Squid Game

Season 1 features a great deal of violence, and since the end credits were Korean, I can’t be sure that no actors/actresses were harmed in the making of this show. It’s an interesting show, no doubt about it. There is something in it for lovers of violence as well as more philosophical types, as it was a lot like Sophie's choice at times. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if a similar game became popular in real life. I’m sure there would be no shortage of sponsors or participants. I think there would even be plenty of idiots who would pay to be allowed to stream the contest. I wouldn’t be traumatized if someone like that wouldn’t make it to the next round. I consider the first season a success, despite a few logic holes (I can’t get the egg out of my head). It’s an interesting experience to imagine yourself as one of the contestants. Except for the two Korean women and the grandpa, I didn't like anyone, especially not the main character. I really didn't buy his transformation from a total scumbag to a sensitive humanist. / Lesson learned: If you want to play a game where you die if you lose, forget about your conscience. (03.02.2022)

Initially, the first episode didn't quite blow me away as I had expected. It felt like I was just watching another pathetic loser, a perfect illustration of madness. At that point, I couldn't fathom why so many people were urging me to watch the series. It wasn't until the last third of the episode that it finally clicked for me. Sure, the story isn't exactly groundbreaking; I've read it before in King's (well, actually Bachman's) books "The Long Walk" (1979) and "The Running Man" (1982). Then there's Battle Royale, and The Hunger Games. But you know what? I didn't mind that at all. There's something about this series that my inner sadist is quite taken with — it's crawled out of the darkness it thrives in and seems to be eagerly licking its lips for more. / Lesson learned: A square is more than a circle. And I'll be more careful about what I put my thumbprint on from now on. (01.02.2022)

I had to give this episode a lower rating, mainly because the creators took almost an hour to explain to me why we're treading the same river (but it's different now - we get it, time flies and so does water), and I wasn't exactly thrilled by it. Don't get me wrong, the plot wasn't entirely terrible, but there were moments when the emotional manipulation didn't quite hit the mark for me. I guess I'm just not one to get teary-eyed over the fate of humanity; life's worn me down enough that I've toughened up. / Lesson learned: A square is more than a triangle. And a triangle is more dangerous than a circle. Oh, and never swear on your mother's life, unless you want her to get diabetes. (01.02.2022)

The third episode is my favorite so far. As I hinted earlier, there's some twisted part of me that oddly enjoys these death games, so I was thrilled to see the story return to the island. With fewer contestants this time and a lower prize, the characters are starting to come into their own. I can't help but wonder who is sponsoring this competition, though. That entire complex, down to the geometrical staff, must have cost a fortune. I wouldn't even want to foot the bill for all the ammunition they're burning through. (01.02.2022)

The fourth episode was undeniably intriguing. The creators really drove home the point that with the right motivation, the selfish beast within many of us awakens (myself included, just so no one thinks I'm preaching). However, the night survival game didn't quite do it for me. Watching nearly two hundred people trying to kill each other in the dark wasn't exactly riveting, and the Korean creators definitely didn't help by potentially inducing an epileptic seizure. On the flip side, I was quite into the final competition. If you're going to go out, it might as well be according to clear rules. But the biggest mystery remained unsolved: How on earth do you put a note in an egg without breaking the shell? There must be a corrupt chicken out there. / Lesson learned: I never did like shared dormitories, and it turns out my instincts were spot on. While it's nice to hear about the triumph of spirit over matter, when a two-hundred-pound guy is charging at you with a hammer, you'd better run. You can think later. That is if you run fast enough. (02.02.2022)

I went into this episode expecting another round of deadly children's games, but what I got was more like a mix of the May uprising and a Bond film. Let me break it down for you. Barricades were going up, patrols were on high alert, and all the while, a stealthy solo search was underway. Well, stealthy might be stretching it... The whole array of activities happening in the monitored corridors of the complex struck me as bizarre, raising some obvious questions. If one person is in charge of all the internal cameras, what are the other twenty people doing in front of their monitors? Playing some kind of online game? It's a head-scratcher. / Lesson learned: An overly ambitious Korean surgeon can be more dangerous than Ebola. And apparently, in Korea, necrophilia is more socially acceptable than homosexuality. Who knew? (02.02.2022)

Just watched the sixth episode, and wow, did it play with my emotions. Surprisingly, I found myself not minding it so much. Odd, right? This time around, all the bloodshed and drama seemed to take a backseat, focusing on something entirely different. The creators really nailed it, highlighting this shift brilliantly. So, a five-star rating from me, even though I'm still seeing through tears :-) Back in the day, when I was a little kid (before video games ruled the world), losing a marble in a game was a personal tragedy. I can't even decide which threat would have stressed me out more: losing a marble and being ridiculed, or getting a bullet to the head? Who knows? Kids have a different way of thinking. / Lesson learned: If you're a jerk, own it; even if you change, no one will buy it. (02.02.2022)

Like in the game I just witnessed, this episode was a misstep. Don't get me wrong, the tension of the competition was palpable (for the players, at least), and it once again delved into the tough choices contestants make when their lives are on the line. Up to this point, my satisfaction level was riding high. But those VIP characters... what were the creators thinking? It's pretty obvious from the get-go that this is all a sick form of entertainment for bored, wealthy folks. No need to hammer it in with those over-the-top characters. The animals were annoying, adding nothing substantial and only dragging out the runtime. / Lesson learned: Always have at least two marbles. And watch out for ticks. (03.02.2022)

The eighth episode seemed a bit less spectacular, but I found myself enjoying it more than the previous one. However, as a straight viewer, I can't help but feel a bit left out by the creators. First, the marble game, and now, with what went down, we're missing out on two Korean girls who were a real highlight for me. On top of that, there were a couple of things that didn't quite sit right with me. The first was the whole shooting-at-a-pressurized-bottle issue. I get that not every bottle needs to go boom, but I still wouldn't be shooting at it from a meter away, you know? But, more importantly, how does a person in full clothing get hit by glass and then magically take off their shirt without pulling out the shard? Even Houdini would be scratching his head at that one. / Lesson learned: If you've got a steak knife left after dinner, you better brace yourself. And don't trust anyone, not even someone who offers you a kidney. 4*- (03.02.2022)

To be honest, the finale left me a tad disappointed. It confirmed my initial impression of the main character, and I'm almost relieved I didn't end up rooting for him. However, the reveal of the game creator was a real treat; I found myself chuckling at the cynicism of it all. I wish the conclusion had kept that dark, twisted spirit instead of delving into excessive self-reflection and a moralistic tone. Throughout the show, we got a glimpse into the raw nature of the survival instinct. It's interesting how the finale pointedly contrasts this self-preservation with a call for moral values. Nowadays, there are plenty of people quick to proclaim, "I would never...," but they often haven't faced any truly difficult moral dilemma under great pressure. / Lesson learned: If you're considering changing your hair color, think it over carefully. And if you risk your life for a fortune and win, don't be an idiot. (03.02.2022)