After only one year since the show premiered, we’ve been blessed with another season of this gripping comedy series. This year, we re-enter the story of Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), a talented young chef thrown into control of his late brothers’ sandwich shop. In Season 1, Carmy was left having to teach a team of unwilling chefs how a kitchen should be ran. From working in the best restaurant in the world, returning to the debt and distress of his brothers’ legacy was not what Carmy had predicted for his life. With Ayo Edebiri’s Sydney as his right hand (wo)man, Carmy is able to envision what life could be. From there, we enter season 2, where The Beef, a sandwich shop with no direction, is developed into a fine dining restaurant. This season is a journey of reform; we witness each of the characters’ personal development as they venture into professional training, as well as the literal evolution of The Bear. One of the most obvious transformations in this season comes from Richie (Ebon Moss Bachrach). Known as ‘Cousin’ throughout the series, we see his temper more often than not. We learn that his anger is built up from his self-doubt and personal battles. In Episode 7’s Forks, Carmy sends Richie for expert front-of-house training. The pride he feels following his accomplishment at the fine dining restaurant is carried with him into his role at The Bear. At the end of this episode, Chef Terry (Olivia Coleman) reveals that she knows Carmy, telling Richie, “he believes in you, you know?”. This confirmation was the final piece to Richie’s character development.
Even during the final episode, when the service seems to be heading for failure, Richie steps up. Without his character growth, the opening night of the restaurant wouldn’t have been a success. The realistic portrayal of the hospitality industry in Season 2 brings the relatability of the series. We feel the pressure that Sydney is left with whilst Carmy is distracted by his new love interest. His inability to have a healthy work-life balance is something that is constantly creeping up on him. During episode 3’s Sundae, Sydney is searching for the inspiration she needs to create an award-worthy menu entirely alone. Throughout the episode, we watch local Chicago establishments close their doors due to economic factors, bringing the present world into this season. Sydney proves time after time that she is a force to be reckoned with. Without her determination, the short timeline for opening would be impossible, and the economic factors would have won. Sydney and Sugar (Abby Elliot) are the engine that keeps The Bear from being just a dream: they make it a reality.
The final episode of this incredible season is an eruption of chaos behind the scenes but a beautiful creation to the unknowing. As the service begins, Carmy becomes everything he hated before, letting his emotions and stress get the better of him. Carmy’s fate is decided whilst he is locked in the walk-in, during a rant Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) about his distractions. Little does he know, his distraction was listening.
The final episode of this incredible season is an eruption of chaos behind the scenes.”
Whilst everyone entered their journey of self-reform this season, Carmy hadn’t quite reached where the rest were. I believe this is why he needed to be locked in the walk-in for the first service of his restaurant. This event taught him to self-reflect and understand that the kitchen has become talented enough to do it without him. Hopefully, this will be the start of his journey, where we witness a better work-life balance in season 3. The continuous switch from calm to intense kitchen in this episode is genius. It leaves us feeling stressed, wanting the opening to be smooth for the success of the restaurant, but not necessarily for Carmy.
We are left with a lot to feel. I can’t wait to see what else is coming for The Bear.