Summary
Netflix’s3 Body Problemis an adaptation of Cixin Liu’s acclaimed sci-fi trilogyRemembrance of Earth’s Past. It introduces a new alien civilization, known as the San-Ti, who often adopt a human persona to communicate, but what do they actually look like?
The first season of3 Body Problemwas released onNetflixin March 2024, but it wasn’t long before the series was renewed for further seasons, allowing it to complete its adaptation of the book trilogy. The Netflix show, which comes fromGame of Thronescreators David Benioff and Dan Weiss, andTrue Bloodwriter Alexander Woo, makes somechanges to its adaptation of theThree-Body Problembook, choosing to tell an ensemble story through a group of scientists andfriends known as the Oxford Five. The premise remains the same in both stories: after scientists begin dying mysteriously the world learns that an alien civilization is coming to Earth and that they must prepare for their arrival.
Who are the San-Ti?
Cast
Jess Hong, Liam Cunningham, Benedict Wong, Eiza González, John Bradley, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce
8
Where to watch
Netflix
The San-Ti are the extraterrestrial civilization that Earth makes contact with in3 Body Problem. They are first revealed in Episode 2 of the Netflix series, when Dr. Ye Wenjie, a scientist working for the Chinese military in the 1970s, figures out a way to use the sun to amplify radio signals and uses it to broadcast a message to the universe. She receives a response from an alien pacifist, warning her not to respond. “If you respond. We will come. Your world will be conquered,” the pacifist warns. But Wenjie does respond. Having experienced the cruelty of humanity firsthand, Wenjie invites the aliens to invade, believing humans incapable of being saved. “I will help you conquer this world,” she tells them.
ThroughoutSeason 1 of3 Body Probleminformation about this alien civilization is revealed. The aliens, named the San-Ti in the Netflix series or the Trisolarians in Liu’s novels, hail from a planet named Trisolaris which is situated in a star system containing a three-body problem. This causes events known as Chaotic Eras on their planet, which are periods of extreme and uninhabitable weather. To survive this, the San-Ti have developed a method of dehydrating their bodies which can be placed into water when a Chaotic Era ends, bringing them back to life.
When the Trisolarians receive Wenjie’s message they send an invading fleet to Earth which presumably contains their dehydrating bodies. Ahead of their arrival, the San-Ti sent a pair of sophons, aka super-advanced intelligence systems, to communicate with humanity and prepare for their arrival in approximately 400 years. The San-Ti’s communication with humans is largely done through written messaging or via radio, meaning there’s no clear indication of what they look like physically in the series. The sophons also choose to appear in human form when communicating in the VR game. WhenWade (Liam Cunningham)asks the sophon what the San-Ti really look like, it responds “You wouldn’t like it.”
What do the San Ti Look Like in the 3 Body Problem Books?
Season 1 of3 Body Problemadapts only the first novel in Cixin Liu’s trilogy, meaning there’s plenty more to come in the series, particularly from the San-Ti. However, looking to Liu’s books doesn’t give much clarification on the aliens’ appearance. Similar to the series, the Trisolarians in the books are described as beings who can dehydrate their bodies, and can communicate through thoughts. Episode 4 of3 Body Problemestablished that the San-Ti have difficulty understanding the concept of lying, perhaps because their telepathic communications would make it impossible to do so.
Further hints suggest the aliens can control lights on their bodies, which might suggest some kind of bioluminescence. Some fan theories suggest the San-Ti are microscopic andmight be similar to tardigradesthanks to their ability to dehydrate their bodies. The San-Ti were successfully able to develop sophons the size of subatomic particles, so nothing is stopping them from being the size of bugs. It would also be ironic considering the San-Ti intimidate humanity in Episode 5 of3 Body Problemwith the threat “you are bugs.”
Will We Learn What The Aliens Look Like in The TV Show?
Unfortunately, a proper description of the San-Ti’s appearance is never provided in Liu’s novels, which leaves it up to the viewer to decide how they are depicted. It’s unclear how this may be handled in the TV series, which is a visual medium, but co-showrunner David Benioff hinted at this in aninterview with Mashablesaying “My guess is the three of us might have three very different images of what the aliens look like.” The producer also seemingly acknowledged the theory that the San-Ti are insect-sized, saying “We don’t even know how big they are. It’s possible they’re the size of ladybugs.” Whether the question of the San-Ti’s appearance is ever answered may be dependent onhow future seasons of3 Body Problemunfold.
3 Body ProblemSeason 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix is one of the most popular and widely viewed streaming services in the world. Beginning with its mail order DVD service, Netflix has since grown into an entertainment juggernaut, with original shows and movies including Squid Game, Stranger Things, The Irishman, and The Killer.
