CAN lightning strike twice? Can a series once-binged ever be considered as binge-worthy?
Netflix would certainly be hoping so.
Series one of survival thriller Squid Game became one of the streamer’s biggest shows ever, with more than 300 million viewers watching more than 2.8billion hours since it landed in September 2021.
And Netflix will need to hope those loyal fans can push through the brand new series, because the first two episodes are dull.
The monstrous Red Light, Green Light game in the debut was so shocking it grabbed viewers by the balls.
But there’s barely any gore until 15 minutes into episode three.
It means they’re relying on us caring enough about series one’s protagonist Player 456 to sit through two hours’ of his obsession with finding the Squid Game boss and enacting his revenge.
When these two hours are dubbed and subtitled, that’s no mean feat.
We finally get to the games and here’s where writers have stepped things up.
There’s more thought around spelling out why each player has joined and they’ve added more meat to the bones when it comes to character.
We have a fella who ran a Crypto YouTube account whose bad advice several of his fellow players followed – and lost.
There’s a mum and son, a pregnant woman and even a famous rapper.
It immediately adds depth to the dormitory scenes without needing to resort to the same tropes as series one like in-fighting.
There’s also a juicy subplot which delves into the motivation of the Squid Gamers with a mole in their midst plus Player 456’s efforts to take down the bad guys.
The ratings acclaim has gone to its head. Fans loved the shock factor of the games and its whiplash twists, not the deep pathos of its characters
Felicity Cross
And whilst some of the gory games are the same, there’s enough variety to keep the action interesting.
The problem with Squid Game series two is it’s taking itself too seriously.
The ratings acclaim has gone to its head. Fans loved the shock factor of the games and its whiplash twists, not the deep pathos of its characters.
Some viewers will love this new depth – but others just want their lust for blood sated.
All of the shows we've said goodbye to this year:
