When Season One of Netflix’s “Squid Game” was released in September 2021, you could say the show was like lightning in a bottle. It was such a crazy idea for a show that no one had ever really seen before, and on top of that, it was executed incredibly well. Contestants, with the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, among them, competing in childhood games for money, with certain death as the penalty for loss, was a captivating premise that showcased greed and power in society. It left a profound impact on pop culture—especially with the internet memes—and ended on an intense cliffhanger, with Gi-hun, after leaving the games alive and traumatized as its only victor, dedicating himself to ending them once and for all.
Now, around three years later in December 2024, season two has been released, continuing Gi-hun’s journey to ending the games. Picking up right where we left off, we see Gi-hun attempting to locate the same recruiter who introduced him to the games. I think that these opening episodes were one of my favorite parts of this season. The “Bread or Lottery” scene was really interesting and compelling with us getting to know the recruiter more and showing an ugly truth surrounding society and the deadly games by extension. Throughout these scenes, we really get to better understand what exactly the purpose of the games is, and the core issues of greed and injustice found with those in the lower class. The Russian Roulette scene is also a masterpiece of acting and cinematography. Everything from the lighting to the swelling orchestral music adds up to make for an incredibly suspenseful scene. Great stuff all around.
Once Gi-hun makes his way into the actual games, things are handled just as expertly. I like how, initially, the games play out like the first season with the contestants playing “Red Light, Green Light,” as if the show is telling you to expect the same thing as last season, only for it to play out much differently afterward. It makes it feel more unexpected, which is a nice way to reintroduce us back into the games, and how they will play out this time around.
Like last season, a lot of the depth that makes “Squid Game” so enthralling is in the characters’ interactions both between and during the games. That trend continues here, but alongside that, there is also a lot more emphasis on the voting system, where players can vote on whether or not they want to continue playing for more money, or leave and go back to their normal lives while they still can. Voting did take place in the prior season, but it’s much more fleshed out this time around, and it really helps in displaying the tensions between players better.
In terms of the actual games, there are some good ones and some not-so-good ones. Of course, there is “Red Light, Green Light,” returning from the first season, which is still just as good as ever, but there are two brand new games present as well: “Six Legs,” and “Mingle.” The second game, “Six Legs,” is an interesting idea, consisting of a six-legged pentathlon made up of five children’s games that need to be completed under a set timer, but in execution, it feels like a mixed bag in my eyes. It did lead to some entertaining character dynamics and scenes, but I am unsure whether or not that entertaining aspect benefits what the show is supposed to be. The entire segment felt more in line with something like a game show with its cheesy music and silly tone, which does not really mesh well with the life-or-death stakes of the games and the show itself which were well-established in other instances.
Maybe I am getting the intentions behind “Six Legs” wrong though. After all, “Red Light, Green Light” had “Fly Me to the Moon” playing in the background of what may otherwise be a deadly game. However, the stakes in that game still felt on the more serious side, with the otherwise beautiful song being used as a tool to show how the cruel people behind the games see these horrible bloodbaths as entertainment. That did not feel like the case with “Six Legs.” “Mingle,” on the other hand, was one of the best games in this season. Players needed to form groups of specific people in order to continue, resulting in a lot of the characters’ relationships being tested, which made for very stressful and emotional moments.
The characters in this season were well-developed as well. Gi-hun, still known as Player 456, has evolved significantly compared to last season, leading to a natural progression of his character. Jung-bae, his friend from season one, reappears, this time as Player 390, unexpectedly joining Gi-hun in the games. To my pleasant surprise, he impacted the story more than I thought he would. The rapper “Thanos,” known as Player 230, initially annoyed me but made the social interactions between players intriguing, which I liked. Cho Hyun-ju, player 102, also played a significant role with her compelling contributions to the story and well-thought-out motives. The depth given to her character helped to make her interesting, and her inclusion benefitted the key moments in the story a lot. Most notable, however, is Player 001. I will keep it vague to avoid spoilers, but their role in the games is incredibly important, especially in relation to Gi-hun and his choice to “play the hero.” Everything is very well put together. That being said…
While I appreciate the characters and the escalation compared to season one, some plot aspects were weak. The side plot involving Jun-ho and his crew’s attempt to locate Gi-hun felt useless and lacked direction, and removing it would barely alter the show’s narrative at all. There is also Kang No-eul, a new character who joins the pink-clad soldiers in the games. While she offered a fresh perspective that would have given a lot of depth to the setting, I felt that she went underutilized as the episodes progressed. These side ventures, alongside the escalating events with the players, made this season feel like a preparation for a season three rather than a standalone story. This flaw suggests the writers are trying to extend Squid Game’s length for financial gain, leaving a sour taste in my mouth and making me question season one’s superiority in some aspects.
Season two of “Squid Game” had a lot to live up to compared to its first season, but fortunately, it did a lot of things to prove itself as a worthy next step for the show with its compelling characters and continuously thought-provoking themes. However, it sometimes feels as though its plot is just setting up an unfinished story to be completed in season three, and not having any significant developments occurring now. This was still a good season, but I have to be honest in saying that it felt more like a precursor to the next chapter than its own proper chapter. It doesn’t make it unwatchable though. I still think that it’s worth it, but even then, it’s something that new viewers should keep in mind.
