The Bear

[Johnny Utah]

By far my favourite show this year just landed on Disney Plus in the UK and Ireland.

Some of the best performances I've ever seen, amazing writing and one hell of a soundtrack. I binged it during the summer. Anyone else watch it?

 

[Rotfish]

By far my favourite show this year

Ditto, so glad it was picked up for a second season. Can't imagine where they'll go after the last episode, though. They'll need to find a way to keep up the tension.

This reminded me somewhat of my favorite seasons of Shameless. Jeremy Allen White is great in these types of roles, people wrestling with personal demons and their own integrity as they try to keep their world from tumbling down. Rest of the cast is brilliant as well, hope to see all of them in more stuff.

How amazing was Episode 7?

 

[Johnny Utah]

The whole season was amazing but it was Carmy’s monologue in 8 and the last scene that really got me.

 

[ArtDamage]

Fantastic show. I've been recommending it to everyone. The story and how you learn what's going on with each character a little bit at time happens so organically. Great writing and performances all around.

Too bad it was so good I blew through it so quickly

This show and Severance are probably two of the best shows I've seen this year.

 

[Lejuan]

I found the opening episode a bit tough… I get it, kitchen’s are noisy and chaotic… but Richie in amongst it all did my head in.

After the first episode it settled down a bit, I got to know the characters, and it was hard not to binge the whole show in one sitting.

Carmy’s monologue was epic, I believed every second of it.

I’m not worried about S2, there’s plenty of character backstorying to be tapped. I need to rewatch it before then tho ‘cause I’m sure I missed some detail around those smaller cans of tomatoes.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I started it again last night. When you know the ending, there are little things all over the place to signpost what Mikey did.

Jon Bernthal is one hell of an actor. Pops in and out of all these shows and movies and always leaves an impression.

 

[Rotfish]

Started Season 2 yesterday. Five episodes down, five to go.

I adore this show. Love the way they're expanding the characters' worlds.

 

[Otomofan]

I thought the "guest-star" episode was a bit much. Just too over-the-top for me to take seriously. Everyone flexing so hard trying to win that "best guest performance" emmy. It was OK, but it would have been a lot better if they toned it down a notch.

Still, absolutely stellar season of television. I think it actually topped the first! Richie's episode was my favorite.

 

[Johnny Utah]

I watched the Christmas episode last night. Very extreme. Jon Bernthal though is a powerhouse of an actor, I still get a kick out of seeing him on screen with Richie after their Punisher days.

The season so far is amazing. Scenes with Carmy and Claire are magic, and Will Poulter's part training Marcus was so great.

 

[Rotfish]

I watched the Christmas episode last night. Very extreme. Jon Bernthal though is a powerhouse of an actor, I still get a kick out of seeing him on screen with Richie after their Punisher days.

The season so far is amazing. Scenes with Carmy and Claire are magic, and Will Poulter's part training Marcus was so great.

Poulter's really come up in the last few years. The first thing I ever saw him in was We're the Millers, had no idea the dude was capable of the kind of work he's done lately.

Spoiler:

I actually thought Jamie Lee Curtis did a fantastic job on the Christmas episode. I've known people like that (and not necessarily due to alcoholism like her character), so it was especially uncomfortable to watch. That episode shed a lot of light on the Berzatto kids: why Mikey did what he did, why Carmen rejects love, and why Sugar is attracted to the "annoyingly" nice Pete. It's interesting to see the different ways all three children internalized and responded to their parents' behavior.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Finished it last night. Carmy, what did you do

 

[Rotfish]

Finished it last night. Carmy, what did you do

Spoiler:

Rewatched the second season and I have a different read of the ending now, though it might've been obvious the first time for others.

I previously thought Carmen's usual anxieties got the better of him, causing him to lash out from inside the freezer. Now I think he's missed the biggest night of his life (or what he thought would be the biggest night of his life) and knowing everyone else was able to continue without him gave him an identity crisis. Up until this point, moving far away and becoming extremely skilled at something was how he coped with family trauma. It was how he defined himself. But if being Super Chef is no longer required of him, what's left? It's possible he still has some passion for it, but that's not what's been driving him lately. And he hasn't taken the time to get comfortable with any other outlet or connection, so even something good like Claire feels like a problem when he's at his lowest.

Respect to Richie for responding with love when Carmen was saying all those terrible things to him just because he knew it would push his buttons. I hope Richie doesn't abandon his path. And I hope the rest of the crew gets comfortable with success. If there's one thing the last episode shows, it's that even success can hit people hard if they have the wrong relationship with their work or themselves.