I rarely subscribe to viral or overhyped media content. I am sure you’ve heard/ or even watched the Squid Game on Netflix. If you haven’t, please stop reading here. The following paragraphs contains SPOILERS. The show contains many layers of understanding, some of which involves depth and life experiences of citizens living in a capitalist state.
Scene 1: I Am Begging Please
Player 212 begging profusely to leave after the first game using all sorts of “self-pity” excuses to portray herself as a victim. When the votes were cast & the players were allowed to exit the “nightmare”, faith in humanity was restored for a brief moment before 212 rejoined the game against all “logic”
Stark contrast to humans in relationships, going back to their abusive/toxic/unfaithful partners even after being allowed to leave. It can also exemplify people with unethical jobs, working for tyrants in toxic environments even when there’s plenty of “better” options out there. Playing the victim card is an option that is hard to resist. It shouldn’t come to a “surprise” that most of the players, including 212, rejoined the game because they weren’t forced to decide to enter the game the first time it was offered to them.
Scene 2: Let’s Play Pretend
Marble game between 456 & 001. 001 stalls the game by walking around “aimlessly” 001 “forgets” his wagers and allow 456 to cheat him.
Real world manipulation of the capitalists by making people think they “cheat” the system like getting a good deal by being dishonest or winning the lottery. It is hubris to believe that we are unique when we found a certain loophole or workaround to a system. In reality, they’re just traps set up to serve a higher order . 001 doesn’t feel exploited as he isn’t a “real” player in the game since the rules doesn’t apply to him, just like certain people in position of power
Scene 3: Greed vs Compassion
Final squid game where 456 wants to vote to end the game so that both he & 218 can get out. Shortly afterwards, 218 apologizes with a few words before stabbing his neck with the knife.
Realizing how pointless the game is, the raw compassion of 456 overcomes his greed. But 218 knows that they’ve come so “far” to just quit and return to the starting point. He weighs the decision by knowing that his sacrifice was going to be “paid” as he trust that 456 will donate a portion of the prize money to provide for his mother. 456 can’t bear to kill 218 for greed as he knows that the price of living with the guilt can never be bought with any sum of money.
Scene 4: Take Your Time
456 goes to the ATM and withdraws $10000 which makes a tiny dent to his net worth, contrary to the typical acts of splurging & “letting it rain”
With all that money in the bank, he doesn’t need to rush as the money isn’t going anywhere. It’s easy to remain calm during comfortable times. The winner of a lottery is most likely to be someone who isn’t wealthy. In most cases, these winners will spend it all on their desires and will return to a state of hedonism. In 456 perspective, it will be an act of betrayal to “forget” how he earned that money & just live his life “normally” like a lottery winner. The agony of the experience will remain in his lucid memory.
Scene 5: I Care About You
Bank Teller persuading 456 with “extreme” politeness to invest his money into other portfolios as it has been accumulating a tiny amount of interest in the savings account for a year. 456 is treated in the most delicate manner despite his disheveled appearance as a “beggar” & doesn’t seem to be concerned about the money being idle. He then ask the bank teller if he has $10000 to spare before walking out & leaving the bank teller gawking.
The scene depicts the “genuine” interests of society to wealthy individuals regardless of their outward appearance, in this case, the bank teller is concerned about 456 making the “wrong” decision but in reality wants 456 to earn so that the bank could get a cut of the profit if the money were to be invested. People will be kind to you when you have something to offer them
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