TV REVIEW: SQUID GAME - THE CHALLENGE (Season 2)

3/5

Challengers

9 Episodes. Based On: 'Squid Game' by Hwang Dong-hyuk.  Produced By: Studio Lambert & The Garden. On: Netflix.

"Mu-gung-hwa kko-chi pi-oet-sum-ni-da!" The hibiscus flowers have bloomed once again. The South Korean phenomena that is 'Squid Game' ended this Summer with the second part of its second season...or did it?! A certain cameo, which we won't spoil, even though we saw it before we even began to stream, confirmed that there were still games to be played. And now 'Se7en's' very own David Fincher will develop a US version of the series featuring those players with deadly sins not knowing what's in the box. Maybe that DiCaprio rumour will come true after all. Now, if you think that dilutes one of the best things to come out of Korea, next to 'Parasite', 'Train To Busan' and BTS (yeah, I said it), like a 'Snowpiercer' return trip, then you might not have heard about 'Squid Game: The Challenge'.

A reality show that makes 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' look like an easy *COUGH* pop quiz, complete with video diaries that are more confessionals than 'Big Brother', this show is addictive as 'The Challenge' contestants are annoying. These guys can't even catch a ball! The first season was fun, and stick with the second, because there's more to come. Even if it's more of the same players, about as humble as the love children of Kanye West and Elon Musk (uh, God!). Telling each other that they love each other, after knowing each other two minutes. Albeit with a knife behind their back, as metaphorical as the squib executions done for 'Squid' ink effect. Telling us that Jesus walks with them. He's probably watching, like the rest of us. But I bet he's laughing at the hilarious slide free fall of the ups and downs of the exclusive snakes and ladders game we hope to see in 'Squid Game US'.

Still, there are sweet souls in this matrix, like Trinity. And we're not giving the game away, keeping that tuxedo tight to our chest, but we couldn't be happier with the winner. Even the villainous characters are enjoyable, to a comeuppance point. At least they're more refreshing than the middle-aged bros (holds up hand) that say things like "this is fire!" No, we're forty years old. Our back pain is fire. Plus, what one generous heart does will move you to undeniable tears. Is this thing scripted? Probably, but that's still more forgivable than the "I'VE PLAYED THESE GAMES BEFORE" English dub of the second season's opening episode. With new games from there, some of their own ones, and the classic 'Red Light, Green Light', this is pure pleasure and nostalgia for fans of the series. Sure it's oversaturated, but so is all the merch, video games, and the lovely by the Frontman fireplace you can watch for hours on Netflix. There's still ink in this squid. And Netflix is milking the game for all it's worth. Stacking up their piggy bank. Clickity-clank! TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Playing: 'Squid Game', 'Squid Game In Conversation', 'Squid Game Fireplace'.