The phenomenon that is Squid Game was bound to have spin-offs. Squid Game: The Challenge turned out to be an entertaining mess, evoking a lot of opinions from viewers. Iconic and annoying players, frustrating game play, drama-filled scenes. Each episode was at least one thing: good television. As a replica of the three-season Netflix hit, Squid Game, this series had high expectations.
Six Legs
The first game, The Count, required all players to split into two groups—Xs and Os—and accurately count 456 seconds before pressing a button. Players 431 and 432, twin brothers, volunteered as leaders.
Each team chose one counter; the Os were off by 12 seconds and eliminated 227 contestants. Player 431 (Raul) was the only survivor because he volunteered.
Afterward, the surviving players were sent to the dorms. Raul (player 431) was given a chance to eliminate three players by saying “Good luck in the games,” or be eliminated himself. While gaining a target on his back, he completed his task.
This game to begin the series was stupid. The whole episode is just people counting, without proper introduction. Only about 5 main players were shown, which wasn’t bad for the first episode, but I was expecting more. The twins’ addition to this series was the best thing because they were set up to be so easy to hate.
The next event was the Six-Legged Pentathlon, where groups of five had their legs tied together and had to complete five games: Ball in a Cup, Biseokchigi, Gonggi, House of Cards, and Jegi.
Some teams struggled, especially one contestant who bent every card she had and claimed she had a “shaking problem.” Her shaking problem caused her and her teammates to be eliminated.
Watching this game was painful. Similar to the count challenge, the same people were shown over and over again. Although this episode was more entertaining—as there were teams to root for—I was mainly frustrated with the teams who struggled with some of the basic games, like house of cards. If you’re so shaky, maybe don’t pick the one game where you need steady hands.
Catch
In the “catch” challenge, the remaining contestants were divided into four groups. To survive, the players had to successfully throw and catch a ball to survive.
Player 017 began throwing to her team, starting with the twins whose strategy was to get their entire team to safety first. After the second twin caught the ball, he briefly turned his back on his team but was pressured into keeping his promise and threw the ball back to them.
Near the end of the episode, player 080 was given the chance to eliminate a player by choosing 2 people to put up for elimination. She selected a big threat, player 431 and player 098. The other players voted on a person to eliminate, and chose Raul (player 431).
This episode was where Netflix finally introduced the viewers to more people. It was exciting to have more people to root for, only for them to be eliminated within 30 minutes. It was disappointing, but overall the episode was filled with drama that was very good television.
The Doll
Unlike the other episodes, “The Doll” does not feature a new game, but rather a test of luck with a Russian nesting doll that can give the players a reward or punishment for the next game.
Before anyone opens the doll, Player 415 tries to gain sympathy claiming it’s his birthday and his girlfriend is pregnant, later in his interview admitting to his manipulation saying “Parents seem to care about kids for some reason.”
Player 153 was the first to get the doll, receiving a disadvantage in the next game, having to be handcuffed to a player of his choice—that being 432—for the duration of the game.
Player 075 gets a chance to eliminate someone, deciding to pick a player she does not know well, player 080.
I was surprised watching the scene with player 415, he’s iconic for pulling such a manipulative move. He’s so real, which is exactly why I was rooting for him after this scene.
Player 153, in theory his plan to take 432 should have been smart, but it really wasn’t because he was a big target, even by his own alliance.
Finally, player 075 really grinded my gears by choosing some random guy to eliminate. It should’ve been a big threat, or someone annoying.
Mingle
The next episode features the famous game Mingle, where contestants must lock themselves in a room with the exact number of people announced when the music stops.
Before the game began, player 021 got a clue that revealed that the first number would be 6, but kept it on the down low.
When the game started chaos erupted among the players as they rushed to find groups.
The episode concludes with the players retaliating against the game, resulting in the guards bringing the contestants bags of marbles.
This episode had me clenching the edge of the couch. There were so many people who could have easily survived if they had just stuck with their groups, but instead played in a very bad way.
It was definitely scripted when everybody held hands to end the game. Especially when the guards came down and gave marbles. No way they magically had the correct amount of bags for each duo.
Sacrifice
The episode starts with the players paired up to play marbles, where the objective is to win your opponent’s marbles.
Many pairs discussed what they would do with the prize money. One player remarks “I want to own a Burger King,” others talk about giving their children a better life. By the end, the remaining players were cut in half.
Returning to the dorms, the players chose three “monitors” who, in a turn of events, were forced to compete with three chosen players: 098, 437, and 417. Split into two rooms each team had to be the first to sacrifice a player.
Both teams decided to play rock, paper, scissors to make their decision. Ultimately, the monitors won by sacrificing player 230.
Watching this was like watching a comedy show. Player 024 was so unreal, as his opponent was talking about giving his kids a good life, and all he wanted was to own a Burger King.
With the monitor twist I was really upset with player 327, who used her child as an excuse to not have to sacrifice herself, resulting in player 230 being eliminated, he was too hot to go. By now, with the amount of players, the show told us about the remaining players.
Chutes and Ladders
The 6th episode is based on the board game Chutes and Ladders. Players were paired by the monitors, except Trinity (player 398)—who advanced to the next challenge. The goal was to get to the end of the board without being eliminated.
Tensions rise when the red team eliminates a yellow team member using the slides; Perla (072) survives and begins targeting Steven (183).
6 players were eliminated, leaving 11 contestants to play the Circle of Trust.
This game had me up in my seat, I mean the amount of ups and downs, I was celebrating then sad, then frustrated. Steven (183) and Perla (072) beefing was the best part of this. With the twins gone I was upset that there hadn’t really been anyone for me to hate, but Steven really stepped up. You learn that he is a millionaire poker player, so basically he doesn’t deserve the money. I just love to hate him.
Then there’s Kate, I can not stand her. Stop using your kid as leverage in the game. If I was there she would’ve been my target just because she’s annoying, and somehow she survived.
Trust
This episode picks up immediately after the emotional Chutes and Ladders game. The contestants are brought to a room to play the Circle of Trust, the goal is to secretly choose a player to eliminate without being caught.
Steven (183), a millionaire professional poker player eliminates a fan favorite, Faith. Not Player 302, Dejah suspects him but was too scared to speak up for her friend.
Later in the dorms, Steven admits to eliminating Faith, and created a rivalry between him, Dejah, and Perla.
Watching this episode made me realize that people are so bad at reading faces. You could so obviously tell when Steven put the box on Faith’s desk. For him being a poker player, his poker face is really bad.
One thing that I thought was really funny was when the contestants were walking into the game room, Trinity was already in there. He never came back into the dorm room after the last game. He stayed in that stupid bright white room.
Red Light Green Light
The players were given their suits, and brought to a room with a triangular table for their final meal before playing a new game.
A player held a gold coin and a black coin, another player had to guess which hand had the gold coin, if they guessed wrong then they had to be the next person to hold the coins. The last one standing was eliminated.
After everyone had shared their stories, Trinity (player 398) believed someone else deserved the money more than him, and decided to sacrifice himself.
The final game, “Red Light Green Light.” between the final four: Vanessa (017), Perla (072), Dajah (302), and Steven (183).
Vanessa could not stop herself and was the first to get eliminated. Steven was later eliminated after he fell trying to stop himself.
The two ran as hard as they could but Dajah ended up falling dramatically. She complained about how something had popped in her ankle.
Leaving Perla, all she had to do was cross the finish line. Once she did, the show immediately cut to a scene with her and her family, ending with her reuniting with her brother.
The finale has me screaming at my tv the entire time. I was so agitated that Trinity just gave up and sacrificed himself for everyone else. He should have won.
All the players who died in Red Light Green Light lost in such foolish ways. Especially the way Steven got out. He ran too fast and fell on his knees. Which was lame because—as much as I hated him—he was a good player and got eliminated in a dumb way.
I feel bad for the way Dajah got out because she tore her ACL. It wasn’t spoken of on the show, all it said was she popped something in her ankle, but on Tiktok she revealed she tore her ACL.
Overall I would say the show met the high standards from its mother Squid Games. Although the show might’ve been better drama-filled, and thrilling, The Challenge spinoff does the best it can to recreate the feeling of watching the real show.