Squid Game
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Well, this episode feels timely, doesnt it?
And, of course, discourse about the current state of democracy certainly isnt unique to Korea.
This season,Squid Gameintroduces a special new advantage that sets up democracy as a major theme.
The rule raises questions about whether the majority really always deserves decision-making power.
What if theyre not fully educated about the consequences of what theyre voting for?
Or what if they are, but they want to vote for things that will harm the minority?
Lets meet some of the people who will be casting their votes.
Obviously, Gi-hun is once again waking up to classical music as Player 456.
An ex-YouTuber who convinced a bunch of people to go all in on a crypto coin that crashed.
Hes now wanted for fraud and other crimes.
A hothead better known as the retired rapper Thanos.
Thanoss sidekick, thanks to their shared hatred for Myung-gi.
A diva who isnt easily swayed by Thanoss fame or his cocky, multilingual attempts at flirting with her.
An affable divorce whos been wondering why his old friend Gi-hun disappeared.
Hes a little taken aback by how urgently Gi-hun tells him to stay close.
A trans woman who has not yet had gender-affirming surgery.
Before the game even starts, we learn that not everyone here is accepting of trans people.
7 and 149:Yong-sik and his elderly mom, Geum-ja.
Theyre both here to pay off his debt, but she chews him out for coming.
An unsettling shaman who tells Gi-hun that hes been brought here because of the vengeful souls hovering over him.
Hopefully, itll only get easier to keep track of these characters as we learn more about them!
After waking up, the players start complaining to the masked pink soldiers.
Consent forms are signed before the murderous catch is revealed.
At this point, hes still waiting for backup to arrive.
Turns out that plan B is to infiltrate the island.
Unfortunately, Gi-huns tooth signal leads to a random fishermans bait.
Like last season, the first game is Red Light, Green Light.
No one believes Gi-hun when he first starts yelling that theyll be shot if they move.
Jung-bae (390) is no longer embarrassed to know him, thats for sure.
Gi-hun advises everyone to get behind people who are bigger than them.
The strategy works pretty well; a nauseous-looking Player 222 can lean on someone else without being shot.
Meanwhile, No-eul is among the snipers shooting anyone who moves.
That doesnt stop her from doing her job, though.
Ultimately, 365 players make it out alive.
The accumulated total will be split equally whenever the game ends.
The first O-X vote to decide whether to keep going is held publicly, in reverse player order.
But the Os either dont trust him or think its actually an advantage to have a past winner.
Whys he trying to scare them by saying people will die?
If he can survive, why cant they?
This reasoning is flawed.
If the idea is that hell help everyone survive, then the prize money will never increase.
With one vote left, its an even tie.
If Jun-ho had been more honest, then Gi-hun would have recognized the potential danger.
Instead, were left to wonder what Front Man might do undetected.
I see stick figures swinging between triangles in what might be a variation on monkey bars.
Maybe yall will have better luck?
Hwang Dong-hyuk did expectthediscourseover Hyun-ju, a trans woman, being played by a cis male actor.
Same-sex marriage is not legal in the country, for example.
Im personally happy to see Seung-hyun again, although not everyone feels the same way.
Theres actually been enough backlash that Hwang Dong-hyuk felt the need todefend his casting.
Winner of the episode: T.O.P.
Also, Player 444, for getting shot twice.
