Packed with action at its start, Big Bet Season 2 narrates the beginning of the casino legend’s downfall.
Darker from its previous season, the series sets casino legend Cha Moo-sik gradually falling from his high horse after being put in life-threatening situations. Characters lose integrity in the face of money, painting the bigger picture of the rotten system.
Opening Week Rating:
Marcie Line watches Big Bet Season 2 on Disney+
Big Bet Recaps: 01 – 03 | 04 & 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 + Season 1 Review |
Big Bet Season 2 Opening Week Story
“You’ll never be able to shoot me, but I can.”
Tae-seok threatens Moo-sik with a gun, but Moo-sik remains unfazed and orders him to go back to Korea. Not leaving the country, he later takes Sung-il’s offer to work under him to intimidate those who wish to take over his casino. There, he meets Ms. Ko, whom he hints about Moo-sik’s takeover of her winnings.
Sung-il relays to Moo-sik Consul Jo’s complaint, so Moo-sik follows his advice and apologizes. However, their meeting still ends in an argument after Moo-sik warns him of having the ability to know everything about him also.
Suspected that drugs were implanted in her house with her lover, restaurant owner Young-hee complains to Seung-hun while also doubting his service being one with the government.
Trying his luck to secure evidence that Ms. Ko asks, Tae-seok causes trouble in Bolton with the Chinese. Despite having Korean nationals involved, Seung-hun gets left out by his colleagues. Moo-sik handles the situation well, and Seung-hun witnesses Mark handing Tae-seok to Moo-sik. Fed up with him, Seung-hun confronts Mark on interfering with his investigations.
“You know you can’t play by the book all the time. Nothing ever changes that way.”
Now a tour guide in the Philippines, Mr. Woo welcomes the imported gang members ordered to threaten Moo-sik. While Moo-sik is lured into a fake meeting, Seung-hun plays at Bolton, and Jung-pal accidentally leaks information about the murder in Manila.
After being spared from death previously, Tae-seok takes Moo-sik from the gang members. However, he leaves him in the car trunk which sinks into the waters.
Appeasing the Chinese, the boss of the group allows his underling to take revenge on Tae-seok on the condition of not using guns. Following Tae-seok, the Chinese men save Moo-sik, and leave snakes in Tae-seok’s room.
Escaping death, Moo-sik reminds Mr. Woo and the gang members at the bar to respect each other’s territories. Meanwhile, Moo-sik gets offered to handle the quarrying tolls, but he modestly rejects Daniel’s request and suggests John instead.
Unacknowledged of his investment and being scared off upon arriving in the country, Mr. Choi shows interest in the hitman Young-hee’s lover can provide. Receiving the request, Mr. Min becomes the target of the order.
“Didn’t I tell you to pay back what you owe even if it means you go hungry?”
Golfing with Moo-sik, Jung-pal tells him about the Chinese guys in Contana, and he gets warned of its danger. Losing continuously while also borrowing from the Chinese, Moo-sik gives all his chips to Jung-pal. However, he also loses them all, so Jung-pal gets sent back to Korea.
With Mark only being the person, he can trust, Seung-hun investigates the shooting in Manila. Arriving at the right time, Mark hands a warrant to the money changer, so Seung-hun obtains the CCTV footage that day.
Eating dinner together, Seung-hun learns from Mark that Moo-sik is connected with the untouchable gambling lord Daniel. Through the hint of Sang-gu who saw John at the shooting, Seung-hun’s suspicion of Moo-sik gets affirmed.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ko gets caught in overseas gambling while Moo-sik handles Jung-pal’s loans from the Chinese. Finally able to go back to the Philippines, Jung-pal gets shaped by Moo-sik after backing him up from the Chinese and Chi-young. Away from it all, Mr. Min gets shot dead by a hitman in his office.
Big Bet Season 2 Opening Week Musings
Complementing its first season, Big Bet Season 2 showcases the more violent side of the series, with subtle inclusions of other issues other than gambling and murder. Though this may be a great opportunity to highlight other related issues, hopefully, the series maintains its cohesiveness in the episodes coming.
Entangled with the Chinese triad, Tae-seok being attacked by snakes was unforeseen and interesting. Different nationals now fight for their turf, and viewers get to witness how they turn a foreign land into their lawless battleground.
More desperate than in the previous season, Seung-hun learns how to take bold measures on his own after being put into a tense position. Doubted by his fellow nationals for working in the government and being left out at his workplace, he gets a grasp on how he could pursue the truth with his circumstances.
Understanding how money holds power in the country, Seung-hun confronts Mark, who later becomes the sole person he can trust. Though Mark’s impeding may be frustrating, his words with Seung-hun about the government not caring for any of them holds ground.
Change can be observed in almost all characters in the series in the second season. Jung-pal, who used to be a dutiful follower of Moo-sik, creates his downfall also after breaking his master’s trust. Possibly like a foreshadowing for this season, the opening week pitches on the facts of Mr. Min’s murder, which could be expected to unfold more in the next episodes.
Watch new episodes of Big Bet Season 2 on Disney+.
Photos: Disney+
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