Summary

• 3 Body Problem makes necessary changes to source material to tell a more palatable story for new audiences.
• Netflix introduces earlier elements and different names for aliens, calling them Trisolarans instead of San-Ti.
• Unlike the novels, 3 Body Problem features higher body count with brutal deaths crucial to the storyline.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

Netflix's 3 Body Problem's reviews bode well for a potential second season. Similar to the novels, 3 Body Problem tackles themes relating to extraterrestrial phenomena while also weaving in thought-provoking conspiracies centering around world governments. As ambitious as the adaptation is, it makes necessary changes to its source material to tell a more palatable story for audiences unfamiliar with the books.

3 Body Problem also makes references to real-life events in an effort to enhance its storytelling, while also rooting its more abstract action in a greater sense of reality. As a science fiction series, 3 Body Problem benefits from taking liberties with its source material, as the Liu novel caters to Chinese audiences given their sensibilities and references to the Chinese Revolution of 1966. As such, elements from the novel ranging from its central location to its cast to its interpretations of alien lifeforms existing are all adapted differently for the Netflix version.

This article contains discussions of self harm.

10 Clarence Shi and Thomas Wade

Both characters are reworked to better reflect the show's London setting.

Cunningham's Wade is still in charge of a shadowy government that utilizes morally questionable tactics to figure out what's going on.

Clarence Shi and Thomas Wade are played by Benedict Wong and Liam Cunningham respectively, and despite maintaining similarities to their novelization counterparts, display differences that make them distinct. Cunningham's Wade is still in charge of a shadowy government that utilizes morally questionable tactics to figure out what's going on, but he's noticeably less sociopathic than his novel counterpart. Wong's Clarence is still a hard-nosed detective, but his nationality and profession are changed to British and MI5 agent respectively to better reflect the show's London setting.

9 Netflix's Version Has A Higher Body Count Than The Books

Virtually every episode features brutal displays of death in some capacity.

Although two completely different shows stylistically and thematically, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are the creative minds behind 3 Body Problem along with Alexander Woo. As early as the opening moments, Ye Wenjie's father, Ye Zhetai, is brutally beaten to death in front of a crowd for refusing to submit to rehabilitation amid the Chinese Revolution of 1966. Although brutal and hard to watch, Zhetai's death is crucial to demonstrating the lengths governments will go through to maintain secrecy regarding the Trisolarans' existence among earthlings.

The Liu novels don't feature nearly as many graphic displays of death, as his vision highlights more of the practical explanations behind alien lifeforms existing.

Later in the episode, Wenjie's daughter, Vera Ye, commits suicide via jumping to her death for what is initially unknown reasons. However, after detective Clarence Shi investigates similar unexplainable suicides being committed by scientists, it becomes apparent that anyone who's worn the VR headset gradually loses their mind before ending their own life. While the death toll steadily rises over the course of the series, the Liu novels don't feature nearly as many graphic displays of death, as his vision highlights more of the practical explanations behind alien lifeforms existing.

8 Sophon Is Introduced Much Earlier And The Aliens Have Different Names

Netflix calls the aliens Trisolarans, but the source material calls them San-Ti.

Although 3 Body Problem centers around the possibility of alien lifeforms, they aren't necessarily called aliens or even extraterrestrials. In Liu's novels, the aliens are referred to as San-Ti, or Three-Body in Madarin, and in the Netflix version, they're referred to as Trisolarans, since they inhabit planets with three suns. Perhaps even more noteworthy is the introduction of the supercomputer weapon, Sophon. In Liu's novels, Sophon isn't introduced until the third book, Death's End, but in 3 Body Problem, she's heard narrating the VR game that Jin plays near episode 1's ending, perfectly setting up her future involvement sooner.

7 The Earth-Trisolaris Organization Civil War Doesn't Exist

The Earth-Trisolaris Organization is reduced to a cult-like organization.

The Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO) is a secret organization working around the clock to position Earth for the Trisolaran invasion by any means possible. However, in Liu's novels, there are different factions within the ETO - the Adventists, extremists who believe in Earth's destruction, the Survivors, people who are willing to do anything to survive the invasion, and the Redemptionists, who worship the Trisolarans as a superior civilization, that go to war with each other. However, 3 Body Problem reduces things to just a composite singular cult-like faction led by Mike Evans, that consists of people of all ages.

Although characters like Mike and Tatiana effectively demonstrate characteristics that would be appropriate for all three factions, 3 Body Problem only has eight episodes to condense as much information as possible. As such, it makes more sense to composite the different factions into one, since it naturally makes for compelling drama on its own. Furthermore, with 3 Body Problems's showrunners hopeful for a second season, it isn't a stretch to imagine the different factions appearing in future installments and further demonstrating the full scope of the cult.

6 The VR Game Has A Multiplayer Mode

Netflix's multiplayer mode allows for more dynamic character interactions.

One of the key aspects of 3 Body Problem's storytelling lies in its use of a VR headset-like video game. In addition to its sleek design, it transports s to an alternate dimension in which its wearer partakes in video game-like challenges to help them uncover what it is the Trisolarans want from Earth. While the headset is featured in both, the novel allows for a single at a time, whereas 3 Body Problem's VR headset features a multiplayer mode. As such, Jin and Jack traverse through it together, whereupon they make shocking and borderline incomprehensible discoveries.

5 The Wallfacer's Program Has A Different Riddle

Wenjie's riddle to Saul is even more complex.

Saul is the onscreen version of the novel's Luo Ji, and he undergoes a similar character transformation in that he's recruited as a member of the Wallfacer Program. In the novels, The Wallfacers are a group of three individuals chosen to develop a defense strategy against the Trisolarans. Both characters are confused as to why they were specifically chosen, but in the novel, Wenjie tells Luo to research cosmic sociology in order to gain a better understanding of things. In 3 Body Problem's finale, she tells Saul to consider if Einstein made it to heaven.

Entire portions of Liu's novels are devoted to highlighting the Trisolarans' point of view regarding Earth and the various conflicts surrounding it.

4 The Aliens' POV Is Absent

Entire chapters are told from the Trisolarans' point of view.

Arguably one of the most interesting elements of Liu's novels is the Trisolarans and their motivations for wanting to invade Earth. As such, entire portions of Liu's novels are devoted to highlighting the Trisolarans' point of view regarding Earth and the various conflicts surrounding it. It's necessary for the novels since it provides broader context for their motives, but 3 Body Problem omits their perspective from the first season. This is likely done because their physical appearance is never described in the novels, or because it would distract from the central characters' conflicts.

3 Silent Spring

Silent Spring has an even greater impact on Ye Wenjie than seen in the first episode.

Although many liberties are taken with the more sci-fi influenced elements, 3 Body Problem remains largely faithful to The Three Body Problem's handling of Ye Wenjie's past at the Red Coast Base. As seen in the first episode, Wenjie meets a man who gives her a copy of the Rachel Carson novel, The Silent Spring. Its themes of perseverance inspire Wenjie to remain steadfast in her rebellious ways, but the novel spends more time highlighting the novel's impact on her. While Netflix's handling of the book serves as a reawakening for Wenjie, the novel reinforces its existential themes more.

3 Body Problem combines elements from all three books into its first season in an effort to pace things better.

2 3 Body Problem Uses Elements From Each Of The Books

Including elements from all three books works better for television.

Each of the novels in Liu's The Three Body Problem series reflect different themes and problems relevant to the possibility of alien existence. Additionally, each book is well over 300 pages, which would prove to be far too complicated for the show to adequately adapt per season. As such, 3 Body Problem combines elements from all three books into its first season in an effort to pace things better. As a result, important characters are introduced much sooner and pivotal storylines are spread out for much longer, which successfully contributes to it feeling different than its source material.

1 Netflix's Changes The Chinese Location And Characters

The characters are multinational, and the action primarily takes place in London.

3 Body Problem's cast and characters are noticeably different in the series than they are in the novels, and due to the show's shift from China to London, it makes sense. Whereas Liu's characters and settings better reflect the commentary about the Chinese government and many of its policies, most North American and European audiences aren't as familiar with the politics of the East. As such, switching the characters and locations to more familiar faces and settings makes more sense in of broader appeal, and it decidedly makes 3 Body Problem distinct from Liu's works.