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TV Show - The Fall of the House of Usher II

In this episode, it quickly becomes clear that Roderick Usher isn't as sharp as he might have once seemed. At the same time, a mysterious woman is introduced—she’s appeared before, but oddly always in different forms.

The focus, however, is on Perry, who has been rejected by his father and aunt when he pitched what he believed to be a brilliant idea for a club. At first, their harsh response seems unfair, because from a distance, Perry's idea, though elitist, flashy, and a bit perverse, somehow fits. You’re left wondering why they dismissed him so brutally.

As the Usher family's story unfolds, you start to understand the reasoning behind this rejection, even though Roderick has already told Perry straight to his face. Either you change the world or your idea goes straight to the trash—anything less is unworthy of an Usher. Is this the secret to the family's success?

We also learn in this episode that there’s a mole in the legal case against the Ushers, led by Auguste Dupin, who is leaking information to the prosecution. Naturally, the Ushers won't stand for this. Their lawyer, Pym, immediately drafts new confidentiality agreements, which all family members and their partners must sign. This plot line alone is powerful, showing both how the Ushers operate and the wealth they use to protect themselves.

As for the mole, I have a theory, but I'll wait until I have more evidence. Now, back to Perry!

Determined to prove his father wrong, Perry throws an extravagant, orgy-like party. But just as he aims high, he falls just as hard—poor Icarus, metaphorically speaking. It fits perfectly with what happens: while the acid may have physically killed him, it was his hubris and ego that were the real culprits. Too bad for him that his brother’s wife, the person he was trying to get back at, survives, and I’m sure her story isn’t over yet.

I like how this episode focuses on Perry, while still giving us glimpses of the others—there's some crazy stuff happening, but it’s not shoved in your face. That’ll sure come later, but for now, we’re just getting small bites. The scenes with Auguste, Roderick, and Madeline working in the basement add even more intrigue.

Another aspect I appreciate is the deeper exploration of Roderick and Madeline’s past—how they became such a powerful family and built their wealth. The way this is woven into the present-day storyline adds the right amount of context just when it’s needed.

The episode also touches on the painkiller Ligadone, its supposed side effects, and how addictive it can be. I wonder if this is another reference to the opioid crisis in the U.S., where drugs like Oxycodone and Fentanyl have caused widespread addiction.

Many doors have been opened, and I’m eager to see what paths, obstacles, and dark secrets lie behind them. I’m also hoping we’ll learn more about the mysterious woman, who keeps appearing in different forms.

I’d love to see the visuals continue to evolve—the series' style, especially how it portrays different time periods, is something I really enjoy. On the surface, it might seem lavish and exaggerated, but when you look closer, you find something distinctly Edgar Allan Poe-like. I wish more shows would dare to take these kinds of creative risks.

TV Show - The Fall of the House of Usher

After an entertaining and very well-made first season of Only Murders in the Building, I felt the need to dive into something different. I remembered that I had once started The Fall of the House of Usher but turned it off right after the opening scene in the church. However, during a little book shopping tour, I saw a beautiful edition of The Fall of the House of Usher (which I ended up not buying), and it made me think I should give the show another chance.

Although Edgar Allan Poe's short stories serve as the inspiration, you quickly realize the allegorical nature of the characters. Yes, they are exaggerated and often over-the-top, but it also becomes clear that there are real-life counterparts. I won’t go into detail about whom those real-life figures might be—you’ll have to figure that out for yourself.

As a heads-up, comparing the characters to real people while watching the show can be quite entertaining!

This doesn’t only apply to the characters, though. Themes like ultra-wealthy family dynasties, abuse of power, and the corrupt practices of the pharmaceutical industry are also explored.

You quickly learn that the show revolves around the Usher family, though it takes a while for the details to unfold. What is revealed in the opening minutes is that it’s about the legacy of the two Usher siblings and why all of Roderick Usher’s children are dead. Along with that, we meet the prosecutor, Auguste Dupin, and with that, we have the main group around which the story centers—so it seems.

The first episode sets an intriguing framework and shows us right away that standard storytelling methods are only partially in use here. The conversation between Roderick Usher and Auguste Dupin serves as the base, and from there, many threads branch out across different time periods. Rarely is any timeline told all the way through; instead, there are constant additions. You can sense this storytelling style right from the first episode, and it skillfully weaves in a tension-filled narrative arc.

Fortunately, as I already peeked ahead a little, this applies to the storytelling around the children's deadly circumstances as well. "First episode for introduction, then one episode per child, and the last episode as the big finale." But that’s not how things will unfold here—you notice that right at the beginning of the first episode. Throughout, this unique storytelling style becomes more evident. The narrative constantly shifts back to Roderick and Auguste, to the past, or to scenes involving one of the other children. It doesn’t focus too heavily on just one scenario. This can be challenging for the viewer, but also refreshing.

Another point that stands out immediately is the style and visual presentation of the series. Sometimes it’s obvious, and sometimes it’s not, but CGI is often used as a tool to enhance scenes. As grand and inflated as some characters may seem, their surroundings reflect this as well. A strong contrast here is the location of the conversation between Roderick and Auguste, which takes place in the now decaying and dilapidated Usher family home.

I’m really looking forward to what’s to come, even though I already know a lot due to my overly eager research after the first episode. But that doesn’t bother me at all, as the visuals, as mentioned before, are captivating, and I’m excited to see what other challenges the show has in store for me.

Let's see what the latest Ghibli Film has to offer!

Some second hand loot that came today! The two DVDs on top are still sealed! I think I will start with the Star Wars book, never read one before. But first I have to finish the third Fear Street book that was re-released because of the Netflix films. So much good stuff.

Watched this masterpiece at a local cinema today and it can still hold up! The audio (including the absence of sound) and visual language is breathtaking, also the setting and all the background...the artist in me is happy for the next few days.

" In Space, no one can bother you Chill "

-Alien theme Lofi- .2024

IG: https://www.instagram.com/pixeljeff_design/

Today a classic action film in the local cinema. Probably ten years ago I saw this RoboCop the last time and have to admit, I'm a bit stoked to see it on the big screen and in OV.

R.I.P. James Darren 😭

Variety

James Darren, Teen Idol Actor in ‘Gidget,’ Singer and Director, Dies at 88

James Darren, who starred in "Gidget," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "T.J. Hooker" and died Monday. He was 88.

Late night thoughts

Sweater town

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem X

In the eighth episode, we’ve reached the finale, but nothing is going as it should.

Saul narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by self-driving cars, only to be interrogated and protected by Da Shi. It’s immediately clear that Da Shi knows more than the audience or Saul himself. Together, they travel to the United Nations, where Saul is appointed as a Wallfacer. This raises a lot of questions, even though they explain what a Wallfacer’s role is. However, both the audience and Saul barely have time to process this because, right outside the building, Saul is shot in an assassination attempt.

What I only understood after reading the books is the behavior of everyone around Saul after he becomes a Wallfacer. It was a big mystery to me, and honestly, a bit frustrating. People treat him differently because the status of a Wallfacer can never be taken away, so everyone assumes that Saul’s actions are just part of his Wallfacer role. On top of that, there was very little information given about the whole Wallfacer concept, leaving me feeling a bit lost. On one hand, this approach creates suspense, especially for those who haven’t read the books. But on the other hand, it’s risky. If there’s too much time between the first and second seasons, this confusion could become really annoying. It makes me wonder if people will even want to rewatch the first season before the next one arrives.

The second storyline focuses on launching the capsule and saying goodbye to Will, even though only his brain remains. In the book, this event happens much later, after a lot of time has passed, but in the show, it’s moved up significantly. I think that was a good choice, otherwise, it could have dragged on too much.

Everyone is devastated, and before Jin leaves Cape Canaveral, Wade whispers something in her ear. I would have loved to know what he said.

Jin and Saul sit in a motel, trying to drown their sorrows, until Da Shi shows up. He can’t stand seeing them so miserable, so he takes them to a lake or swamp full of insects. The San-Ti had referred to humanity as insects at the end of episode five, and Da Shi reminds them that humans have tried to get rid of insects too, yet the insects are still here. With these motivating words, the episode ends, showing the three of them getting back to work.

