This review may contain spoilers
An entirely unnecessary season
When season 3 was hinted at at the end of the second season, I remember being hella skeptical. I, like many others online, thought that Netflix would ruin a perfectly good story. And we were right. The plot in this 3rd season made very little sense, and the ruined beloved characters.
👨🏻⚕️Arisu - He felt like the same person. Nothing about him was different. He was there to be his good guy, brilliant self, and that is what he did. Not even Kento Yamazaki's amazing acting could save such bland, boring characterization
🧗🏻♀️Usagi - They did her so dirty that it fucking hurts. I fail to understand the logic behind her trusting this random professor whom she met 2 weeks ago (as per the plot). I can understand her confessing her dreams to him - sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers about hard things than to do so with close friends or family.
But straight up trusting him enough to go away with him? To constantly protect him in the games and at times, pick his side over her husband's??? Hell nah. This isn't the Usagi we knew. She was loyal and trusting of Arisu. That's why they survived both seasons - because they trusted each other regardless of what was going on around them. This sudden shift, over a stranger no less, makes no sense
👩🏻⚕️Ann - Why was she here? To add another familiar face to the cast? She had no involvement in the plot. And it was never explained how she knew what was going on with the new borderland 'kidnappings', nor how she could see the psycho guy in blue.
🙍🏻♂️Psycho guy in blue (I forgot his name tbh) - His logic about bringing Arisu back to the bordelands was out with the birds. As someone mentioned, citizens do not participate in the games. Sure, some people stayed at the end of sn 2, but we never saw them in the new games, which suggests that they don't play.
If asked, I would say that perhaps they worked behind the scenes or maybe as plants in the games to further chaos - as we saw at the hotel in season 2(?). His whole thing with Arisu was framed as though he would actively participate in all games like the new borderland visitors (victims really). That doesn't quite work with the previous story and world-building. So, his whole plan to force Arisu to stay so he can be their entertainment was utterly nonsensical.
👨🏻🦽➡️Ryuji - And the award for the 'most selfish character goes to....🏆' *crowd boos*. His obsession had already led to the death of one woman. And now, he wants to drag another woman, Usagi, down with his madness. Also, can someone explain to me his weird attraction (?), obsession (?) with Usagi. Bro seemed like he was in love with her, and for the life of me, I still cannot figure out how that happened or why. Also, how was the man able to swim and even hold on to a struggling Usagi in such raging waters? My belief refuses to be suspended.
Another thing, when you think about it, his story doesn't quite add up. At 1st, we were told that he was obsessed with the borderlands. Then, towards the end, it changed to him being curious about the land of death, the land beyond the borderlands. This feels like terrible writing. Like they figured that they wanted to up the stakes afterwards and couldn't be bothered to make everything fit.
Also, if he was that curious about death, why not simply off himself? A smart person would know that once you truly die, there's no coming back. No coming to prove his research, receive awards for his studies... nothing. So what was all that for? Nway....The man who plays Ryuji is fine AF👀
The other new characters - I didn't quite connect with any enough to remember their names, but I will say that they weren't well-developed. Which is unfortunate, coz some did have great backstories. Namely, the drug addicted guy, the poor, bullied student, and the SAHM with the abusive husband.
The anime girl felt like she was there for the shock factor. Her backstory was confusing. The Mafia guy felt like he was written to mimic the guy who ran the hat shop with the friend, and the siblings were so badly done. The brother died for nothing
Final Thoughts
🃏What was supposed to be the message of this season? It felt like they were going for this profound message, but I for sure did not leave this season with an understanding of what that was😭
🃏They did hint at a possible fourth season in the finale, and I pray to God that that never happens. If you think I'm watching an American version of this, you're solely mistaken. I'm all for actors and people behind the scenes having jobs, but please not with this story. The people in those boardrooms and writers' rooms will continue to desecrate this story further and... No. Please, No.
🃏The games in this installment were also rather boring
Ps. I will say that it was nice to see the season 1&2 characters at the end of this season. If only they all remembered each other. I think that's the one thing I'm sad about. They all formed beautiful friendships during the course of those games, only to forget them😔
👨🏻⚕️Arisu - He felt like the same person. Nothing about him was different. He was there to be his good guy, brilliant self, and that is what he did. Not even Kento Yamazaki's amazing acting could save such bland, boring characterization
🧗🏻♀️Usagi - They did her so dirty that it fucking hurts. I fail to understand the logic behind her trusting this random professor whom she met 2 weeks ago (as per the plot). I can understand her confessing her dreams to him - sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers about hard things than to do so with close friends or family.
But straight up trusting him enough to go away with him? To constantly protect him in the games and at times, pick his side over her husband's??? Hell nah. This isn't the Usagi we knew. She was loyal and trusting of Arisu. That's why they survived both seasons - because they trusted each other regardless of what was going on around them. This sudden shift, over a stranger no less, makes no sense
👩🏻⚕️Ann - Why was she here? To add another familiar face to the cast? She had no involvement in the plot. And it was never explained how she knew what was going on with the new borderland 'kidnappings', nor how she could see the psycho guy in blue.
🙍🏻♂️Psycho guy in blue (I forgot his name tbh) - His logic about bringing Arisu back to the bordelands was out with the birds. As someone mentioned, citizens do not participate in the games. Sure, some people stayed at the end of sn 2, but we never saw them in the new games, which suggests that they don't play.
If asked, I would say that perhaps they worked behind the scenes or maybe as plants in the games to further chaos - as we saw at the hotel in season 2(?). His whole thing with Arisu was framed as though he would actively participate in all games like the new borderland visitors (victims really). That doesn't quite work with the previous story and world-building. So, his whole plan to force Arisu to stay so he can be their entertainment was utterly nonsensical.
👨🏻🦽➡️Ryuji - And the award for the 'most selfish character goes to....🏆' *crowd boos*. His obsession had already led to the death of one woman. And now, he wants to drag another woman, Usagi, down with his madness. Also, can someone explain to me his weird attraction (?), obsession (?) with Usagi. Bro seemed like he was in love with her, and for the life of me, I still cannot figure out how that happened or why. Also, how was the man able to swim and even hold on to a struggling Usagi in such raging waters? My belief refuses to be suspended.
Another thing, when you think about it, his story doesn't quite add up. At 1st, we were told that he was obsessed with the borderlands. Then, towards the end, it changed to him being curious about the land of death, the land beyond the borderlands. This feels like terrible writing. Like they figured that they wanted to up the stakes afterwards and couldn't be bothered to make everything fit.
Also, if he was that curious about death, why not simply off himself? A smart person would know that once you truly die, there's no coming back. No coming to prove his research, receive awards for his studies... nothing. So what was all that for? Nway....The man who plays Ryuji is fine AF👀
The other new characters - I didn't quite connect with any enough to remember their names, but I will say that they weren't well-developed. Which is unfortunate, coz some did have great backstories. Namely, the drug addicted guy, the poor, bullied student, and the SAHM with the abusive husband.
The anime girl felt like she was there for the shock factor. Her backstory was confusing. The Mafia guy felt like he was written to mimic the guy who ran the hat shop with the friend, and the siblings were so badly done. The brother died for nothing
Final Thoughts
🃏What was supposed to be the message of this season? It felt like they were going for this profound message, but I for sure did not leave this season with an understanding of what that was😭
🃏They did hint at a possible fourth season in the finale, and I pray to God that that never happens. If you think I'm watching an American version of this, you're solely mistaken. I'm all for actors and people behind the scenes having jobs, but please not with this story. The people in those boardrooms and writers' rooms will continue to desecrate this story further and... No. Please, No.
🃏The games in this installment were also rather boring
Ps. I will say that it was nice to see the season 1&2 characters at the end of this season. If only they all remembered each other. I think that's the one thing I'm sad about. They all formed beautiful friendships during the course of those games, only to forget them😔
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