OVERALL SEASON THOUGHTS:
ESTA: THE BEAR has to be one of my favorite shows this year. This is due to not only the lead but the entire ensemble. Each actor gave such total commitment and intention to their character. It never felt like they were “acting.” Kudos to them and the writers for creating such a believable community.
AARON: THE BEAR is hands down the best show of 2023 (even above SUCCESSION). I remember calling my mom (Esta) last year and telling her she had to watch THE BEAR. She didn’t listen to me then. But I’m glad she changed her mind and binged all of S1-S2 in less than a week. For me, THE BEAR works so well because it takes a group of conflicting personalities and ties them together to build something beautiful, food. It’s the pure definition of community and one I’m ecstatic to be a part of.
JAMI: For me, THE BEAR S2 is, in many ways, a very different show than S1. At first, I wasn’t sure I was enjoying it as much. Every episode took an opportunity to catch up with a different character on their journey between their life at The Original Beef and what’s to come. Once I got used to the structure, I was sold. The many huge cameos throughout the season didn’t interrupt the story but instead supported our main characters. What’s so amazing about this show is that I believe the real best is yet to come.
SEASON MVP:
JAMI: Everyone on THE BEAR was so incredible this year that it’s hard to choose just one season MVP. I will have to pick Jeremy Allan White for being the fearless leader of both the cast and the restaurant team. Often the chaos is happening around Carmy, and he has no control over it. Still, the audience is treated to watching this incredibly talented young actor give life to a man wrestling with all of it at once. There are a lot of wonderful cameos in S2, but the MVP here goes to Jamie Lee Curtis as the Berzatto matriarch. You’ll see shadows of Carmy, Sugar, and Michael in her performance, which still has me shaking more than a week after watching it.
AARON: I agree that Jeremy Allan White was phenomenal, yet the story arc and characterization of Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is the one that I’ll remember the most. His performance in E7 was the “Love Story” of the year. And how his character grew from last season had me full of anxiety, unsure of what could come from him. As for the cameo MVP, 100% aligned with Jami again. As Jamie Lee Curtis’s character tries to “make things beautiful for everyone else,” she delivers the best performance of her career.
ESTA: The love fest continues since, undoubtedly, it must be Carmy (Jeremy Allen White). His skill and talent as an actor putting life into a troubled, guilt-ridden chef is phenomenal. He shows more angst, turmoil, and joy in those baby blues than most can dream about. He is a consummate actor that drives this series to greatness. Also, please give the Emmy to Jamie Lee Curtis now. She was mind-blowing. I laughed, cried, and ached as I watched her perform. Mesmerizing and brilliant.
FAVORITE EPISODE:
AARON: Put a fork in me. I’m done. Yes, that’s a pun to say that E7, FORKS was the best of season two. The one-two punch of E6, FISHES, and FORKS has to go down as easily the best back-to-back episodes in TV history. Yet, what pushes FORKS above FISHES is Richie’s story arc. His quest for redemption, despite being full of microaggression characteristics, made for the most compelling hour of TV in 2023. “Every Second Counts” in this episode.
ESTA: Episode 6, FISHES, was spectacular. It wasn’t just the number of guest stars dropping by – instead, it was the high quality of everyone’s performances. The timing, the talking over each other, and the emotional highs and lows put this episode in a category all its own. It deserves an Emmy for the delivery of that meal. Also, as Aaron wrote above, episode 7 FORKS was stupendous for the fulfilling emotional arc of Richie (Ebon Moss-Bacharach).
JAMI: I know that FISHES will probably get most of the love, and it deserves it. But, I wanted to point out E4, HONEYDEW, which features Lionel Boyce’s character Marcus learning new trade tips and secrets to help him become a better dessert chef. It’s a sweet (pun intended) and quiet episode that shows how someone can excel when given the tools and opportunities they may not usually have. I related to Marcus in the moment he’s trying to further his career but also constantly worrying about his dying mother and not wanting to miss a moment with her.
FAVORITE QUOTE
JAMI: I don’t think THE BEAR is a quotable show in the vein of many TV comedies, but I guess the very simple “Are you OK?” holds a lot of weight across many characters on this show, especially between Sugar and her mother.
ESTA: “Let ‘er rip.”
AARON: If anyone asks me why I watch THE BEAR, I’ll use this quote that Claire says to Carmy, “Because you’re The Bear, and I remember you.”
We will remember both seasons of THE BEAR, available now on Hulu FX.
