Warning: This article includes MAJOR SPOILERS for Squid Game season 2!
As a massive Squid Game fan, I’m impressed that the Red Light Green Light scene in season 2 surpasses the original. The Korean show Squid Game amassed a worldwide fanbase after it debuted in 2021, lauded at the time for its macabre tone and social commentary. Squid Game season 1 also has incredible world-building, fantastic suspense, and well-developed characters. The first season holds an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it was nominated for numerous Emmys and Golden Globes. Because of how beloved the seasons are, fans were understandably skeptical about follow-up seasons.
However, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had a vision for the show that spanned three seasons, and Netflix is letting him bring all parts of that story to life. Season 2 debuted on December 26, 2024, and Squid Game season 3 will come out in 2025, bringing the series to an end. While the second season doesn’t rise to the level of the first, it does have some moments and elements that really shine. The most notable is the Red Light Green Light scene in Squid Game season 2, which does the impossible by topping the scene from season 1.
Squid Game Season 2’s Red Light Green Light Scene Is Somehow More Tense Than Season 1’s
The Second Season Of Squid Game Leans Into Suspense Rather Than Being A Bloodbath
Rather than repeating the same games, Squid Game season 2 introduces new games, except for Red Light, Green Light. The latest installment brings back the innocent-looking but evil mechanical doll for another round of the children’s game, which provides a sense of consistency throughout different groups of squid games. It would feel out of place for every game to be exactly the same or completely different. Luckily, they change the sequence of events in the Red Light, Green Light game just enough to make it fun to watch.
Related
Squid Game Season 2 Review: Netflix’s High-Stakes Epic Takes Its Action To Bold New Heights
Squid Game season 2 introduces new dynamics with engrossing new set pieces, and proves that three years was worth the wait for another round.
Interestingly, the stop-and-go game from Season 2 is more tense than the original. Going into Squid Game season 1, I knew the games had a murderous element, but I didn’t realize exactly how bloody it would get during the Red Light, Green Light game. The forward knowledge of how bad the game could get if people move makes Squid Game season 2’s Red Light, Green Light game more anxiety-inducing to watch.
|
Every Game Played In Squid Game Season 2 |
|---|
|
Russian Roulette |
|
Bread Vs. Lottery Tickets |
|
Rock-Paper-Scissors Minus One |
|
Red Light, Green Light |
|
Six-Legged Pentathlon |
|
Mingle |
While the first game is pure pandemonium, the second game provides a palpable tension that makes me hold my breath. I found myself watching closely to see any small movement that the doll could catch. Eventually, the people in charge of the Squid Game clearly rig the outcome of the Red Light, Green Light game by releasing a bee, pushing the scene from unbearable suspense into chaos.
How Squid Game Season 2 Keeps Its First Game Fresh (Despite Having Done It Already)
Squid Game Adds New Narrative Elements To The Red Light Green Light Scene
While the actual game and its rules are identical in both Squid Game season 1 and season 2, the Netflix show keeps the scene fresh by making key changes. The most impactful change is the fact that Gi-Hun knows precisely what will happen if people move, so he’s trying to warn everyone. Unfortunately, the other players don’t believe him because of how ridiculous his claims sound. They change their attitudes after the first group of people gets shot, though.
These changes add visual and narrative diversity that keeps the Red Light, Green Light game interesting.
Additionally, Thanos starts pushing other players so that he can win, even though he knows they will get murdered. This moment defined the Squid Game season 2 character, setting up audience expectations on how he will behave throughout future episodes. The viewers also get to see the perspective of the Masked Men – something that the first season left out. The knowledge that they’re also being manipulated and prayed on adds an extra layer to the show. These changes add visual and narrative diversity that keeps the Red Light, Green Light game interesting.
Related
The Meaning Of Fly Me To The Moon In Squid Game Season 2’s Red Light, Green Light
A version of the classic song “Fly Me to the Moon” eerily plays during the “Red Light, Green Light” game in Squid Game season 2, episode 3 “001”.
In the last significant change, Gi-Hun runs back into the field to save a man who gets shot in the leg, thinking the character might have a chance to die in a better way. The optimism makes it all the more tragic when the Masked Men let Gi-hun save the man just to shoot the eliminated player in front of the returning champion. This moment foreshadows the bleak outlook for Squid Game season 2’s ending.
I’m Pleasantly Surprised At How Squid Game Season 2 Keeps Its Pace With Season 1
Squid Game Season 2 Maintains The High Quality In Character Development And Storytelling
Breaking down Squid Game season 2, the first two episodes are significantly slower than season 1. The information is necessary to understand Gi-Hun’s eventual plan when going back into the games. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s hard to get through these episodes after such a fast-paced ending for the first season. However, season 2 keeps its pace once the games actually start.
Related
All 7 Episodes From Squid Game Season 2, Ranked
Squid Game season 2 impressively continues Gi-hun’s story from season 1, but some episodes of the newest outing are more memorable than others.
The best new characters of Squid Game season 2 feel realistic and nuanced. The in-fighting between the players is just as significant in the second season. The new, deadly children’s games held my attention. Despite my trepidations, I must commend Hwang Dong-hyuk’s ability to expand on a story and world, even if I hated the shoot-off in the final episode. There’s no doubt that Squid Game season 2 will continue to captivate viewers, just like the first season did.
- Release Date
-
September 17, 2021
- Finale Year
-
November 30, 2024
- Cast
-
Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung - Seasons
-
2
- Writers
-
Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Directors
-
Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Showrunner
-
Hwang Dong-hyuk
