The Bear (Season 2)

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⭐ 9.5/10

(Originally written by Tim)

This show is basically perfect, only docking half a star for a slow start to the season. But by the end we were ripping through episodes, each one making me emotional in different ways.

My main gripe with the first season is that the final reveal was too tidy, and this season resolves that. There is tons of work to be done to re-open this restaurant. The first season did an amazing job of showing the art, intensity, and creativity of cooking, and while this season has a lot of that the cooking is sidelined in some ways. The grind is in the paperwork and following city codes to rebuild this restaurant from the studs. Through this work we get to know more about the central cast, each kind of on their own quest, and each one with satisfying results.

You might not believe me when I say this, but the MVP of this season is by far and away Richie. His showcase episode is so incredibly moving it makes me tear up remembering it. He is a man searching for purpose but is a total deadbeat who feels like he has no skills and no one wants him. The arc in that episode alone, with an incredible cameo and song drop, was so powerful to me. He is so easy to hate but this show makes you fall in love with him, and I want nothing more than happiness for him.

There is also a tremendous flashback episode that rivals the oner episode from season one in intensity. This one is a bit longer, filled to the brim with cameos, and very exhausting to watch. That is the point of course, these over-sized figures in Carmie's live showing you the state of his family life and how it informs his present. It was an incredible experience to watch, but its a lot.

This is an amazing show, and at only 30 minutes an episode its impossible not to recommend. I still have conflicted personal feelings about fine dining, and this show helping me appreciate it and the people who work in it says a lot about its power. I would never describe myself as a creative person, so watching masters of this technical profession express themselves through what they make is inspiring. I am a simple man with simple tastes, who thinks people that claim to appreciate these fine meals are wealthy gluttons who want to appear fancy (see my review of The Menu). But if Richie can find purpose in that crowd maybe my cynical heart can soften as well.

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