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I rewatched the first 2 episodes of the Chinese version of "3 Body Problem" and then the first 2 of the Netflix series to do a quick comparison
Spoiler: I'm an enormous fan of the Chinese version so you can guess how this is going to go
Overall the comparison is obvious.
1/n
Spoiler: I'm an enormous fan of the Chinese version so you can guess how this is going to go
Overall the comparison is obvious.
1/n
The Chinese version is 30 episodes compared to Netflix' 8
That gives it time to explain the scientific background to what is going on but more than that it explains how the scientists think and why they have the emotional reactions that they do
2/n
That gives it time to explain the scientific background to what is going on but more than that it explains how the scientists think and why they have the emotional reactions that they do
2/n
For example there is a sequence of several minutes where a scientist makes careful observations that reveal something impossible is happening
In the Netflix version the clue is discovered on the wall of a murder scene in the first few seconds
3/n
In the Netflix version the clue is discovered on the wall of a murder scene in the first few seconds
3/n
Both versions include the "flickering universe" scene which is jaw dropping but the Chinese version is different in that it takes the time to explain something much more basic about the structure of the universe
It involves you more and then pulls the rug out from under you
4/n
It involves you more and then pulls the rug out from under you
4/n
The Netflix version is like a boxing movie which omits the training sequences
Having said that I like the characters in the Netflix version and I wish they had been given the time to develop that their Chinese counterparts had
5/n
Having said that I like the characters in the Netflix version and I wish they had been given the time to develop that their Chinese counterparts had
5/n
If I was a Netflix executive there is no way I would have risked commissioning a 30 episode 'show burn' equivalent of the original and they have created a superior piece of TV science fiction
Overall I rate Netflix as a 7 while the Chinese version is a 9 1/2
6/n
Overall I rate Netflix as a 7 while the Chinese version is a 9 1/2
6/n
The Netflix version is fun and will have your jaw on the floor
The Chinese version is a masterclass in how Science Fiction should be done for those who can cope with the subtitles and are happy to sit back and let things develop slowly
7/n
The Chinese version is a masterclass in how Science Fiction should be done for those who can cope with the subtitles and are happy to sit back and let things develop slowly
7/n
Lastly if would be a mistake to see the Chinese version as purely Chinese
The long scene showing two scientists explaining the very core concepts of physics over a game of billiards (much more basic than Newtonian mechanics!) references a very obscure short story by
8/n
The long scene showing two scientists explaining the very core concepts of physics over a game of billiards (much more basic than Newtonian mechanics!) references a very obscure short story by
8/n
Isaac Asimov
This is China thinking about its technological future in the same way the USA did in the 50s
(It's also interesting to compare this with UK TV SF like "Quatermass" and "A for Andromeda" which had subtexts of losing a superpower status not gaining one)
9/9
This is China thinking about its technological future in the same way the USA did in the 50s
(It's also interesting to compare this with UK TV SF like "Quatermass" and "A for Andromeda" which had subtexts of losing a superpower status not gaining one)
9/9
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