Season 2 of Squid Game ends with an even more intense cliffhanger than the first, as the tournament remains incomplete. The finale, titled “Friend or Foe,” sets a dramatic tone with escalating tensions among the remaining players.
After the tied vote in Episode 6 to end the Games, the atmosphere becomes increasingly hostile. A deadly fight in the men’s restroom pushes this to a breaking point, killing five players, including T.O.P.’s character, Thanos.
Despite this chaos, the group advocating to end the Games gains a small advantage. They lose only two players, while their opposition loses three. However, Gi-hun quickly senses danger, suspecting their opponents will strike again during the night.
To prepare, Gi-hun devises a strategy to defend themselves and escape the Games. He proposes using the inevitable nighttime conflict as an opportunity to turn the tables on those running the tournament. Unfortunately, the plan does not succeed, leading to devastating consequences.
Gi-hun’s Strategy Explained: Fighting Back During the Chaos
Gi-hun’s plan for the season 2 finale is straightforward but risky. He advises his allies to hide under their beds during the expected nighttime brawl. This tactic not only protects them from attacks but also gives them a chance to surprise their opponents.
Gi-hun predicts that the Masked Men will intervene once the fight becomes uncontrollable. After all, the VIPs require the Games to continue, and that won’t be possible if too many players die.
When the Masked Men arrive to restore order, Gi-hun and his allies pretend to be dead. As soon as the guards get close enough, the players attack, taking their weapons. Armed and emboldened, Gi-hun leads his group out of the dormitory to confront the people in charge.
However, not all the players agree to join the fight. Some choose to stay behind, unwilling to risk their lives. Gi-hun’s group faces overwhelming resistance. The Masked Men, anticipating an uprising, quickly surround them, leading to the deaths of most of Gi-hun’s team.
As the mission unravels, Gi-hun and Jung-bae attempt to reach the control room. Their efforts fall short as they run out of ammunition and are confronted by the Front Man and his guards. In a shocking moment, the Front Man reveals his true identity but keeps it hidden from Gi-hun. The confrontation turns tragic when the Front Man kills Jung-bae, leaving Gi-hun heartbroken and alone as the episode ends.
Why Gi-hun’s Plan Fails: Outnumbered and Outmaneuvered
Several factors contribute to the failure of Gi-hun’s plan. The most significant reason is that the Front Man anticipates the uprising and prepares for it. The Masked Men are called in for a “special game,” designed to put them in direct conflict with the players.
This orchestrated confrontation not only entertains the VIPs but also ensures that any rebellion is swiftly crushed. The Masked Men’s lives, much like the players’, hold little value to those running the Games, yet they remain loyal and follow orders.
Another reason for the plan’s failure is the lack of preparation among Gi-hun’s group. Although some members, like Hyun-ju, have military experience, their limited numbers and ammunition leave them at a disadvantage. Dae-ho, tasked with retrieving more ammunition, fails to deliver it, further weakening their position.
During the confrontation, it becomes clear that Dae-ho’s claims of being a marine were false, highlighting the group’s lack of coordination and resources.
The Front Man’s deception also plays a crucial role. Using a walkie-talkie, he tricks Gi-hun and Jung-bae into believing reinforcements are coming. Instead, he ambushes them, killing their backup and ensuring the uprising’s failure. This betrayal emphasizes that the Games are rigged to maintain control, leaving the players with little chance of success.
Captain Park’s Betrayal: A Shocking Twist
While much of the finale focuses on Gi-hun’s failed rebellion, another subplot reveals a devastating betrayal. Captain Park, who teams up with Jun-ho and Woo-seok to locate the tournament, is secretly working for the organization behind the Games.
Throughout the season, Captain Park deliberately misleads his team, ensuring they never find the island. His loyalty to the organization explains his actions at the end of Season 1, where he saves Jun-ho from the water near the island. It’s possible that the Front Man instructed Captain Park to retrieve his brother.
In the finale, Captain Park’s true allegiance becomes clear when he kills one of Jun-ho’s men to protect his secret. With his betrayal still undiscovered, the finale sets up potential danger for Jun-ho and Woo-seok in Season 3. This revelation adds another layer of intrigue, as viewers are left wondering how Jun-ho will react when the truth comes to light.