But that’s not quite the end—Sophon contacts Wade, telling him that she will always be there, and that she won’t leave his side until he dies. To make sure he doesn’t forget, she gives him a hallucination of his own death.

On one hand, after this episode, you want more—so much more—because it’s such a well-written and well-made sci-fi story. On the other hand, it’s a good ending, with enough loose ends to leave you really curious and excited for the next season.

And if you think I forgot about Auggie, I didn’t. There’s a brief scene where she uses her nanofibers as a filter to clean a water source. Even though she gets a call, she ignores it because what she’s doing now is what she’s always wanted, and at that moment, it’s more important.

If I’m not mistaken, this is also the end of Auggie’s (Wang Miao’s) character. He doesn’t play a bigger role in the book, though he’s mentioned a few times. Whether they’ll handle Auggie the same way remains to be seen, as all the characters have slightly different roles in the show compared to the book.

What am I looking forward to the most?

How will they depict the future in the next season? This will surely take a lot of effort, and if an episode already costs $20 million, it could get even more expensive here.

How far will the characters deviate from their roles in the book? How will the concept of the Dark Forest be portrayed?

If I remember correctly, there are fewer Wallfacers in the series than in the book. So how will they handle the Wallbreakers, and will they also meet in the game?

I’ll admit, even though her storyline is supposedly over, I’d love to see more of Auggie. Eiza González does a fantastic job, and I’m really happy she got a more demanding role here (I only knew her from Bloodshot). I know she was also in Alita: Battle Angel, but I couldn’t remember her (I looked it up, and she played Nyssiana. I would’ve never recognized her!).

Much of the story will shift from Earth to space, and I hope they stick to the book here and maybe take some inspiration from the CGI series. But that’s wishful thinking, and I suspect they’ll come up with something new and innovative.

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem IX

Episode seven, and we can already see the finish line, yet the pace picks up once more.

The cryogenic facility is an interesting detail, as it's introduced mainly in the context of being used for the probe. However, it's so large that a full human can’t be sent, only something much smaller, like a brain. By this point, we understand that it will be Will.

But there’s another detail that may have been overlooked in the conversation between Wade and Jin. Wade plans to use the cryogenic facility for himself—he wants to freeze his body and be woken up every few years to continue overseeing the facility and essentially the survival of humanity.

This establishes a kind of time machine, because that's exactly how the cryogenic facility and the concept of "going into cold sleep" is handled. It’s an interesting aspect, since cold sleep is often just treated as freezing and that's it. But if you take a step back from the narrative and view it from a broader, chronological context, it can actually be seen as a form of time travel. The book presents and even calls it that way several times. I’d be thrilled if this idea is introduced in season two, as it’s crucial for Jin and Saul’s future development!

Will is now preparing for his self-induced suicide, and the dialogue between him and Saul is brilliantly written. Even Auggie’s farewell is well done—without getting too sentimental, they simply show the bottle, which works so well. And Saul and Will—Saul not wanting to let Will go until the very end—is handled in a way that feels refreshing, unlike what is typical in other shows. While Saul sheds tears, it’s not overly emotional, and I think that makes it even more powerful and impactful.

This is reinforced when Jin misses the chance to say goodbye after learning that the star belongs to Will. She arrives too late and can only watch as the cryotank, containing Will’s brain, is sealed.

We also briefly revisit Ye Wenjie after Tatiana, who wasn’t forgotten by the San-Ti, is sent to kill her. But before this happens, we see Ye Wenjie meeting with Saul and telling him a strange joke:

"So Einstein dies. He finds himself in heaven, and he has his violin. He’s thrilled. He loves his violin more than physics. Even more than women. He’s excited to see how well he can play in heaven. He thinks he’ll be amazing. So he starts tuning up, and the angels rush over.

'What are you doing?' they ask.

'I’m getting ready to play.'

'Don’t do that. God won’t like it. He’s a saxophonist.'

