet resolute and resilient. It's as if you can see millions of people in him.
By the way, the small change of turning Wang Miao's son into a daughter throughout the series really enriched the plot. It truly needed a warm-hearted little girl instead of a son who would be more like poking at the lungs.
I believe that after watching the Three-Body TV series, many of you still yearn for more. However, it's difficult to gauge the plot and pacing from the previews alone. Below, I will analyze the details revealed in the released episode calendar.
Episodes 1-4: The first part, which I believe most of you are familiar with (no need for further explanation here), depicts the "miracle" imposed by the Three-Body world on Earth (the unfolding of the two-dimensional Trisolaris enveloping Earth).
The first four episodes of the TV series revolve around the countdown, and interestingly enough, the episode calendar also includes a countdown section, which validates this analytical direction.
Episode 2: It is clearly depicted as a billiards table, corresponding to Dr.
Ding Yi and Wang Miao's discussion on particle collision acceleration and the conclusion that our physics is merely a temporary dynamic equilibrium, which has now been disrupted, implying the nonexistence of physics.
Episode 4: Depicted as a starry sky, corresponding to Shen Yufei accepting Wang Miao's larger-scale countdown challenge. However, the actual cosmic twinkling should occur in the fifth episode.
The following speculations are based on the episode calendar and extrapolation from unaired scenes:
Episode 7: This refers to the upcoming seventh episode that will be released tomorrow, which I believe you all are eager to watch.
From the previous previews, we can infer that this episode involves the VR goggles used to enter the Three-Body game. It will likely focus on Wang Miao's journey to obtain the game's website address and his subsequent entry into the Three-Body game.
Episode 10: There are two possible interpretations for this pattern. Firstly, it could represent the encounter between young Ye Wenjie in the Greater Xing'an Mountains and Bai Mulin, a journalist from the Inner Mongolia Production and Construction Corps' "Great Production News." This book is the precursor to Bai Mulin lending Ye Wenjie "The Silent Spring," which leads to her involvement with the Red Coast Base.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier, Wang Miao will enter the Three-Body game in the seventh episode. Therefore, this could potentially be the perpetual calendar presented by King Wen of Zhou to Zhou Wang.
In any case, both possibilities exist, and I welcome you to share your answers in the comments section!
Episode 13: It appears that the timeline has returned to the Red Coast Base. My speculation is that this episode may depict Ye Wenjie broadcasting Earth's information to the universe for the first time and receiving the reply "Do Not Answer!
Do Not Answer! Do Not Answer!" from the Three-Body world's Listener 1379, eight years later.
Episode 17: The symbol displayed is ETO, indicating Wang Miao's first offline meeting with players of the "Three-Body" game, which leads to his infiltration of the ETO organization.
Episode 20: Based on the depiction of a pendulum, this episode should be Wang Miao's fifth entry into the "Three-Body" game. It will likely involve the Three-Body civilization's plan to fly out of the Trisolaris system and explore the vast expanse of the galaxy in search of new habitable worlds.
The phrase "Pendulum Activation!" may be significant in the plot.
Episode 24: This episode likely takes place eight years after Ye Wenjie sent the message to the universe. She receives a warning from Listener 1379, "Do Not Answer!
Do Not Answer! Do Not Answer!" However, due to her 10-year ordeal and the persecution she endured, she has lost faith in others and humanity, becoming deeply disappointed with the state of human life and society.
In the end, she unhesitatingly presses the response button, saying, "Come here, and I will help you gain control of this world. My civilization is unable to solve its own problems and needs your intervention." This exposes Earth to the Three-Body civilization.
Episode 25: This episode clearly depicts the scene where the Nuclear Bomb Girl uses three atomic bombs to cover Ye Wenjie's retreat. However, it is also the emotional breakthrough for Da Shi, who becomes infected with radiation and chooses to go into hibernation for future treatment after helping Luo Ji find Zhang Yan in the Dark Forest of the Trisolaris system.
Episode 29: This episode features the most shocking plot in the first part of the "Three-Body" series, known as the "Guzheng Plan." After humanity learns of the existence of the Second Red Coast Base, Da Shi proposes using Wang Miao's nanomaterial flying blade to slice through the "Judgment" ship to obtain the chat records with the Three-Body civilization.
Two tall poles are erected at the narrowest point of the Panama Canal, with nanomaterial flying blades positioned every 50 cm. When the ship passes through, both the ship and the people on board are sliced apart, along with the data storage disks that can be technically restored.
This operation is known as the "Guzheng Plan.
Episode 30: This is the grand finale of the first part of the "Three-Body" TV series. An emergency international conference is held by the United Nations Military Alliance to discuss how to deal with the crisis at hand.