Why the Front Man Spares Gi-hun: A Lesson in Defeat
The Front Man’s decision to let Gi-hun live at the end of Season 2 is both strategic and psychological. By killing Jung-bae, the Front Man delivers a message to Gi-hun: resisting the Games is futile.
This act forces Gi-hun to confront the consequences of his rebellion, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt and grief. The Front Man’s goal is to break Gi-hun’s spirit, ensuring he no longer poses a threat to the organization.
The decision to spare Gi-hun also reflects the Front Man’s understanding of his character. Gi-hun, deeply affected by the loss of his friend, is more likely to internalize his failure than to act recklessly. Keeping him alive is a form of punishment, as he must live with the weight of his actions and the lives lost because of them.
What’s Next for the Tournament?
With the uprising defeated, the tournament is set to continue. After capturing Gi-hun and Jung-bae, the Masked Men eliminate the remaining players involved in the rebellion.
Those who stayed in their quarters are likely given another chance to vote on whether to proceed with the Games. Since many of the players opposing the tournament are now dead, it seems likely that the Games will move forward.
The mid-credits scene in Season 2 further supports this outcome. The scene shows the remaining players returning to the arena for another round of Red Light Green Light.
This time, a new male doll oversees the game, adding a twist to the familiar challenge. The inclusion of this scene hints at further developments in Season 3, as the tournament’s outcome and its implications remain unresolved.
Key Characters Still Standing
Several major players survive the events of Season 2, setting the stage for their potential return in Season 3. Dae-ho and Hyun-ju, who retreat to the dormitory for more ammunition, are still alive when the finale ends. Their decision to avoid the uprising keeps them safe from the Masked Men’s retaliation.
Other survivors include Geum-ja and her son Yong-sik, who remain in the dormitory rather than joining Gi-hun’s mission. Pregnant player Jun-hee and her partner Myung-gi also avoid the rebellion, ensuring their survival.
Additionally, key players in favor of continuing the Games, such as Jeong-dae, Nam-gyu, and Seon-nyeo, remain in the competition. Their presence suggests that the Games will continue with familiar faces, adding tension and drama to the upcoming season.
The Mid-Credits Scene: A New Challenge Awaits
The mid-credits scene of Season 2 teases a significant development for the next installment. The remaining players are shown entering the arena for a second round of Red Light Green Light.
This time, a male doll stands watch, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the game. The scene implies that more challenges lie ahead, as the tournament continues to test the players’ limits.
For Gi-hun, the scene serves as a grim reminder of what could have been. The possibility of multiple winners in this game contrasts sharply with the lives lost during his failed rebellion. As the season concludes, viewers are left to ponder the fate of the remaining players and the tournament itself.
Summary
Squid Game Season 2 delivers an even more intense cliffhanger than its predecessor, leaving the tournament unfinished and viewers grappling with shocking developments. The finale, “Friend or Foe,” centers on Gi-hun’s desperate attempt to escape and overthrow the system controlling the Games.
Following a violent brawl among players, Gi-hun devises a plan to use the ensuing chaos to his advantage. He leads an uprising by pretending to be dead, ambushing the Masked Men, and attempting to seize control. However, the rebellion is doomed from the start.
The Front Man anticipates the uprising, deploying Masked Men to suppress it while entertaining the VIPs. Gi-hun’s group is outnumbered, underprepared, and betrayed by Dae-ho, who fails to deliver ammunition.
The mission ends in tragedy as Jung-bae is killed, leaving Gi-hun emotionally shattered. The Front Man spares Gi-hun, hoping to break his spirit by forcing him to live with the guilt of his failure.
In a parallel twist, Captain Park, secretly working for the Games’ organizers, sabotages Jun-ho’s mission to find the island. His betrayal sets up potential danger for Season 3. Meanwhile, several key players, including Dae-ho, Hyun-ju, and Geum-ja, survive, positioning themselves for the tournament’s continuation.
The mid-credits scene teases a new round of Red Light Green Light, with a male doll overseeing the game. As the tournament advances, Season 3 promises to show the fates of its survivors and the power struggle within the Games.
