If you’ve been keeping up with television and the awards surrounding it, then you’ve heard the name “The Bear.” The new television series, streaming on Hulu, has taken the world and the Emmy’s by storm, earning ten awards for its new season including one for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. So, what’s all the fuss about? Is the show really worth the hype? These were questions I thought when I decided to binge-watch both seasons last week so that I could answer them for you.
My biggest praise towards the show (I may be biased as an aspiring screenwriter myself) is its stellar writing. The show follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a young chef from the fine dining world, who has returned to his native home of Chicago to run his late brother’s small restaurant, The Original Beef of Chicagoland. Most of the tension in the series comes from the clashing of Carmy’s fine dining background and the work culture of the restaurant which is the exact opposite. And when I say tension, I mean it with a capital ‘T.’ Before I watched the show someone described it to me as “Anxiety: The Television Series” and I don’t think a description has been more accurate. I’ve never worked in a kitchen before, but I felt like I have after watching seasons one and two. The very first episode opens with Carmy having to find enough money, supplies and staff to open the restaurant at the last second. He has to run around, make phone calls and orchestrate a whole plan just to have enough meat to open.
A lot of the hectic feel of the series comes from how its creator, Christopher Storer, directs it. The most anxiety-inducing episodes are directed with an energy and freneticism that almost feels surrealist or absurdist. Frequent whip pan shots and scenes that juxtapose the calm and tranquil demeanor of the dining room with the heated and fast-paced work conditions of the kitchen. One of the best episodes in the series is the seventh episode of season one titled “Review.” It’s the shortest episode of the season, with a runtime of only twenty minutes, but it is the most thrilling and intense of the series. Filmed all in one take, the episode is a masterclass in how to build feelings of tension and anxiety through filmmaking.
But what’s really the emotional center of the series is its characters, their arcs and the colorful and bright cast that brings them alive. Carmy, played by Jeremy Allen White, isn’t just an uptight young chef from the fine dining world. He’s a very troubled young man whose upbringing and work environment have left a seemingly irreversible mark on his psyche. While his hard work and sole focus on proving himself have made him successful, it’s also made him a lonely and friendless person.
Sydney, played by Ayo Edebiri, isn’t just a promising young chef who is willing to do anything to have her cooking dreams fulfilled. She’s someone who has failed to reach her dream multiple times and doesn’t know if she has the heart to fail again. Richie, a fan-favorite played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, isn’t just a loudmouth but a man whose world is changing and deteriorating so fast that he doesn’t have anything to hold onto to keep him stable.
I haven’t even mentioned some of the smaller characters like Tina, Marcus, Fak or Ebrahim who also have their scenes of character development which are played beautifully by their respective actors. I could keep going but you get the picture; this cast is great. In later episodes, like season two’s “Fishes,” the cast becomes even better with some amazing actors stepping in to play Carmy’s close family and relatives. Every character is given the moment and space to shine in the show. Each character’s growth is not only noticeable but natural as well. Richie has, in my opinion, one of the best character arcs that I won’t spoil for you.
So, is “The Bear” worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. It’s one of the best television shows currently airing. If you’re into family drama, interested in the fine dining world or just want a good laugh then “The Bear” is the show for you.