D&D have done it again! (created a disappointment)

While the Tencent adaptation had some flaws, notably very poor pacing and some downright bizarre acting and editing, I think it was an overall better experience. Netflix cut the runtime significantly, to the point of skipping several important developments in subplots, yet found ways to waste precious minutes on scenes that dragged on and didn't serve to improve the show.

I've read several positive reviews that downplayed negative reviews for being too pedantic in regards to source material. I haven't read the books yet, and I think it's fine to diverge, but it should be done thoughtfully. I think the Netflix adaptation fails on its own merits. The changes I saw seem to introduce plot holes, and some changes must have been made to the chagrin of any science advisors they had on staff. [spoiler]I'm not sure why the sophon is able to unfold itself to envelop Earth, just to show an ominous eye? From what I understand, the eye was observed during a failed Trisolaran unfolding experiment. They can hack cars to cause crashes, but not planes?[/spoiler]

Tencent gave the viewer many episodes to theory-craft why physics doesn't exist, what could be targeting scientists, the meaning behind the game, and slowly unveiled the truth. It drip fed pieces of information that would become relevant later into the show. It went into philosophical experiments that inspired existential dread. It conveyed many interesting physics concepts in a way that was easy to process and yet showed respect to the viewer.

Netflix? Nah, it's aliens bro, it's right there in the trailer. We don't think our viewers can comprehend concepts like cosmic background radiation so we won't even try.

On that note, I think the Oxford Five were created to somehow be more relatable to the viewer than Wang Miao? They achieved this in part in the laziest way possible, by just swearing often. At several points, I didn't feel like I was watching world class scientists or engineers, just people struggling to even have some basic critical thoughts.

Is this D&D adaptation as bad as GoT S8? Definitely not, it's several points better, but that is setting a low bar. There were some redeeming moments, a few funny lines in almost every episode, I particularly liked some parts of the last one. It's probably still worth a watch, but I think it could have been a lot better, and I'm not sure it will be awe inspiring like a proper adaptation could have been. Hopefully it defies my expectations and becomes a hit with a western audience that isn't familiar with the source content, but I'm tempering expectations.