This article contains spoilers for 3 Body Problem.

Summary

• 3 Body Problem merges history and science fiction seamlessly, showcasing the impacts of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on both.
• The Chinese Cultural Revolution was a sociopolitical movement during the 1960s and 70s to maintain Communism in China.
• The Cultural Revolution is a tense background for 3 Body Problem, but makes more of an impact in the novels.

In the first scene of Netflix's new sci-fi series, 3 Body Problem, audiences are introduced to the Chinese Cultural Revolution, which not only had major effects on the events of the fictional television series, but also, was a real historical situation that had significant impacts on China and the world. First and foremost, 3 Body Problem is a sci-fi show based on a novel of the same name by Liu Cixin. The story follows two timelines: in the 1960s, Ye Wenjie watches her father killed by Communist officers, while in the present day, a group of scientists notice strange phenomena.

3 Body Problem merges reality and history with science fiction in various ways. The show includes many aspects of real history, including the Chinese Cultural Revolution, but intermingles these moments with more unbelievable details, such as scientist Auggie Salazar having a golden countdown in her vision that no one else can see. But in the end, both the real history and the science fiction are equally important for 3 Body Problem's end and beginning. While the science fiction succeeds at keeping the plot moving forward, the history grounds audiences in the setting and the important themes of the series.

The Cultural Revolution In Real-Life: What Happened

To understand why 3 Body Problem's location is the Chinese Cultural Revolution, it is important to understand the real historical event. The Cultural Revolution was a Chinese sociopolitical movement launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and which lasted for ten years, until his death in 1976.

The point of the Cultural Revolution was to preserve communism in China, so as a result, any hints of capitalism or socialism in the country were eradicated.

Though the Cultural Revolution had countless effects on China, more than anything, the event cemented Mao Zedong as China's ruler.

During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Zedong called on Chinese citizens to rebel against non-Communist views. Countless young Chinese people formed paramilitary groups called Red Guards, who seized power around China and carried out tasks such as destroying artifacts from pre-Communist China. The Cultural Revolution was also spread via Mao Zedong's "Little Red Book," which included countless sayings from the leader. Notably, one of the Cultural Revolution's biggest changes was the seizing of government offices by revolutionaries like Lin Biao and the Gang of Four, who remained in power until Mao Zedong's death in 1976.

1-2 million Chinese citizens were killed due to the movement.

Ultimately, the Chinese Cultural Revolution is best characterized by the death and destruction it caused. It is estimated that 1-2 million Chinese citizens were killed due to the movement. Several cities were subject to massacres, and atrocities like cannibalism also ensued. Furthermore, countless Chinese people were persecuted due to their work, whether it was in politics or science. The Red Guard, intent on bringing down the Four Olds, old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits, also destroyed a significant amount of Chinese history and artifacts. The Culutural Revolution was finally dismantled in the late 1970s.

How The Chinese Cultural Revolution Fits Into 3 Body Problem

The most obvious connection between the Chinese Cultural Revolution and 3 Body Problem occurs early on in the very first episode. The scene begins during a struggle session, which was a public and violent rally where individuals considered to be upholding old ideas were denounced. A man is verbally assaulted on a large stage while hundreds of citizens watch, including 3 Body Problem's main character, Ye Wenjie. The next victim to take the stage is Ye Wenjie's father, who is being persecuted due to his teaching of the Big Bang Theory and other scientific concepts.

Ultimately, this opening scene gives a strong sense of what the Chinese Cultural Revolution was about. Through Ye Wenjie, audiences come to understand the incredible loss and fear that permeated China at that time. And as Ye Wenjie continues on with her life, eventually recruited by the Communists to complete scientific work, there is even more of a sense of Ye Wenjie's difficult situation. Overall, the Cultural Revolution acts as a tense background to the 3 Body Problem, and a reminder of how major political powers can create personal problems for regular citizens.

How 3 Body Problem's TV Show Changes The Importance Of Its China Story

In reality, 3 Body Problem's China setting is much more important in Liu Cixin's book. For the most part, this is because Cixin is a Chinese author, and therefore, the book and its consequent sequels are centered on China specifically. However, in order to make Netflix's 3 Body Problem relatable to a wider audience, it is less China-centric and more focused on the global scale. Therefore, the Chinese Cultural Revolution plays an even bigger and more important role in the novel version of 3 Body Problem than it does in the on-screen adaptation.

Liu Cixin's novel "The Three-Body Problem" is the first of a book trilogy called the "Rembrance of Earth's Past" series. The other two books are called "The Dark Forest" and "Death's End."