"the bear" - new series on fx

[LCHorn 2620]

He also had a two ep run on Person of Interest in which they introduced fellow Texas Sarah Shahi.  

[4th&Five 41556]

['stache 21816]

Great season. Fishes was too mich and I couldn’t look away. I seriously thought in those closing seconds that we’d hear a gunshot, that she’d shoot herself in the car in front of everyone. My heart was racing and tv almost never does that to me. Forks was also great, Richie is still too much for me as a character, but the acting is phenomenal. 
 

Only “criticism,” if you can even call it that (hence the quote), is that his relationship with Claire was just too predictable. It was telegraphed the entire time that he’d blame her as a distraction once something went wrong. I really hope next season they surprise us that he doesn’t just shut everything else out but finds a way to make it work.

[HornOnTheBayou 8929]

The best part of Fishes: "Tell me you have Mickey Morandini." 

[C-Man 27230]

15 hours ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

The best part of Fishes: "Tell me you have Mickey Morandini." 

I really love Oliver Platt. He's terrific in this.

Question on the chocolate banana -- what episode does he bring up his childhood memory of the chocolate banana stand? Was that in Fishes at the Xmas family dinner? That scene in the finale just wrecked me. I could barely speak to remind my wife the significance of the banana.

[kevwun 15790]

Yeah, it was in Fishes when they were at the dinner table I think.

[LCHorn 2620]

3 minutes ago, C-Man said:

I really love Oliver Platt. He's terrific in this.

Question on the chocolate banana -- what episode does he bring up his childhood memory of the chocolate banana stand? Was that in Fishes at the Xmas family dinner? That scene in the finale just wrecked me. I could barely speak to remind my wife the significance of the banana.

That was in fishes, I think he was talking to Ritchie‘s ex and Ritchie was just kind of eavesdropping.

[Party_Taco 3730]

The music in this season has been outstanding. .
 
Such a brilliant show.

One of the most expensive TV show sync budgets in years according to my BiL who is in the business.

Apparently, the only request the director DIDN’T get through was one that clocked in at 200k for a 30 second usage. Head of the studio shut that down personally to avoid the precedent, but I don’t feel like the soundtracked lacked in any way, so prob for the best.

[henrygandorf 29191]

5 hours ago, LCHorn said:

That was in fishes, I think he was talking to Ritchie‘s ex and Ritchie was just kind of eavesdropping.

it was kind of a quickie throwaway story at the time, right before they talked about the "job" he gave richie.  not especially poignant or meaningful, cicero just thought it was an interesting coincidence.  i do that all the time, when little quirks happen, and my wife or someone will be like wow cool story (eyeroll) when it's something small and stupid.  but richie remembered because he wears suits now.

 

[Deej 76797]

Richie always remembers. That's why he was such a headcase. He learned to use those little details in his mind to to his benefit during his week of "boot camp".

 

[Mach 1 1677]

The best show currently on television or streaming or what’s the difference any more.

First season was about a restaurant with the involvement of broken people. Season two about broken people opening a restaurant.

Both were great. Merge them moving forward. 

I did a double take seeing Donnie Madea in show. Dude is the ultimate host. When I lived in Chicago in the late 90s we were at Blackbird every weekend and he was always gracious. Good for him. 

[Mac8111 2107]

https://time.com/6289319/the-bear-season-2-guest-star-cameos/


A good list of cameos and guest stars. Don’t read until you finish Season 2.

[Deej 76797]

Jeremy Allen White is the weakest part of this show. 

[BurdineBandit 815]

Finished it last night, loved it. A+. Richie, Marcus, what great character development. Cool to see some big wins. Except for Marcus kicking ass all season and then shooting his shot (while he was full of confidence) and getting swatted. Rough spot. 

 

The only gripe I have with the season came in the last episode, and it's Carmy's and Claire's story. Claire being there outside the walk-in as Carmy spills his guts out (out-loud obvs) kinda made me eyeroll. His tension building up around her all night when the healthy thing between them would've just been for her to say "damn, you're going to be extremely f'n busy tonight, don't worry about me" after he comes out to say hi. But then again if they were a healthy couple it wouldn't fit the show, so whatever. A+ overall. 

[Hank Scorpio 17729]

The Bear is better than Ted Lasso at being Ted Lasso. 30 minute episodes, character growth, people you root for succeeding, and not an entire season about how Jason Sudekis is sad he’s getting divorced because Harry Styles dicked down Olivia Wilde so hard she left him. 

[Stringer 1439]

Jeremy Allen White is the weakest part of this show. 

The character he plays or the actor? I could see an argument for the character, but not for the actor.

[thepop 4409]

[Deej 76797]

14 hours ago, Stringer said:

The character he plays or the actor? I could see an argument for the character, but not for the actor.

He's the least compelling character in the show and his performance is kinda one note. Maybe it's just because his face seems incapable of much beyond one or two expressions?

