As a food critic who’s spent years traversing the bustling kitchens of Chicago, I’ve seen my fair share of chaos and camaraderie. But none have left me as breathless as “The Bear.” This FX on Hulu original series takes you inside the tumultuous world of The Beef, a high-end restaurant where every second counts, but where disaster is never far behind.
The FX show “The Bear,” which premiered in 2022, has stood out from most series with its exceptional performance, despite having fewer than 28 episodes. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach of the cast have gone from industry insiders to international stars due to this groundbreaking show’s rapid success. The unique approach of “The Bear” lies in its daring experimentation with various filmmaking styles in its early episodes while maintaining a unified narrative. This innovative strategy has earned it numerous accolades, including at the Emmys, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Awards.
As a dedicated fan of “The Bear,” I’ve been following Carmy’s journey since the very beginning. The Season 3 premiere, titled “Tomorrow,” left me absolutely captivated. This episode took us on a mesmerizing trip through Carmy’s past, connecting his early career experiences to his emotional breakdown in the Season 2 finale.
As a devoted film enthusiast and avid fan of “The Bear,” I’ve had the pleasure of watching every episode this show has to offer, from its captivating pilot to the intriguing character studies that keep me coming back for more. Here’s my personal top 10 list of the most memorable episodes that have left a lasting impact on me.
Ceres (Season 1, Episode 6)
“Ceres” features Jon Bernthal as Mikey Berzatto, the beloved brother of Carmy and Natalie (Abby Elliott), who took his own life just before the show starts. The producers resist using sentimental flashbacks to explore Mikey’s past in the early episodes and instead introduce him in the sixth episode of Season 1. Before meeting Mikey, we learn about his magnetic personality through the way The Beef team tests Carmy, doubting her ability to live up to her brother’s legacy. Additionally, Carmy and Natalie share stories of how they facilitated Mikey’s addictive behaviors during his struggles. By the time Bernthal appears on screen, he effectively embodies the character’s charisma and charm.
In a past memory, Mikey and Richie (Moss-Bachrach) excitedly recount to Carmy and Natalie their wild night out. However, when we transition to the present, it loses impact as we observe Richie narrating it to his dinner date who finds the concept of a grown man partying till 7 a.m. distasteful, causing her to disregard listening to the voicemail Richie recorded with Bill Murray. Disappointed, Richie leaves the date behind. The impact of Mikey’s actions becomes more apparent: He made people feel truly heard.
At The Beef in Sydney, things take a turn for Sydney (Edebiri) as she earns the approval of her colleagues for the first time. In the aftermath of the restaurant’s window being shattered by gangsters on the corner, it’s Sydney who manages to de-escalate the situation. Initially skeptical, even Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) – Sydney’s most vocal critic – acknowledges that things are improving. Feeling usurped, Richie makes a regrettable decision by secretly contacting the police over the gangsters, unable to accept that Sydney’s triumph be the last chapter in their story. This dismal act highlights Richie’s lack of direction in life, providing an excellent prelude to his eventual purpose revealed in our top-ranked episode.
The Bear (Season 2, Episode 10)
In the final episode of “The Bear” Season 2, the title references the series itself in a significant way. Throughout seasons one and two, Sydney, Natalie, Richie, and others have attempted to persuade Carmy that he doesn’t need to subject himself and those around him to suffering in pursuit of perfection. However, Carmy hasn’t been provided with any proof that this is unnecessary – his greatest achievements have always been accompanied by misery. Yet, when they finally unveil their new restaurant to friends and family, an unfortunate incident occurs where Carmy gets locked inside the walk-in fridge. Although this mishap isn’t the most catastrophic event of the night, it serves as a poignant reminder that despite his vast knowledge about culinary arts and fine dining, Carmy falls short when it comes to leading those who look up to him. This becomes particularly evident during the opening, which runs surprisingly smoothly without his presence – an avoidable situation if he had simply heeded Sydney’s repeated pleas for walk-in fridge repairs.
As someone who has worked in the high-pressure world of restaurant kitchens for years, I can relate to Carmy’s intense focus on perfection at the cost of personal relationships. But after watching this latest episode, I’m starting to worry about him.
Braciole (Season 1, Episode 8)
In the Season 1 finale of “The Bear,” after enduring public humiliation as the host of a cooking show, Carmy attends an Al-Anon meeting for seven minutes where he shares his tumultuous past with Mikey. He reveals that Mikey prevented him from working at the restaurant, fueling his ambition to become a chef. Later, during a kitchen fire, Carmy becomes paralyzed with fear but is comforted by Richie who hands him a letter from Mikey. The note contains words of love and encouragement, along with a recipe for spaghetti and advice to use smaller cans of tomatoes. Inspired, Carmy starts cooking, only to discover hidden cash in the canned tomatoes. This unexpected windfall allows Carmy and Sydney to reopen their restaurant under the new name “The Bear.”
