August 2023: The Bear
“It’s about consistency and being consistent. We can’t operate at a
higher level without consistency.”
-Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto
Every now and then, you discover a show that pulls you in and leaves a big impression. The
Wire, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, all very impactful-dramatic series that have only grown
stronger over the years, but I haven’t watched a show that I’ve loved as much as FX’s The Bear
in a long time.
I’m a fan of intense dramas filled have comedic relief. It’s the closest thing to capturing real life
and when things end up so ironic, you can’t help but laugh about the absurdity. I’m also
fascinated by restaurants and how challenging it is to create and maintain a hit. One minute,
you’re all the rage with lines around the corner and then the next, you lose a little momentum,
have a few bad weeks, and your bust. The Bear transports you from a lower-end, Italian beef
sandwich shop to an upscale restaurant with award winning and Michelin Star aspirations while
delving into the inner complexities of a family coping with grief.
Premise
“Why can’t we put everything that we have into everything that we can?”
-Sydney Adamu
The show starts with the main character (Carmen) having just inherited his family’s restaurant
from his brother after he takes his own life. Heavy right out of the gate, right? ‘Carmy’ has
studied around the world and worked at one of the most renowned and award-winning
restaurants in New York. Initially, his new restaurant is in shambles both aesthetically and
financially and over the course of the show’s 2 seasons thus far, Carmy takes the methods he’s
learned and applies them to his staff in effort to build a well-oiled and high functioning team.
The intensity and pressure at which the kitchen operates and is expected to perform gives
many audience members and most likely restaurant workers a good dose of anxiety. But it’s
hard to deny that the way its captured and portrayed is artful and remarkable. As tattered and
dysfunctional as the team is in the wake of their collective grief, they are a tightknit family that
comes together and perseveres in a high-stress work environment.
Character Arcs
“I’m wearing a suit because it makes me feel better about myself.”
-Richard ‘Richie’ Jermiovich
The second season ends with the soft opening for the new concept of the updated restaurant.
Having spent the entire season building up to this point, most of the other chefs have been
training at other establishments and attending culinary school. The most noticeable arc and
character you can’t help but love but wish you could slap some sense into is Richie, Carmy’s
brother Michael’s best friend who was left to pick up the pieces he passed away. Richie spends
a week at some of Chicago’s most successful restaurants to learn the inner workings of what it
takes to run a successful, high-end establishment. Watching him go from not seeming to care
about anything to realizing importance and finding meaning in his life by what he does is a
much anticipated reward. In the end, he comes through in a big way and the flawed character
you’ve been pulling for ends up saving the day. On the flipside, we see the main character
(Carmen) who has seemed to be holding together until this point, unravel as a result of not fully
realizing his grief. All of this in two seasons!
For me, I love it when a song, book, movie, or series seems to find me at the right time, makes
me feel a certain way, and makes an impact on my life. It creates an alternate world where I can
visit and feel like I’m friends with the characters and connected with the audience at the same
time. If you’re looking for a series with great music and unbelievable looking food set against
the global city of Chicago, I hope you’ll still consider watching it even after all of my spoilers.