One of the contestants in this season of Squid Game The Challenge, 370 (Curt), has some simple words. “We got to get moving,” he tells his daughter 369 (Zoe), but let’s back up a bi, shall we? After playing minor games and then Pentathlon and Catch, the third game is Mingle, which eventually exhausts them. The exhaustion makes the 42 out of the 456 remaining players rebel, and the Front Man sympathizes with them. The show, then, depicts how the Front Man shows his sympathy – by giving them Marbles – the fourth game.

Squid Game gives these contestants a series of highs and lows – some are happy they’re moving forward. Player 183 (Steven) smiles at his opponent, and one wonders whether he’ll be a good or a bad player. There are less beds for less contestants to sleep on, but then comes another exciting game. It’s exciting for viewers but shocking for the contestants, making them say things they may regret later. Words have consequences, as these contestants show sides of themselves that the game is showing. And when these contestants see the real versions of each other, trust disappears, but does that matter?

Yes, this reality game show is a microcosm of how people actually move in situations in real life, and there’s a sadism that comes with watching these contestants be extra about every little game twist. Although even if one takes away the sadism from this show, the game play feels better this season. They know which original games will bring out emotions and which new ones are more fun. The contestants vote for three hall monitors, one of them being 327 (Kate), who pairs contestants up. Player 346 (Drake) is the odd person out but he swaps places with 398 (Trinity), shocking everyone.

And the fun begins because Squid Game The Challenge’s fifth game is Chutes and Ladders, but bigger. Some of the chutes lead contestants to the bottomless pit under the board – where do they go? Some contestants, like 72 (Perla), have to choose which players to give some disadvantages to. And some contestants, as I hinted at, like 327 (Kate), say something that rubs 318 (Christopher) the wrong way, or does he? Again, some contestants play a sore game but one expects that in a pressure cooker type situation. And speaking of pressure cooker, one of the minor games after Chutes and Ladders is a Netflix fave.

The nitpick I have about Squid Game The Challenge is that the producers are overdoing things. I’m talking specifically about the rebellion, but then, there is one way that that happened without provocation. Although sometimes, the producers just sit back and let the contestants play a third social game. Players 72 and 302 (Perla and Dajah) talk about trustworthiness, which may or may not be a factor here. They’re talking about Player 17 (Vanessa), and they may be on to something or maybe they’re overthinking. Either way I’m rooting for either of them to win, even if they have to go up against hot villains like 183.

Netflix is the only place to stream episodes 5-8 of Squid Game The Challenge. See youse next week for the finale maybe.