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This review may contain spoilers
There are no heroes here.
Season 3 was infinitely better than Season 2. They brought back the heart, the moments that make you sit on-edge and the emotional impact that made us love the first season. I could feel the characters’ desperation once again. It’s interesting that with the main character somewhat sidelined in the first half of season 3, we returned to the tone that made Season 1 great. I felt like I was drawn into the characters’ stories like in Season 1, as opposed to watching the characters move from scene to scene and episode to episode; like in season 2.
This season was seeped in so many relatable emotions. I bawled my eyes out over a few deaths. Especially the one where one of our faves almost made it to the end of one of the games and after saving two other characters; only to perish. They were so close, yet so far. It’s always the truly selfless actions that beget the most cruel consequences; while the selfish are rewarded.
I was happy to see that my theory of 456’s character development was the direction they went in. It made the most sense and had the most impact on the story. What I also liked was that they really showcased the Jeckly and Hyde side of humans. In case you were to ever forget for a moment why someone ended up in the games and start to feel sorry for them - you are brought back to reality when they show the greed and self interest that got them there in the first place. They may be pathetic and sympathetic but they’ll change on you in a dime given the right set of circumstances. It goes beyond survival. It’s pure greed and selfishness. There are no heroes here. No redemption. Just a hard look at the ‘good’ people they thought they were, and more than one daughter left standing without a father who only had to choose them instead. I know that a lot of it is to do with Korean culture which has an outdated view of maleness and the family.
The final message of the film: Selfish actions made in the service of loved ones (whom it’s supposedly for), is still selfish. There are no good guys. Greed trumps all! And so it continues.
P.S. That CGI baby was weird!!!
This season was seeped in so many relatable emotions. I bawled my eyes out over a few deaths. Especially the one where one of our faves almost made it to the end of one of the games and after saving two other characters; only to perish. They were so close, yet so far. It’s always the truly selfless actions that beget the most cruel consequences; while the selfish are rewarded.
I was happy to see that my theory of 456’s character development was the direction they went in. It made the most sense and had the most impact on the story. What I also liked was that they really showcased the Jeckly and Hyde side of humans. In case you were to ever forget for a moment why someone ended up in the games and start to feel sorry for them - you are brought back to reality when they show the greed and self interest that got them there in the first place. They may be pathetic and sympathetic but they’ll change on you in a dime given the right set of circumstances. It goes beyond survival. It’s pure greed and selfishness. There are no heroes here. No redemption. Just a hard look at the ‘good’ people they thought they were, and more than one daughter left standing without a father who only had to choose them instead. I know that a lot of it is to do with Korean culture which has an outdated view of maleness and the family.
The final message of the film: Selfish actions made in the service of loved ones (whom it’s supposedly for), is still selfish. There are no good guys. Greed trumps all! And so it continues.
P.S. That CGI baby was weird!!!
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