The past few weeks have brought the arrival of new seasons of my favorite TV shows. Last week, we got The Traitors season three. This week, we get Severance season two. And over the holidays, we saw the debut of Squid Game season two.
It should come as no surprise that Squid Game got a follow-up installment—after all, season one was a massive hit. But as with any new season, expectations were high. And while season two has received mostly positive reviews (the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer which measures the critics’ response is at a fresh 82 percent), audiences have given it a measly 63 percent—or 3.4 out of 5 stars—on the Popcornmeter. Sorry, y’all. But you’re wrong. Squid Game season two is great.
Here, three reasons why the latest iteration gets a five-star review from me.
1. The World Is Expanded
In a really fun way, the world of Squid Game is expanded in season two. We get to see quite a bit of the outside world—and the search for the infamous island—before we even enter the games. In fact, the whole first two episodes are devoted entirely to this (and to the backstory of several new and old characters). For example, following the Recruiter (aka the guy who convinces ordinary citizens to join the games), we learn about his motivation, his neuroses and his dangerous and deadly nature.
But perhaps even more fun with the world expansion is how we learn about one of the games’ soldiers (aka the ones wearing the pink jumpsuits and black masks with shapes on them). In a storyline that seems like it’s setting us up with a new contestant for the games, a young woman quits her job as an amusement park mascot when she’s approached by a mysterious figure. Of course, we’re meant to think she’s going to enter the games. But instead, we discover she’s about to be one of the island’s terrifying employees—and a mass murderer.
These new storylines keep the season feeling fresh, without simply relying on the deadly competition to fuel the drama.
© 2024 Netflix, Inc.
2. The Games Are (Still) Great
Then, we finally get to the island…and the action. Fortunately, after the initial red light, green light massacre, the games are all new. We get a group competition where the players are chained together at the ankle. And, in a great new addition, there is a carousel of death where contestants have to partner with each other and sprint into one of fifty colorful rooms before a thirty second timer runs out.
Not only do the new games keep things interesting, but they also take away Player 456’s advantage at being a returning competitor. After it becomes clear there won’t be anymore licking of umbrella cookies, the drama and danger are heightened since the players (and us viewers) have no clue what’s to come.
© 2024 Netflix, Inc.
3. The Twists Are Really Fun
This season features a lot of entertaining twists. The early reveal that the former mascot is about to be one of the pink psycho killers is a great twist. But even better is when we discover the Frontman (who wears the scary geometric looking mask) has secretly entered the games. Instead of keeping the twist for the end of the season (like in the initial iteration where we don’t learn that the old man was a creator of the games until the finale), it’s so interesting to see the character interacting with Player 456—and working to keep him alive—even though he’s actually the “big bad” of the series.
And after the final twist of the season that leaves us hanging, what happens next is anyone’s guess. Here’s hoping season three arrives soon.
