Spoilers 3 Body Problem

[Paul Farquhar]

This is classic sci-fi . . . what would a civilization look like if it existed in a 3-body system and the planet was constantly being thrown in and out of the habitable zone?

They used a similar idea in The Orville.

 

[Dire Bare]

It is more that it was subjugation, probably culling most but leaving some of the chosen. But later, as they learned more about humans, the plan changed to extermination. But that may be more from the show than the books. From the books, I remember more about the two pro-santi human factions, which was glossed over (ignored really) in the TV show. I'm trying to remember the evolution of the santi's plan as it was revealed in the books. I just remember it being quite dark from the beginning. Some santi scientists who were attracted to the freedom and individuality of humans tried to work against their own kind and warn the humans. But I would need to skim over the first book again to refresh my recollection on the relevant events. The Netflix series simplifies the story a bit, but still admirably keeps true to the main themes and beats.

The San-Ti (in the show) always planned on being in charge. Subjugation. However, there is a difference between benign subjugation and oppressive subjugation.

We see it in our own history. If you lived in a monarchist society, you didn't have a choice who was your king, and you were expected to do whatever the king wanted, or else. However, many rulers felt a true responsibility towards their subjects and tried to take on a benevolent role. Others, of course, were more selfish and interested in oppressing the people and keeping them in line at all costs.

Did the San-Ti ever shift their plan to the complete extermination of the human species? I didn't get that from the show . . . but it definitely felt like the San-Ti decided that extermination was on the table if humanity didn't roll over and accept their new, now oppressive, overlords. You are bugs!

 

[MNblockhead]

The San-Ti (in the show) always planned on being in charge. Subjugation. However, there is a difference between benign subjugation and oppressive subjugation.

We see it in our own history. If you lived in a monarchist society, you didn't have a choice who was your king, and you were expected to do whatever the king wanted, or else. However, many rulers felt a true responsibility towards their subjects and tried to take on a benevolent role. Others, of course, were more selfish and interested in oppressing the people and keeping them in line at all costs.

Did the San-Ti ever shift their plan to the complete extermination of the human species? I didn't get that from the show . . . but it definitely felt like the San-Ti decided that extermination was on the table if humanity didn't roll over and accept their new, now oppressive, overlords. You are bugs!

They covered it in the show, but because of the pace it is easy not to grok. Basically, during the conversation between the San-ti and Mike Evans on the ship, when they learn that humans can lie. They simplify this in the show as in the books, Evans and the Adventists want humanity to be destroyed.

 

[dragoner]

I really liked the books, I have watched some of the TV program it is ok, though I am not a big TV watcher. I know the books can be difficult to parse without context, if one reads Liu's other works, such as Ball Lightning, and his essays in the short story collections, the context he gives makes it all more understandable. I have used some of the ideas in Solis People of the Sun including turning some upside down such as the Dark Forest theory. He does tie everything up in the last book, Death's End, and a lot makes sense. It doesn't have as much as a typical happy ending, though not much different than other sci-fi, like I won't say to spoiler it.

 

[Krachek]

Anybody else have an issue with nano-shredding Judgement Day? Don't get me wrong, the scene was brutal and well worth filming. My issue is that the fella in charge wanted to incapacitate the cultist and get their hard drives, mainframes, etc... without a bloody fight. Though, the nano-shredding turned the ship into a pile of scrap. They got very lucky that all the data wasn't destroyed with the JD.

I agree but what a scene!
Rarely I have see the power of an overwhelming tech ( or magic) so well shown in a tv show.

 

[Hussar]

I agree but what a scene!
Rarely I have see the power of an overwhelming tech ( or magic) so well shown in a tv show.

Gotta agree on this one. That and the "You are Bugs" sky writing change. Plus, even the human computer scene too. This show really does have some gorgeous shots in it.

Overall? I highly recommend this show. It's smart, easily believable, and, from what I could see, not huge plot holes. Some really powerful stuff.