At The Beef, Carmy is served “braciole” during a family-style dinner and has a vision of Mikey. This experience provides some resolution for Carmy. The season concludes with this heartwarming moment, leaving audiences with a pleasant feeling after the chaos of the previous episode, ultimately preparing the ground for Season 2’s exciting developments that will take the series to new heights.
System (Season 1, Episode 1)
Moss-Bachrach recalls the initial reception for “The Bear” being quite underwhelming. He shares that the season 1 premiere was held in an unassuming location like a parking lot, instead of the grand setting typically associated with highly anticipated shows.
Based on its strong opening episode, “The Bear” effectively establishes two distinct worlds: the old Beef, as it was under Mikey’s management before his suicide, and the new version that Carmy is trying to create. Most half-hour shows take several episodes to fully develop their main characters or fail to do so in one go. However, “The Bear” accomplished this feat in its very first episode. Each major character – Marcus (Lionel Boyce), Tina, Natalie, Richie, Sydney, and Carmy – was given depth and specificity, allowing viewers to understand their motivations and personalities. Marcus showed his self-doubt and curiosity; Tina displayed her stubbornness and pride in her work; Natalie revealed her moral clarity and denial; Richie exhibited his sympathetic yet overbearing need for attention; Sydney showcased her creativity and impatience; and Carmy demonstrated his wisdom and rage as he worked to gain the trust and respect of his new staff.
In “System,” an amusing episode of “The Bear,” Carmy invites arcade enthusiasts from across the Midwest to the restaurant to generate additional income by playing games. However, this boisterous group, which Richie eventually quiets down with a gunshot into the air. The restaurant and its staff, as Richie acknowledges later in the series, form a fragile and intricate balance – a “delicate fucking ecosystem.” The events of “System” skillfully set the stage for this delicate equilibrium.
Napkins (Season 3, Episode 6)
Tina has been a standout character in “The Bear” since her initial mistake of calling Carmy “Jeff” instead of “chef” in the pilot episode. Consequently, her backstory episode in Season 3, titled “Napkins,” proved to be not only the best of the season but also one of the finest in the show’s history. In “The Bear,” we have witnessed Tina’s vulnerability beneath her tough exterior; she craves meaning and validation, as evidenced by her reactions to Carmy and Sydney’s praise of her cooking. However, it is in “Napkins” where we see Tina at her most vulnerable. The episode chronicles Tina’s struggles during several weeks of job hunting following her layoff from a position she had held for 15 years.
As a moviegoer, I found myself drawn into the heartwarming tale of “Napkins.” In this story, I’m Tina, waiting for the bus after a disappointing job interview. I pop into a sandwich shop for a quick coffee to take the edge off. The kindness of the owner, Richie, surprises me when he not only gives me a free drink but also a sandwich due to a late customer. This simple gesture leaves me in tears, catching Richie and Fak (Matheson) off guard and prompting Mikey to step in and comfort me.
Fishes (Season 2, Episode 6)
I’d be thrilled to work with an award-winning ensemble cast and a roster of comedy legends! To showcase their talents, we could create a heartwarming yet chaotic hour-long flashback episode set at a Christmas Eve dinner. Each A-list guest star would make an entrance that leaves the audience in awe.
Without a doubt, “Fishes,” an episode from “The Bear” on FX, is quite an exciting spectacle. It’s impressive how this show drew in A-list actors, keeping their involvement under wraps. The episode is filled with suspenseful moments that leave you on the edge of your seat. However, “Fishes” also sets a concerning precedent. While having renowned guest stars expands the universe of “The Bear,” it eventually feels more like a novelty than an enhancement (we’re talking about you, John Cena).
Dogs (Season 1, Episode 4)
Dogs serve as “The Bear’s” strongest argument against those doubting the show’s comedic aspect. In an episode, Carmy and Richie are tasked with catering a suburban children’s birthday party. However, things take a turn for the worse when Richie mistakenly doses the punch with Xanax, causing the kids to faint in the backyard. Carmy is horrified by their actions, but Jimmy (Oliver Platt) finds it amusing: “To be honest, I’m quite enjoying this. Carry on.” The scene is filled with other humorous moments, such as the awkward exchange between Carmy and a family friend who asks mistakenly, “Carmen? I thought you had passed away.” To which Carmy replies sarcastically, “No, sir, that was my brother.”