So Einstein stops. He doesn’t play. But it’s hard for him. He loves music. And there’s actually not much to do in heaven. Sure enough, from high above, he hears a saxophone playing. It’s playing 'Take the A Train,' do you know that one? Einstein knows it too. He thinks, I’m going to do it. I’m going to play along. We’ll sound amazing together. So he starts playing 'Take the A Train.' The saxophone stops, and God appears. He walks over to Einstein and kicks him in the groin, which hurts, even in heaven. Then he smashes Einstein’s beloved violin to bits. Eternity without music. Heaven becomes hell for Einstein. And as he’s lying on the ground in pain, an angel comes over and says: 'We warned you: Never play with God.'"

I find this line "Never play with God" very interesting, as it leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Is Ye Wenjie implying that the San-Ti, with their methods and the Sophons, are like gods and therefore should not be challenged? Or is it more about how humanity shouldn’t develop too far? Like the joke suggests, one shouldn’t try to play at God's level, or believe they can match him. When I watched this scene for the first time, I found it a fascinating detail, and I watched it several times in a row because of how Ye Wenjie delivered the joke—it was so gripping.

We have one more episode, and the final episode always reminds me a bit of the third season of Dark. Why that is, I’ll explain in the last post!

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem VIII

Episode six is a key episode when you think about everything that’s still to come.

What keeps coming to my mind while watching this episode is the question of how we, as humans in the real world, would react. A negative reaction is briefly shown at the end of episode five, and then we only see it one more time when Will, Saul, and Auggie try to buy alcohol. I thought it was really fitting because people start panic buying, even though the San-Ti won’t arrive for another 400 years. I find that realistic, because after such news, we might see a similar reaction here. But would it also work on the scientific side? Despite the difficulties and the fact that no real progress seems possible, would some people still not give up and try to keep advancing humanity?

I believe the author of the books really did his homework here, as with many other topics and areas, and thoroughly researched what might happen. There’s a part, which should be covered in the second season, where humanity goes through a major collapse, wiping out a large portion of the population before any real development takes place. No matter how it’s portrayed in the series, I recommend looking at the book because the future described there is really well done, with many innovations that make sense when you look at today’s developments.

Operation Staircase basically starts here, and I find it fascinating how its development is shown. You have all these scientists who live in their own world and don’t look beyond their own fields. Thomas Wade knows exactly who he needs to listen to and how to motivate them to get a decent result. Jin, on the other hand, thinks outside the box and isn’t discouraged by certain limitations. She works with the resources she has and builds on them, instead of just hoping that the right technology will be developed in a few decades, as suggested.

But Operation Staircase also lays the foundation for another event that fully unfolds in the third book. Spoiler warning! When we lose Will Downing, he is miraculously found by the San-Ti and turned back into a human. In the distant future, Jin and Will meet again, talk, and Will tells her three fairy tales he came up with. These three tales lead humans to develop a kind of faster-than-light drive, but it seems they stop before finishing it.

I’m particularly excited about these three fairy tales because I really enjoyed them in the book, and, as I’ve mentioned many times, I’m very curious to see how they will be portrayed in the series. Especially since they play a crucial role in a later catastrophic event.

The purchase of the star might seem a bit over the top, but it’s also an important event. Later, Jin and her friend will travel to that star to meet Will there. However, Jin won’t find Will, and everything that happens in between and afterward really blew me away. This will likely be one of the most challenging parts to adapt. There are so many events that need to be “checked off” before everything in the last third of the third book can make sense. And will Saul really become the Archivist?

My mind is racing because I’m being flooded with memories from the books, which are mixing with the visuals from the series. I recently read an article that said the creators are already working hard on seasons two and three. They now have a good idea of the cast’s abilities and can better judge who is capable of what. But the next two seasons will be so different that it might feel like they’re almost casting new actors and creating a new show, even though it’s the same cast.

Here’s the article

This makes me feel very hopeful because the books are very different from each other, and if they’ve already understood this for the planning of the next seasons, they’ve already overcome a big hurdle.

I just remembered another difference that was portrayed much more emotionally in the series than in the book. This is because, in the series, we have this small group that doesn’t exist in the book in the same way, and there’s a strong friendship bond. We see a tearful farewell between Saul and Will, and Jin, who arrives too late to say goodbye after she finds out that the star is from Will. I have to admit, I got a bit emotional here, too—it was pretty intense. Especially since I think she already noticed that there was something between them, even before Will told her that he loves her. (And here I’m getting a bit ahead of myself because that happens in the next episode! But what does time even mean?)

