MIDNIGHT REVIEWS 3 Body Problem Episode Eight
Midnight Reviews features reviews and thought pieces written and edited by a parent, at night, after bedtime.
3 Body Problem Episode 8: ‘Wallfacer’
Series created by: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Featuring: Benedict Wong, Eiza Gonzalez, Jovan Adepo
Synopsis: An intriguing solution to the problem of aliens being able to monitor humanity is proposed. A certain probe is launched into space; the aim of this plan is to get a look at the aliens spying on us.
Review: After the setup of episode seven, even the soundtrack of this final episode of 3 Body Problem implies a drive. Perhaps it seems naïve to think that the show is going to actually finish, especially as the material it’s based on is a book series, but I went in wondering how they were going to answer every question, solve every problem and tie every knot. I hoped with every ounce of strength that it wouldn’t just be sequel bait.
Despite being a show about humanity facing invasion by aliens, it’s not been all shooting lasers and time travel. In fact, the promise that 3 Body Problem would span several centuries has been a little… oversold. However, the relationships found therein have been the parts that’ve been done well, for the most part. For example, the launch of a very particular probe is not nerve-wracking because humanity depends on it — it’s nerve-wracking because Will (Alex Sharp) is on it. This sequence found me on the edge of my seat, especially as the show did so well to demonstrate that, despite the knowledge and abilities in the room, at some point humans have to let go and let things play out.
3 Body Problem is a show of contradictions.
But I can’t quite put my finger on why 3 Body Problem cannot trick itself out of the mediocrity it has found itself trapped in. It’s not even that it’s a bad show, per se. But when I realised Saul (Adepo) had spent seven out of the eight episodes either sat next to Will or drinking, I guessed it had something to do with how the show treats its characters.
3 Body Problem is a show of contradictions. Because of how it treats the characters, it doesn’t have enough material for eight episodes and yet simultaneously it only manages to explore its themes on a surface level. I find myself wanting more episodes and at the same time wanting it to end. And it manages to fulfil both wishes, leaving me completely dissatisfied with a final scene that features the line ‘We have more work to do.’
So the final episode is, in fact, not the final episode but if Netflix were to commission another I would be flabbergasted. Another contradiction. Will, played so well by Alex Sharp that the character is calm and faces his demons as opposed to being a cynical wet blanket, creates a connection even when he’s just a brain in a tube. Meanwhile, Saul has only just woken up with nothing of his character explored beyond taking acid again. Another contradiction. The show’s flashy visuals are amazingly produced. Sometimes a movie or TV show will feature effects that could be re-created by someone at home with enough skill and enough CPU power. But here, there’s a genuine sense that this show couldn’t have been created without such a budget. And yet, a final episode that doesn’t spend any of its vast wealth or resources exploring itself and exploring humanity isn’t worth those resources or all that wealth. Is that a contradiction? Or is it just being let down like a balloon?
3 Body Problem is available to stream on Netflix.
Matthew D. Smith likes to overshare his views on movies whenever and wherever he can. Indulge him, and follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Smith_M_D
