Netflix Is Sabotaging Its Best Sci-Fi Sleeper Hit by Cutting Its Final 2 Seasons Short

Netflix has adopted a business strategy that is going to harm its library in the long run, as the streaming service rarely renews shows unless they over-perform in their initial ratings. Although it’s obvious that not every project that Netflix promotes will end up being a success on the level of Stranger Things or Wednesday, there is still value in making something of quality that appeals to a niche audience. 3 Body Problem is one of the most unique and challenging shows Netflix has ever made, as it was based on a series of novels by the Chinese author Liu Cixin that were deemed to be “unadaptable.” Although there was a multi-season plan by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the creators of Game of Thrones, Netflix has reduced the episode count for the next two impending seasons; while Season 1 had eight episodes, Season 2 will have only six, and reports indicate that Netflix wants to have only 5 episodes in Season 3. This isn’t just a mistake for the specific type of adaptation that 3 Body Problem is, but a warning sign for what Netflix will do with its next slate of genre shows.

3 Body Problem is nothing short of a miraculous adaptation, as Benioff and Weiss were able to draw the right amount from the original novels, whilst expanding the cast to make it more international and accessible. Although the source material is very complex, involving highly nuanced and theoretical mathematical concepts, Season 1 of 3 Body Problem used its massive budget to find creative ways to visualize these larger-than-life ideas. 3 Body Problem was a creative risk that paid off, and it was rewarded with impressive ratings and a slew of nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, including Best Drama Series. If Netflix rushes out the next two seasons, it might dissuade other creators from wanting to take their most ambitious ideas to the service.

‘3 Body Problem’ Deserves a Thorough Adaptation

3 Body Problem faced challenges from its inception because the novel is primarily told from the perspective of the character Wang, whose interior monologue serves as the primary driving force. The best creative decision that Benioff and Weiss made was to split Wang into a group of characters known as the “Oxford Five,” including the entrepreneur Jack Rooney (John Bradley), the researcher Dr. Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo), the nanotechnologist Dr. Augustine Salazar (Eiza González), the theoretical physicist Dr. Jin Cheng (Jess Wong), and the physics teacher Dr. Will Downing (Alex Sharp).

By balancing out the cast, Wang’s character function was more palatable, and Benioff and Weiss were able to put their cast management skills to good use. While the introduction of the “Oxford Five” meant that the show was able to be more emotionally engaging for those unfamiliar with the text, it also ensured that additional material needed to be added in order to provide a satisfying conclusion. Should the seasons be shortened, 3 Body Problem could face the same issue as Game of Thrones, in which the character arcs are rushed.

Related

‘3 Body Problem’ and ‘House of the Dragon’ Prove One of ‘Game of Thrones’ Greatest Strengths

The merits of ‘3 Body Problem’ and flaws of ‘House of the Dragon’ reveal this truth about ‘Game of Thrones.’

As impressive as it was that 3 Body Problem was able to make something comprehensible out of a novel that required a significant attention to detail, the next two books in the series, which serve as the inspiration for the next two seasons, are even more complex. The novel The Dark Forest introduced a theory about why mankind has yet to encounter alien life that was so influential that it actually inspired genuine research into the scientific community. It doesn’t seem likely that Benioff and Weiss would be able to be just as meticulous in their adaptation if they are working with even denser material, but given fewer episodes to do so. It’s one of the primary reasons why Game of Thrones’ final season failed. While many of the characters had endings that seemed to make sense on paper, their arcs felt rushed with only six episodes.

Netflix Needs To Complete Their Most Ambitious Adaptations

Image via Ed Miller / ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

The other risk of shortening 3 Body Problem for its next two seasons is that the show might reduce the idiosyncrasies that made the first season so unique. Given how plot-centric the show is, it was important to include extraneous material that emphasized the context of what was going on and why the viewers should care about the characters. The first season specifically did a great job fleshing out the Cultural Revolution in China and connecting it back to mankind’s first major interaction with the Trisolarans. Even if the next two seasons capture the main storyline from the novels, they may lose some of the more personal touches that served as strong adaptive changes.

Netflix is in a predicament where the service seems to only care about short-term results of shows performing without any concern about the long-term value that they will bring to the library. A show like 3 Body Problem will be of more service to Netflix if it is well-received and completed in a satisfying way, as it will encourage more viewership over the years. Viewers are less likely to pick up an older show if they learn that it was either cut off too soon or didn’t end effectively. The creators of 3 Body Problem have shown that they are invested in making a piece of art that will stand the test of time, but it is up to Netflix to hold up their end of the bargain.