The next two episodes tighten everything up, and as mentioned before, we also get to see the Wallfacers, although the information is a bit sparse, which I think I’ve mentioned before. Maybe I’ll talk more about that later.

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem VII

Episode five is my favorite, and for many reasons.

For those who don’t know, I’m quite fascinated by Sophon and her German voice actress, Sophie Rogall. When Wade and Jin manage to decode the Judgment Day data disc, they enter the virtual reality of the game and are greeted by Sophon. She explains why all these things are happening, especially in science. This explanation still fascinates me, even though it’s been quite a while since I first heard and saw it. The idea of protons being unfolded into higher dimensions to become an oversized computer—who comes up with something like that?

But now I’m wondering if it actually makes sense. I don’t mean scientifically, but rather within the book's universe. I need to think about it more and maybe read up on it, because later on, the concept of dimensions comes up a lot, and I’m not sure if there might be some contradictions.

However, the San-Ti world isn’t the only fascinating part; Auggie on Earth also has a lot to deal with. Her nanofibers are used in a massacre, and I find it very interesting that she’s not portrayed as being indifferent to it. Even at the beginning, before Judgment Day arrives, she starts to have doubts. Later, we see how she actually breaks down because of her actions. I think this is a very realistic portrayal, and I appreciate it because it shows a lot of humanity.

Something I just noticed is that the Judgment Day data disc is the same color and shape as the red book carried by the protesters and revolutionaries at the beginning of the first episode. Could this be a symbol of a failed revolution, or some subtle foreshadowing of what's to come?

Back to Sophon’s explanation of how the San-Ti plan to remain superior to humanity. The entire explanation is incredibly creative and interesting, showing how well the author prepared and how detailed his storytelling is. I’ve mentioned before that many characters make decisions that have effects far into the future. This forward-thinking approach is a major aspect of the Wallfacer Project, which we only get to see near the end of the last episode.

This is what I meant in my last post when I said that the brakes are no longer on and things are speeding up rapidly. Will’s story is also picking up pace and will soon become much clearer.

At this point, or maybe one episode later, I wish they had already started with the Wallfacer storyline. Yes, I understand the dramatic choice made by the series creators, but if they had started it earlier, it would make more sense by the end. In the book, you’re also thrown off at first, but then things are explained more, so it all makes more sense. I’m very curious to see if the Wallfacers will make the same proposals, if there will be Wallbreakers, and how it will all develop.

With every post, a thousand thoughts come to mind about how things will be portrayed, and I find it so exciting. I’ve mentioned this many times, so please forgive me. But let me explain! I’m a big fan of Isaac Asimov, have read many of his early books, and I like how he often critiques society. Many of his ideas are still relevant today. I’d put Liu Cixin on the same level as Asimov. He fascinates me just as much, brings up similar societal critiques, and captivates me because I’ve read a lot from other authors, but most of it I found quite boring (maybe I should write about authors I like—let’s see!). But yes, that’s one of the reasons for my fascination. I’ve found something that captivates me with its complexity, its imagined scale, its style of science fiction, and its societal aspects.

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem VI

First, we learn that Ye Wenjie is brought to Michael Evans on the Judgment Day, and at the beginning of the series, during Vera's funeral, we found out that Vera is their daughter. This is another aspect that is portrayed differently in the book. I wonder if this connection was chosen in the series to create a sort of bridge between the different factions. However, I don’t mean the factions within the series itself, but rather between the Chinese and Western actors.

Because, if we take a closer look, there are indeed some differences in nationality and gender, as well as certain events that are spread across multiple characters (I’m still very curious about how this will develop later in the series).

