After a long three-year wait, Squid Game Season 2 has finally arrived, but does it live up to the anticipation? As a fan of the original series, I was eager to see how the story would evolve. Despite my hopes that the second season would fix the mistakes of the first and surprise us, what I got was underwhelming. The show has taken a familiar, somewhat disappointing route, reminiscent of La Casa de Papel, and it’s hard not to feel let down by this shift.
Three Years of Waiting… for This?
The suspense surrounding Squid Game Season 2 had built up over the years, with fans counting the days until the next chapter of this global phenomenon would hit Netflix. When the first season aired, it quickly became a sensation, with millions of viewers binge-watching the thrilling and twisted narrative of players fighting for their lives. Netflix could have simply wrapped up the story with the conclusion of the first season, but instead, they decided to stretch it further. Initially, I thought that maybe revisiting Seong Gi-hun and sending him back into the game could lead to something fresh and exciting. However, after finishing the season, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it fell short of expectations.
Season 2 : Sacrificed to Netflix’s Numbers Game
The comparison between Squid Game and La Casa de Papel feels unavoidable. Both series started with a strong premise, gripping audiences with their intense, often unpredictable plots. But once Netflix started to push for more seasons, the essence of the shows seemed to get diluted. With Squid Game, I couldn’t help but wonder: why make another “big heist” within a deadly game when it was clear the risks had already been explored? Unfortunately, this decision led to a season that felt more like a ticking clock to get the numbers up, rather than delivering a satisfying conclusion. Gone was the tension and uncertainty that made Season 1 so thrilling. Instead, Season 2 offers a predictable plot with fewer surprises and a lot more filler.
The real question lingering at the end of my viewing experience was: Netflix made us wait all these years… for this?
Slowing the Pace : The Downside of Netflix’s Model
One of the key issues with Season 2 is its pacing. The show spends so much time setting up the stakes and introducing new players that it loses the sense of urgency and tension that made the first season so captivating. Instead of picking up the pace, the show seems to drag things out. For example, it took nearly two hours just to establish a manhunt and explain the recruitment process for players—tasks that felt over-extended and unnecessarily slow.
This slower approach may have been a way to stretch the story into multiple parts—Season 2 ends with a lot left to explore, paving the way for Season 3 in 2025. However, the suspense that should have been built up is instead lost in long, drawn-out sequences that don’t add much to the narrative.
Where Did the Gripping Drama Go?
What I missed the most in Season 2 was the sharp tension from Season 1. Back then, each game felt like a life-or-death decision, keeping us on the edge of our seats. But now, with the central character, Gi-hun, seemingly having the upper hand, the stakes feel less real. Take the Russian roulette scene, for example—did anyone really believe Gi-hun would lose? It’s hard to keep the excitement alive when the outcome is too obvious. The twists that used to shock us now feel like convenient plot devices rather than the clever surprises they once were.
The focus on new characters and the same old archetypes—like the cruel player who bullies others or the quirky woman with a mysterious agenda—feels repetitive. It seems like the show didn’t evolve its formula as much as it should have, relying on recycled tropes that offered little fresh excitement.
Is Squid Game Becoming a Product of Its Own Critique?
One of the ironies of Squid Game is that the series, which originally critiqued the greed and inequality of capitalism, has now become part of the very system it once sought to critique. With the success of the first season, Netflix has turned Squid Game into a cash cow, focusing on maximizing its potential profits. In addition to merchandise, pop-up stores, and even real-life experiences inspired by the show, Netflix has built an entire empire around the Squid Game brand. This shift, while financially successful, cheapens the core message of the show.
Moreover, the promotional efforts surrounding the second season—ranging from giant promotional events to product collaborations—highlight the tension between art and commerce. As much as we want to enjoy the wild ride that Squid Game offers, it’s impossible to ignore how the series has been co-opted by the capitalist machinery it once critiqued.
Looking Ahead: Will Season 3 Redeem the Series?
Despite my disappointment with Season 2, there’s still hope for the future. The ending leaves room for deeper reflections and potential resolutions in Season 3. Can Gi-hun truly dismantle the Squid Game and break free from the cycle of violence and greed? Only time will tell. The final twists and consequences of Season 2 will likely have to carry the weight of redemption for the series, or risk confirming that Squid Game has turned into just another entertainment product rather than a revolutionary commentary on society.
In the end, I’ll keep watching—but with tempered expectations. The series may have lost some of its luster, but there’s still potential for it to surprise us once again. Whether it recaptures its original power or simply continues down the path of commercial success remains to be seen.
