3 Body Problem is being tipped as Netflix’s next major hit but can you fathom what’s going on in this cerebral sci-fi without the background of the books?
The series is helmed by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss of Game of Thrones fame and adapts Liu Cixin’s beloved series of novels. Our ownreviewcalls the show “an incredibly rewarding way to dedicate eight hours of your life to television”.
So, is it still as rewarding to binge if you’re not familiar with the novels on which it’s based? I’ve watched all eight episodes of 3 Body Problem and I have an answer.
Can you follow 3 Body Problem as a non-book reader?
The short answer for this one is: Yes, I think so.
Everyone is different of course so that assertion should come with a bit of a caveat. I am already positively pre-disposed to the genre and had the good fortune of being given a single-sentence synopsis that helped contextualize some early moments in the show.
Rest assured, by the end of its third episode, anything that isn’t meant to be a mystery should be apparent to most viewers. If you are feeling like something hasn’t been properly touched upon, it’s likely part of one of the many jaw-dropping reveals.
Fortunately, the showrunners clearly understand that if you want to make a hit (and money), people need to be able to grasp what is happening and being discussed. 3 Body Problem onNetflixdefinitely spends the right amount of time explaining some of the more complex sci-fi elements so that you’re able to follow along.
If you are looking for a second opinion, I can divulge that some of Dexerto’s own, who are not as geeky as this writer, have gone into the series blind and thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
3 Body Problem is now available to stream on Netflix. Find out more about thecast, whether youneed to read the booksbefore, and catch up with other amazing TV shows tostream this month.
Ethan Dean is a Games Writer on Dexerto’s Australia team. He is a journalism graduate and specializes in Baldur’s Gate, Diablo, Elden Ring, Pokemon, Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, third-person games, and regularly plays newly release games. You can contact Ethan at: ethan.dean@dexerto.com