[Party_Taco 3730]

If you know, you know…

[mdmost 43002]

Clean your dirty kitchen, chef. 

[RPM 26321]

5 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Clean your dirty kitchen, chef. 

Housekeeping, Chef!

[henrygandorf 29191]

hey jeffrey, were those the sour cream and onion?  with the ridges?

[Helobious 9454]

I was fucking appalled at the omelette Sydney made. No cheese? No ham, mushrooms, bacon, anything? 

[Party_Taco 3730]

Boursin is cheese, guy.

[SizzleChest 8284]

5 minutes ago, Helobious said:

I was fucking appalled at the omelette Sydney made. No cheese? No ham, mushrooms, bacon, anything? 

Dude.  Boursin is cheese.

Edit: Party_Taco addressed it.  Also, omelettes without anything are chock full of protein.  I like omelettes with "stuff", but cheese omelettes are also fantastic.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by SizzleChest

['stache 21816]

I thought potato chips from a fancy high-end chef was weird, but it was for a friend, and looked tasty. In the second or third episode where she eats through the city, was that supposed to have been in one day? She was also at some fancy ass places, could have easily blown through $1000. It looked like some of it was free from her chef friends, but not all of it, and it was a lot. Almost like a dream day for me, tbh. 

[mdmost 43002]

The 2nd season really amped up the Chicago porn and food porn. 

[Helobious 9454]

10 minutes ago, Party_Taco said:

Boursin is cheese, guy.

 

7 minutes ago, SizzleChest said:

Dude.  Boursin is cheese.

Edit: Party_Taco addressed it.  Also, omelettes without anything are chock full of protein.  I like omelettes with "stuff", but cheese omelettes are also fantastic.

 

Never heard of Boursin. Have fun with your beta soyboy omelettes I guess. I’ll eat like a real man instead. 

['stache 21816]

1 minute ago, Helobious said:

 

Never heard of Boursin. Have fun with your beta soyboy omelettes I guess. I’ll eat like a real man instead. 

Edited July 5, 2023 by 'stache

[henrygandorf 29191]

3 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Never heard of Boursin. Have fun with your beta soyboy omelettes I guess. I’ll eat like a real man instead. 

maybe when you're pregnant, you'll have cravings.

[SizzleChest 8284]

22 minutes ago, Helobious said:

 

Never heard of Boursin. Have fun with your beta soyboy omelettes I guess. I’ll eat like a 5 five year old instead. 

FIFY.

[Biff Tannen 45690]

God dammit Helobious

[Mitch Cumsteen 18549]

2 hours ago, henrygandorf said:

maybe when you're pregnant, you'll have cravings.

Like anybody is having sex with Helobious.

[Pig Bellmont 8719]

4 hours ago, Helobious said:

I was fucking appalled at the omelette Sydney made. No cheese? No ham, mushrooms, bacon, anything? 

Did you know a French omelette typically has none of those things and it’s also something learned early in culinary school? Have you ever watched Top Chef? Tom Colicchio loves asking the contestants to make him an omelette. There was more thought out into why the character would make an omelette that way other than just “this would taste good”

[Chico_SA 521]

 

[Deej 76797]

7 hours ago, Helobious said:

I’ll eat like a real man instead

You should start dressing like one. 

[Rip76 4928]

Great f’ing show.

I wish my brother, (who was a chef for many years) was still alive to see this.  

On 2nd season now.  (Not a binger.  I like to skip a day or two between episodes).

Great music.  One thing I notice and love, is that unlike NetFlix and others like it, they let the whole song or almost the whole song play out instead of just cutting it off after 10 seconds.

The characters and the acting is top notch, and wow Jamie Lee.

Side note, I’ve never heard this song before, and I think it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.  I’ve listened to it a few times a day since I watched that episode.

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Rip76

[mdleast 8295]

I was fucking appalled at the omelette Sydney made. No cheese? No ham, mushrooms, bacon, anything? 

[bluto 4929]

Claire bear got a romper on her, wasn’t expecting that 

[Deej 76797]

I prefer to think of her as Claire Bare. 

[C-Man 27230]

Dammit, Helobius is here?

[someguy 1508]

19 hours ago, Pig Bellmont said:

Did you know a French omelette typically has none of those things and it’s also something learned early in culinary school? Have you ever watched Top Chef? Tom Colicchio loves asking the contestants to make him an omelette. There was more thought out into why the character would make an omelette that way other than just “this would taste good”

The whole point of the omelet scene with Sydney is the care she took with it, as expressed in the time and technique she was using when nobody was looking.  Sugar was pregnant and hungry and asked for an omelet.  Sydney was not serving a customer and was not being judged or evaluated on the omelet.  She could have just banged out a perfectly edible omelet and Sugar would have eaten it.  So why loving beat the eggs over a mesh strainer, perfectly execute a french omelet (I won't go over all the steps, but the show nails the details with how the french omelet is executed - no disrespect to the photo posted up thread, and make no mistake I would gladly devour it as it looks delicious, but that is not a french omelet technique with how browned the omelet is), put in the little touches with chives and crumpled chips, and make sure to even coat it one last time in butter?  Sydney did that 1) because she loves to cook for cooking's sake and 2) she loves to take care of people.

