3 Body Problem Season 1 Episode 4-6 Review: Our Lord/Judgment Day/The Stars Our Destination

How would you react to an impending catastrophic threat to Earth? Would you do something heinous to protect the future? These questions become the focal point in 3 Body Problem Season 1 Episode 4, “Our Lord,” 3 Body Problem Season 1 Episode 5 “Judgment Day,” and 3 Body Problem Season 1 Episode 6 “The Stars Our Destination.”

These episodes shift the story from finding out the problem to solving it. But can a solution exist in a world such as ours?

3 Body Problem excels at interesting storylines with relevancy to current events and a clear perspective. The familiarity of the world makes it easy to connect to it.

The actions of these characters don’t reflect well on the world but also offer a gruesome truth about brutal “solutions.” Many may pick them but the results are damning and destructive.

Auggie and Raj react and behave differently to their actions. She finds herself haunted and horrified. He justifies it.

It’s a tale of two perspectives that shows how some justify their terrible actions while others see the monstrosity of them.

3 Body Problem shows the duality of this choice. You see the horror in them but also understand why people may choose this course of action. However, Auggie is painted as a sympathetic hero who does something bad while Raji and Wade feel nefarious.

They both think they’re doing the best thing for the world.  Auggie may see some of their perspective, but can’t pretend what she did isn’t horrific. The actions feel too atrocious.

3 Body Problem addresses the complexity of this situation, but it doesn’t take a neutral perspective. It doesn’t think the murdering of innocent (and not innocent) people is justified. It’s a solution but not the right one.

The show offers a sobering look at this world with all fairytale narratives extracted. The world is only pretty if you ignore all the dirt and damage.

The San-Ti people appear in this set of episodes but less than in the first three episodes. You miss their presence. The story feels strongest when they’re interacting with Jin. However, her story remains the driving force in 3 Body Problem.

The story needs her as the center because she’s a captivating character.

Jin has a clear purpose, which contrasts with Will as a character. He’s the emotional center because he’s someone with ties to many of the main characters. His cancer storyline breaks your heart.

However, his purpose still feels unknown. He could simply be someone not relevant to the impending danger, or he could later become a very important tool and piece to this story.

The end of “The Stars Our Destination” seems to mark a major turn that explores Will’s next chapter in 3 Body Problem. 3 Body Problem Episode 7, “Only Advance” should provide some insight into his bigger purpose.

His character feels underused, as does Saul, but that may be for a reason. One we’ll hopefully find out soon.

Even if Will’s only purpose is to ground the show in personal loss, it works. The scene on the beach with Jin and Will is particularly heartbreaking. Jess Hong and Alex Sharp make you feel the weight of this moment.

Your heart breaks as you watch this potential forever goodbye from friends with so much love and history.

3 Body Problem’s middle episodes start testing some solutions while continuing to hold a mirror to society, the world, and our failures. It’s interesting but lacks some of the grip and intrigue of the opening episodes.

What did you think of these episodes of 3 Body Problem? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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3 Body Problem Season 1 is available to stream on Netflix. 

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