15/01/2023

Loved season one, but season two for me was full on go go go except maybe for the very last episode!!!

Although the character of Arisu is that beacon of hope for all - it is Chesiya that brings such life to this series because of his cold character, intelligence and rather impactful words that make us think.

My top two favourite characters are Arisu and Chesiya, but Chesiya is the one I enjoy the most for some reason despite the fact he does what it takes to survive which means he has no problems betraying and double crossing.

If he had been taken out in season one or any of the earlier episodes of season two I would have stopped watching.

And I almost did around episode 7 I think - almost!

The games in this season are totally awesome and quite Psychological - they outdo the ones in season one.

In this series we get to see Chesiya in two top tier games without the others in which he has to use his intellect to see if he can outsmart the hosts. One is the "Jack of Hearts" game inside a prison and the other is with the "King of Diamonds" in a numbers game.

It is a joy watching Chesiya in action with his poker face, unemotional responses and highly intelligent mind. In addition, we finally get a glimpse of him and what he did in "real life" which is really cool - his backstory.

One of the most significant moments I reckon is when Chesiya more or less says to the King of Diamond's host that he suspects the "real winner is the host and that he himself, Chesiya, is the actual loser."

It is at this pivotal point that I feel he is starting to see the bigger picture and transitioning towards a different selfless perspective.

Arisu is still a great character to watch as well so I did enjoy the "King of Clubs" game he participated in as part of a team and what he learned in that time. It is probably one game we see from start to finish in full that plays out over two episodes.

My least favourite character this season was Usagi as she went from an independent woman that could hold her own to a damsel in distress. If she had been written out at any point I would not have shed a single tear!

But despite that - still binge worthy!

In this season we also learn why they are all there and ultimately what happens once the very last card is won. The last game is the "cherry on the top" of games as it goes into one's Psyche on a very deep level to the extent it brings a person down to their lowest point.

So, from season one where it is all about survival and trying to not die in all these games whilst working out the why and how the players are in a parallel world we are then taken into season two where the meaning of life and purpose is profoundly questioned and challenged that it no longer just about surviving anymore, but about whether or not some can live with their ideals based on everything they have done and chosen in life with their careers, friends, situations and families - even in the parallel world.

From episode one, two minutes in, it is all action and go for the next 5-6 episodes really.

Full on action all the way and so good that it is hard to stop watching episode after episode.

I would highly recommend watching ALICE IN BORDERLAND seasons one and two as it is an excellent series as well as rewatchable!