Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2, episodes 1-7.Squid Game season 2 is finally streaming on Netflix, and it sees Seong Gi-hun returning to the deadly tournament — though some episodes of this second go-round are more thrilling than others. Gi-hun rejoins the Games in an attempt to bring them down from the inside, but his plans go awry from the moment he arrives on the island. With Hwang Jun-hoo and Choi Woo-seok unable to track him, Gi-hun is forced to rework his approach to toppling the tournament. This means he must win Squid Game season 2’s new players over to his cause.
Squid Game season 2’s ending reveals how that works out for Gi-hun, with the Front Man’s scheming as Player 001 finally coming to a head. The Front Man shows Gi-hun how futile his efforts are yet again, forcing him to grapple with the guilt of losing another friend and being responsible for the deaths of his allies. The sophomore season ends on a massive cliffhanger ahead of Squid Game season 3, but the journey getting there proves just as thrilling as the first outing. Of course, some season 2 episodes are stronger than others, and they get more thrilling as the story continues.
7 Episode 1 – “Bread and Lottery”
A Slow But Necessary Start
Squid Game season 2 gets off to a strong start with its premiere, “Bread and Lottery,” but it doesn’t really compare to the later installments. “Bread and Lottery” picks up with Gi-hun trying to make good on his vow to the Front Man. Gi-hun uses his Squid Game winnings to enlist help searching for the Games’ organizers, but the most they accomplish is tracking down the Salesman. And “Bread and Lottery” serves as a backstory of sorts for the Games’ recruiter, who perishes in a shocking round of Russian roulette at the end of the episode.
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Seeing more of the Salesman is a highlight of “Bread and Lottery,” and his antics throughout the installment highlight how twisted the Games’ organizers — and the system they uphold — really are. The meaning behind the Salesman’s Bread and Lottery challenge also offers some thoughtful commentary on the way desperate people operate, while also previewing what’s to come in the Games. Repeatedly, the Salesman’s targets take the chance of a large sum of money over the opportunity to eat. It’s a little on the nose, but it’s a fitting montage of the show’s themes.
The second outing gets off to a strong but slow start, which is necessary to set up the rest of Gi-hun’s story.
Squid Game season 2’s premiere is by no means a weak episode, but the remainder of the installments simply prove a lot more gripping. The second outing gets off to a strong but slow start, which is necessary to set up the rest of Gi-hun’s story. And it’s for the best, viewing-wise, that things only improve from “Bread and Lottery” onward.
6 Episode 2 – “Halloween Party”
Things Heat Up As Gi-hun Agrees To Play Again
Squid Game season 2, episode 2 finally sees Gi-hun and Jun-ho properly teaming up, something viewers have been waiting for since the Netflix series’ first outing. This alone ranks it above the premiere, as it’s satisfying to see the show’s heroes finally meet and discuss the tournament. Watching Gi-hun, Jun-ho, and Choi Woo-seok prepare to take on the organizers is exciting, as is watching their plans get upended. The Masked Men’s ambush at the Halloween party is thrilling, and it sets the tone for season 2, proving that Gi-hun’s mission won’t be an easy one.
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“Halloween Party” also introduces Park Gyu-young’s Squid Game character, No-eul, a North Korean deserter who’s desperate to find her child. Despite viewers having no established connection to No-eul’s character, Squid Game season 2’s second episode finds a way to make her story compelling. The scenes set at the amusement park where she works feel out of place initially, but like the other smaller details of the season, they ultimately add layers to the show’s message. Her moments of compassion and humanity make episode 2’s ending twist more surprising as well.
This scene reestablishes the Front Man as the massive threat he is, and it reminds viewers why Gi-hun is such a compelling lead: because of his humanity.
Of course, the highlight of “Halloween Party” is Gi-hun’s conversation with the Front Man, which builds the tensions between the show’s hero and villain in an incredibly satisfying way — one made even better by the rest of the season. This scene reestablishes the Front Man as the massive threat he is, and it reminds viewers why Gi-hun is such a compelling lead: because of his humanity. It’s the perfect lead-in to the tournament itself, though nothing in “Halloween Party” quite compares to the heights of the Games themselves.
5 Episode 4 – “Six Legs”
A Lull In The Deadly Tournament
The majority of episodes set at the Squid Game tournament are incredibly exciting, but “Six Legs” feels like a lull in the Games. It’s not an uninteresting one; it gives viewers time to get to know the show’s new characters and recover from episode 3’s Player 001 reveal. However, it’s certainly the weakest of the episodes that feature the tournament itself. Plus, its ending feels like an odd place to cut things off.
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Most of Squid Game season 2, episode 4 sees the players preparing for the next game: the Six-Legged Pentathlon. Of course, the players don’t know what they’re walking into. They’re mostly grappling with the aftermath of episode 3’s vote and the Red Light Green Light game they just endured. There are a few interesting conversations between Gi-hun and the Front Man, and these feel extra tense knowing that Gi-hun is being played. They’re probably the most exciting moments of “Six Legs.”
“Six Legs” feels like a necessity in some ways. However, that doesn’t prevent it from paling in comparison to the twistier, more action-packed additions to season 2.
Episode 4 shows a little of the Six-Legged Pentathlon — enough to get viewers excited about it — but it doesn’t see any of Squid Game‘s best characters playing the game. This is saved for episode 5, which proves a much more gripping installment. Like the premiere, “Six Legs” feels like a necessity in some ways. However, that doesn’t prevent it from paling in comparison to the twistier, more action-packed additions to season 2.
