The Bear (2022) has quickly gone from a cult hit to a critically acclaimed favourite. The trifecta of food, fashion, and the talented Jeremy Allen White has conquered hearts and awards. The show’s first season received ten Emmy awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series and acting wins for White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri. In 2024, The Bear received 23 Emmy nominations for its second season, breaking the record for most nominations for a comedy series.
While still maintaining high production quality and strong performances, its third season, released in June this year, might be the least favourite among fans.
Seasons 1 and 2 of The Bear chronicled the rollercoaster journey of Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (White), a Michelin-starred chef grappling with the sudden death of his brother, Michael (Jon Bernthal), and the subsequent challenges of running their family sandwich shop called The Original Beef of Chicagoland, also known as The Beef. The first season was a whirlwind of chaos and redemption as Carmy tried to navigate the business. The second season shifted focus as Carmy and his team prepared for the fine-dining establishment, The Bear, leading to their ambitions and tensions reaching a tipping point. The third season takes a bold departure from its predecessors, delving deeper into the characters’ psyches and exploring the complexities of human connection. The focus on food takes a backseat.
When we last saw Carmy, Richie (Moss-Bachrach), Sugar (Abby Elliott), and the rest of the gang at The Bear, things were not going well. It was a disastrous friends and family night. Carmy was locked in the walk-in freezer he fled to during an anxiety attack; his sous chef Sydney (Edebiri) was left to keep the kitchen running.
Despite the seemingly plotless nature of some episodes, the third season manages to achieve its goal with three knockout ones. As many great storytellers have famously said, ‘Show, don’t tell.’ The season follows this principle. Tomorrow, the opening episode, serves as a masterclass in visual storytelling, with a dialogue-less inner monologue and fast-paced non-linear flashbacks that explore every role that shaped Carmy into the chef he is today, culminating at The Beef. Edebiri makes her directorial debut with Napkins, which focuses on Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) and her journey to The Beef. In Ice Chips, Sugar reluctantly reaches out to her chaotic mother Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) for support as she approaches childbirth. Despite a strained relationship, they reach an understanding.
Carmy seems destined to repeat his mistakes. He copes by immersing himself in his job, determined to earn The Bear its first Michelin star. He offers Sydney a stake in the restaurant. She suppresses her anxiety and doubts, delaying the signing of the papers. Marcus (Lionel Boyce), the pastry chef, continues to struggle with the loss of his mother as the season progresses. Amidst these personal challenges, the news of Chef Terry (Olivia Coleman)’s restaurant closing hits Carmy and Richie particularly hard, given their deep connection to her.
One of the strengths of The Bear is its portrayal of complex and relatable characters who face real-world challenges. Season 3 delves deeper into their personalities and provides their backstories. The actors deliver nuanced performances that truly bring these characters to life.
At the end of the finale of Season 3, Carmy is still navigating his trauma and past mistakes and how they affect his personal and professional life. He receives a Google notification, a review of The Bear, which prompts him to swear out loud. The season ominously ends there, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. The Bear will return for Season 4, which is also rumoured to be its last one.