At this moment, the Three-Body civilization uses sophons to display the same message to everyone: "You are insects." When this message is revealed, people begin to fall into panic and despair.
After Wang Miao learns the full story, he and Ding Yi, Yang Dong's boyfriend, drown their sorrows in alcohol. The two scientists lament that in the eyes of the Three-Body civilization, humans are nothing more than insects on the brink of extinction.
Shi Qiang, seeing this, takes them to a field of wheat to uplift their spirits. As they gaze at the field, locusts swarm and devour the crops like a sandstorm. Witnessing this scene, they realize the vast gap between human technology and the locusts.
Despite humans using planes, pesticides, and cultivating natural enemies to eradicate them, the locusts continue to soar in the sky, undefeated. It is at this moment that Da Shi utters the famous quote: "The Three-Body civilization, which sees humans as insects, seems to have forgotten one fact: insects have never been truly conquered!
" The three of them bask in the rain of life, feeling the dignity of Earth's existence. Wang Miao and Ding Yi pour the wine they hold onto the ground and say, "To the insects!" (End of the series)
Three Body TV Drama Recommendation Index: ☆☆☆☆☆
Analysis of Three Body Characters and Some Details:
01
The fidelity to the original work is extremely high.
Many fans of the original novel believe that the drama follows the original as a script. The story begins with the old song "Unity is Strength," which takes the audience back to that special era, to the "Red Coast Base" deep in the snowy Daxing'an Mountains.
Wang Zi Wen, portraying the young Ye Wenjie, slowly extends her finger and presses the button that changes the fate of humanity. Then the main story begins, set in the summer of 2007 during the selection process for Beijing Olympic torchbearers, which is progressing vigorously.
(Here, there is a detail for Three Body enthusiasts: when transitioning between scenes of Ye Wenjie's home, Wang Miao's home, and others, there are mirror-like abnormal shots.
Friends familiar with the Three Body series will understand that this is the perspective of the sophons, which monitor everything on Earth.) Next is the suicide of the young physicist Yang Dong.
His last words before the suicide, "Physics no longer exists," represent the confusion and parting words of Yang Dong and several other physicists who took their own lives.
(Here, let me explain to the general audience why many scientists committed suicide. Imagine a physicist who has dedicated their life to the study of physics suddenly discovering that "physics no longer exists." Their entire worldview and values, which they have devoted their lives to, collapse.
This is a tremendous disillusionment and blow to them. It represents the spiritual deadlock of cutting-edge physics research that humanity faces.) The successive suicides of these physicists raise suspicions and concerns from the military and the police because they were global in scale.
The various countries of the world urgently form different battle zones, and China belongs to the ADC (Asian Defense Council). Through investigation, it is revealed that these suicidal physicists had all been in contact with or joined a well-known international academic organization called the "Boundary of Science." At this point, the experienced veteran detective Shi Qiang (portrayed by Yu He Wei) appears, assigned by his superiors to seek the assistance of scientist Wang Miao in the investigation, also to ensure Wang Miao's safety.
The two male leads, Wang Miao and Shi Qiang, make their appearances, and the story unfolds. 02
Shi Qiang, played by Yu He Wei, received praise from netizens for his superb acting skills.
Actually, before the premiere of "Three Body," many fans of the original work (including myself) expressed doubts when they learned that Yu He Wei would play Shi Qiang.
They believed that Yu He Wei's image did not match the burly and rough appearance of Shi Qiang described in the original work, with his "big and rough, booming voice" demeanor.
However, after the premiere, Yu He Wei successfully portrayed a character that was originally unlike himself through his excellent acting skills. He captured Shi Qiang's unruly and carefree yet nuanced and perceptive nature.
There's also Shi Qiang's dry humor when he jokes, "You guys do scientific research, will relics be created after cremation?" (This compensates for the fact that Luo Fei, for special reasons, cannot tell this joke in the drama.) It successfully annoys Wang Miao, the scientist, but it also manages to amuse the audience, including myself.
Shi Qiang's verbosity, self-righteousness, and carefree, along with Wang Miao's meticulous restraint, reticence, and aloof sensitivity, create a vivid contrast that is intriguing and entertaining.
Who can resist the sparks that fly when these two talented actors collide?
03
Zhang Lu Yi's appearance and temperament are in line with Wang Miao, and his acting is impeccable.
He is Wang Miao in every sense. Before the premiere, I felt that Zhang Lu Yi's restrained temperament suited the character of physicist Wang Miao. After the premiere, Zhang Lu Yi didn't disappoint.