At The Beef, Marcus pursues his love for baking and works diligently on creating the perfect donut. However, Tina encounters resistance from Sydney, who is saddled with overseeing a more seasoned chef (and harbors an inflated ego). When Tina fails to execute her potato dish correctly, she’s further disheartened when Sydney has already prepared a backup. Nevertheless, Tina manages to win Sydney over with the successful completion of her dish, gratefully receiving praise and acknowledging the importance of pushing herself to improve.
Review (Season 1, Episode 7)
As a movie lover, I’d describe “Review,” an early episode from “The Bear,” as follows: In this intense kitchen sequence, directed by Storer in one take and set to Wilco’s “Spiders (Kidsmoke),” we see Carmy and his team in action 20 minutes before opening. But things quickly spiral out of control when Sydney accidentally leaves the pre-order option open, leading to a flood of orders. The tension builds as Richie and Sydney argue, Marcus works on a donut, and Carmy’s anger boils over. The chaos escalates: Marcus quits, Sydney accidentally stabs Richie with a kitchen knife, and Sydney also leaves. In a fit of rage, Carmy punches the printer, overwhelmed by order tickets. This thrilling climax of Season 1’s “The Bear” immerses us in the dysfunctional world of The Beef’s kitchen and doesn’t let us go until we’ve experienced the chaos for ourselves – a testament to Storer’s Emmy-winning direction and the series’ signature disarray. However, Season 2 unveiled a more captivating side of “The Bear,” offering an even deeper exploration into its complex characters and themes.
Honeydew (Season 2, Episode 4)
In “Honeydew,” the fourth episode of Season 2 in “The Bear,” Marcus’ quiet and tender side is showcased as he travels to Copenhagen for dessert training with his friend Luca. Before leaving Chicago, we learn that Marcus has been caring for his dying mother who can no longer speak. This background gives depth to Marcus’ patient nature in baking. Communication is minimal in this episode, with most of it being nonverbal as Marcus and Luca cook together. Small actions take on greater significance, such as Marcus setting out water for a stray cat. In one scene, Marcus helps an injured biker who doesn’t speak English, showing compassion without any negative consequences. This is the only episode where disaster does not strike. The episode is directed by Ramy Youssef, marking his debut in “The Bear,” and it offers a unique perspective on the show without feeling disconnected from its core themes.
In the series “The Bear,” Poulter’s character, Luca, stands out among the numerous guest stars. He works alongside Carmy under Chef Terry (Olivia Colman), and though their backstory isn’t revealed until later in the season, Luca’s calming presence implies that he could have given Carmy a different, peaceful life had it not been for his family and career troubles. Luca is incredibly skilled, but unlike Carmy, he doesn’t crave external validation, which makes him an excellent counterpoint to Carmy’s emotional turmoil. Poulter delivers a subtle yet powerful performance, making Luca a beacon of hope in the often bleak world of “The Bear.” Alternatively phrased, “Honeydew” offers a more uplifting perspective within the otherwise heavy themes of “The Bear.”
Forks (Season 2, Episode 7)
Generally speaking, “The Bear” didn’t work to make Richie a lovable character. In the first season, he came across as rough, unyielding, and annoying – so much so that when Sydney inadvertently stabs him in the seventh episode of the show, it seems justified. The series waited until the 15th episode to give Richie a chance at redemption, to provide him with a reason for existing. The standout episode “Forks” places Richie in Ever’s kitchen, reputedly the finest restaurant worldwide, where he’ll spend a week learning the finer points of upscale dining. Initially hesitant about the staff’s excitement for service, Richie finds his footing when he overhears some visitors lamenting that they missed out on Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Seizing the opportunity, Richie retrieves a pie from Pequod’s and, after the chef de cuisine refines it, delivers it with a newfound sense of accomplishment and motivation.
On his way home, Richie is elated, humming to a Taylor Swift song in the car that will bring tears to your eyes. Yet, despite his progress, he still manages to undermine himself during a call with Carmy, accusing him of sending him to Ever to embarrass him. The next day, Richie surprdsingly finds Chef Terry (brilliantly portrayed by Colman) all by herself in the kitchen, peeling mushrooms. They share a brief, meaningful exchange, with Chef Terry assuring Richie that Carmy has faith in him. However, she leaves before he can respond, leaving Richie standing there, gazing at her kitchen sign: “Every second matters.”
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2024-07-17 00:16