However, the crucial point in this episode is that, due to his ignorance, Michael Evans loses contact with the San-Ti (as they are also called). He reads them a story, but it is misunderstood by the other side. It’s also clear that Evans isn’t particularly good at explaining it. At the same time, it reveals that the San-Ti, as it seems—though it's not explored further—have a completely different understanding of truth and untruth, as well as communication in general. This is another area where more could have been explored about the San-Ti, to make things clearer for the audience. After all, communication has already existed for some time, and without an eight-year gap in between.

Will, meanwhile, has rented a small house where he also learns that he is the sole heir to Jack’s fortune. Unfortunately, at that moment, he’s too stoned to really grasp it. Honestly, I can understand him—if I had the chance, I’d probably do something similar and sign up for what’s coming in the next episodes.

Toward the end, Jin is almost murdered by Tatiana, but Clarence manages to prevent it. Tatiana is shot but manages to escape, and she will only reappear later. Ye Wenjie, however, is captured by the task force and still believes that this is all part of the San-Ti’s plan, and that when they arrive in 400 years, they will populate the Earth together.

I know I ask this question often, but it keeps popping up in my mind—how will it continue? In theory, I know how it goes on, but the question is more about what we’ll actually see visually, or what the series will show us. Especially when I think about Will and everything that gets set in motion through him—just that alone could easily fill half a season.

But the arrival of the San-Ti is a relatively complex topic (here’s a spoiler warning)! The first season leaves us with the knowledge that in four hundred years, the San-Ti will land on Earth, and humanity can do nothing about it—or won’t develop enough to counter it. This misconception persists until the very end, about 200 years in the future from here, where incredible arrogance among humans is suddenly, literally, shattered.

This is where the Swordholders and Wallfacers come into play, with the latter only being briefly mentioned in the last episode (more on that later).

This episode, I think, marks a sort of halfway point, and you can feel how things start to tighten up from here. Everything suddenly develops at a rapid pace, even though it’s still told calmly and thoughtfully. This is something the series shares with the book when you compare the first season with the first book. Because from the second book onwards, nothing is as it once was, and events start to spiral.

I just read an article about the Chinese audience’s response to this series, and the changes to the characters have not been well received. I can understand that to some extent. Even though these changes were made to make the series more appealing to a broader audience, I found it very interesting in the book that the main characters were mostly Chinese. It was just more diverse in many ways because it was something unfamiliar.

Even though I often complain that the series should tell us more about the San-Ti, I think, at the end of the day, it might not be such a bad thing. It maintains an interesting level of suspense, and that with a lot of finesse.

I’m particularly curious about what will happen with Tatiana since, in the book, she’s just a bodyguard for Ye Wenjie and dies rather quickly and unexpectedly. Especially because she manages to escape, and we later learn that she also gets a headset.

One more fun fact to finish: If Netflix sticks to its current plan, this could become the most expensive series in Netflix history. Each episode costs around 20 million dollars, and if the subsequent seasons also have eight episodes each, the total costs will reach 480 million dollars. Whether this includes marketing, I don’t know, but when you think about it, you can see that the series is highly produced. Even though the CGI in The Rings of Power (Amazon) is much more extensive, I still think that both series visually benefit from these high costs. And yes, I know, there are significant differences in storytelling, no question. But purely in terms of look and feel, there are some parallels.

Finally, after 7 (out of 8) failed shots, I got comfortable with the camera and how it works. I love this 80s / 90s vibes of the picture! Next is a black & white film and I hope, that some of the clouds will disappear, because b & w and sharp shadows are a perfect combination.

Today is a good day because a new member of my analog camera collection arrived. A classic Polaroid 636 Close-up instant camera from 1993 in pretty good condition. I will buy a film tomorrow and hardly can't wait to try it out!

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem V

At the start of the third episode, another dead scientist is found. I noticed that I really like Benedict Wong's new voice actor. It gives a clear distinction from his role in the MCU films. Usually, I’m not a fan of such changes, but in this case, it works really well.

The relationship between Will and Jin is explored in more detail here, which I appreciate because it makes what follows more understandable. In the book, I missed this a bit, even though the author touches on it, but I felt it was a bit brief.

When Auggie discovers the game and rushes to the others, I find what Saul says very interesting, or rather how he says it. It also becomes clear that Jin and Jack don’t fully understand the game’s objective yet. As a viewer, it seems obvious, but from their perspective, it makes much more sense. They don’t know it’s about the three-body problem; they see the game world just as the Trisolarian civilizations do.

