It’s almost a year after I wrote The Peace within The Chaos, my reflection on the first season of The Bear. The question is lingering still…
How can you stay sane in this roller-coaster we called life?
I am still juggling here and there. Try to juggle better at work, and of course at life in general. I still enjoy the main theme of rebuilding things. And now the season two seems to arrive at the right time.
After all the mostly-sweet and hopeful Richmond Way, watching The Bear is like taking a hot and spicy food in a fast pace. Carmy and the chefs are taking the stake further to build a proper restaurant, even Sydney is ambitious enough to reach that Michelin star.
And it seems the series truly represents the reality of culinary industry and building a business in the best possible way. Let’s watch the trailer first.
Carmy is trying to get the rebuild project to be more organized. Still, it’s hard. They have a bit of luck that Uncle Cicero is still kind enough to continue “invest” on them. One of the great things in this second part is that Sugar also on-board to be the project manager.
It’s a big step. And it’s believable that it ain’t be easy.
Ep. 01 — Beef
The first episode, Beef, directly hit us with a hard question from Richie:
What’s my purpose, homie?
It’s truly heart-warming that in this second season of The Bear, we got deeper into relatable human side of multiple characters. We see how Richie felt left behind, felt alone, felt that he has no skills to bring the restaurant to a much higher level.
And then how Carmy said that what he’s doing is not fun for him, but he loves it. Have you ever felt that? That paradoxical pain/pleasure that you feel towards things you do? Your work? Your hobby?
However, this second season also felt like a stepping-up story. We see that Tina is interested in becoming the next sous. Which is fascinating.
Let’s dig more on the next episodes.
Ep. 02 — Pasta
The team started to work to rebuild the kitchen. Everyone got their assignment. The works are not only related to the phyisical kitchen, but also the skills. And of course, the menu. My favorite part is about the sign language about saying sorry that Carmy introduced to Sydney. Respect inside and outside the kitchen. I think it’s something that I had to learn myself. More on this later.
Another thing that I forgot to mentioned, I like that Claire (Molly Gordon), Carmy’s teen-hood crush, is introduced to add more depth of the story.
Ep. 03 — Sundae
We’re 11 weeks to open. And we can feel that things are getting emotional. The series really felt like a portrayal of the restaurant industry. Sydney seems frustrated that most of restaurants in Chicago are on the verge of bankruptcy. Especially, after Covid things are not getting any easier for business.
Carmy’s asking Sydney to find some inspiration for the menu. But, Carmy being Carmy, he forgot the appointment because Claire is calling him after he gave Claire fake phone number.
It’s a charming episode afterall and I really like the song “Future Perfect” by The Durutti Column that is played while Sydney’s imagining her future menu.
Ep. 04 — Honeydew
Man, you can really feel that the writers and the team of this series are really working out of love. Ramy Youssef, one of my favorite artists, is the guest director of this episode. And on multiple sources, it is reported that Will Poulter literally begs to this series creator to have a role in The Bear. The great thing is this episode didn’t feel like a filler episode or anything. This Honeydew episodes also showed us Carmy’s friend, a little bit of Carmy’s past, and how Marcus is willing to step up his dessert game.
In this episode, we follow Marcus on his journey to Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark. Noma is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world. Carmy connects Marcus to his colleague, Luca (Will Poulter), so Marcus can learn more and gain inspiration for The Bear’s original dessert menu.
The memorable part is of course Luca’s words of wisdom in this lovely episode. And don’t forget the Jordan/Pippen analogy.
…I think at a certain stage, it become less about skill, and it’s more about being open. Open to the world, to yourself, to other people.
…most of the incredible thing’s that I’ve eaten haven’t been because the skill level is exceptionally high or there’re loads of mad fancy techniques. It’s because it’s been really inspired, you know?
- Chef Luca
Ep. 05 — Pop
I think it’s a good time to write about Tina. She might be not the center stage of this episode. But, her story is truly one of the most interesting highlights of this series. To put it in context, in season one she is one of the hard-to-work-with team member in the kitchen. She got used to the “old-style” that led by Mike. And during the first season she truly gave Sydney a hard time.
However, she still has much respect for Carmy and family. And she is willing to learn. Which might be a rarity for senior professional, to get back to learn the basics and learn from younger people. Carmy and Sydney sent her to a cook school. She actually enjoyed the school and getting more serious. Carmy showed her a big trust by giving his knife. I think it’s a subtle sign of trust. And turns out, Tina managed to also get along with her younger peers at the school.
The other important part of this episode is how Carmy tries to be more open, to be more vulnerable with Claire. Long story short, Carmy brings Claire to the restaurant. Of course, in the middle of heated chaotic arguments. Haha.