He perfectly portrays Wang Miao's gentle restraint, self-discipline, sensitivity, and vigilance in terms of both appearance and demeanor, as well as speech, actions, and gaze.
Zhang Lu Yi's portrayal is exactly how we imagine a scientist to be, how we envision Wang Miao. The compatibility of this role is simply a divine restoration of the novel.
04
Wang Zi Wen and Chen Jin's portrayal of the young and elderly versions of Ye Wenjie are incredibly accurate, with a high level of character fidelity. Especially Chen Jin's portrayal of the elderly Ye Wenjie, although her screen time is currently limited, she embodies Ye Wenjie perfectly!
Before the premiere, I had full confidence in Chen Jin's portrayal of the elderly Ye Wenjie. Her image and temperament, with a dignified and rigorous demeanor mixed with seriousness and sternness, align perfectly with the Ye Wenjie image in my mind.
Moreover, Chen Jin is a seasoned actress and her acting skills are beyond doubt. In the first two episodes, if I remember correctly, the elderly Ye Wenjie appeared twice.
The first time was at the end of the first episode. The elderly Ye Wenjie sat there, flipping through the early photos of herself and her daughter Yang Dong, recalling the moment she pressed the button and sent a signal to the universe.
Did she make the right choice by inviting an extraterrestrial civilization to save humanity? Did her choice lead to her daughter's suicide? Although the elderly Ye Wenjie's appearance in the first episode was brief, it was enough to immerse the audience in the character of "Ye Wenjie." "This is Ye Wenjie herself!
" With just a simple sitting posture, Chen Jin conveyed a sense of desolation and a profound gaze that expressed her inner thoughts. The second appearance was at Yang Dong's funeral in the second episode.
The elderly Ye Wenjie stood in front of her daughter's tombstone, with a solemn expression on her face, showing no sadness or tears. However, the waves in her heart never ceased.
When Wang Miao approached and introduced himself, Ye Wenjie learned that Wang Miao was studying applied physics and nanotechnology. She casually praised, "Very bold, very forward-looking." Although her words were calm, they revealed her usual attention to this field.
As for Wang Zi Wen's portrayal of the young Ye Wenjie, although her screen time is limited, she vividly conveys a sense of solitude and shatteredness.
Lin Yong Jian, who plays Chang Wei Si, received praise for his calm and experienced acting skills.
On the other hand, Wang Chuan Jun, who plays Ding Yi, was criticized by many viewers. Before the premiere of "Three Body," some expressed doubts about Lin Yong Jian's ability to portray the dignity and aura of a major general as Chang Wei Si.
However, those worries disappeared after the premiere. Lin Yong Jian successfully controlled the character of Chang Wei Si with his calm and experienced acting skills.
On the other hand, Wang Chuan Jun's portrayal of Ding Yi was criticized by many viewers, who felt that he didn't portray a neurotic scientist, but rather an artist with a mental illness.
Although I don't necessarily think Ding Yi appeared mentally ill, it is true that Wang Chuan Jun's portrayal of Ding Yi had flaws in terms of exaggerated movements, weak delivery of lines, and lack of clarity.
Perhaps he put too much effort into understanding and portraying the character of Ding Yi. In addition to the main actors mentioned above, He Du Juan, who plays the suicidal female physicist Yang Dong, perfectly matches the image and temperament imagined by fans of the original work.
In her limited screen time, He Du Juan delicately presents the mindset of a disillusioned young physicist on the verge of despair before her suicide, deserving recognition.
In summary, the premiere of "Three Body" had actors who were well-suited for their roles, bringing the characters to life. The plot largely stayed true to the original work, greatly satisfying fans of the novel.
It has received positive word-of-mouth and popularity. Overall, this long-awaited domestic live-action sci-fi drama "Three Body" did not disappoint the fans of the original work and the audience.
This is what a domestic sci-fi drama should be like! It may not be perfect, but the production team approached it with a rigorous and serious attitude, and their high fidelity to the original work sets a good precedent for domestic sci-fi dramas.
It can be considered a benchmark in domestic film and television adaptations!
In 2006, Wang Miao became the head of the nanomaterial component of the "China No. 2" high-energy accelerator project. He had a chance encounter with Yang Dong at Liang Xiang's construction site and left an impression.
In early 2007, during a technical seminar, Wang Miao met Shen Yu Fei and got introduced to the "Science Frontier" society through her. He was invited to join the society but declined due to limited energy.
On March 7, 2007, Yang Dong committed suicide by taking pills and left behind a suicide note claiming "physics does not exist." On March 9, Wang Miao was brought to the Operations Center by Shi Qiang, where he learned about Yang Dong's death and the mysterious suicides of several physicists related to the "Science Frontier" society.
