Squid Game Recap: Friendly Fire

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As a seasoned observer of human nature and its many complexities, I must say that this latest episode of Squid Game was nothing short of captivating. The intricate web of alliances, betrayals, and survival instincts on display is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit.

Hooray for trauma bonding! Each of the five-member team remaining has been through a life-threatening experience together, which can strengthen camaraderie swiftly. However, the deeper your connection with someone, the more a perceived betrayal can cause pain. This central vote in this character-centric episode puts the relationships our players have cultivated to the test, making them question how well they truly understand each other. Consequently, “One More Game” devotes significant time to allowing characters to discuss their motivations for being there and what they plan to do if they survive.

As a passionate cinephile, let me tell you from my perspective: After diving into this thrilling competition further, there are still a couple of teams left on the vibrant race course. First off, we’ve got our unlikely team comprised of Yong-sik and Geum-ja, along with their fellow contestants. These three know just the right buttons to push to fuel their competitive spirit in the mini-games. It’s Hyun-ju, however, who truly powers this team towards triumph. She’s a shrewd, compassionate leader, yet she doesn’t shy away from giving Seon-nyeo, the shaman, a firm reminder when needed. “If you give up, I will eliminate you before your gods do,” Hyun-ju warns her. With the final stretch in sight, my pulse races as Hyun-ju strategically uses some of the dwindling seconds to ask everyone to reverse direction. She then swiftly kicks the jegi five times, ensuring her team makes it across the finish line barely. The crowd erupts in cheers! In-ho is so overjoyed that I hardly recognize him. Yes, these are individuals many had written off, but there’s something innately compelling about rooting for the underdog.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, I must say that Gi-hun’s team finds themselves playing last in this thrilling game. Dae-ho, Jung-bae, and even the expectant Jun-hee breeze through their minigames with ease. However, In-ho seems to struggle, at one point even throwing the top in reverse. He becomes agitated, but Gi-hun quickly assures him that no blame is being placed on him, attempting to soothe his nerves. In-ho manages to regain composure just in time to propel Gi-hun forward when he was about to miss the crucial jegi, saving his kick and ensuring contact. Their triumphant cheers are swiftly silenced by the chilling sound of gunfire from the opposing track.

Following the conclusion of this contest, there remain 255 participants. Each participant now stands to receive approximately 78.8 million South Korean won, which is more than $50,000 USD. However, it’s clear that this amount won’t be sufficient to settle everyone’s outstanding debts. Before the voting process begins, our teams have a chance to gather and discuss among themselves.

Thanos instructs Nam-gyu to show more kindness towards Min-su and refers to Player 380 as ‘noona’ instead of the disrespectful term he’s been using, ‘bitch’. I find it quite impressive that Thanos is managing to control Nam-gyu’s behavior. Despite this, Thanos and Nam-gyu remain in agreement about carrying on with the game, and Nam-gyu strongly hints to Min-su that not voting in favor would be considered a breach of loyalty.

Seon-nyeo has left the struggling team, while the rest continue socializing together. Young-mi refers to Hyun-ju as “unnie,” which suggests a deep respect and affirmation of her identity as a woman. Hyun-ju shares with the group that she prefers not to be looked at directly during her turn because she’s still in the process of transitioning physically. Although Geum-ja may not always choose diplomatic language, it seems she is displaying more genuine curiosity rather than transphobia. The team anticipates that they will vote to conclude the game and then accept an invitation from Geum-ja for a home-cooked meal.

The team appears to be in high spirits despite encountering minor setbacks during their discussion. Dae-ho boasts about his exceptional skills at what others might consider a ‘feminine’ game, as he was only allowed to play with his sisters while growing up. When questioned about his decision to join the Marines, Dae-ho hesitates and admits it was his Vietnam War veteran father’s wish for him to embody more masculinity. The abrupt change of topic makes me question if his military drive is genuine or simply a show of macho behavior. Furthermore, In-ho introduces himself using the name Oh Young-il, which shares both a surname and a significant number (001) with Oh Il-nam, the creator of the games. This seems like a very pointed clue for Gi-hun to pick up on.

It’s clear that Gi-hun wants his team to make a specific decision, and of course. Dae-ho jokes with Jung-bae saying that a Marine knows when it’s time to withdraw, while Gi-hun reassures his teammates that he will assist them once they manage to escape.

This time around, the voting sequence proceeds in the order of the players, starting with In-ho casting his vote for X. As the scales appear to tip towards the side of O, Gi-hun prepares to address the crowd, but In-ho takes the stage first. Despite arguing against it last night, In-ho now seems to be echoing Gi-hun’s sentiments. Jeong-dae then interrupts with a “let’s play one more game!” cheer, which proves successful as the final tally shows 139 votes for continuing the games and 116 against. There are some unexpected choices: Hyun-ju, Yong-sik, and Jung-bae all opt for O. The responses to these decisions range from Geum-ja scolding Yong-sik for no longer addressing her as Mom, to Dae-ho comforting Jung-bae about emerging from his seclusion.

