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Continuing on from season two, the player cohort continues to bloodily diminish, setting up a not-unexpected finale. The imagery remains fascinating but nothing too novel has been added in this season and the core-story starts to slide when the 'VIPs', a bunch of simplistic, predictable 'class warfare' villains, reappear and continues downhill as the games-of-survival, and the strategies of the survivors themselves, get more ridiculous. The entire premise is so implausible that the show is best treated as an increasingly heavy-handed class-struggle metaphor, which excuses a lot. Whether the final scene is a commentary on the ubiquitousness of greed or a set-up for another series, perhaps taking place outside S. Korea, remains to be seen.

As someone who was genuinely thrilled by the tension and unpredictability of previous Squid Game entries, Season 3's premiere left me underwhelmed. The episode leans heavily into setup, exposition, and drawn-out character reintroductions, but sadly forgets to carry the same gripping tension that made the series iconic in the first place.

The biggest flaw? The game hasn't started yet. While it's understandable that the creators wanted to rebuild suspense and flesh out motivations, it ultimately feels more like stalling than storytelling. There's little of the dread, curiosity, or moral panic that made earlier episodes so compelling. Without the stakes of the game, what remains is sluggish pacing, predictable interactions, and a lack of meaningful momentum.

Visually and cinematically, the show still maintains its high standards, but a polished surface can't hide a hollow core. Here's hoping the following episodes bring back the edge. As a standalone episode, this opener simply doesn't.

The first episode of squid game season 3 is an amazing episode.... Every season first episode is really good in that order this episode is also very good episode.... It's seat edge thriller episode... The protagonist of the show is very angry in the first episode... He join to kill the guy who was Feared when getting magazine... The next episode is going to be a emotional roller coaster episode... This is the sqiud game we want.... Sorry for the English I don't know English like you!!!! Because English is my second language... Anyway..... The wait was over... I'm excited about 2nd episode... I'm gonna see that byee!!!

This Episode was a Great Start to Season 3. Season 3 of Squid Game arrives with a heavy, somber openerfar darker than the flashy adrenaline rush of earlier seasons. The premiere wastes no time plunging us back into Gihun's world, immediately setting a tone of lingering trauma and moral despair. If you were expecting a triumphant return, this episode makes it clear the emotional stakes have shifted significantly.

Visually and atmospherically, Episode 1 stands out. The color palette is muted yet intensedull dormitory halls, bloodstained coffins, hushed lighting-all signaling that things are very much not "normal" anymore. One early scene, featuring Gihun being carried in a pink coffin, instantly evokes a mood of grim unease . It's the kind of image that tells you stakes have grown sharper and darker.

Pacing here is more deliberate. Rather than jumping straight into deadly games, the episode focuses on character dynamicsreinstating fractured relationships, reviving the perspectives of guards and players, and recentering Seong Gihun as both haunted and hollow. The premiere emphasizes his guilt and disillusionment following the failed uprising of Season 2, rather than beginning with action . New viewers expecting a fast-paced "back into the fray" hook may need patience, but those invested in emotional arcs will appreciate the payoff.

Performances are notably restrainedLee Jungjae's portrayal of a guiltridden Gihun is raw and minimalistic. He conveys profound despair with a few looks and posture shifts alone . Side characters, such as Kang Noeul and Detective Junho, are reintroduced in scenes that feel quiet but chargedlaying groundwork for the season's broader psychological and thematic explorations.

Despite its brooding tone, Episode 1 drops hints of the unforgettable game design we expect. We don't yet see any full games, but the episode teases the contrast between psychological torment and visceral tension that defined earlier entries. It reminds viewers to brace for slowburning dreadnot sudden shocks.

A highlight is the storytelling restraint this isn't a gohardorgohome action snap. Instead, it takes the time to rebuild context and emotional depth, reminding us why these characters matter. For instance, the bond between certain players emerges again through subtle body language and dialogue. It's not all grim, thoughthere are flickers of hope and humanity that serve as emotional anchorage. These moments drop hints of potential character growth and unity.

From a thematic standpoint, Episode 1 reignites the show's core critiques the corruption of power, societal exploitation, and the human cost of resistance. Less focused on glittering spectacle, this premiere reflects a series maturing into a severe psychological.

Performances are notably restrainedLee Jungjae's portrayal of a guiltridden Gihun is raw and minimalistic. He conveys profound despair with a few looks and posture shifts alone. Side characters, such as Kang Noeul and Detective Junho, are reintroduced in scenes that feel quiet but chargedlaying groundwork for the season's broader psychological and thematic explorations.

Despite its brooding tone, Episode 1 drops hints of the unforgettable game design we expect. We don't yet see any full games, but the episode teases the contrast between psychological torment and visceral tension that defined earlier entries. It reminds viewers to brace for slowburning dreadnot sudden shocks.

A highlight is the storytelling restraint this isn't a gohardogo home action snap. Instead, it takes the time to rebuild context and emotional depth, reminding us why these characters matter. For instance, the bond between certain players emerges again through subtle body language and dialogue. It's not all grim, thoughthere are flickers of hope and humanity that serve as emotional anchorage. These moments drop hints of potential character growth and unity.

From a thematic standpoint, Episode 1 reignites the show's core critiques the corruption of power, societal exploitation, and the human cost of resistance. Less focused on glittering spectacle, this premiere reflects a series maturing into a severe psychological thriller.

Another strength lies in its worldbuilding. Instead of rehashing previous settings, the episode introduces new layers to the game's infrastructure, suggesting that the organization behind it has evolved. We see new environments, new hierarchies, and perhaps new rules at playall delivered with a quiet menace that leaves you questioning what lies ahead.

In summary, Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 re-establishes the weight of what's at stake. It's a moody, atmospheric return, heavy on emotion and suspense, light on explosions and that's exactly why it works. The episode sets the tone for a season that is unafraid to explore trauma over spectacle, and it promises a more introspective, disturbing journey ahead. It may not deliver instant gratification, but the emotional tension and ominous foreshadowing suggest the real storm is just beginning.

Last season felt a bit lackuster, this episode alone is a step up, by far better than any episode of season 2. I hope this get only better with they following episodes.

After a season finale that left us in the middle of the story's climax, I like how this episode shows that the main climax might be coming soon this season, which makes you want to keep watching.

I also like how they handled the main character's story and personality after the events of last season's finale. This looks promising! Hopefully, they won't lose momentum in the upcoming episodes.

To be honest, I was only watching this season out of obligation, because after the last one I wasn't really feeling it - but now I'm totally hooked again.