“For most, life unfolds entirely by chance.”
Nanotechnology researcher Wang Miao is taken to the Joint Operations Center by police officer Shi Qiang, who's investigating the mysterious suicide wave among scientists worldwide. He is recruited to sneak into an organization called the Frontiers of Science to help the investigation. When Wang Miao is contacted by the leader of the organization, Shen Yufei, she introduces him to a sophisticated VR video game called Three-Body, but soon he discovers that it's more than just a game.
Where to Watch
Streaming, rent and purchase options
Episodes
30 Episodes
1. Episode 1
Many scientists across the world commit suicide. Wang Miao, an applied physicist, is asked to do an undercover job in an organization called The Frontier of Science.
2. Episode 2
Wang attends a conference held by The Frontier of Science. Later, he discovers a series of mysterious numbers appearing on his pictures.
3. Episode 3
Wang finds a countdown in the middle of his sight. He goes to Shen for answers.
4. Episode 4
Wang shuts down his experiment, and the countdown disappears. He visits Ye Wenjie in order to find a spot to observe the flicker of the universe.
5. Episode 5
Wang witnesses the universe flicker for him. With encouragement from Shi and his family, he decides to fight against whoever is behind it.
6. Episode 6
Sha presents the theory that shows the flicker could be faked. Wang and Shi look through Ye's files and learn of her tragic past.
7. Episode 7
Wang decides to take on the undercover job. He is presented with a game that claims to showcase the world of a highly advanced alien civilization.
8. Episode 8
The civilization is demolished in the game, leaving Wang overwhelmed by how real it feels. No one can find any information on the game developer. The General decides to put top scientists in military custody for protection.
9. Episode 9
Hu Xiaoxi, who was Pan's messenger, turns himself in. Wang and Shi go to Shen's place seeking the truth.
10. Episode 10
Shi suggests that the cause of Yang's death took place in the last three days of her life. Wang goes to Ye in order to learn more about her history.
11. Episode 11
Ye was accused of reading a forbidden book and writing a letter that conveyed anti-revolutionary ideas. She was given a way out, but with one condition: to accuse her father as anti-revolutionary even after his death.
12. Episode 12
Wang enters the game again and witnesses a model showing a possible structure of the universe. The civilization this time is destroyed with the sun approaching rapidly.
13. Episode 13
Wang goes to Ye to learn more about Red Coast. Ye tells him about her experience of being selected as a member of the base.
14. Episode 14
Yang tries his best to keep Ye away from the core of Red Coast. Lei personally engages Ye for unknown reasons.
15. Episode 15
Wang gains insight from gaming with Dou. As "Copernicus," he presents a radical theory, facing danger but advancing understanding.
16. Episode 16
Shi and Xu uncover Shen's husband's secretive calculations. In the Three-Body game, triple suns cause chaos, leading to civilization's destruction. Mu learns truths from Pan and decides whom to trust.
17. Episode 17
Shi and Wang encounter a murder investigation on their train journey to Hailar, realizing Shen is targeted by another formidable force. Ye advises Shen's safety while sharing her past with Wang.
18. Episode 18
Transferred to a secret department, Ye learns the truth about Red Coast with Yang's help. Despite the disappointment, she stays, driven by the pursuit of extraterrestrial life, bidding farewell to Wang.
19. Episode 19
Wang and Shi regroup, sharing findings and returning to Beijing. Xu continues Shen's investigation. Ye confronts ETO leader Evans, revealing ideological divides. Wei seeks solace in mathematics amidst threats.
20. Episode 20
Shen discovers Wei's Three-Body calculations at a temple, leading to their relationship. Despite threats, they seek refuge with Wang, who takes possession of a crucial USB containing their research.
21. Episode 21
Police find Shen's death a suicide, clearing Pan. Wang attends a Three-Body game meetup where Pan reveals extraterrestrial existence. Meanwhile, global preparation against the aliens begins as mistrust spreads.
22. Episode 22
Ye mourns Shen and suspects Pan's involvement with ETO. Wang and Shi observe ETO's internal divisions. The Operations Center locates the game server, while Pan shuts it down calmly. Wang learns of Three-Body's departure.
23. Episode 23
Wang receives an invite to the ETO meeting. Clues reveal Chen as an ETO member. Wang prepares for the meeting, knowing it implicates Ye.
24. Episode 24
Ye proposes using the sun to send signals into space, facing opposition. Despite risks, she conducts the experiment secretly. Years later, she receives three ominous messages from space.
25. Episode 25
Ye learns of Trisolaris and decides humanity's fate. She reveals the significance of Wang's research. Shi takes action against Chen, averting disaster.
26. Episode 26
Ye learns of her pregnancy just before Lei's attempt to monopolize the Trisolarian message.
27. Episode 27
Ye's interrogation of former Red Guards yields no remorse. Wang joins her team. Ye meets Evans, who, disillusioned with humanity, builds "Judgment Day," inheriting wealth but not his father's business.
28. Episode 28
Ye reveals Trisolarans sent sophons to halt human science. Wang learns about Yang's suicide.
29. Episode 29
Shi proposes using Wang's flying blade to slice Judgment Day, aiming to secure Trisolarian data.
30. Episode 30
Shi and Wang continue the game, uncovering the Trisolaran monitoring stations akin to Red Coast Base on Earth, receiving awaited messages from space.
Cast & Crew
Zhang Luyi
Wang Miao
Yu Hewei
Shi Qiang
Chen Jin
Older Ye Wenjie
Wang Ziwen
Young Ye Wenjie
Lin Yongjian
Chang Weisi
Li Xiaoran
Shen Yufei
He Dujuan
Yang Dong
Wang Chuanjun
Ding Yi
Zhao Jian
Wei Cheng
Johnny Zhang
Pan Han
Kou Zhenhai
Ye Zhetai
Bai Ke
Bai Mulin
Kong Lianshun
Sha Ruishan
Guo Jingyu
King Zhou of Shang
Story & Production Details
Reviews & Thoughts
Three Body is, simply put, boring. Initially, Three-Body offered up conceptualisations and ideas about the nature of the universe and understanding, that were philosophically interesting but like a lecture that goes on too long, for its own good, viewer fatigue, eventually sets in. I managed four episodes before I'd finally, had enough. I have no idea if, at a certain juncture, this series actually gets exciting and I never will. That's the danger of letting intrigue and mystery run on, far too long. In summary, capably acted but painfully drawn out. Conceptualisations and intrigue that take the viewer nowhere terribly interesting or exciting over multiple episodes. One for those with saint-like patience only.
Contrary to the other review, I just finished episode 5 and I'm eager for more! It's a solid show so far with an interesting premise and fairly decent plot. The biggest pro I have though is that after watching the first episode for maybe 20-30 minutes I realized it was giving me something that I've been lacking from American shows - an entertaining plot. I say this as someone who was born and raised in the US. Don't get me wrong, there are a few decent shows out right now, but it's few and far between. Three-body focuses on an entertaining plot and leaves out real-world issues, politics and "lessons" that are over-saturating most shows. Also, after roughly 5 hours in, I haven't heard any insults against, well, anyone. It's nice not hearing pot shots and snide remarks directed at my race or men in general. This is my first Chinese show and one of maybe a handful of things I've watched that were not english language. I thought subtitle fatigue might set in but they were never an issue other than rewinding maybe 2 times when the dialog was moving too fast for me to read. So far the show has me interested in the plot and while the style and acting are just a minor bit different than in the west, it was never an issue for me. I'm looking forward to more of this show and this will likely have me branch out into other Chinese shows and those from other countries as well.
