Season 2 of Squid Game introduced plenty of new faces, but one character stole the show with his larger-than-life personality—Thanos.
***Spoilers for Squid Game Season 2***
No, not the purple guy snapping people out of existence, but the ruthless yet oddly hilarious competitor who had fans both laughing and gasping. Unfortunately, his time in the deadly tournament was cut short—literally. But why did Squid Game say goodbye to Thanos so soon? Let’s break it down.
Plot Development: The Bigger Picture
Thanos’s death in Episode 6 (“O X”) was as brutal as it was unexpected. After a heated bathroom brawl with Myung-gi, he met his demise via a fork to the throat—certainly not the most dignified way to go, but undeniably Squid Game-esque.
While fans may have wanted more time with the character, his death serves a larger purpose in the story. It’s a major catalyst for the remaining competitors, setting up tension between Myung-gi, Min-su, and Nam-gyu. Now free from Thanos’s bullying, Nam-gyu might finally step up his game, and Min-su could be out for revenge. Myung-gi’s shocking kill also sets up more drama with his ex, Jun-hee, adding another layer of conflict to Season 3.
Why Thanos Was Never Meant to Stay
As much as fans loved Thanos, he wasn’t designed to stick around for the long haul. His over-the-top antics and one-liners provided much-needed comedic relief in an otherwise bleak series, but Squid Game thrives on emotional weight and deep character arcs. Unlike Gi-hun or In-ho, Thanos never got much of a backstory or any real development beyond being a scene-stealing troublemaker. That was a major clue that he wasn’t built to last.
With the final season on the horizon, the showrunners need to shift focus toward characters who will play a bigger role in the larger story—like Gi-hun, Jun-ho, and the Front Man. Keeping Thanos around might have distracted from the high-stakes drama the finale is gearing up to deliver.
What Thanos’s Exit Means for Season 3
Had Thanos survived, things could have gone very differently. Fans might have gotten a deeper look into his past, seeing what made him tick beyond his loud personality. A clash between him, Myung-gi, and Min-su could have made for some jaw-dropping moments in Season 3. But now that he’s out of the picture, the story can pivot toward other key players. Expect bigger roles for Hyun-ju, Dae-ho, and Jun-hee as they fight to survive the final round.
Though Thanos is gone, his impact remains. He was the wild card of Season 2, and his chaotic energy won’t be forgotten anytime soon. When Squid Game returns for its third and final season on Netflix in June 2025, it’s safe to say we’ll miss him—but we’re also ready for the high-stakes showdown ahead.
So, raise a metaphorical fork to Thanos—gone too soon, but never forgotten.