4 Episode 3 – “001”
Red Light Green Light Is Even More Tense The Second Time Around
Squid Game season 2, episode 3 sees the new tournament starting in earnest, with Gi-hun waking up as Player 456 again and realizing his tracker is gone. “001” then throws its new players into this second iteration of the Games by repeating Squid Game season 1’s most famous game: Red Light Green Light. The sophomore season manages to make its Red Light Green Light scene even more tense than the first time around. Gi-hun warns the other players of what’s coming, but they don’t believe him — a comically realistic turn of events.
Once they’re faced with the reality of the tournament, the players start listening to Gi-hun, who actually manages to keep many of them alive. It’s immensely satisfying watching him outmaneuver those behind the Games, and it makes for a thrilling round of the tournament. The entire Red Light Green Light sequence in “001” will keep viewers on edge, and it will leave them wondering how season 2 intends to top this opener.
“001” concludes with a vote on whether to move forward or not, and while this doesn’t sound exciting, it proves another great addition to the episode. Squid Game season 2, episode 3 concludes with the revelation that the Front Man has joined the tournament as Player 001 — and broke the tie in favor of those wishing to continue. This bombshell plot twist ramps up the excitement for the rest of the season, and it proves that Squid Game can still find fresh ways to tell its story.
3 Episode 5 – “One More Game”
A Suspenseful & Thoughtful Outing That Raises The Stakes
Squid Game season 2, episode 5, “One More Game,” actually delivers on the suspense built up at the end of episode 4 — and it does an excellent job of it. It’s during this installment that viewers see how the major characters fare during the Six-Legged Pentathlon. And while having all of them survive feels like a cop out in some ways, it still makes for an intense addition to the newest outing. It will leave many viewers biting their nails, especially when the Front Man nearly loses the game for Gi-hun and his team.
The characters’ excitement over winning this challenge is contagious, and it will elicit a sense of elation that will leave viewers questioning themselves. If any episode forces viewers to contend with the fact that we’re the VIPs, it’s this one, though that doesn’t make it any less entertaining to watch. Lee Byung-hun’s performance as the Front Man shines here, and it’s heart-wrenching to watch how Gi-hun learns to trust him. This is how “One More Game” manages to raise the stakes of the season, though its not as thrilling as the final two episodes.
2 Episode 7 – “Friend Or Foe”
An Action-Packed Finale That Falls Short Of Being Satisfying
Squid Game season 2’s finale sees Gi-hun leading an uprising against the Games’ organizers — one that backfires in spectacular fashion. On the heels of episode 6’s deadly bathroom brawl, Gi-hun convinces his allies that they must strike back against the Front Man and his lackeys, not the other players. They wait for an inevitable nighttime brawl to break out, then surprise the Masked Men by attacking them. Of course, all of this seems to be part of the Front Man’s plan; the Masked Men are called to play a game of their own just before this happens.
“Friend or Foe” really drives home how unbeatable the Front Man and the Games’ organizers are, proving that they’re still a step ahead of Gi-hun.
And “Friend or Foe” really drives home how unbeatable the Front Man and the Games’ organizers are, proving that they’re still a step ahead of Gi-hun. This successfully helps raise the stakes again ahead of Squid Game season 3, and it plays into the show’s overarching themes nicely. While Gi-hun’s sentiments are poignant and worthwhile in “Friend or Foe,” it wouldn’t make sense if it was this easy to overthrow the Games. After all, the Games are symbolic of a larger system, one that’s seemingly impossible to beat.
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The action and commentary throughout Squid Game season 2’s finale is top-notch, and the only reason it doesn’t rank in the top spot is because it’s frustrating. For one, Gi-hun’s plan is obviously destined to fail, and it’s hard to believe he can’t see that. On top of that, Squid Game season 2’s last episode leaves the outing unfinished, with its mid-credits scene teasing more to come in season 3. Although “Friend or Foe” successfully sets up another outing, it’s disappointing that so many things teased during this one aren’t delivered on by its end.
1 Episode 6 – “O X”
The Games At Their Worst…Or Best?
Squid Game season 2, episode 6 is the most satisfying episode of the entire second outing, as there are no frustrating loose ends, and it paints a realistic picture of the Games’ stakes. “O X” sees the new characters playing Mingle, and this game is the most intense of the entire season. This could be because Young-mi’s death actually gives it some proper weight, whereas previous challenges don’t result in any major players dying. Young-mi’s death is the first big emotional blow of this outing, setting up the finale well.
The aftermath of the vote in “O X” also sees the Games devolving into chaos, with the players becoming increasingly desperate to either continue or go home — and killing one another as a result. This element of “O X” drives home the themes behind Squid Game, capturing people at their most desperate. Mingle also showcases this at certain points, like when the Front Man strangles someone to stay alive. The bathroom brawl adds another action-packed and intense moment to season 2’s reservoir, and the episode’s ending is both surprising and satisfying.
Squid Game season 3 is confirmed for 2025.
Overall, “O X” is Squid Game at its best, which isn’t that surprising. After all, this installment sees the Games reaching their worst point yet. The hopes of more installments like this one make Squid Game season 3 an exciting prospect. Of course, it’s hard to say whether Gi-hun will be returning to the tournament after his antics in the finale, but “O X” sort of makes us hope he will.
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