In the third episode of Squid Game's second season, titled '001', the show
delves into the complexities of democracy and the weight of collective
decision-making in a high-stakes environment. This episode, set on November 1,
2024, as estimated by keen-eyed viewers , sees the players of the deadly games
facing a new challenge that echoes the real-world discourse on democracy and its
limitations.
The episode introduces a "special new advantage" that allows players to vote after each game — if a majority decides to leave, they can all depart with the money they've won so far. This rule, a significant departure from the previous season where leaving meant going home empty-handed, raises provocative questions about the wisdom of the majority and the potential for democratic decisions to harm the minority .
The episode is rich with new characters, each with their own story and number, adding depth to the narrative:
- **Player 333 (Myung-gi)**: A former YouTuber now wanted for fraud after a cryptocurrency investment he promoted crashed .
- **Player 230 (Su-bong)**: Known as the retired rapper Thanos, his flamboyant style and references to halving humanity echo his Marvel namesake .
- **Player 120 (Nam-gyu)**: Thanos's sidekick, united in their hatred for Myung-gi and seeking payback for their financial losses .
- **Player 196 (Mi-na)**: A diva unimpressed by Thanos's fame or his attempts at flirtation .
- **Player 100 (Jeong-dae)**: Carrying the highest debt of 10 billion won, he's proud of his ability to secure such a large loan .
- **Player 390 (Jung-bae)**: A friendly divorcé, surprised by Gi-hun's urgent instructions to stay close .
- **Player 120 (Hyun-ju)**: A trans woman whose presence challenges the acceptance of the other players .
- **Players 7 and 149 (Yong-sik and Geum-ja)**: A son and his mother, both in the game to pay off his debts, with the mother disapproving of his participation .
- **Player 44 (Seon-nyeo)**: A shaman with a chilling prediction for Gi-hun .
The first game, once again, is "Red Light, Green Light", presided over by a motion-detecting doll. Gi-hun, now aware of the game's deadly consequences, tries to warn the other players. His efforts initially fall on deaf ears until a chain reaction of deaths begins, causing panic and chaos . Gi-hun's strategy to save as many players as possible is thwarted by Thanos's ruthless push for survival, resulting in 90 deaths, with No-eul, a sniper and North Korean defector, accounting for one more .
The episode's climax revolves around the post-game vote, a moment of truth where the players decide whether to continue or leave with their earnings. Gi-hun, advocating for leaving, is outvoted by a narrow margin, with the final deciding vote cast by Player 1, revealed to be Front Man (In-ho), adding a layer of intrigue to the game's control .
With the vote to continue, 49% of the players are, in a sense, subjugated by the majority's greed or delusion, mirroring real-world democratic struggles and the potential for the majority's decisions to cause harm . The episode ends with a stark reminder of the human cost of these decisions, as Gi-hun's efforts to save lives are overshadowed by the game's relentless march forward.
In '001', Squid Game continues its exploration of democracy, power, and the human condition, offering a gripping narrative that resonates with current global events and the eternal question of whether democracy can survive when faced with the ultimate survival game.