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Squid Game season 2’s ending explained: Why Gi-hun’s absurd risk actually makes sense

BBG News

As a seasoned critic with a penchant for Korean dramas and films, I must say that the climactic finale of Squid Game left me absolutely gobsmacked! The nail-biting tension, the unexpected twists, and the heart-wrenching emotional depth – it was a rollercoaster ride that had me on the edge of my seat.

Squid Game season 2 spoilers follow.

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, was correct in his prediction that viewers would immediately want more after seeing the season two finale.

Gi-hun’s ambitious strategy to wrap up the games became increasingly complicated, leading to an exhilarating climax filled with intense action. However, it must be admitted that his favorite character made some missteps with a scheme that carried significant risks but offered minimal lasting benefits. The fallout from these actions will play a crucial role in the upcoming season.

What transpired in the final episode of “Squid Game” season two? This is a summary of how the Netflix survival thriller concluded.

What happened in the Squid Game season 2 finale? Did Gi-hun take down the games?

The final episode commences following the intense fight in the bathroom, where the Xs (those desiring exit from the games) and the Os (those wishing to remain) engaged in a confrontation. This significant event left a lasting impact on this group of players, as events in the bathroom were not confined to that space, just like what happens in Las Vegas doesn’t always stay there.

Over the contentious 50-50 vote determining if the participants would continue in the competition, the X’s and O’s became embroiled in a vicious brawl that resulted in several players losing their lives tragically.

On both sides, there were casualties, yet the Os suffered a more significant decrease in their ranks. This meant that when another vote was held, those favoring departure would hold the majority, thereby concluding the games.

More significantly, the bathroom fight revealed something to them that only Gi-hun had previously understood due to his past experience with the games. For the first time, the novice players witnessed the money pile grow after a death not related to the games, which triggered a sequence of events leading to an even deadlier confrontation.

Gi-hun expected that the Os would launch an attack against the other side when the lights went out. This move would shift the balance of power in their favor and also boost the prize money. He advised his trusted X members to avoid joining the upcoming fight and instead, take cover by hiding under the beds.

Instead of abruptly abandoning his brave deeds and transforming into a cowardly figure, he devised a strategy with far-reaching implications to conclude the game according to the participants’ wishes. To achieve this goal, he required loyal companions to navigate the confrontation successfully.

He understood that the battle would be devastating, resulting in many casualties. However, the game organizers wouldn’t let it drag on excessively, or they wouldn’t have enough players left for future games. In due time, the pink troops would intervene to halt the conflict, and at that point, his strategy would unfold.

When the pink troops showed up, he and his crew were supposed to pretend they were dead. Since the pink soldiers tended not to inspect bodies closely while they verified IDs of the fallen using their trackers, Gi-hun’s reliable team planned to use this moment for a surprise offensive. Their strategy involved taking the soldiers’ guns, killing them, and then storming the masked men’s headquarters with the intention of exacting revenge.

He later announced that we will be the ones to apprehend those who took us captive, bring a halt to this conflict, and ensure they face consequences.

It’s unfortunate that Young-il, who was seen as trustworthy, turns out to be none other than Hwang In-ho, the malicious Front Man leading the masked group. This situation screams betrayal, but for now…

In the glowing lights of their dorms and amidst the agonized shouts of those on the verge of death, Gi-hun’s prophecy unfolded with a deafening roar. Notably, when his group successfully seized the pink soldiers’ weapons and compelled the remaining soldiers to fall back.

Following the triumph of the initial stage of their rebellion, Gi-hun was able to enlist a handful of additional supporters for his daring yet imprudent mission.

His team captured one pink soldier and forced him to lead them to their masked men’s headquarters.

As we moved forward, an increasing number of pink-clad combatants approached us, leading to a heated exchange of gunfire. My team was able to eliminate several of them, yet ultimately, we reached a standstill in the conflict.

At that moment, Gi-hun invited his trusted companion, Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), to join him on their quest to locate the headquarters, leaving Young-il and the rest behind to maintain their position.

While the remaining team members were nearly out of ammo, Gi-hun communicated to Young-il that they had discovered a route to the headquarters and urgently requested backup.

Absolutely, Young-il stepped forward as a volunteer and brought two others along for backup. He suggested an alternative entrance to the command center and proposed a sneak attack from the rear, which Gi-hun consented to, while he and Jung-bae moved forward.

This is where the double-crossing we promised comes into play.

In another version: Young-il kept his promise and guided the two players he had with him through a secret route. At that location, he callously killed them both in cold blood. As one of them was near death, he deceived Gi-hun by faking his own distress over the phone, only to complete the act with a fatal shot to the head of the truly dying player.

Now, those still in the stairwell were in a hopeless situation with very little ammo remaining, so they contacted Gi-hun to signal their surrender. However, even though they displayed a white flag, it didn’t save them. The only exception was one player who chose to end his own life. The rest of those on the stairwell were killed by the pink soldiers.

It was at that point that Gi-hun realised it was all over and so surrendered alongside Jung-bae.

There, with the headquarters within reach, Gi-hun was met by Young-il, now back in his masked Front Man attire, so Gi-hun was none the wiser.

To atone for his coup, In-ho chose to aim at Jung-bae rather than Gi-hun. This action carried an extra weight of tragedy as Jung-bae looked innocently at Gi-hun just before he was fatally shot.

Distraught, Gi-hun lunged towards the Front Man, intending to attack, but was held back by the pink-uniformed soldiers who accompanied him, as the Front Man strolled off nonchalantly.

In terms of finales for shows like Squid Game, this one was incredibly intense and emotional (considering we’ve only seen two), but truthfully, what else could Gi-hun have anticipated?

His scheme was unlikely to succeed from the start. If they had somehow managed to get to the headquarters, eliminated the Front Man and all his troops (which is highly improbable), the situation would still be far from under control – as demonstrated by the Captain who clearly colludes with the game controller (details on that coming up).

Ceasing play of just one game wouldn’t have eradicated the issue entirely. His actions seem hasty without apparent long-term vision, yet his daring strategy holds some logic.

Gi-hun isn’t a strategic thinker; instead, he’s a man heavily influenced by past traumas, moral obligations, and a strong desire for redemption due to his experiences in previous contests. In an attempt to save others from the same misfortune he endured, he seized any opportunity that came his way.

Was it flawless? Not at all. Is he? Definitely not, but interestingly enough, his actions serve as an integral aspect of the show’s underlying theme, which persistently explores what extreme circumstances might push us to do. Gi-hun, despite a different form of desperation compared to his destitute self in season one, is still driven by this desperation, leading him to make hasty and reckless decisions.

Here’s hoping that detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) finds his way out of an unforeseen predicament and manages to assist Gi-hun in need.

What happened to detective Hwang Jun-ho and his search and rescue team?

Last time we checked, Detective Hwang and his team were en route to inspect a potential site for the mysterious island. However, it turned out that was not the case.

During the night, as the rest of the team were sound asleep, the drone operator found himself awoken by a bout of seasickness. After throwing up over the ship’s edge, he stumbled upon the Captain who was secretly tampering with the drone they had been using for scouting locations.

Under questioning, the Captain took out a knife and killed the drone operator, afterwards throwing him over the side of the ship, where he joined his meal’s leftovers.

If the traitorous Captain continues to sabotage Detective Hwang and his team, it seems they might arrive too late to save Gi-hun. But if the Captain makes another mistake, there may still be hope.

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2024-12-26 21:19

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