Frenzied, chaotic, and full of figurative grease splatter, The Bear is a story of family loyalty, beating the odds, and messy kitchens that spill over to life.
I just started season 2 as well. I’m three episodes in. More backstory happening already at least with Syd and Marcus. Need more to happen but I trust the pace will pick up just as it did with the second half of the first season
Next week’s email header which is special custom designed for “The Bear” will be one of hers. You’ll see it in the email version only. For this post she did the “Summer vibe” one and the “Discussion” one but she also gave me the idea to change up the email header more dynamically which I ❤️ so I took a stab at it for this post with the swimmer 🏊♀️
So many things about this show and your post....! 😍
Firstly, can we talk about it winning awards in the comedy category?! 🤔 I mean, it definitely had funny moments, but I don’t know, it wasn’t ha ha funny.
I loved the chaos of season 1. To me, the lack of back stories fit the chaotic thrown-into-the-middle-of-it vibe. Working our way through season 2 and enjoying the slower pace.
Regarding music, I LOVED the Steve Winwood opening to season 2, and that sufism album is my favorite of his.
Thanks for your note 🗒️ Jen. This is definitely not a comedy. Definitely “Drama with moments of comedic levity” sprinkled in category. There was another show Ariel and I were watching recently where he couldn’t get over the fact that it was called a comedy when it was clearly not. I guess comedy has reached new levels of dark these days.
Oh geez. Steve Winwood?? I’m starting S2 today after I make some damage on the attic which I now have a nice calendar (color coded) and routine for thanks to your time management tips and tricks class. Winwood’s “Back in the high life” and “Valerie” were my childhood Summer swimming soundtrack.
I liked season one of The Bear more than my wife but the slower moments -- the Al-anon meeting, the catered party where the kids gets dosed with anxiety meds -- redeemed it for her.
For me, I loved it all and I actually appreciated no going into back story. Season one was foot-on-the-gas forward propulsion and I liked learning about the characters in tiny increments. I do see how season 2 changing the pace would be a good choice. Gonna try starting that in the next couple of weeks.
Not sure I see the Atlanta parallels as Atlanta jumps in time all over the place and is hyper stylized, with tons of surreal bits thrown in. I think ER actually is the better comparison, the chaotic hospital environment is an apt analogy for the restaurant scene in Bear.
Molly Ringwald's Al Anon cameo was so unexpected and cherished. She was a major cinematic hero of mine from the 80s. The anxiety meds - kids' party episode, Oliver Platt's laid back reaction regarding the turn of events cracked me up, but I also couldn't figure out if Richie had drugged the punch on purpose. What about you?
Thanks for your input on the Atlanta and ER parallels. For Atlanta, I see it with the young man returning home trying to figure out his path in life, make it creatively, and reconcile his future with his past and just the ingenuity of each episode feeling like it can exist on its own. On the other side of this, there were so many times in watching "The Bear" that I felt the rhythm of a 90s crime drama from Stephen Bochco. "NYPD Blue" came to mind with the grittiness and some of the shots. But I think "ER" just felt a bit closer. It's any of these workplaces where the demands of the work environment are such high stakes that there's a continual buzz of pressure. In the heat of the kitchen, the OR, the interrogation room.
I completely forgot that the very beginning of Atlanta was Earn coming home, but that really plays no real important role the rest of the series IMO. I am not sure I saw The Bear as a show that was designed as stand-alone episodes, watching them out of order would not work, but for Atlanta, especially the last two seasons, it definitely would.
I didn't think that Richie drugged the punch on purpose. I think it was accidental. I did think that it was a bit of a "hard to believe" moment, in that the bottle was in the punch and if the pills were in the bottle, they shouldn't have leeched into the punch. But I'm not a scientist, so perhaps sitting in the bowl they would've melted out? A minor quibble to be sure.
And yes, the guest bits by Oliver Platt and Molly Ringwald were so good. And anytime they flashback to the dead brother -- see! they did use flashback! -- is always appreciated just to see the great Jon Berenthal showing his chops. And yes, I do see the double meaning of using "chops"!:)
I just finished season 2 last night and will be anxiously awaiting your breakdown. I loved both seasons, and while season 1 didn’t go super deep on the characters until pretty late (those last 2 episodes are just astounding), I felt like focusing on the restaurant kind of gave us a framework for how these folks interact and behave.
Overall, I think it’s a pretty genius show and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. I really appreciate your analysis here!
I can’t wait to start season 2 that I’ve fully processed season 1. The last episodes and really the finale from season 1 were outstanding. Also the soundtrack is pitch perfect. It just enhances every aspect of what’s unfolding in a scene. Radiohead’s Let Down I’m now listening to on repeat. Thanks for reading and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the second season next week!
You are not even kidding about that soundtrack. So, so, so good. There was one moment with Uncle Jimmy in the finale that I think I must have forgotten from season 1 or just entirely missed in season 2. Guess I just need to watch it all again! 😂
I hear you on rewatching! I will likely feel this way after S2.
I am listening to "The Bear" playlist on Spotify - I totally forgot the song "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens and I really loved that S1E7 intro which was the catalyst for me seeking out total immersion by way of a playlist.
Loved Season one sooooooo much! It was super intense and totally worth the high blood pressure! I just started season two.
I just started season 2 as well. I’m three episodes in. More backstory happening already at least with Syd and Marcus. Need more to happen but I trust the pace will pick up just as it did with the second half of the first season
I love your daughter’s discussion drawing, but I’m reading in the app and don’t see the header?
