The ending of Squid Game was originally more merciful

The third and final season of Squid Game dropped on Netflix at the end of last week, and it's left fans divided. They seem particularly upset with some of the major plot twists, like how Player 222 has a baby in the middle of the games, a baby that goes on to play a big role in the rest of the season. Many didn't like that main character Gi-hun sacrifices himself at the end to save the baby, or that he failed to shut down the Squid Games like he wanted.

As it happens, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk did consider a different version of the ending that wasn't as bleak. "I initially vaguely considered a storyline where Gi-hun would survive with a few other contestants and eventually go to meet his daughter in the U.S. But I reconsidered what story I really wanted to tell with this project and felt that Gi-hun's journey should end here," he told The Korea Times.

"Because ultimately, this project is about the world we live in. Economic inequality has worsened since I made Season 1, the lives of ordinary people have become more difficult and wars show no signs of ending. Yet, people seem to lack the ability or will to fix this situation. It feels like a truly more bleak future is coming and I thought I needed to tell that story, which led me to devise the current ending."

Personally, I agree with Hwang Dong-hyuk. I had a couple of problems with the final season of the show, but overall it kept me on the edge of my seat, and the bleakness of the ending felt appropriate. That said, I can understand why some folk might be upset, as can Hwang himself. "There were no expectations for Season 1. There was shock and freshness. But for Seasons 2 and 3, there were already expectations and everyone has different things they want from it," he said. "Some expect excitement from the games, while others expect social messages. Because these expectations are different, I think there will be a variety of reactions, with some feeling satisfied and others feeling let down, no matter what comes out."

"Humans are..."

I thought the third season did a pretty good job of staying true to the character drama while also saying something bigger about our world. The show makes its biggest philosophical statement in the final episode, when the only players left in the games are Gi-hun and the baby. If Gi-hun kills the baby, he'll walk away with the grand prize...again. But he sacrifices himself instead, after delivering his last words: "Humans are..."

Humans are what? "More and more I’ve come to realize that it’s so difficult to define what humans are," Hwang told Variety. "We are very complex beings. Sometimes we’re filled with hope and goodness of the heart. And then in an instant, we’re filled with greed and immense selfishness. I wanted that last sentence to be a question that I asked all of our audience members. I wanted everyone to ask that question and ask themselves to finish that sentence on their own. And I think for the character Gi-hun, I thought that it would be better for him to show through action rather than finish that sentence in words. And I think from Gi-hun’s perspective, he did in fact finish the sentence by sacrificing himself, showing what humans should be."

Although the ending of the show is bleak, this is why I don't think it was overpoweringly bleak. Gi-hun's final act of goodness ripples outwards and affects characters like No-eul and even the Front Man, who delivers the remainder of Gi-hun's winnings to his daughter. There's still a bit of hope to hold onto. "The younger generation today seems to feel a sense of resignation, thinking there’s no bright future for them. How would a world where future generations have lost hope continue on? So, I think of the baby as our future," Hwang explained. "I believe we have a duty to pass it on to the next generation in a state that’s not worse than before."

"Through the efforts, conflicts and sacrifices made to protect that child, I wanted to convey a message. And that was only possible if the child was inside the game. The baby is a symbol of the future generation, or of conscience."

The ending was not meant to set up an American Squid Game

The show ends with the Front Man traveling to Los Angeles and seeing a recruiter drafting someone into a different version of the Squid Games, implying that they happen all over the world, not just in South Korea. Some have looked at this ending and assumed that it was setting up an English-language spinoff, which has been rumored to be in the works for a while; director David Fincher is reportedly involved. But Hwang Dong-hyuk insists this isn't the case.

"All I wanted to have was just an impactful ending, and that’s all that was to it," Hwang said. "Honestly, I haven’t heard officially from Netflix about David Fincher creating a Squid Game. I have heard the rumors of course though. But again, it was just the ending that I wanted for Season 3."

I think that checks out. Considering Hwang's pessimistic view of the world, it makes sense that the show would end not with some triumph over the forces of ego and sadism that produced the Squid Games, but rather an acknowledgement that the people behind the games are very powerful and difficult to check, with a bit of hope sprinkled in there to leaven things. "I truly poured my heart and soul into every moment without holding back, so I believe I did the absolute best I could within my capabilities," Hwang said.

I say kudos. All three seasons of Squid Game are streaming now on Netflix.

Squid Game season 3 episode reviews:

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