Level two also shows that the civilizations are still focusing on the wrong priorities, a point made clearer in the book. Sophon (Tomoko) later explains this. The Trisolarians always focus on survival and realize very late that this isn’t viable and that they need to consider leaving their world. This is where the series could have emphasized the Trisolarians’ dire situation more. The number of civilizations before the fleet launch is only briefly mentioned. (I know this will happen later through Sophon, but it could have been built up a bit better for suspense.)

The games Clarence lists actually exist. Here are the Wikipedia links if you want to check them out:

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Jet Set Willy

I've been wondering if there’s an equivalent to Jin’s friend in the book, but I don’t think so. There is someone who leads a later operation, like Raj Varma, but I don’t think there’s a connection to Jin in the book.

Ah, now I remember what I wanted to write in the last post. The sound design is worth mentioning. The first time you notice it is when Vera plunges into the tank, but it stands out again in the third episode when Auggie tries to restart the nanofiber project, and the countdown begins again. It’s impressive both visually and audio visually.

What I also like about Sophon’s (Tomoko’s) portrayal in level three is how she floats. Usually, characters that float look like they’re suspended from their hips, hanging like a sack. But here, they did it differently. Either she wears a different harness, has excellent posture, or stands on a post and was then edited in. It looks different and superior, which fits her character perfectly.

I wish they had spent more time on communication and the differences between the two civilizations. (Scene on the Judgement Day with the old Michael Evans)

When Jack and Jin are invited (level four), it’s clear that while the characters in the series have the same traits as their book counterparts, some things are shifted. According to the book, Auggie should be the one to solve the game’s puzzle and go to the summit in London, since she is the series counterpart to Wang Miao, who did all this in the book. (Please don’t take this as criticism; I just enjoy noting these differences!)

Towards the end, Sophon (Tomoko) explains how the Trisolarians ventured into space and how humanity is involved.

Jin and Jack undergo a test to see whose side they’re on. We also see more of Tatiana, who in the book is just a bodyguard for Ye Wenjie. But the kindness of the Trisolarians, shown again through the little girl, doesn’t last long. Thomas Wade and Jin Cheng will learn much more later, which I’m looking forward to because it’s one of my favorite parts of the series.

We know the stakes, the characters involved, and the motives of various factions. But it only gets crazier from here in many ways.

Up to this point, there's a lot that is fascinating and exciting. When it’s later explained how some things came about or how they worked, it may lose some impact, but the explanation is even more fascinating. I find this incredibly exciting and a testament to a high degree of creativity in science fiction.

I found a quote from D.B. Weiss about the series' content and how far they want to adapt the books:

“We always wanted to get to the final page of the third book, and it’s really, really thrilling to us that we will get to do just that.”

This is reassuring, so I don't have to worry about the series ending abruptly or strangely. However, he also mentions that while there’s no episode list yet, there will likely be 8 episodes per season again. This feels too few, and I fear they might leave out important parts or alter too much.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many details available beyond the usual "What we know so far…" videos, which, in my experience, often show that the creators don’t know much and just produce useless content.

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem IV

At the end of the second episode, I wanted to make a separate post.

The reason is that I’m wondering if this is just a dramatic portrayal in both the series and the book, or a form of social criticism. I mean, Ye Wenjie, due to all her experiences, believes that humanity is so messed up that it’s not worth continuing.

I also wonder how Netflix will handle these questions and reflections that come up repeatedly in the book. I don't want to say that this becomes tedious in the book, because I think it’s important to think about such things. But a voice inside me says that it could become tedious in the series. Especially when I recall some critiques of the series, saying that they had never seen a series where so little happens. I’m sorry, but I think those critics lack any understanding and ability to process events that go beyond the usual standards of today's series.

In the books, an important point is that characters think far beyond their own lifetimes and make decisions based on that. The author consistently paints a very interesting picture of the future and spends a lot of time explaining it. This is another balancing act the series must manage, because in the third book, the scope of this becomes even greater, and I feel that this could easily ruin the tension and structure of the whole story.

I also hope that the cast remains the same and that no one has to be replaced due to any foolishness. I've already pictured some actors in certain scenarios while reading, and I can hardly wait to see these in motion.

And yes, as I write, I realize that the next two seasons could be challenging. The line between disappointment and fascination is very thin, and I need to make sure my own expectations don't get in the way. A disappointment might not necessarily be the series' fault but rather due to my high expectations.

Yes, it remains exciting, and I've already written so much, even though we’ve just finished episode two. This could turn out to be a longer project than I initially thought.

Hopefully, Netflix won’t take too long and will quickly produce the next two seasons. Right now, we can see with Marvel that the long wait between series and movies doesn’t do the overall experience any good.

TV Shows - 3 Body Problem III

The universe winked at us! Man, I can't get enough of this visual representation. Just imagine that you’re coming home one evening or on your way. The night sky isn’t too obscured by the city's background light, so you can see many stars. Suddenly, everything starts blinking like a TV constantly turning on and off. I praise the creators' creativity here because this visual event is just amazing and surpasses the book’s depiction, even though the same thing happens!

I always have to think about Saul, wondering if he is Lou Ji, as it fits with what happens later, especially in the conversation with Ye Wenjie as they mourn her daughter Vera.

Auggie is definitely Wang Miao. In the book, he is practically used to introduce the story, and he is also the person who sees the countdown. Again, the visual representation in the series surpasses that in the book.

But with all the comparisons, we can’t forget Da Shi, played by Benedict Wong. Interestingly, his character's name was changed in IMDb; he was originally called Clarence Shi. I found him fascinating in the book, and it's the same in the series, even though he is portrayed a bit more moderately in the series than in the book. Still, his traits from the book are recognizable.

In general, the series explains a lot, which the book, being hard science fiction, does less often. Although there are explanations for various names and terms at the end of each book, the characters don't always explain everything in the book.

Please excuse all the comparisons with the book; I’m just fascinated by how some things were implemented. Sure, I could sit and complain about all the changes, but what would be the point? I prefer to enjoy the portrayal and explore the differences.

Jin Cheng now really experiences the game for the first time, and we also learn more about the Trisolarans. I understand that they had to cut some parts, and thus we don’t learn much about this civilization yet. In the books, this information is also spread out but with higher intensity. I hope more will be revealed later.

One thing I want to highlight is the music, which was excellently chosen and composed by Ramin Djawadi.

In the German dubbing, she has a great voice (yes, I have a strong affinity for voices and dubbing), and in the second episode, we meet her for the first time, Sophon! That’s her name in the series and on IMDb, but in the book, based on her description and role, she should be Tomoko. We’ll get to know her better later, but she is already a fascinating character.

Jack is actually a character that annoys me a bit. I can't think of an equivalent in the book, and I don’t know why he is portrayed so drastically in the series. The question is if he is only there to give Will his money so he can buy the star for Jin Cheng, thus setting further events in motion.

This brings me back to the thought that Netflix might make a cut and not show everything from the books, but rather end at a certain point, though I wouldn't know what the right place would be. I also wonder what from the books will be included because there are many main locations and also some side plots. Yes, the character development is super exciting, and I am looking forward to that, but what’s coming and how it will be portrayed is another level of excitement. Especially the events from the last book—there's one thing I’m curious if they will include or not, because the way it's depicted will be, in my opinion, a real challenge. I'll reveal exactly what I mean at a later time.

What I find pleasant, and this aligns mostly with the book, is the location. Not in big America, but in England, which is just as fascinating and a nice change since it’s not so overdone.

I’m curious why some things were "toned down." The fate of the Trisolaris civilization is much more devastating in the book than shown in the series. The planet they live on was torn apart many eras ago. The civilizations that have gone through it number over 900 in the book, but a bit less than 300 in the series. They could have amped up the drama here, just like the later event involving Will.

Maybe you've heard of Columbo, Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marbles but what about Charlie Chan? Found this gem in a local store. Charlie Chan is the original of Sidney Wang from Murder by Death, played by Peter Sellers. Can't wait to watch this!