Squid Game: The Challenge
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This recap covers episode ten, One Lucky Day.
My, my, how far weve come.
A great deal ofSquid Game: The Challenges hook is baked into the spectacle of its scale.
Now that were down to three players,Squid Game: The Challengehas to confront a narrative challenge.
Scale and spectacle arent luxuries it can lean on anymore.
Whats left in the deck?
Well, theres always cruelty.
The cavernous dorm is empty.
There are presumably no more chores on the docket.
Theres only so much socializing that can happen.
For her part, Mai can do little but keep the pair at a distance.
When it comes down to it, it could well be two-on-one.
We learn of Phills financial precarity and his desire to help everyone who has aided him over the years.
Ill be honest: I wasnt expecting this show to deliver on providing a nice meal.
Those fruits on the table look fake as hell!
But nope, the three get nice slabs of steak.
Anyway, the trio tries to get through awkward small talk, and the moment mercifully passes.
We all know why were here.
I imagine its hard to think about anything else.
Mai knows the score.
If either Sam or Phill gets that third outcome, theyre picking the other one and shes toast.
Mai is right to go first.
Hes distraught in the confessional.
But hes through nonetheless, and suddenly, were down to our last two finalists.
Later, when the lights are back on and the dorm is emptied out again, Mais pretty chipper.
I wonder how it smells.
Theres pushing, shoving, running.
Bryton (432) probably would have won that game under any scenario.
With a twist, of course.
Frankly, it should have been a one-and-done.
That wouldve given the sequence the opportunity to build up to a boiling climax.
Mai mops the floor with Phill, seemingly having cracked Phills strategic patterning.
(Which is totally something that can happen!)
Awash with chances, she finally fishes outthekey that opens the safe.
Mai is the winner of Squid Game.
On the whole, though, I think its fair to say she played a pretty good game.
Its reality television, baby.
You cant break the system.
Theres asecond season to make.