We’re watching Poker Face, The Bear, and Jack Ryan currently. We also finished Slow Horses, which was way better than the Night Agent.
Next week’s email header which is special custom designed for “The Bear” will be one of hers. You’ll see it in the email version only. For this post she did the “Summer vibe” one and the “Discussion” one but she also gave me the idea to change up the email header more dynamically which I ❤️ so I took a stab at it for this post with the swimmer 🏊♀️
So many things about this show and your post....! 😍
Firstly, can we talk about it winning awards in the comedy category?! 🤔 I mean, it definitely had funny moments, but I don’t know, it wasn’t ha ha funny.
I loved the chaos of season 1. To me, the lack of back stories fit the chaotic thrown-into-the-middle-of-it vibe. Working our way through season 2 and enjoying the slower pace.
Regarding music, I LOVED the Steve Winwood opening to season 2, and that sufism album is my favorite of his.
#FloorStockFTW
Thanks for your note 🗒️ Jen. This is definitely not a comedy. Definitely “Drama with moments of comedic levity” sprinkled in category. There was another show Ariel and I were watching recently where he couldn’t get over the fact that it was called a comedy when it was clearly not. I guess comedy has reached new levels of dark these days.
Oh geez. Steve Winwood?? I’m starting S2 today after I make some damage on the attic which I now have a nice calendar (color coded) and routine for thanks to your time management tips and tricks class. Winwood’s “Back in the high life” and “Valerie” were my childhood Summer swimming soundtrack.
I liked season one of The Bear more than my wife but the slower moments -- the Al-anon meeting, the catered party where the kids gets dosed with anxiety meds -- redeemed it for her.
For me, I loved it all and I actually appreciated no going into back story. Season one was foot-on-the-gas forward propulsion and I liked learning about the characters in tiny increments. I do see how season 2 changing the pace would be a good choice. Gonna try starting that in the next couple of weeks.
Not sure I see the Atlanta parallels as Atlanta jumps in time all over the place and is hyper stylized, with tons of surreal bits thrown in. I think ER actually is the better comparison, the chaotic hospital environment is an apt analogy for the restaurant scene in Bear.
Molly Ringwald's Al Anon cameo was so unexpected and cherished. She was a major cinematic hero of mine from the 80s. The anxiety meds - kids' party episode, Oliver Platt's laid back reaction regarding the turn of events cracked me up, but I also couldn't figure out if Richie had drugged the punch on purpose. What about you?
Thanks for your input on the Atlanta and ER parallels. For Atlanta, I see it with the young man returning home trying to figure out his path in life, make it creatively, and reconcile his future with his past and just the ingenuity of each episode feeling like it can exist on its own. On the other side of this, there were so many times in watching "The Bear" that I felt the rhythm of a 90s crime drama from Stephen Bochco. "NYPD Blue" came to mind with the grittiness and some of the shots. But I think "ER" just felt a bit closer. It's any of these workplaces where the demands of the work environment are such high stakes that there's a continual buzz of pressure. In the heat of the kitchen, the OR, the interrogation room.
I completely forgot that the very beginning of Atlanta was Earn coming home, but that really plays no real important role the rest of the series IMO. I am not sure I saw The Bear as a show that was designed as stand-alone episodes, watching them out of order would not work, but for Atlanta, especially the last two seasons, it definitely would.
I didn't think that Richie drugged the punch on purpose. I think it was accidental. I did think that it was a bit of a "hard to believe" moment, in that the bottle was in the punch and if the pills were in the bottle, they shouldn't have leeched into the punch. But I'm not a scientist, so perhaps sitting in the bowl they would've melted out? A minor quibble to be sure.
And yes, the guest bits by Oliver Platt and Molly Ringwald were so good. And anytime they flashback to the dead brother -- see! they did use flashback! -- is always appreciated just to see the great Jon Berenthal showing his chops. And yes, I do see the double meaning of using "chops"!:)
Working our way through Season 1 right now! Love the breakdown.
Thanks for the note! Tell me what you think about it when you’re done.
I just finished season 2 last night and will be anxiously awaiting your breakdown. I loved both seasons, and while season 1 didn’t go super deep on the characters until pretty late (those last 2 episodes are just astounding), I felt like focusing on the restaurant kind of gave us a framework for how these folks interact and behave.
Overall, I think it’s a pretty genius show and I can’t wait to see where it takes us. I really appreciate your analysis here!
I can’t wait to start season 2 that I’ve fully processed season 1. The last episodes and really the finale from season 1 were outstanding. Also the soundtrack is pitch perfect. It just enhances every aspect of what’s unfolding in a scene. Radiohead’s Let Down I’m now listening to on repeat. Thanks for reading and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the second season next week!
You are not even kidding about that soundtrack. So, so, so good. There was one moment with Uncle Jimmy in the finale that I think I must have forgotten from season 1 or just entirely missed in season 2. Guess I just need to watch it all again! 😂
I hear you on rewatching! I will likely feel this way after S2.
I am listening to "The Bear" playlist on Spotify - I totally forgot the song "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens and I really loved that S1E7 intro which was the catalyst for me seeking out total immersion by way of a playlist.
Sufjan Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhn8gQsV2GE
Carmy's monologue from the S1 finale (S1E8) is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjITOkFnnE