This review may contain spoilers
Very strange season finale
This Season 3 had the impossible task of closing one of the most globally successful shows of the decade and while it had flashes of brilliance, I walked away feeling a bit conflicted. The intensity was still there, and the emotional stakes felt heavier than ever, but the pacing and structure felt rushed. The season picked up right after Season 2 but jumped between plotlines so quickly that some scenes lost their impact. The new games were brutal, but compared to the psychological edge of Season 1, this felt more chaotic than suspenseful. I could see what the writers wanted to say, but it didn’t always land with the same weight.
Character-wise, this season gave some good moments, but others felt badly handled. Gi-hun remained a strong emotional core, but his arc started to feel repetitive and forced by the final episodes. The Front Man (In-ho) a character I was hoping would be explored more but ended up sidelined again, with barely ten minutes of screen time. That was a huge letdown, especially after the buildup around his story. Jun-ho’s subplot? Wasted. I was also disappointed by how quickly some characters were reduced to stereotypes especially like Myung-gi/ player 333 turning evil with barely any build-up. Jun-hee and the baby twist added emotional layers, but the “symbolism” felt heavy-handed and left many wondering if the ending leaned more into messaging than coherent storytelling.
By the time the finale came, I was both moved and frustrated. The emotional scenes hit especially the sacrifices but the wrap-up didn’t feel like a true conclusion. A lot of plot threads were left hanging or rushed through. I've read some reviews and some fans found it “bittersweet,” but for me, it felt more like a spin-off setup than a satisfying end. That said, it wasn’t a bad season just uneven. The cast delivered strong performances, and I respect the creators for not playing it safe. But overall, Season 3 felt like it aimed high and hit halfway. It’s a decent farewell with standout moments, but one that could’ve been much more with tighter writing and better use of its characters.
Character-wise, this season gave some good moments, but others felt badly handled. Gi-hun remained a strong emotional core, but his arc started to feel repetitive and forced by the final episodes. The Front Man (In-ho) a character I was hoping would be explored more but ended up sidelined again, with barely ten minutes of screen time. That was a huge letdown, especially after the buildup around his story. Jun-ho’s subplot? Wasted. I was also disappointed by how quickly some characters were reduced to stereotypes especially like Myung-gi/ player 333 turning evil with barely any build-up. Jun-hee and the baby twist added emotional layers, but the “symbolism” felt heavy-handed and left many wondering if the ending leaned more into messaging than coherent storytelling.
By the time the finale came, I was both moved and frustrated. The emotional scenes hit especially the sacrifices but the wrap-up didn’t feel like a true conclusion. A lot of plot threads were left hanging or rushed through. I've read some reviews and some fans found it “bittersweet,” but for me, it felt more like a spin-off setup than a satisfying end. That said, it wasn’t a bad season just uneven. The cast delivered strong performances, and I respect the creators for not playing it safe. But overall, Season 3 felt like it aimed high and hit halfway. It’s a decent farewell with standout moments, but one that could’ve been much more with tighter writing and better use of its characters.
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