The military informed him that they hoped he would go undercover in the society to gather internal information. Initially refusing, Wang Miao eventually agreed under Shi Qiang's provocation.
That night, Wang Miao visited Ding Yi and learned about the strange phenomena occurring in high-energy particle experiments.
On March 10, 2007, while photographing in the field, Wang Miao discovered a mysterious countdown of 1,200 hours on a developed film negative.
After verifying, he realized that the countdown only appeared on the photos he took. Wang Miao sought help from Shen Yu Fei, who advised him to halt the nanomaterial project, but he didn't follow the advice.
That night, Wang Miao saw the countdown directly appearing in his eyes. On March 11, Wang Miao visited the hospital for an eye examination but found no answers. Feeling desperate, he decided to follow Shen Yu Fei's suggestion and temporarily suspended the nanomaterial project during maintenance, causing the countdown to disappear.
However, Wang Miao remained skeptical and called Shen Yu Fei to question her. He was told to observe cosmic background radiation three days later.
On March 12, 2007, Wang Miao entered the "Three-Body" game for the first time and learned about the game settings such as the "Stable Era" and the "Chaotic Era," "Dehydration," and "Submersion." He witnessed King Wen of Zhou's failure in solving the Three-Body Problem and the destruction of civilization, then exited the game.
Following Ding Yi's earlier suggestion about observing cosmic background radiation, Wang Miao visited Ye Wenjie and received assistance regarding the observation. On March 13, 2007, Wang Miao went to the Miyun Radio Astronomy Observation Base near Beijing to observe cosmic background radiation and learned about Ye Wenjie's difficult experiences during the Cultural Revolution from Sha Rui Shan.
From one o'clock to five o'clock in the early morning of March 14, Wang Miao witnessed the flickering of cosmic background radiation—a countdown displayed in Morse code on a cosmic scale.
Wang Miao was nearly on the verge of collapse and was taken out for a drink by Shi Qiang to calm down. After regaining composure, Wang Miao returned home and entered the "Three-Body" game for the second time.
He witnessed Mo Zi's failure in solving the Three-Body Problem and the destruction of civilization within the game, then exited the game.
On March 15, 2007, Wang Miao visited Ye Wenjie again and learned about the Red Coast Project.
Subsequently, he entered the "Three-Body" game for the third time and provided a theoretical explanation for the basic structure of the Three-Body universe within the game, but his explanation was not accepted by others.
After the destruction of civilization within the game, Wang Miao's theory was confirmed, and he successfully deciphered the truth about the existence of three suns, completing the first stage of the game.
In the early morning of March 16, 2007, Wang Miao received a phone call from Shi Qiang and hurried to the police station, where he learned that Wei Cheng had reported being threatened.
They all rushed to Shen Yu Fei's home and discovered that Shen Yu Fei had been shot dead by Pan Han. Afterwards, Wang Miao entered the "Three-Body" game for the fourth time, witnessing the emergence and development of human-computer civilizations and the destruction of civilization within the game.
He then exited the game and received an invitation to attend a gathering of "Three-Body" online fans.
Shouldn't the flashing happen before entering the game? The timeline is wrong!
The impact of physicists discovering that physics doesn't exist is akin to a billionaire financial tycoon realizing that all their money has turned into blank paper. It's like a lifelong farmer finding out that nothing grows in their fields anymore.
It's like a seasoned electrician discovering that there is no electricity in the world. It's as if a lifelong mortgage slave suddenly realizes their house has disappeared. It's like a pilot who has spent their entire life flying planes discovering that humanity actually lives underground, and there is no sky in the world.
It's like a teacher who has devoted their life to education realizing that all the knowledge they've been teaching, all the textbooks, are full of errors, and the children they've taught have become fools.
It's like a food critic who has enjoyed a lifetime of exquisite cuisine finding out that the hotpot they've been eating all along is just army rations.
Feel free to add more examples if you have any thoughts, so that people from different industries can better understand the collapse of scientists.
Oh, so initially I thought I could watch this TV drama with my child, but now I feel like the core of the show is still a bit despairing. If it were me, if I were Wang Miao, I would definitely be too afraid to die, but I would certainly go crazy.
Humans live by faith. Without faith, they cannot survive.
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这部剧太精彩了！剧情紧凑扣人心弦，演员们的表演也非常出色。对中国电视剧的期待越来越高了！
To love someone all your life and discover they don't love you back; to raise children for a lifetime and realize they belong to someone else; to hear someone say they've loved you all their life, only to discover it was a lie; these experiences, whether in relationships or personal beliefs, can be devastating enough to make someone feel like dying.