Squid Game
returned to Netflix
for Season 2 after three years, and seems to be proving to be something of a paradox – a perfect show that is not quite perfect thanks to its predecessor being…well, perfect. The first reviews for the continuation of Squid Game have suggested that Season 2 would be much more impressive if Season 1 had not been so brilliant. Which, let’s face it, was always going to be the issue faced by the next phase of the story.
The pressure on Squid Game to deliver a worthy second season was immense, but with creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk having not only worked on Season 2 but also Season 3 – which filmed back to back – the new episodes also seem to suffer a little from now being the “middle” of the story.
Season 2 finds Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) carrying out his plan to take down Squid Game from the inside by returning to the deadly series of children’s tasks that almost killed him the first time around. However, this time, his desperate desire to extract justice from those behind Squid Game also places him in a unique and terrifying position. The games this time around are just as brutal, but the new players also have more intimate connections, such as a pregnant single-mother-to-be discovering that the father of her child is also in the games.
However, one of the most shocking parts of the second series is how Gi-hun is essentially holding the lives of other contestants in his hands as he attempts to survive the games a second time. With Season 3 set to provide a conclusion to the story, Second 2 ends up feeling a little incomplete thanks to the cliffhanger ending and its position as a set-up for what is to come.
What Have Reviews Said About ‘Squid Game’ Season 2?
So far, Squid Game is holding a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but like many second seasons, the number of reviews from critics is minimal. At the time of writing, only 4 critics had reviewed the new episodes, and audiences are still to get their teeth into the bingeworthy series. However, everyone seems to be saying the same thing.
Pierce Conrad of the South China Morning Post was completely on board with the new season, citing its “many shocking surprises and long stretches of white-knuckle tension” for his fresh rating. He also noted that the only negative aspect was now having to wait for Season 3 coming to conclude the story. However, Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky perfectly laid out the paradox of Season 2, which will potentially be seen in subsequent reviews. She wrote:
“Good, but not great. Just when things get REALLY good, it ends on a cliffhanger. The ‘real world’ plotline sometimes felt forgotten, even though it’s intriguing. Miles behind season 1, unfortunately. Still, can’t wait for more.”
Related
If You Love ‘Squid Game,’ You’ll Be Hooked on This Equally Twisted Netflix Thriller
Netflix has the perfect series for fans of ‘Squid Game,’ with a similar premise and a far more perilous setting.
After the incredible, record-breaking first season, Squid Game Season 2 was always going to have a strange position of being a show capable of being far above many other shows, but not quite as good as its own history. We will see if audiences agree soon enough.
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In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
Release Date
September 17, 2021
Cast
Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung
Seasons
2
