The real story behind Netflix’s 3 Body Problem series involved a murder, censorship and China’s darkest past

For Netflix and its global audiences, the 3 Body Problem tells an extraordinary story of humankind preparing for a 400-year war against aliens that are far more sophisticated and technologically advanced. But for people in China — one of the five countries where Netflix is not available — the television show adapted from the country’s bestselling sci-fi series reminded them of a traumatic period of history that Beijing wants its people to forget. As it opens, viewers see physicist Ye Zhetai being questioned on stage in front of a frenetic crowd. He is forced to bend down by two young…