In the third episode of Netflix’s latest science fiction series “3 Body Problem”, there is a particular scene where Benedict Wong’s character talks about the death of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s mistress. The show’s creators, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo, had initial concerns that viewers might not be aware of this reference. However, their worries were put to rest after the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” which provided a deeper understanding of Oppenheimer’s personal life and his relationships. This connection between the two productions showed how pop culture can intersect and enhance our knowledge of history and science.
The scene finds Wong’s investigator Clarence Shi happening upon another dead scientist, this one with his head in the bathtub. “Oppenheimer’s mistress died the same way, on her knees, head in a tub,” his character says before adding that many thought she may have been murdered.
In a behind-the-scenes video recently released by Netflix, Weiss, one of the creators of the series “The Spy,” explained that the Oppenheimer’s mistress example was included in the show to prompt viewers to question the reality of things. He suggested that the character’s situation raises the question of how it is possible for someone to end up in a situation like that, and whether there may be more to the story than meets the eye.
During a recent interview, David Benioff, one of the creators of the popular TV show, Game of Thrones, expressed his concerns about viewers understanding a particular scene. He was worried that not many people would get the reference made in the scene. However, Benioff was pleasantly surprised to find out that a lot of people were able to understand the reference, and he attributed this to Christopher Nolan. Nolan’s Best Picture-winning movie “Oppenheimer” was released last summer and became a box office success, grossing nearly $1 billion and winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, and Actor for Cillian Murphy. During the interview, Dan Weiss, the other creator of the show, also chimed in to say that there was a well-made explanation of the moment in question.
Florence Pugh plays Oppenheimer’s mistress in the film, Jean Tatlock, and through Nolan’s cunning visuals the film doesn’t definitively state whether she died by suicide or was murdered – look closely and there are shots of gloved hands pushing Jean’s head into the tub intercut with shots of her putting herself into the tub.
Benioff, Weiss, and Woo are feeling quite elated at the moment. Initially, they intended to include a subtle reference to a particular scientific moment in their latest project. However, they are now thrilled to see that this reference has transformed into an explicit homage to one of the most significant movies of 2023. The trio is delighted with this development and couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out.
“3 Body Problem” is a science fiction series that has gained immense popularity among the readers, and now it’s being adapted into a TV show. The story revolves around a group of scientists who are desperately trying to prepare for an impending alien invasion that threatens the very existence of humanity. The tension and uncertainty of the situation are palpable as the characters struggle to come up with a plan to save the world from the extraterrestrial force.
What’s particularly exciting about the show is that it’s the first new project that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the showrunners behind the wildly popular “Game of Thrones” series, have created since the HBO series ended. Fans are eagerly anticipating their take on this beloved book series, and the expectations are high for them to deliver another epic saga that will keep viewers hooked from beginning to end.
