A solid first season of "Squid Game"
A solid first season overall, even if the last three episodes are a slight disappointment to me.
The death games in "Squid Game" are a debtors' jail reimagined as a Battle Royale. Instead of a protracted battle to the death, each battle consists of a Korean children's game, which is intensified by the inclusion of life-and-death stakes. These games are perverse in the way they mix childhood memories (for the Korean contestants at least) with the spectacle of death. Death is often brutal, either through failing a particular obstacle or being tricked by someone who was believed to be a friend. For enduring all of these games, the prize is 45.6 billion won, about 100 million won per player (each human has a price here). The games are a cruel and unbecoming spectacle, yet games like these continue to be popular entertainment in fictional media all over the world. First in Japan with "Battle Royale", then with "The Hunger Games" in the USA, and now in South Korea with "Squid Game. (And perhaps others that are, at present, unknown to me).
The players of these depraved games are the focus of this story, but a compulsive gambling addict named Seong Gi-hun is the main focus. Gi-hun is the 456th and final player to enter the games. His reason for entering appears to be to ensure that his ex-wife and daughter don't become too estranged from him as they move away from him to America. While in the games he forms alliances with a small group of other players including Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), Cho Sang-Woo (Player 218), Oh Il-nam (Player 001), Ali Abdul (Player 199), and Lee Yoo-Mi (Player 240) among others. It's understood early on that these alliances are tenuous at best, given that only one person will survive to the end. These constitute many of the most important supporting players as well as some of the strongest friendships in this season. They become a tight unit, using strategy to master the early games and outwit their opponents.
While the players provide a clear look at the horrific games they must endure, a subplot involving Detective Hwang Jun-ho serves as a window into the terrifying world of being on staff at these games. The detective disguises himself as one of the games' goons in order to find his brother, who he believes is somehow involved with these games.
From a writing perspective, the series is often a mixed bag. It starts strong by creating relatable characters and focusing on the games, which are depraved, yet compelling spectacles. The behind-the-scenes look provided through the detective is also interesting to start. For the most part, the first six episodes are engaging, especially the heartbreaking episode "Gganbu". I have mixed feelings about episodes 7 and 8, even if the games remain as compelling as ever. However, I must admit that I was disappointed by the finale. There's a twist in the finale involving a former contestant that seemed quite bizarre to me. It undermines one of the most emotional scenes of the series in my opinion and I'm not fond of it.
With respect to the filmmaking, I believe its often good. The set design in the games is colorful, at once playing up the child-like nature of the games while providing an off-putting contrast to the depravity unleashed on these sets. I also think the cinematography is solid, though some of the night time exteriors in the real world could benefit from some more lighting. Direction is perhaps the weakest production aspect, as some of the handheld camera scenes can get a little sloppy. Better planning may have yielded better results for those scenes.
I'm glad I checked this out, even if I'm fine with not watching more of the show. If someone wants me to watch the rest of it, then I'll consider it. For now, I'll be okay with what I've seen. It's a solid first season, if a little inconsistent.
Favorite Episode: "Gganbu"
Runner-up: "Stick to the Team"
Favorite Characters:
1. Seong Gi-hun / Player 456
2. Oh Il-nam / Player 001 (I'm considering the character before the twist, not after)
3. Cho Sang-woo / Player 218
4. Kang Sae-byeok / Player 067
5. Ali Abdul / Player 199
The death games in "Squid Game" are a debtors' jail reimagined as a Battle Royale. Instead of a protracted battle to the death, each battle consists of a Korean children's game, which is intensified by the inclusion of life-and-death stakes. These games are perverse in the way they mix childhood memories (for the Korean contestants at least) with the spectacle of death. Death is often brutal, either through failing a particular obstacle or being tricked by someone who was believed to be a friend. For enduring all of these games, the prize is 45.6 billion won, about 100 million won per player (each human has a price here). The games are a cruel and unbecoming spectacle, yet games like these continue to be popular entertainment in fictional media all over the world. First in Japan with "Battle Royale", then with "The Hunger Games" in the USA, and now in South Korea with "Squid Game. (And perhaps others that are, at present, unknown to me).
The players of these depraved games are the focus of this story, but a compulsive gambling addict named Seong Gi-hun is the main focus. Gi-hun is the 456th and final player to enter the games. His reason for entering appears to be to ensure that his ex-wife and daughter don't become too estranged from him as they move away from him to America. While in the games he forms alliances with a small group of other players including Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), Cho Sang-Woo (Player 218), Oh Il-nam (Player 001), Ali Abdul (Player 199), and Lee Yoo-Mi (Player 240) among others. It's understood early on that these alliances are tenuous at best, given that only one person will survive to the end. These constitute many of the most important supporting players as well as some of the strongest friendships in this season. They become a tight unit, using strategy to master the early games and outwit their opponents.
While the players provide a clear look at the horrific games they must endure, a subplot involving Detective Hwang Jun-ho serves as a window into the terrifying world of being on staff at these games. The detective disguises himself as one of the games' goons in order to find his brother, who he believes is somehow involved with these games.
From a writing perspective, the series is often a mixed bag. It starts strong by creating relatable characters and focusing on the games, which are depraved, yet compelling spectacles. The behind-the-scenes look provided through the detective is also interesting to start. For the most part, the first six episodes are engaging, especially the heartbreaking episode "Gganbu". I have mixed feelings about episodes 7 and 8, even if the games remain as compelling as ever. However, I must admit that I was disappointed by the finale. There's a twist in the finale involving a former contestant that seemed quite bizarre to me. It undermines one of the most emotional scenes of the series in my opinion and I'm not fond of it.
With respect to the filmmaking, I believe its often good. The set design in the games is colorful, at once playing up the child-like nature of the games while providing an off-putting contrast to the depravity unleashed on these sets. I also think the cinematography is solid, though some of the night time exteriors in the real world could benefit from some more lighting. Direction is perhaps the weakest production aspect, as some of the handheld camera scenes can get a little sloppy. Better planning may have yielded better results for those scenes.
I'm glad I checked this out, even if I'm fine with not watching more of the show. If someone wants me to watch the rest of it, then I'll consider it. For now, I'll be okay with what I've seen. It's a solid first season, if a little inconsistent.
Favorite Episode: "Gganbu"
Runner-up: "Stick to the Team"
Favorite Characters:
1. Seong Gi-hun / Player 456
2. Oh Il-nam / Player 001 (I'm considering the character before the twist, not after)
3. Cho Sang-woo / Player 218
4. Kang Sae-byeok / Player 067
5. Ali Abdul / Player 199
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