Squid Game Season-Finale Recap: Don’t Hate the Player

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As a seasoned viewer of countless dramas and thrillers, I must say that the latest episode of Squid Game left me absolutely spellbound! The tension was palpable, the stakes were sky-high, and the plot twists were as sharp as the weapons wielded by our brave contestants.

The fun period has ended. Throughout the entire season, Squid Game has been urging us to evaluate the advantages of majority rule, and Gi-hun has had enough of trusting the democratic process to benefit him. When the third vote results in a deadlock, he attempts to terminate the game by initiating a violent uprising that becomes central in the second half of this finale. We’re left with no alternative but to observe anxiously as he and his allies engage in what appears to be a hopeless endeavor (especially since their target is standing right beside them).

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m still left puzzling over several mysteries from this gripping season of Squid Game. For instance, what led In-ho to become the Front Man, and how will our paths cross again with Jun-ho if they ever do? The enigmatic absence of the VIPs has left us guessing about their motives and the feasibility of putting a stop to their inhumane pastime. The shocking revelation that Captain Park tampered with the rescue team’s drone and is ready to murder someone to hide his tracks only adds fuel to the fire of questions.

In the bathroom scene, Myung-gi fatally stabs Thanos, adding him to the five casualties in the fierce battle. Currently, the X team has a slight edge over the Os, 48 to 47. However, this balance could shift when they vote the following day as it’s expected that lethal confrontations will occur when the lights are turned off, a prediction shared by Gi-hun and the game administrators.

In his current role, Gi-hun is exhibiting leadership akin to a military council commander, devising strategies for combat. Notably, the Xs possess a larger civilian population to protect, given they have more non-combatants such as women and elderly who are unable to fight. In-ho proposes that the Xs should launch an offensive attack to catch the Os off guard, but General Gi-hun advocates for a different approach: redirecting their efforts towards those managing and observing the game. His strategy involves having X’s top fighters conceal themselves and feign death, using surprise to seize weapons from the pink soldiers who will come check their trackers.

Gi-hun has come back to the game with a more hardened perspective. However, there remains traces of his optimism and innocence from the first season in his conviction that they can swiftly dismantle this replacement game symbolizing capitalism by capturing Front Man. Yet, considering the intricate nature of such an organized system, wouldn’t it have backup leaders? It seems unlikely that all the sharp-shooting guards dressed in pink would give up to a smaller force just because Front Man is compromised. As for the high-ranking officials, we learned last season that they possess hidden escape routes – like the underwater passageway used by the organ harvesters – which can be destroyed later to discourage pursuit.

In this harrowing scenario where the Os initiate their gruesome “special game,” I found myself cowering under a bed, watching the harsh, flickering lights illuminate one brutal scene after another. My teammates and I were frozen in fear as our fellow players screamed in agony around us. The moment a woman bled out next to me, her eyes pleading for help, was unbearably terrifying. Meanwhile, Min-su watched helplessly from above as Nam-gyu brutally attacked Se-mi with the fork and pills he had taken from Thanos’s lifeless body. In desperation, she threw a glass bottle down, hoping to make amends for her past betrayal. Yet, it was all in vain, as Nam-gyu ultimately stabbed Min-su to death despite her valiant attempt.

Gi-hun admits that some blameless individuals might perish as part of his scheme, viewing these losses as regrettable but crucial to avoid a greater tragedy. However, the initial phase of his plan unfolds without any casualties; In-ho steps in to save Gi-hun by firing at a soldier who was threatening him. A young soldier is also exposed by the rebels for not retreating quickly enough. Despite his objection to pointing a gun at those who simply obey orders, as shown when he called the Recruiter a dog during the premiere, Gi-hun has no qualms about keeping the young soldier under threat. This is primarily because he seeks guidance from Player 47 on how to locate the Front Man and the control room. He harbors contempt not just for the subordinates, but more so for their commanders who give the orders.

Few individuals respond to Gi-hun and Jung-bae’s call for allies in their cause, with Myung-gi and Yong-sik being two of those held back by their female companions. Instead of seizing the opportunity to end the game when the lights went out by protecting the majority of Xs, each rebel opts to challenge the game on their own terms and make a stand for moral principles. Thus, this situation transcends mere survival; it’s about standing up for what’s right. It’s no surprise that the music during the recruitment scene evokes an atmosphere reminiscent of an inspiring film montage.

