‘The Bear’ Season 3 REVIEW: Some food for thought
‘The Bear’ Season 3 REVIEW: Some food for thought
"If you really consider, you know, like the special moments… of your life… I feel like… they always happen around food."
– Mikey (Jon Bernthal)
If you haven't had a taste of what The Bear has to offer in today’s television buffet, now's the time to dig in!
The show follows Carmen “Carmy'' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a brilliant young chef from the world of fine dining who returns home to run his family’s sandwich shop: The Original Beef of Chicagoland, after the death of his older brother Mikey (Jon Bernthal). Carmy struggles to bring the world of Michelin-star restaurants into the chaotic, small business kitchen.
Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) in The Bear | Photo from IMDB
As one of the consistent bright spots in modern-day television, pumping out yearly quality seasons, The Bear has built a reputation for blurring the lines between what a typical comedy-drama should be. It’s up for debate whether the show is a comedy, despite winning big at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards for categories in the said genre.
The third season is no stranger to having “comedic” banter and chaos ever so present in the previous seasons. We still experience anxiety- and stress-inducing conversations that authentically reflect what happens in the kitchen. These conversations highlight how the world of food and business takes a toll on the honest workers trying to make a living, pushing themselves even further to continue doing what they love.
Still reeling from a successful, yet emotionally draining season two finale, the third season opens with its first episode, “Tomorrow.” Ironically titled, as it suggests looking forward to the future, the episode focuses on flashbacks of Carmy’s time working for renowned chefs and restaurants.
At this point, we’re rooting for Carmy to get a hold of himself and embrace the good things. Carmy continues to be haunted by the past, of how he dealt with abuse and stress that ultimately pushed him to be the best he can be.
Carmy in The Bear | Photo from IMDB
At its best, The Bear pulls you in with intimate and emotional conversations. There’s something about these moments that brings so much heart into these ordinary people trying to deal with how shitty life is. But connecting with people makes it a little less shitty.
Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney, makes her directorial debut in episode six, “Napkins,” which is, by far, this season’s best episode. A flashback sequence that features Mikey is an unexpected, heartwarming moment of the season. It perfectly captures how even the worst day of your life can become bearable when you find someone — a stranger — to talk to and freely tear up without feeling judged is one of the best feelings in the world.
Sydney in The Bear | Photo from IMDB
On the other hand, episode eight, “Ice Chips,” is centered mostly on two characters and mostly spends its time in one particular setting. It breathes new life and realization as to how these two characters first interacted back in season two. But this time around, it’s a whole new playground. It shows how dysfunctional and chaotic they can be, but in moments like in this particular episode, the range these actors display on screen together is chef’s kiss.
The Bear feels like therapy in one way or another. Apart from the aesthetically pleasing food scenes and energetic camera movements, it’s the writing of the characters that makes us go back to these moments.
The show feels relatable because they’re regular human beings. They live day-to-day jobs that go through everyday challenges. It just so happens that they work at a restaurant, which in itself, is another character that grows and develops over time.
Here with season three, the restaurant’s far from perfect. It was a triumph to finally have “The Bear,” restaurant up and running last season. Although we have yet to fully see more of the restaurant, it’s already being cooked in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, surprising cameos from actors make their way as cute little treats for this season. In season two, the additions of Olivia Colman as Chef Terry and Will Poulter as Luca were notable for adding more players and nuances throughout Carmy’s journey as a chef. Meanwhile, episode six of the aforementioned season, “Fishes,” sees high-profile guest stars, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, and Sarah Paulson, make way for more of the Berzatto brunch. Anyone can just pop up and feel right at home in the series.
Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in The Bear | Photo from IMDB
Ultimately, the third season can feel a bit disjointed, compared to the previous two seasons. Particularly with how the second half of episodes focuses on various characters front and center. Although this can be seen as highlighting other characters in the background, the season’s main story can get lost in the shuffle with a seeming lack of direction, compared to what came before.
It’s not a dealbreaker whether this season is worth checking out, because it definitely is. The previous two seasons of The Bear set a high bar, with near-perfect execution.
The season finale offers more insight into Carmy’s development as a character but feels a bit weak compared to how both the first and second seasons ended. Perhaps, the fourth season fixes these minor mishaps in the kitchen.
Hopefully, writer-director and show creator Christopher Storer will add more spice and flavor to the already tantalizing comedy-drama recipe that The Bear is known for.
All episodes of The Bear’s third season are streaming exclusively on Disney+ Philippines.
