A Show That Demands Your All
It took me 7 whole episodes to get into The Bear, but how glad I am I stuck to it.
If you haven't already seen or heard of it, it's a tale about a young chef from the fine dining world who returns home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after a heartbreaking death in his family.
Behind that intriguing plot lies the real story: the intricate lives of the team of the family sandwich shop, chef Carmy's trauma and talent along with chef Sydney's curiosity and fresh perspective.
What makes the show truly memorable - perhaps even hauntingly so — is its portrayal of the intense, relatable experience of building something in an environment where the stakes are too high and failure is not an option.
The show swings between utmost chaos (any scene with Richie) and catharsis (cue to the quiet moments between Sydney and Carmy post service or any Chef Terry scene) and Season two and Season three are even better than the first.
The Bear is an all-consuming and cinematographic treat. Every scene, every silence is intentional and the realistic details of a restaurant are so perfectly recreated, the show will stay with you long after the kitchen is closed, through many restaurant visits.
It is a show that demands your all and in return gives you its all.