Squid Game’s Finale Highlights One of TV’s Biggest Problems Right Now

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The hit show Squid Game concluded after a four-year run on Netflix, and as we move into a new era for the series, it underscores a significant challenge that television shows face today. Despite TV continuing to be a major form of entertainment, its transformation over the years is evident due to the influence of streaming platforms. Over the past decade or so, the way viewers consume TV shows has drastically changed with the rise of these platforms, which in turn affects how shows are distributed.

In analyzing Squid Game Season 3, despite its merits and drawbacks, it shares a common flaw with many popular streaming series today. This issue isn’t exclusive to television but is indicative of a significant change in narrative structure. Although Squid Game Season 3 aspires to be regarded as a fresh season of TV, its divided nature makes it impossible to ignore that it was originally one complete story cut in half artificially. As a result, the finale fails to pack the punch it ought to have.

Television Doesn’t Hit the Same Way Anymore

Initially, when services such as Netflix began generating their unique content for viewing, it significantly transformed the way these narratives were consumed. Moving away from the traditional broadcast system that provided 22-episode seasons airing weekly across numerous months, a new approach emerged where entire seasons of series would be unveiled simultaneously. Typically, there would be eight to ten episodes per season, and viewers could watch them all within a weekend (or even one evening). However, this method also had its drawbacks.

Shows that are popular among viewers must gain traction almost immediately upon release or risk being cancelled, and even if they do become successful, it typically takes several years to produce additional seasons. For instance, “Squid Game,” which premiered in 2021, didn’t return for Season 2 until late 2024. The flaws in this model became increasingly apparent with shows like “Squid Game,” as the series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk was open about how long it took to create the series and admitted that he returned for a new season primarily for financial reasons, stating in an interview with the BBC: “Money…Even though the first series was such a massive global success, honestly, I didn’t make much…

The upcoming seasons of Squid Game had been in development for some time, and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk admitted he hadn’t fully planned out future episodes before production began. This uncertainty cast a shadow over Season 2 and especially Season 3. When the second season concluded with a dramatic cliffhanger, it felt forced and out of character, leading viewers to believe it wasn’t Hwang’s original idea. This unexpected twist placed greater pressure on the finale to deliver a satisfying conclusion amidst these unforeseen circumstances. This predicament is a unique challenge that streaming platforms have introduced to television production.

Squid Game’s Final Season Never Stood a Chance

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that the world of streaming has transformed into an exciting realm where budgets are growing, production periods are stretching, and audience expectations are skyrocketing. The anticipation for each new season becomes immense due to the gaps between episodes, especially when we can binge-watch it all in one sitting. This hunger for more intensifies with blockbuster franchises such as Squid Game, leading some productions to release episodes in segments.

Instead of being aired weekly, some shows choose to release multiple episodes at once, followed by more episodes later. This approach results in longer gaps between new seasons that last for shorter durations. At times, this leaves viewers with only half the story, which can be disappointing and dampen anticipation for the show’s conclusion, as was the case with Squid Game Season 2. Rather than concluding everything in one captivating season, it is divided into two halves that, while strong, may not be as exhilarating as a single continuous season.

In recent times, the third season only consists of six episodes, which seems more like a truncated part of a TV series rather than a complete season as it used to be. Originally, seasons were designed to present a cohesive narrative from start to finish, setting up the broader storyline for the entire show. However, it appears that this concept has been redefined to encompass only half of a story. Unfortunately, it seems that this trend in television production is here to stay.

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2025-06-29 21:45