The seventh episode of Squid Game's second season kicks off its climactic finale with a shocking scene: Thanos, pierced through the neck with a fork, bleeds profusely, splashing Myung-gi's face with crimson. This grim incident sets off a chain of events in the bathroom, where the same fateful fork claims the lives of several more individuals. Soldiers stand idly by outside the door, seemingly oblivious to the carnage within, and ultimately, five souls lose their battle for survival in the frantic melee.
These tragic deaths exacerbate the rift between the two competing teams upon their return to the dorms. Time is of the utmost importance, and while fortune seems to favor Gi-hun and the Xer allies, it remains uncertain whether anyone's resolve will waver in the impending vote. Assuming they even reach that point, of course.
Meanwhile, aboard a ship at sea, the Captain is discovered tampering with the drone. In a brutal act, he repeatedly stabs the drone pilot and then dumps the body overboard to conceal his misdeeds. It transpires that the Captain is corrupt and betraying his comrades, yet Woo-seok and Jun-ho remain oblivious to his treachery.
Back within the confines of the game, No-eul is subdued, and the Officer learns that she is, at least temporarily, adhering to their rules. The soldiers are briefed and prepared for an upcoming special game, which is in reality a planned assault as soon as night falls. Gi-hun argues that their fury should be directed at those in charge on the upper levels, rather than their fellow contestants. However, none of them are aware that In-ho is secretly plotting against them.
As darkness descends, Gi-hun orchestrates a strategy for the troops to hide under the beds and avoid drawing attention. Unfortunately, the O team ignores his caution, stabbing as many "enemies" as they can, unleashing chaos. In a bid to end the game swiftly, Gi-hun sacrifices part of his plan by not revealing to everyone to hide under the bunks, hoping to keep his strategy a surprise. In the midst of this turmoil, Min-su attempts to slay Nam-gyu by throwing a glass from the top bunk but misses. Eventually, the guards intervene and restore order.
This is the exact moment Gi-hun has been anticipating. As the soldiers' attention is diverted, the group synergizes to seize control, pouncing on them with coordinated effort and snatching the guns from their grasp. A fierce firefight erupts within the dorms, forcing the soldiers into a retreat. However, this merely serves as a ruse for the guards to summon reinforcements. After disabling the cameras and gathering as much ammunition and firearms as they can carry, the group embarks on a mission to enlist additional allies to storm the Control Room and terminate the game. Many are hesitant, but Jung-bae's persuasive skills sway some to their cause. Armed with radios and a captive soldier, they venture out of the dorms, bound for the headquarters.
Their journey through the hallway is fraught with relentless gunfire, and ultimately, their hostage falls victim to the chaos. The shootout in the hallway is a breathtaking spectacle of violence, but Gi-hun secures the mask necessary to pass security and boldly strides ahead, separating from the other soldiers. Together, Jung-bae and Gi-hun breach the security perimeter and infiltrate the management area, distracting guards and scooping up ammunition from those they eliminate. As they ascend towards the control room, Dae-ho detaches from the group to scavenge for more magazines, amid dwindling ammunition reserves.
Though Dae-ho retrieves the magazines, Gi-hun hands over his clip to In-ho, who catches up and believes there's still a path to escape. Alas, Dae-ho's resolve wavers, abandoning his comrades amidst the turmoil, unwilling to proceed further. Sensing a shift, Hyun-ju decides to return to the dorms as well.
Back in the purple hallway, the groups clash, and In-ho inevitably betrays the rebels, shooting them in the back. He radios Gi-hun, falsely claiming their demise. Once again, Gi-hun falls prey to his deception, believing his "friend" is gone, before discharging one final shot and switching radio channels. Subsequently, In-ho communicates with the soldiers, instructing them to conclude the operation.
Soldiers swarm the dorms, where Hyun-ju, encouraged by Yong-sik's mother to stay put, complies. The remaining rebels face an inevitable fate, with even those who surrender meeting their end in the overwhelming onslaught. Except for Gi-hun, who seems to possess an unbreakable plot armor.
The Front Man confronts Gi-hun and brutally slays Jung-bae in front of him. As he screams in anguish, the season concludes. However, a mid-credit sequence teases the audience with a glimpse of the remaining players facing a new game—a variant of Red Light, Green Light, but with two dolls this time.
