The first season of Squid Game captivated millions of people on Netflix and particularly shocked people with the Korean children’s games, which were used in a bloody and deadly way. Season 2 takes us back to the Squid Games, but shifts the focus of the series almost completely – and that’s a good thing. Because the deadly games alone can no longer sustain this season.
The games take a back seat in Squid Game Season 2
Creating a sequel to a successful format is undoubtedly not easy. The strong opening hovers over the series like a sword of Damocles – always ready to cast a dark shadow over it and make it disappear completely into obscurity. Squid Game has given its sequel a particularly difficult fate. Because season 1 lives from numerous surprises and shocking momentswho chase each other from episode to episode and are, above all, closely linked to the bloody children’s games themselves, which are largely unknown in this country.
Not knowing exactly what’s next, that “How far will they really go?”the “Who will die this time?” and “Will he really make it?” carried the first season with excitement and made every game a test of thrill. After Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) was recruited, six more games were waiting for him and the 455 other participants on the deserted island – and were more difficult, more clever and more vicious from game to game. Squid Game lived up to its name and focused on the games that were able to carry the series over a full nine episodes.
So how will this shock-fest be topped in Season 2? Can game after game be played again without it becoming boring? Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk gave himself the answer: no. Instead, they took a different path that brought a lot of fresh air into the story. The first two episodes of the new season are already there a successful surprisewhen Gi-hun tries to find a way to take down the Squid Game without immediately rejoining it.
When he gets there in episode 3, we as viewers will also be ready and hungry for a continuation of the actual games, which, with Gi-hun as the former winner, will have to be different than we saw in season 1. Unlike this one, the focus of the narrative is no longer on the games themselves, which Gi-hun has to survive with all his might. Instead, it simmers subliminally his battle planto finish the games as quickly as possible. The games are giving way more and more to strategic planning and interpersonal relationship building, which is completely in the votes after each game discharged.
The games in Squid Game Season 2 have lost their shock factor
With Pentathlon in a team of five on six legs and Mix up the season awaits only two new games some of which extend over several episodes. While the game from episode 4 still innovatively combines various small tasks, challenges a lot of teamwork and, above all, ensures excitement through the integration of undercover frontman In-ho (Lee Byeong-heon). Mix up almost as little gamesmanship and skill as Red light, green light. Speed is particularly important here. That the losers are brutally shot in the end, Only very few people are shocked or surprised.
The Special game In the season finale, which, like in Season 1, involves everyone against everyone, it is as calculated as expected. However, what Gi-hun and his colleagues do with it is what gives the episode renewed excitement. The question of how far his rebellion against the Guardians will lead is close to that Mole roll In-hos accompanied, whose renewed change of sides hovers ominously over Gi-hun’s battle plan – and ultimately causes it to collapse.
Gi-hun now has one last return to the games in season 3 with at least one more game. That this that “most exciting game” But I don’t really care what the series should be. Because Squid Game is no longer about the games themselves.
More about Squid Game Season 2 in the podcast: Review and outlook on Season 3
Netflix’s biggest hit series is back. But does season 2 of Squid Game live up to our expectations? We take a closer look at the return of the deadly games and talk about the highlights and low points.
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In addition to new Squid Game characters and the controversial cliffhanger ending, we also discuss theories about season 3, which will be released later this year to conclude the Netflix series.