The atmosphere of Episode 4 of Squid Game's sophomore season kicks off on a somber note, as the laborers trudge the coffins of the fallen to their grim fate—organ harvesting, followed by incineration. Amidst this macabre backdrop, the remaining players indulge in the lavish feast laid out before them, save for Gi-hun. He's acutely aware that he's once again ensnared in these treacherous games, and this time, lady luck might not be so kind.
Enter 001, playing the role of the mole, who approaches Gi-hun with a plea for assistance. Gi-hun's mind races back to the previous games, foreseeing the inevitable resurfacing of Dalgona. He vows to expose his knowledge to all if that fateful game is chosen, but In-ho, as always, is poised to intervene.
Unbeknownst to Gi-hun, he's engaging in a conversation with the Front Man. The duo engages in a philosophical debate about the games' essence and the moral dilemma of pressing X to halt or O to continue the bloodsport. Meanwhile, Kang Dae-ho, a former marine, shares a light-hearted moment with Jung-bae, who also has a marine past, adding a comic relief to the tense scenario.
The stakes are raised further when Yong-sik's mother, an experienced midwife, reveals that Jun-hee, one of the participants, is pregnant. Earlier, we saw Jun-hee leave her fruitless meeting with a doctor, disheartened by her irresponsible partner.
Elsewhere, Thanos and Nam-gyu continue to harass Myung-gi over their financial losses. However, In-ho steps in, effortlessly dispatching the bullies and rallying the crowd to his side.
In the dead of night, In-ho and Gi-hun share an intimate conversation. In-ho unburdens himself, recounting his tale of woe—his wife's illness and the subsequent downward spiral that shattered his life. He claims that winning the games is his sole hope, acknowledging the weight of the money but driven by desperation to save his wife and child. Whether his story holds a grain of truth or is merely a tactic to sway Gi-hun remains a matter of conjecture.
Meanwhile, the organ harvesters grapple with the challenge of extracting viable parts from the deceased, many of whom have been rendered "beyond redemption" due to inexplicable multiple gunshot wounds. It transpires that among the workers, there is a loose cannon whose actions are unpredictable, and suspicions fall heavily on No-eul, a defector from North Korea, facing hostility from her fellow soldiers.
That fateful night, No-eul is escorted to the Masked Officer, as identified by the subtitles. He reminisces about their seven-year acquaintance, puzzled by her sudden defiance. No-eul, with her own hidden agenda and cards closely guarded, remains steadfast in her resolve, revealing nothing despite her desperate search for her child.
Elsewhere, Jun-ho returns to Seoul Station, pleading for assistance in vain. Evidence is required, and without it, his efforts are fruitless. Desperate, he seeks an alternative path to secure help.
Back at the games, Jun-hee engages in a conversation with Myung-gi, an unexpected revelation—the father of her child. Connections run deeper than anticipated, and Myung-gi is astonishment that she intends to keep the baby. Their discussion is abruptly interrupted as the second game commences.
Unlike the Dalgona game, this challenge is a team event, where Gi-hun teams up with In-ho, Dae-ho, Jung-bae, and, by some twist of fate, Jun-hee. They are joined by another ex-Marine, forming a six-legged pentathlon squad. Their legs are bound together, and each member takes turns participating in a mini-game at every ten-meter interval. Victory in each grants passage to the next stage, with a total of ten minigames awaiting them. Strategies and game selections are meticulously planned before the games commence.
Observers scrutinize the first batch of participants, analyzing which games consume more time and devising optimal strategies. Amidst this, a grim discovery unfolds: one of the soldiers is deliberately targeting those entombed within coffins.
As the first wave of contestants falls, the games persist, and various leaders rally their teams with varying degrees of success, amidst a backdrop of survival and strategy.
