
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Review: The Games Work, Everything Else Doesn’t
While the latest season of Netflix’s hit series ‘Squid Game’ has returned with some welcome additions, unfortunately, the rest of the show does not quite live up to its initial promise. The biggest and most significant change is the introduction of In-ho, who, unbeknownst to Gi-hun, is actually the Front Man himself. This twist adds a new layer of complexity to the story, but it’s unclear why the Front Man would insert himself into these games, leaving viewers without a clear explanation.
Moreover, the addition of the vote-to-leave mechanic in each round has added some freshness and excitement to the game itself. The ability for players to opt out after every round leads to dramatic and intense moments, including instances where players take drastic measures to secure their positions. This new element is a much-needed injection of energy into the show.
On the other hand, everything outside of the games themselves falls short. The storyline involving Jun-ho and the mercenary team searching for the game island feels aimless and doesn’t become compelling until the very last minute when it’s revealed that the captain of the boat may be a Squid Game-hired traitor. Even then, this revelation feels like a waste of precious time.
Another plotline, focused on No-eul, a North Korean defector behind one of the guard masks, starts strong but abruptly stops without any resolution or continuation into season three. This underwhelming conclusion to her story feels like a misused opportunity and unnecessary filler.
While ‘Squid Game’ has managed to return with some redeeming qualities, the overall result is still an overstuffed and disjointed show that fails to recapture the magic of its first season. Despite this, it’s still good enough to warrant a continuation into further seasons.
Source: www.forbes.com