Alice in Borderland (2020) - Season 3
The second season of Alice in Borderland had an almost complete ending, yet it hinted at a third season. Now, that season is here. What else does the Borderland have in store for us? Three years after the events of season 2 of Alice in Borderland, Ryohei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and Yuzuha Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) are trying to build a normal life. They are now married and have a life like anyone else, with the note that research is still being conducted on those who have been in Borderland by researchers like Ryuji (Kento Kaku).
Although most do not remember Borderland (they were in a coma following the meteor strike), they feel there is something. Something they no longer know, and extensive research is being conducted into it. However, when Arisu receives the joker card and Usagi has disappeared, it quickly becomes clear that Arisu must return to Borderland to search for her and confront the Joker.
In Borderland, it's still about surviving the morbid games. However, upon returning, it turns out that the rules have changed. Previously, the games were divided based on the type of card (hearts, clubs, spades, or diamonds) you could win, and the type of card determined the type of game that had to be played. That structure is gone under the Joker. Chaos reigns, and participants find themselves in games that seem to have little coherence.
As in the previous seasons, the games form the basis of the storyline and the backdrop against which the story unfolds. Some beautiful games have been devised again, and visually it's a pleasure to watch, but regarding the pace, there is some critique to be made of the whole. While some games clearly slowed down the story (sometimes too much), others felt rushed.
I had that same mixed feeling regarding the characters besides Arisu and Usagi. Of those who play a slightly larger role in the third season, we do learn a few things, but often this happens only during a game in which some of them do not make it to the end. This makes you feel less connected to the characters at the moment they are in the story.
In terms of story, the third season is well put together again. As mentioned, it sometimes feels a bit rushed, but it does give us the opportunity to take another closer look at what Borderland is and what it serves. This creates an almost philosophical view of life and life after death.
Additionally, it shows where Arisu and Usagi's preferences lie. For example, Arisu thrives in Borderland during the games, but it remains the question whether Arisu and Usagi ultimately choose life or prefer to stay in this world between life and death.
The ending of Alice in Borderland is ultimately a bit on the abstract side, but I found it strong.
Although most do not remember Borderland (they were in a coma following the meteor strike), they feel there is something. Something they no longer know, and extensive research is being conducted into it. However, when Arisu receives the joker card and Usagi has disappeared, it quickly becomes clear that Arisu must return to Borderland to search for her and confront the Joker.
© Netflix
In Borderland, it's still about surviving the morbid games. However, upon returning, it turns out that the rules have changed. Previously, the games were divided based on the type of card (hearts, clubs, spades, or diamonds) you could win, and the type of card determined the type of game that had to be played. That structure is gone under the Joker. Chaos reigns, and participants find themselves in games that seem to have little coherence.
As in the previous seasons, the games form the basis of the storyline and the backdrop against which the story unfolds. Some beautiful games have been devised again, and visually it's a pleasure to watch, but regarding the pace, there is some critique to be made of the whole. While some games clearly slowed down the story (sometimes too much), others felt rushed.
I had that same mixed feeling regarding the characters besides Arisu and Usagi. Of those who play a slightly larger role in the third season, we do learn a few things, but often this happens only during a game in which some of them do not make it to the end. This makes you feel less connected to the characters at the moment they are in the story.
© Netflix
In terms of story, the third season is well put together again. As mentioned, it sometimes feels a bit rushed, but it does give us the opportunity to take another closer look at what Borderland is and what it serves. This creates an almost philosophical view of life and life after death.
Additionally, it shows where Arisu and Usagi's preferences lie. For example, Arisu thrives in Borderland during the games, but it remains the question whether Arisu and Usagi ultimately choose life or prefer to stay in this world between life and death.
The ending of Alice in Borderland is ultimately a bit on the abstract side, but I found it strong.
About the writer, Karzal
Mike (1995) has been a member of MySeries since 2016 and is mainly active on the English version of the site. Since 2018, he has been actively translating news articles, columns, reviews and basically everything that ends up on the Dutch site. The original articles, columns and reviews were actually written by others. During the week Mike can be found at IKEA, where he is a national systems specialist and occasionally also in the classroom to teach an English lesson. In addition, Mike logically enjoys watching series and has actually been spoon-fed this from an early age. The genre doesn't matter, there is a place for everything in the otherwise busy life.
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