Warning: Spoilers ahead for Squid Game season 2.Squid Game season 2 made a very notable change to the show’s formula to separate it from its first run of episodes from 2021, and although the interesting alteration didn’t work all that well, it has certainly laid a strong foundation for the upcoming third and final season. Details about Squid Game season 3’s story may be scarce at present, but Squid Game season 2’s ending teased several possibilities that are likely to be paid off when the show returns.
Other than Red Light, Green Light kicking off the tournament as it did last time, the games in Squid Game season 2 are all new to the Netflix show. However, it wasn’t this change that impacted the return of Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun. In fact, the new challenges taken on by the players are a big part of what kept Squid Game feeling fresh in its second season – even if there were upsettingly fewer games this time around. Regardless, it’s the players competing in the deadly string of events that are the immediate issue.
Squid Game Season 2 Focused On Way More Players Than Season 1
Gi-hun’s experience was directly influenced by far more players this time around
Compared to the latest run, the Squid Game season 1 cast is relatively small. The tight-knit group of main characters in the Netflix show’s inaugural season allowed the focus to be on the games themselves, but the various figures still experience brilliant arcs. Despite there still being a total of 456 players at the beginning of each season, the Squid Game season 2 cast feels much larger. At times, it feels very difficult to keep track of the show’s main characters and where they’re up to in their development, which was never really an issue in season 1.
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Given the number of characters actually competing in the games, it’s perhaps not a surprise that Squid Game season 2 has decided to flesh out more of the contestants this time around, as failing to do so in season 1 did sometimes feel like a wasted opportunity. Regardless, while it sounds like a good idea on paper, spending more time on a larger batch of main characters in Squid Game season 2 didn’t work out that well on the whole.
Squid Game Season 2 Focusing On More Characters Ultimately Hurt The Show
Gi-hun and the other players’ time in the games wasn’t given enough focus
Characters like T.O.P’s Thanos in Squid Game season 2 had some great moments, but many of the other newcomers felt very much like they were just taking up space, or were serving as motivation for other players. Plus, having so many players in the limelight made parts of the story more predictable. In short, it gave them all too much plot armor. When the possibility arose of either an established character meeting their end or a nameless face from the horde of other players, it quickly became obvious that the main cast was pretty much always going to be saved.
Squid Game season 3 is confirmed to premiere in 2025, but a specific date has yet to be announced. It will also be the final season.
Perhaps even more saliently, the relationship-building between all the new players wasn’t something that came easily or in a short space of time. As a result, huge portions of the Squid Game season 2 episodes revolved around the characters simply talking to one another. In other shows, that may not necessarily be a bad thing, but especially considering the fact that Squid Game season 2 is already two episodes shorter than season 1, there was even less time to focus on the characters playing the games – which is what made the show so great in the first place.
Why This Squid Game Change Will Pay Off In Season 3
Squid Game season 2’s extensive character work is a great way to set up the final episodes
Although including so many new characters resulted in a messy and, at times, under-formed second season, Squid Game season 3 will reap the narrative rewards of its predecessor’s hard work. Spending so long with all the new characters will invariably cause fans to become attached to them, and when there is a possibility of someone dying, it will be far more tense and impactful. With Squid Game season 3 serving as the show’s final run of episodes, there is a very real possibility of several character deaths to enhance the drama.
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Plus, almost everyone’s loyalties have been firmly established due to their respective arcs in Squid Game season 2, and their familiar personalities will make their actions a little easier to predict when the show returns. In short, Squid Game season 3 won’t need to waste any time setting up the story, as it can just serve as a direct continuation of the season 2 finale from late 2024.
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
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September 17, 2021
- Cast
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Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung - Seasons
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2
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk