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Squid Game season 2 was released on December 26, 2024, after its predecessor's much-anticipated cultural phenomenon. Despite some gripping moments, the season struggles with glaring plot inconsistencies, limited character development, and a lack of originality that defined the first installment. These shortcomings have left many questioning its execution and looking ahead to a more promising season 3.
Season 2 started with Seong Gi-hun grappling with the trauma of his earlier victory and his drive to dismantle the organization behind the deadly games.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this review belong solely to the author.
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However, his journey is riddled with questionable decisions and an overly protracted search for answers. While this slower pace attempts to dive deeper into the narrative, it stretches the tension thin, leaving viewers yearning for the survival-driven intensity that marked the original.
From unresolved character arcs to the incomplete narrative: All possible Squid Game 2 plotholes explored
1) Gi-hun’s questionable decisions
Despite his traumatic experience in season 1, Gi-hun’s (played by Lee Jung-jae) behavior in Squid Game 2 left many scratching their heads. After barely escaping the horrors of the games, Gi-hun’s lack of foresight feels out of character.
For instance, his attempt to infiltrate the organization without proper planning or allies seemed reckless, especially when he had the resources to devise a more calculated strategy. His naivety and failure to anticipate the Front Man’s actions made his arc feel less convincing than before.
2) The Front Man’s identity overshadowed
The revelation of Lee Byung-hun's character, Front Man's true identity, was pivotal in season 1. However, it feels underexplored here. While the connection between the Front Man and Gi-hun is hinted at, their relationship remains vague. Several critical questions about the character’s motivations and past go unanswered.
This underdevelopment undermines the suspense built around the Front Man, making him appear more as a plot device than a fully realized antagonist.
3) Inconsistent game design
One of the most compelling aspects of Squid Game season 1 was the intricately designed games that reflected deeper social commentary. In Squid Game 2, however, the pacing felt off, with the games taking far too long to start. While initially intriguing, the extended build-up eventually felt dragged as the focus lingered excessively on setup rather than action.
This slow pacing diminished the tension and excitement that defined the original. When the games finally began, they lacked the same level of ingenuity, coming across as rushed and underwhelming. This season's limited number of challenges also diluted the sense of danger and urgency.
4) The boat betrayal: A missed opportunity
The subplot involving the boat crew’s betrayal had potential but felt half-baked. While the Captain’s allegiance to the Front Man added tension, the storyline didn’t significantly impact the larger narrative.
The rushed resolution left viewers wondering why it was introduced, especially when it failed to shed light on the organization’s inner workings or advance Gi-hun’s mission.
5) Unresolved character arcs
Squid Game 2 introduced several characters, but many of their arcs were left hanging. Jung-bae’s shocking death seemed poised to catalyze Gi-hun’s rebellion, but its impact was short-lived.
Similarly, characters like No-eul and Hyun-ju brought unique perspectives but weren’t given enough screen time to leave a lasting impression. Their stories often felt like repetitions of themes already explored in season 1, adding little to the overall plot.
6) Overcomplicated yet incomplete narrative
While Season 2 aimed to expand the Squid Game universe, it did so at the cost of coherence. Subplots like the police investigation and the search for the island were stretched thin, offering minimal payoff.
Additionally, the reveal of two robot dolls in the arena hinted at bigger changes, but these elements were underutilized, leaving viewers more confused than intrigued.
7) Lack of answers about the organization
Despite being the second installment in the series, Squid Game 2 failed to provide meaningful insights into the shadowy organization behind the games. Critical questions about its origins, funding, and true purpose remain unanswered, making the narrative feel incomplete.
With season 3 of Squid Game already confirmed, these loose ends may be addressed, but their absence here detracts from the season’s standalone impact.
Squid Game 2 had moments of brilliance but ultimately faltered under the weight of its ambitions. While it sets the stage for a promising season 3, the plot holes and missed opportunities have divided fans over whether the show can recapture the essence that made it a global phenomenon.
