Key Takeaways
- Netflix’s 3 Body Problem series introduces the advanced technology known as sophons.
- Sophons are used by the San-Ti to manipulate Earth’s science and hinder progress, aiding in their invasion plan.
- The Wallfacer Project in 3 Body Problem aims to strategically combat the sophons.
Netflix’s adaptation of Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth Past novels began earlier this year with the release of 3 Body Problem Season 1. The series introduced on-screen many of the complex elements of Liu’s sci-fi story, including the advanced technology known as sophons.
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem is an alternate-history sci-fi story exploring what might happen if Earth made contact with a hostile extraterrestrial civilization. The series stars Jess Hong, Eiza González, John Bradley, Alex Sharp, and Jovan Adepo as a group of scientists and friends known as the Oxford Five. Each member of the group gets drawn into the conspiracy surrounding the aliens (known as the San-Ti), as Earth prepares for the arrival of their invasion fleet. The San-Ti hail from a solar system entrapped in a three-body problem, meaning they need to evacuate and find a new home to ensure their civilization’s survival. Unfortunately, due to a welcome message sent by one of Earth’s scientists in the 1970s, the San-Ti intend to make Earth their new home.
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What are Sophons?
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3 Body Problem |
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Created by |
David Benioff, Dan Weiss, Alexander Woo |
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Starring |
Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, Eiza González, Alex Sharpe, Liam Cunningham, Benedict Wong, John Bradley |
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Based on |
Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy by Cixin Liu |
Sophons are introduced in Episode 5 of 3 Body Problem. They are explained to be supercomputers the size of a proton, with capabilities powerful enough to alter a world. The Trisolarians are far more advanced in their technology than Earth is, giving them the capabilities to unfold the dimensions of the universe and use them to summon the energies required to create a single proton that houses a supercomputer. On Earth, the sophons possess massive power, serving as a means of surveillance and mind-altering manipulation for the San-Ti. The sophons are too small for the human eye to identify, but they can manifest as human projections for the San-Ti to communicate with the people on Earth. In 3 Body Problem, the voice and physical manifestation of the sophons is played by Sea Shimooka.
It’s a proton. One we have turned into a sentient computer.
Sophons in 3 Body Problem Season 1 Explained
The sophons are used by the San-Ti as a weapon to debilitate the progression of Earth’s science and technological advancements so that the invasion fleet may arrive unharmed. Even before the San-Ti’s sophon weapons are revealed, their actions are seen right from the beginning of 3 Body Problem. The countdown that only Auggie can see for the first few episodes of the show is a projection caused by the sophons to hinder her nanofiber technology. Later when, the people of Earth witness the stars blinking, this is another manipulation caused by the sophons.
It’s revealed in Episode 5 of 3 Body Problem that the San-Ti used their resources to create four sophons, two of which are on Earth and the other two are with the fleet. The sophons allow the San-Ti to see and hear everything happening on Earth as it happens, despite them being lightyears away. This means the San-Ti can intervene and prevent any plans to stop the fleet as they happen.
They entered your solar system months ago. We sent them to your planet, to the places where your best minds explore reality at its most fundamental level. And we will destroy the science that could defeat us.
How Do Sophons Play Into the Future of 3 Body Problem?
Preparations to defeat the San-Ti are underway after the extraterrestrials make their plan known to the people of Earth that they intend to treat them like bugs. The issue is how to defeat an enemy that hears and sees every plan as soon as you come up with it. The sophons are one of the greatest weapons humanity has to overcome in the San-Ti’s invasion threat. One strategy to address this is introduced at the end of 3 Body Problem’s first season. The Wallfacer Project anoints three of the greatest strategists and minds on Earth to have unlimited power and ability to enact whatever they think the best plan of action is to combat the San-Ti. The catch is they must develop their plans in their own minds and not communicate it to anyone, lest the sophons find out what it is. Saul is appointed one of these Wallfacers in the finale, but initially rejects the position. Unfortunately for Saul, everyone around him believes that his rejection is part of his plan.
Saul and the other Wallfacers’ plans will be revealed in future seasons of 3 Body Problem on Netflix. The series is set to receive a further two, maybe three, seasons to cover the remainder of Liu’s trilogy, which includes The Dark Forest and Death’s End.
3 Body Problem is streaming on Netflix.
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