Summary
The Bear is an American classic.
We review the Hulu and FX series The Bear Season 2, which does not contain spoilers.
The Bear is an American classic. Perhaps no other show on television produces an appreciable amount of anxiety-inducing tension with a more likable group of damaged souls. The trials and tribulations of the interpersonal relationships of the Berzatto family and friends began with an opening season full of resentful angst.
The next is one of self-discovery, empathy, healing, and the triggers that keep tightening those pesky ties that bind.
The Bear Season 2 Review and Plot Summary
The last season ended with The Original Beef closing, and a sign appeared saying “The Bear” would be coming soon. Now, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), facing insurmountable obstacles in opening their dream three-star restaurant, have set aside their past conflicts. However, that is just one of the many challenges they must overcome.
Firstly, they need to convince Uncle Jimmy (the great Oliver Platt) to keep the money they found, which Mikey (Jon Bernthal) never returned, and to provide additional funding for the new venture. This propels the series into the next phase of storytelling as the characters are presented with new opportunities and challenges.
Sugar (Abby Elliott) takes on the role of the restaurant’s administrator, while Tina and Ebraheim are sent to cooking school. Marcus (Lionel Boyce) travels across the pond to learn from one of Carmy’s friends, and even Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) finds someone who believes in him despite his lovable flaws. These individual stories have intricate attention to detail, but I won’t spoil them here.
Christopher Storer created the Bear and has a hand in writing most of the scripts. With each passing episode, you discover something new—not only about the exquisite restaurant creations but also about each character’s journey of self-discovery. Have you ever wondered why stories of great chefs often depict them as despicable human beings?
Storer prompts you to examine their family dynamics and support systems, which may provide an answer. This becomes evident in what might be the year’s finest television episode, “Fishes,” which serves as the pivotal point for the Berzatto family’s issues. All the self-medication and self-defeating behaviors manifest as physiological repercussions—tense nerves, sweaty palms, and the feeling that everything is spiraling out of control.
Is The Bear Season 2 good or bad?
The sophomore season of The Bear is impressive. The writing remains sharp, unveiling fascinating revelations as each layer is peeled back, much like an artichoke. However, the performances genuinely shine and make this season stand out. White and Edebiri remain the show’s heart, and the former’s portrayal delves deeper into his character’s damaged soul.
Nevertheless, Moss-Bachrach’s remarkable turn in the episode “Forks” is the season’s best. Despite Richie’s unlikeability, his charm draws people in despite his struggles with major depression, wearing them openly on his sleeve. There is genuine pathos in his character as the No Hard Feelings actor simultaneously evokes feelings of sympathy and disgust with remarkable skill.
Is The Bear Season 2 worth watching?
The Bear is worth watching because it has evolved into something rich and deeply captivating. This is evident based on its embarrassingly deep bench of guest stars this season. Those include Olivia Colman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, John Mulaney, and the return of the great Jon Bernthal in a heartbreaking cameo.
However, you can dress up any show with big names, but the real hook here is how Storer, the writing team, and his deep and talented cast keep reinventing themselves in the first two seasons. Fresh, invigorating, and wholly original, The Bear keeps you coming back for more.
What did you think of The Bear Season 2? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to Hulu.
