Squid Game season 2 fails to deliver on character development, leaving Thanos and Player 380’s deaths underwhelming, and the season bloated.

Season 2 of Squid Game was the most anticipated one in 2024, and it was yet another milestone for the dystopian survival thriller. Millions of people tuned in to watch the global sensation which broke several records with its first season. So expectations were high, and viewers were eager to see Seong Gi-hun after his life-altering victory.

Choi Seung Hyun as Thanos in Squid Game | Netflix

Even this time around, everyone hoped to see a high-intensity drama, that would take a deeper dive into the sadistic organization. The show has deserved praise for a few things, but it’s disappointing to see how they’ve treated characters like Thanos and Player 380.

Thanos and Player 380 are wasted potential in Squid Game

Won Ji-an as Player 380 in Squid Game | Netflix

In Squid Game Season 2, we see Choi Seung Hyun aka T.O.P, the renowned rapper and singer playing Thanos. The character is cocky and detached, and we initially underestimate his strategy to win which involves consuming psychedelic drugs to stay calm throughout the brutal game.

Despite his rough personality, he was one of the standout players, but during a heated confrontation in episode 6, his fate changed. He clashed with Yim Si Wan, player 333, and at that moment, Thanos met a sudden death when Hyun Ju stabbed him in the neck. His death was abrupt and did not lead to any payoff in the narrative, considering that he was playing a villainous role.

Similarly, player 380/ Se-mi, essayed by Won Ji-an, met a less-exciting conclusion. Her whole strategy was to get along with less intelligent teammates to manipulate them. Somehow, when the group dissolved, her plan turned ineffective. She decided to exit the game which made her face Nam-gyu, and that led to her violent demise.

Squid Game season 2’s character building falls short

Choi Seung Hyun as Thanos in Squid Game | Netflix

Such dismissive endings were enough for some viewers to turn the show off in frustration, and understandably so because the creators seemed to give away the opportunity to build a meaningful impact around such characters. This flaw has been prevalent throughout the season, where uneven character development robs you of an immersive experience.

The story focused on Seong Gi-hun but the creators did not utilize the side characters and their plots nearly enough, something that was beautifully accomplished in season 1. Thanos and Se-mi’s deaths are prime examples of this issue in Squid Game, where they take the time to build a character and then discard it with minimal consequences.

The season also suffered from overstuffed tangents that distracted viewers from the main plot. Overall, the whole thing felt bloated even with its seven-episode runtime, mostly because it did not have the same level of emotional depth as its predecessor.

You can watch Squid Game on Netflix.