When the insurgents escape from their quarters, the masked officer in the command center starts sending troops out. Interestingly, the vibrant stairwells provide numerous strategic hiding spots for evasion. At first, rebel spirits appear high, with Dae-ho being the notable exception. Despite his boisterous and macho demeanor, we know that Dae-ho enlisted in the Marines due to his father’s wishes for him to become a more manly figure. His name, “strong tiger,” suggests an external image of the person he should be. However, it’s evident that he doesn’t relish combat. He is visibly distressed when he is splattered with blood from a fallen comrade. Furthermore, even someone like me, without any firearms background, can observe that he is squandering bullets by indiscriminately shooting upwards behind him without aiming properly.

During this period, a fellow soldier shoots an unmasked hostage after exchanging intense gazes with In-ho, but earlier, the hostage had informed Gi-hun that his mask provided access to the management area where the control room is. Gi-hun then requests Jung-bae to separate from the other rebels and explore with him. It’s puzzling why Gi-hun wouldn’t want In-ho (or a few more people) for this critical part of the mission, but his reason is friendship. However, it becomes evident that these friends could use some extra help. Although initially In-ho advises the others to stay back, he later joins two other comrades in responding to Jung-bae and Gi-hun’s call for assistance.

Without fresh bullets, the rebels are engaging in a battle they cannot win. Exhausted Dae-ho argues that he, rather than Hyun-ju, should return to the fallen soldiers to retrieve ammunition. However, the brutal nature of the conflict has weakened Dae-ho significantly. He begins to move towards the direction of gunfire, but fails to continue his journey. It’s understandable that there’s no disgrace in recognizing a desire to cease fighting, yet it would have been beneficial if he had expressed this sooner. In the end, Hyun-ju ventures to the sleeping area out of curiosity, but could have saved valuable time by accompanying Dae-ho back and retrieving ammo in one go.

Within the management sector, In-ho ultimately unveils his hidden allegiances, firing upon his fellow team members. He feigns death alongside them while conversing with Gi-hun over the radio, subsequently switching communication lines and ordering personnel to conclude the operation.

The rebels must now ponder whether they’ll stand their ground or yield. Hyun-ju manages to grab ammunition from a contrite Dae-ho, but soldiers burst in before she departs. She gathers courage from a hidden vantage point to face them all, but hesitates when Geum-ja, trembling, implores her not to perish this way. Meanwhile, Player 324 chooses self-inflicted death instead of letting a soldier pull the trigger. Player 145 persuades Prince Charming to lay down his arms, but they both fall despite that. (Who will look after Prince Charming’s daughter now?!) Faced with no other choices, Jung-bae and Gi-hun also surrender, placing their hands over their heads.

In-ho has done a quick change into his Front Man attire, and asks if Gi-hun’s had fun. “Look closely at the consequences of your little hero game,” he says and then shoots Jung-bae. If that line sounds familiar, it’s because In-ho is repeating his warning that Gi-hun would regret trying to play the hero back during the limo ride on Halloween. Essentially, he’s played the long game just to get the chance to say “I told you so” and walk away from a wailing Gi-hun. This is probably such a satisfying ending for him. And hey, I’m glad at least one of us feels that way. I know I’m gonna be restless until Squid Game’s expected return sometime in 2025.

Parting Shots

In a brief scene during the credits, it’s suggested that the Os have successfully voted for another game as we observe players approaching what appears to be a railroad crossing setup. Young-hee, who is known to many from Korean textbooks, stands opposite her boyfriend, Chul-soo, hinting at their reunion in the upcoming game.

Could it be that Captain Park has previously committed a murder, given his composed demeanor after stabbing the drone pilot and pushing him overboard? It’s possible that his boat is connected to the scuba-diving soldiers involved in the organ harvesting operation or he might be associated with Squid Game in some way. However, earlier in the season, he appeared to be gathering information from Woo-seok, suggesting that he might be an outside party looking to capitalize on the situation.

To sum it up, it’s apparent that Jun-hee and Myung-gi still harbor feelings for each other. Whether they should reunite or not, it could make an interesting tale to share with their future child down the line. By the way, I’ve been pondering if Jun-hee might go into labor soon. I’m curious about how the situation would be managed in the storyline.

In a different phrasing:

• In the end, it was Gi-hun who lost the game, as this outcome seems to be the most devastating for him – many of his comrades have fallen, and the game continues. As for us viewers, we are left hanging with an unresolved ending!

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2024-12-26 23:54