Everyone has some explaining to do. Jung-bae says that creditors are harassing his ex-wife and kid, while Yong-sik reveals that he has 100 million won of secret extra debt. If he doesn’t pay it back, his collectors will take his organs! (Poor guy doesn’t know that if he loses here, he might lose his organs anyway — especially after we see two soldiers ambush No-eul, cutting her face with a knife and threatening to chop her fingers off and possibly sexually assault her if she interferes again.) Hyun-ju offers the lengthiest justification. She tells her team that she lost her job in the army and was ostracized by everyone after she started transitioning. She dreams of using the money from one more game to finish transitioning and start a new life in Thailand, which Yong-sik confirms is home to a lot of attractive trans women. “You’re beautiful too, unnie,” Young-mi says, causing Hyun-ju’s lip to tremble. Geum-ja can’t go quite that far but says that Hyun-ju looks fine (and punches Yong-sik for suggesting that she ever said otherwise).

In the end, strong bonds and partnerships remain unshaken. Even though In-ho sighs that Jung-bae didn’t fully embody the “twice as righteous” significance of his name, he also acknowledges that Jung-bae’s vote wouldn’t have altered the outcome. Perhaps due to such a wide margin in votes, everyone can comfort themselves by not holding the people they value accountable.

There is one betrayal that isn’t between teammates, though. Thanos confronts Myung-gi in the bathroom for daring to try to leave. When Myung-gi insults Thanos’s intelligence and reminds him of a humiliating moment in his rap career, Thanos is ready to start a fight … until In-ho and co. walk in, likely reminding him how it felt to get his ass kicked in front of everyone last time.

It seems that violence is a concern for many individuals. During the night, Gi-hun constructs a barrier to safeguard his companions, while Geum-ja demonstrates self-protection by carrying a sharp hairpin. She initially discloses her bladder problems before “Mr. Triangle” opens the door, allowing her and Jun-hee and Hyun-ju to exit. On their journey there, Jun-hee projects a tough exterior, but eventually breaks down in tears inside a stall, with Geum-ja offering comfort.

Back in the sleeping area, Jung-bae wakes up for the night watch and asks Gi-hun why he returned here. Gi-hun says he wanted to end the game but admits to feeling a little lost now about what else he can do. It’s a heavy thought, and Jung-bae decides to switch topics. He tells Gi-hun that when they were on strike together, he was going to take management’s offer and leave the factory they were occupying. But according to Jung-bae, he stopped because Gi-hun was crying like a little bitch for his mom in his sleep (I’m paraphrasing, but honestly, not by that much). The old friends start bickering, and Jung-bae is happy to finally see the Seong Gi-hun that he knows — not a tormented billionaire but a childish cheapskate. Gi-hun pettily says that drinks are on Jung-bae when they get out of there. In-ho listens as they laugh.

Currently, the rescue team stands by, readying themselves to set sail on two vessels for a search mission. Time is of the essence as Nam-gyu and Thanos are gearing up for their third game, titled Mingle. This intriguing contest features a carousel with doors surrounding it, similar to musical chairs, but instead of sitting down, players must enter a room with the appropriate number of individuals. The twist is that this number will continually change, making it essential to rely on our carefully built partnerships for success in this new challenge.

Parting Shots

In this episode, we begin at a racetrack where winners triumph over those who fell short, which made me wonder if it could symbolize how capitalism keeps people trapped in a loop and hardens them towards systemic exploitation. However, as we concluded with a game involving everyone spinning around to the tune “Round and Round,” it seems this interpretation might not be too far-fetched after all.

Given that Hyun-ju’s military background is now known, it seems quite evident that her character was significantly shaped by the tale of South Korea’s first recognized trans soldier, Byun Hui-su. Tragically, Byun passed away at the age of 23 in 2021 within her home. The year prior, she was discharged from the military due to undergoing gender-affirming surgery in Thailand. The military justified this decision by labeling the loss of male genitals as a “disability.” Despite Byun’s heartfelt pleas to rejoin the service, it wasn’t until after her demise that a court ruled her discharge was unlawful.

• Amazing reveal that Player 380 lied about her age. Hope we see more of her and Min-su’s friendship!

The fight Jung-bae and Gi-hun recall from the previous season, which mirrors the 2009 Ssangyong Motors strike, was influenced by it. Last year, the Korean Supreme Court reduced the debt that the Korean Metal Workers’ Union owed to Ssangyong due to a court ruling on damages stemming from that strike.

• Geum-ja emerged as the star of this episode due to her swift shift towards alliance formation. Even while Yong-sik was still apologizing for his questioning at the start of the episode, she took it upon herself to educate Jun-hee before any potential offense could be given to Hyun-ju during their bathroom break. Let’s hear your thoughts, Valentina!

• In this episode, it was Thanos who came up short. It’s almost comical how a threat can inadvertently imply the best possible outcome would be your own demise. Quite an awkward position to find oneself in.

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2024-12-26 18:56