In this episode Sugar also pushed Carmy to do something about Richie. Because it’s clear that Richie and Sugar did not get along to manage the renovation of the restaurant. And not to forget, they are on a very tight budget and schedule.
Ep. 06 — Fishes
Episode 6, Fishes, is probably the hardest to write. It might be too real for many people. How our own family is actually the source of the chaos in our life. Have you ever been in a family event that became chaotic, disastrous, and traumatic?
I guess that’s what this episode is all about.
It’s a jaw-dropping episode with a stars-studded guests. We got Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Poulson, Gillian Jacobs, Jon Bernthal, John Mulaney; on the same table.
This episode showed all the family chaos that experienced by Mike, Carmy, and Sugar. With all the abuse and pressure here and there. Of course, it’s far from functional. And Jamie Lee Curtis again showed her brilliant acting to be the problematic mother of the Berzatto family.
I think it’s an episode that really needs to be watched because some details truly entail the story until the end of Season 2.
Ep. 07 — Forks
Again, it’s awesome how the writers put forks as a monumental part of the story in the most heartbreaking episode to bring us to joy in the episode after, Forks. This episode is my personal favorite of TV in 2023. It got me to read almost two books, thanks to Richie. And also to listen again to Taylor Swift’s Love Story.
This episode hits deeper especially if we watch fully the climax chaos in Ep. 06 which revolves around forks. Carmy send Richie to stage in a fine dining restaurant. Roughly 75% of the episode, we didn’t see who is the head chef or the owner of this restaurant. Especially, Richie started from relatively the bottom of the hierarchy: cleaning forks all week long. And only forks.
I really like the shots of the routine in the kitchen. It’s also interesting that Richie woke up earlier almost every morning. More or less, I can imagine how boring his first week is. Cleaning fork after fork, and looking at other stages doing other stuff on their stations. And in one day, it got heated. His supervisor, Garrett, told him that he is still stationed at forks. They went outside to have a serious talk and Garrett told Richie how wonderful the restaurant is. Garrett said to him:
I just need you to respect me. I need you to respect the staff. I need you to respect the diners.
And I need you to respect yourself.
That hits deep.
Do we respect ourself enough?
…
Well, let’s continue…
The attention to detail, at this three star restuarant, is beyond belief. However, I believe it’s true. At the highest level, I guess that’s how it should be.
In one of the meeting, the staff manager said: (emphasis mine)
We’re not children, its’ okay to make mistakes. We can smudge things, but we need to own up to them with immediacy, integrity, and honesty.
That’s one of the best scenes.
Other cool things that I like on this episode, it’s truly a great three acts structure. In the second act we saw that Garrett brings Richie to step up to be one of the front staff to serve the diners. That’s when Richie truly learned that a great restaurant can really make someone’s day. It’s an inspiring redemption story.
This episode also introduce me to a book that is read by Richie, Unreasonable Hospitality. The book is real and written by Will Guidara, the head chef of Eleven Madison Park. It’s on my on-going read. And it’s a fascinating book on service industry and leadership.
And somehow I want to put one of the highlights here:
…but let’s be honest: every once in a while, you’re going to mess up. When you do, apologize.
There’s an inherent intensity that comes with being passionate about what you do, and on occasion, it can get the better of you.I’ve made sure to apologize — not for the feedback itself, but for the way I delivered it.
Near the end of this episode, finally Chef Terry appears. Starred by the legendary Olivia Colman. Richie met her in his last two days of staging in Chef Terry’s restaurant. And they have a deep conversation about life and work.
Never too late to start over.
- Chef Terry
Ep. 08— Bolognese
It’s just two weeks left before opening. But, things not getting smoother yet in the restaurant. They haven’t pass the fire suppression test. And of course, still some problem here and there. Carmy and Sydney got heated over menu discussion. And Carmy really needs to decide if Claire is his girlfriend or not. But now they have new chefs joining. And Marcus is back from Denmark with fresh ideas. Richie truly stepped up. He apologizes to the team, especially to Sugar. And now Richie wears suit.
My favorite scene is the interview scene. Richie tricks the fork and the napkin on the table to see if any of the candidates care enough to intervene that. A big step up on attention to detail.
Of course, there are more and more cool details and lessons on Ep. 09 and Ep. 10. But, I think that’s enough for now. I hope this little 8 Episodes recap is enough to invite you to The Bear.
This is so far my favorite series this year. With so many lessons on work, building something, respect, and also about mental health.
Some people often said we have the choice to choose our hard.
Well, I guess for now life is about moving from one chaos to another.
I hope you thrive in any chaos you are into.
May we are blessed to choose our own thoughtful chaos.
Let it rip.
