Season 3, Episode 4, titled “222,” directed and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk, explores the aftermath of the fifth game and the gradual transition toward the final round. At its core, the episode examines the fragility of democracy and how it can be undermined by capitalism’s darker forces. The powerful and wealthy exploit systems designed to serve the people, bending rules and exerting control over laws and the very authorities meant to uphold them.

The central theme of this episode is manipulation. In the real world, democratic mechanisms such as voting or decision-making processes can be rigged by those with political, economic, or media influence. Similarly, in the games, the illusion of free will and choice is manufactured. The players may believe they are voting on whether to continue or end the games, but the truth is that the final outcome is always determined by those in control. The symbolism is clear: democracy is only real when power is evenly distributed. The Front Man’s willingness to bend the rules is evident when he offers Gi-hun a sharp knife to help ensure the survival of Jun-hee’s infant daughter. By doing so, he effectively manipulates the game’s direction, proving that even the most sacred rules can be rewritten by those in power to ensure a desired winner.

The Front Man’s Ultimatum

The fifth game, Jump Rope, ends in tragedy as Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) takes her own life by throwing herself into the pit, knowing she cannot physically complete the game in her weakened condition. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is left devastated and alone, now assuming responsibility for Jun-hee’s newborn daughter. Myung-gi (Im Si-wan), the infant’s biological father, is shown to be irredeemably selfish—a man who exploits sympathy to lure others into repeating his mistakes. Jun-hee, aware of his manipulative nature, places her trust in Gi-hun, a stranger, who has consistently proven to her that he is genuinely good.

When the eight surviving players return to their chambers, they are informed that the baby will now take Jun-hee’s place in the games as Player 222. This decision infuriates most of the survivors, with the exception of Gi-hun, Myung-gi, and Min-su (Lee David), as they resent splitting the prize money with an infant. The majority vote to continue to the final game after receiving a cryptic hint: in the next round, the players will be allowed to vote on who among them should die. This twist incentivizes murder and greed, and many of the remaining players target Gi-hun, Min-su, and the baby as perceived weak links.

At the finalists’ feast, the survivors are served lavish meals and unlimited alcohol. By nightfall, all but Gi-hun are drunk and lethargic. Taking advantage of the situation, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) invites Gi-hun to a private meeting in his office. There, he reveals his true identity as Player 001, previously known as Oh Young-il during the current 37th Squid Game. Gi-hun is shocked and betrayed, realizing that the man he once considered a friend in Season 2 has been orchestrating the suffering all along.

The Front Man offers Gi-hun a knife, suggesting that he kill the remaining players and escape with the baby. This scene reinforces the idea that the outcome was never in the players’ control. Even if the X Players had won their votes to leave the game, the Front Man would have found a way to keep them trapped. The system was never meant to be fair. In the end, Gi-hun takes the knife and is left to contemplate his next move.

Woo-seok’s Dedication

Woo-seok (Jeon Seok-ho) is arrested and taken to the police station, accused of attempting to rob Captain Park’s (Oh Dal-su) home and killing his dog. The officers naturally dismiss Woo-seok’s claims about the Squid Games, as there is no hard evidence and the idea itself sounds implausible. What Woo-seok knows but cannot prove is that the Squid Games are operated by powerful elites—businessmen and aristocrats with enough influence to silence law enforcement and prevent any investigation.

Unable to count on the authorities, Woo-seok deceives the officers into returning his phone. He uses the opportunity to call and warn Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) about Captain Park’s true identity as a Pink Manager. Unfortunately, the message comes too late. Captain Park, having already infiltrated the rescue team, slaughters nearly all of its members, leaving only one survivor before being killed by Jun-ho in self-defense.

Realizing the extent of the deception, Jun-ho reviews the maps once more. He decides to investigate the sea region Captain Park previously insisted they avoid, suspecting that Park had deliberately steered them away from the island where the Squid Games are being held.

Rating: 9/10