And I'm really, really looking forward to the whole Wallfacer thing. When the UN Sec General just kinda gives Saul a funny look when he tries to reject the position, was priceless. And it really plays on the idea that the aliens just can't read people's minds. I'm looking forward to the next season.

 

[Krachek]

Gotta agree on this one. That and the "You are Bugs" sky writing change. Plus, even the human computer scene too. This show really does have some gorgeous shots in it.

Overall? I highly recommend this show. It's smart, easily believable, and, from what I could see, not huge plot holes. Some really powerful stuff.

And I'm really, really looking forward to the whole Wallfacer thing. When the UN Sec General just kinda gives Saul a funny look when he tries to reject the position, was priceless. And it really plays on the idea that the aliens just can't read people's minds. I'm looking forward to the next season.

I agree to « You are bugs « , especially when you related it with the earlier conversation about the meaning of the red riding hood.

 

[Gradine]

Just binged this show while my wife was out of town and... I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly how I feel about it. I mean, it definitely has some of those wild swings in quality that we've come to expect to from the makes of Game of Thrones. The pacing is all over the place and the writing is sometimes really weak but the acting is almost always top-notch. Augie was the weak link for me, personally; on the other hand Benedict Wong steals every scene he's in, which is hardly surprising. Some thoughts:

• The "my lord" stuff is really troubling and the fact that the San Ti had absolutely no problems rolling with that framing the entire time I think speaks to their perspective before the whole "you scare us". In general the whole fairy tale thing (despite the nice callback with Will and Jin later in the series) being a lie and that's the thing that tips the scale is probably my biggest issue with the show.
  • In general, there's a lot "dark forest" theory going on here. The San Ti were already very clearly a warlike species (as evidenced by Ye's first response coming from a "pacifist" who is warning her to stay silent for the sake of her planet); the idea that any other intelligent life in the universe automatically is an existential threat seems to have been driving them from the start. That it is not until they learn we can lie, 50 years after first contact, is what triggers them to be scared of us, seems disingenuous.
• I was surprised at how much I found myself caring about these five idiot geniuses. They're dumb geniuses, but they're my dumb genuises, you know?
• Man does Raj suck though.

 

[Ryujin]

Just binged this show while my wife was out of town and... I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly how I feel about it. I mean, it definitely has some of those wild swings in quality that we've come to expect to from the makes of Game of Thrones. The pacing is all over the place and the writing is sometimes really weak but the acting is almost always top-notch. Augie was the weak link for me, personally; on the other hand Benedict Wong steals every scene he's in, which is hardly surprising. Some thoughts:

• The "my lord" stuff is really troubling and the fact that the San Ti had absolutely no problems rolling with that framing the entire time I think speaks to their perspective before the whole "you scare us". In general the whole fairy tale thing (despite the nice callback with Will and Jin later in the series) being a lie and that's the thing that tips the scale is probably my biggest issue with the show.
  • In general, there's a lot "dark forest" theory going on here. The San Ti were already very clearly a warlike species (as evidenced by Ye's first response coming from a "pacifist" who is warning her to stay silent for the sake of her planet); the idea that any other intelligent life in the universe automatically is an existential threat seems to have been driving them from the start. That it is not until they learn we can lie, 50 years after first contact, is what triggers them to be scared of us, seems disingenuous.
• I was surprised at how much I found myself caring about these five idiot geniuses. They're dumb geniuses, but they're my dumb genuises, you know?
• Man does Raj suck though.

I just finished rewatching it, myself, now that a second season is on the way. I'm left wondering how many times this might have played out and how much obfuscation the aliens have engaged in, if one of their species has enough experience with this sort of thing that they expect Earth to be Cortezed?

 

[billd91]

• I was surprised at how much I found myself caring about these five idiot geniuses. They're dumb geniuses, but they're my dumb genuises, you know?

I see what you mean. By comparison, when watching Marvel's Runaways, I felt that the parents, who were all supposed to be so smart and talented, were the absolutely dumbest geniuses. So as far as I was concerned, they weren't my dumb geniuses at all (they were someone else's, and not someone I wanted to know).