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This was an emotional episode with significant losses. However, at the same time, the second half became quite boring. I think the story has become so self-contained that it has lost its grandeur. For example, in similar episodes from the first season, we learned about the VIPs, cried, and suffered alongside the characters. We felt empathy for them and their respective stories-well, at least for some of them.

In this season, there are far more characters who add nothing than those who do. For example, Lee Byung-hun's character doesn't represent anything or do anything to elevate the circumstances or even make us feel some sort of connection with him. I'm still waiting for him to reveal his identity or take on a more active role.

At the same time, No-eul's (Park Gyuyoung) storyline is completely irrelevant-it feels exactly like what I experienced in the first season with the policeman. It's the same thing this season. There came a point when I forgot he was still searching for Gi-hun.

That said, I think the decline is evident, and given the current state of things, I'm not surprised that the series will end in just one more episode.

This was definitely the best game in Squid Game yet-horrifying and everything that was great about Season 1: the dread, the hopelessness, and the betrayals. However, the emotional impact doesn't quite compare to Episode 6 of Season 1.

It's not a big surprise, though, because by now it's clear that Season 1 had much stronger storytelling. Part of that came from experiencing it for the first time & seeing far more level of desperation, fear, and helplessness.

Also The secondary plotline was solid until the you know who came. In this season, it feels like they're saying, "Whoops, wrong island again!"

The voting scene in this episode was amazing. Squid Game remains a masterpiece from a directional standpoint, but this season doesn't always maintain that quality. The drop in direction from episode to episode is noticeable. You'll see a home run in Episode 1, but then Episodes 4 and 5 fall behind. Still, it's an engaging show, largely because the main leads are some of the best in Korea.

Episode 6 of Squid Game Season 2 is a standout installment, ramping up the tension while peeling back more layers of the mystery surrounding the games. The game sequence is both brutal and thrilling, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as players are forced into life-or-death decisions. The stakes have never felt higher, and the episode does a fantastic job of balancing the suspense with emotional weight, particularly as more alliances crumble under the pressure.

What really makes this episode shine, however, are the shocking revelations. Just when you think you have a grasp on the players' motives, the show pulls a surprising twist that shifts everything you thought you knew. It's a testament to the show's ability to keep viewers guessing and invested in every character's journey. The emotional toll on the contestants also reaches a breaking point, making their actions feel more desperate and raw.

Though the pacing slows down a bit during the middle of the episode, the latter half picks up in a major way, delivering an intense, action-packed conclusion that sets up exciting developments for the rest of the season.

Verdict: A compelling and intense episode, filled with surprising twists and emotional stakes, that keeps Squid Game as thrilling as ever.