Squid game S2 - review

When i saw the first season, was appalled at the ease with which killing and gore was depicted and the blatant abuse of children's games as concepts to kill people. That shock effect is majorly subdued in the 3 years since the first season came is the ugly truth. That says so much about the content online and otherwise which has literally numbed the senses and what was seen as shocking couple of years back has become common place. Says so much about our society and fast degrading culture as well.

Story wise it is a continuation from where the previous season ended, where despite having won the prize money, the scruple torn hero, goes after the organizers of the game to stop it once and for all. He spends money like no tomorrow and engages several gangs to find out if any such recruitment similar to what he underwent happens in identifying participants for the game. It takes almost 2 3 episodes before he lands up in the island where the games happen. The police officer who almost lost his life in season 1, searching for his long lost brother (who happens to be the one who shot him) and the location of the island, joins hands with the hero in his quest. There are betrayals and back stabbings that derail the plans of the hero in getting backup, that leaves him on his wits end to survive yet another series of rounds of the deadly games. This time the story focuses more on human side of the games where despite seeing so many people killed and with the ever present threat on their own lives, majority of people wants to play those games, with the belief that the other player will get killed but not them, so that they can take home the prize money. After each game, the cry of one more round gets stronger with the ever dwindling crowd. When the "Red light, Green light" doll that scared the living daylights out of viewers to the extent that it was dubbed "Killer Dora" (of Dora Bujji cartoon fame) makes its appearance again, was wondering if they would repeat the same set of games again this time, only to introduce newer and more deadlier ones this time. As in previous season, the set pieces, production value and art work are top class but feels lesser as compared to season 1. The ending felt rushed and possibly like "Indian 2" they might've made a season too big to fit in one and too small to split in two. Looks like season 3 may come sooner than the 3 years and could possibly be the finale.

A winner show for Netflix nevertheless.