Does a 3 Body Problem exist in reality? 

On March 21, 2024, Netflix premiered all eight episodes of its highly anticipated series, 3 Body Problem. Adapted for Netflix by creators David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, the show features a star-studded cast including Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Benedict Wong, and more.

The show addresses a real issue that has picked the minds of physicists for years. The "problem" in question here is the unsolved equation between three celestial bodies orbiting each other in the solar system. While Newton's law of universal gravitation accounts for two such celestial bodies, it does not account for a third one. Hence the usage of the term "3 Body Problem."

The problem has garnered significant attention over the years. The topic was a point of discussion in Liu Cixin's highly acclaimed Chinese novel, The Three-Body Problem, from which the show draws its inspiration.

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What is the 3 Body Problem?

The 3 Body Problem is a gap in understanding of the working of celestial bodies beyond two. Netwon's law of universal gravitation takes cognizance of two celestial bodies orbiting each other, namely Earth and any other celestial body like the Sun, for instance. However, it does not take into consideration the relationship between three such bodies.

Hence, "the problem" is a signifier of the lacunae that are created due to the dearth of knowledge in the understanding of the properties of three celestial bodies close to one another.

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Does the 3 Body Problem talk about a specific celestial body?

Although applied universally to all celestial bodies, 3 Body Problem talks about a very specific part of the solar system, which is a system of stars named Alpha Centauri. It is the closest star system after Earth's own and comprises three stars: Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri, which have two planets that orbit around them.

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Is Netflix's 3 Body Problem a good show?

Released in March, the show holds the position of one of the top ten ranking shows on Netflix. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a cumulative rating of 80% from the critics and a slightly lower rating of 78% from the audience.

Austin Burke from Austin Burke/Flick Fan Nation writes—

"It asks a series of interesting questions and presents a string of intriguing SciFi ideas in the process. It results in an engaging and mysterious series that will keep viewers invested from start to finish."

A member of the audience named Jordan L. writes—

"Came into this show quite blind, only knew it was a sci Fi show based on a Chinese book, and I gotta say, really loved it. Starts as a sci Fi mystery, stakes felt real, the characters have great interactions. As the story unravels it shifts from a mystery to more classic sci-fi story but no less engrossing. There are some standout performances here, and really gorgeous shots. If you enjoy sci-fi shows I think this is an easy recommendation. I'm really excited for season 2!"

However, not all reviews were positive. For instance, Alan Sepinwall from Rolling Stone offered a contrasting view—

"Even with these various smart deviations from the source material, the show’s first season is middling drama at best. And while the interplanetary spectacle is meant to be grand, little of it comes close to replicating the awe from Game of Thrones."

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Interested viewers can stream all eight episodes of 3 Body Problem on Netflix.