One of the big themes of this season - especially in the second half of the season - is about the motivation of why we work, and in particular making the case for the beauty of working from a motivation of love and service.

Marcus - goes to Copenhagen, learns a lot from the pastry chef.  The pastry chef tells a story of how he thought he was the best until he met someone better while working as a commis (strongly implied he is talking about Carmy when, in the Fishes episode, Richie walks in a hallway and sees a picture of the pastry chef and Carmy).  Pastry chef talks about how he had to learn that it isn't just about mastering technique, the best dishes he had ever eaten were inspired.  Marcus is tasked with coming up with three desserts and nails it, inspired by Copenhagen, Sydney, Carmen, and Michael.  Marcus creates out of love.

Sydney - see omelet example above.  She is weighed down by doubts, fears, responsibilities - but at the end of the day she still loves to cook - it comes from a pure place.  She might want the stars and she certainly wants to reach financial stability (not bad desires!), but underneath it all, she is motivated by love of cooking and love of serving people.

Richie - the most dramatic arc demonstrating the theme.  Richie is angry and defensive and doesn't know his place.  He is good with people but torpedoes whatever progress he makes due to his personality flaws.  Through his experience staging at a 3 Michelin star restaurant, he comes to see the beauty and dignity in serving others.  It transforms him and allows him to hone his strengths without self sabatoge.

Sugar - her involvement with the restaurant started as a place of conflicting feelings for her, with all the ghosts and family trauma associated with it.  At the beginning of the season, Sugar said at first she couldn't stand to be there but, once they started the renovation, she felt herself drawn there.  She starts out somewhat reluctantly part time, getting drawn more and more into it.  By the end she has discovered she is good at project management and loves/is invested in the success of the restaurant.  She navigates issues with the city, staff, Carmy, and Cicero with skill.  In the last episode her husband affirms the changes he sees in her, saying how happy he is and how much easier it is to live with her now that she's found something she loves, even if it has required more of her.

Claire - hers isn't really a journey.  She knew when she was young she was fascinated with understanding medicine and how to help people, as evidenced by her story as a child when a friend broke her arm.  Claire has a very realistic and clear eyed vision for the sacrifice involved with residency and pursuing her passion/vocation, but she loves it despite the sacrifice.  Claire understands that even though it is busy and draining, it is life giving to love what you do and help people doing it.

That leaves Carmy - he is the one character still figuring it out.  He is in process.  He has the training, the talent, and the accolades.  Does he love to cook, or is it just something he discovered he is really good at?  Did he press into cooking because he brother wouldn't let him be part of his restaurant, so Carmy set out to get so good his brother would have to let him in?  Was he able to thrive in the intense pressure cooker of working under pressure and abusive chefs because he raised by a narcissistic mother?  There is evidence that Carmy found refuge in food, discovered he was good at it, but never really loved it.  There is also evidence that Carmy does love food and loves people.  Carmy is constantly getting distracted - the fridge door handle being the obvious thing - but the entire season Carmy is dodging meeting with Sydney to focus on the restaurant.  But Carmy, when present, also shows himself capable and willing to love and nurture.  We see him gladly give up his knife to Tina (no small thing for a chef to do).  We see him listen and take the time/effort to give Sydney a special chef coat.  We see Carmy, with Claire's influence, start to confront his past and channel it into inspiration with the savory pistachio cannoli.

At the end of the last episode, when Carmy is locked in the fridge, he and Richie have an intense screaming match after Richie sees Claire leaving upset.  Richie accuses Carmy of being just like his mother, which (understandably) sets off Carmy.  Richie's point is that, like his mother, Carmy will not let himself be happy, will not enjoy who is around him and is constantly looking for the black cloud over every situation.  Viewed a certain way, Richie has a point, but it is also somewhat unfair as Carmy - unlike what is depicted of his mother - is not a narcissist and shows himself over and over capable and willing to team up with others, look out for them, serve, nuture, and elevate them.  However, there is no denying that Carmy is in a transitional place - there is a realistic scenario where he takes the Richie path, and a realistic scenario where he takes the path of his mother.

[Party_Taco 3730]

To be fair, I was cooking on ceramic and on an unfamiliar stove, so the slip of butter after the first turn cooked fast as shit

You nailed the structure of that scene though - It’s all about love.

[4th&Five 41556]

finally realized what i recognized pete from.

[Biff Tannen 45690]

1 hour ago, 4th&Five said:

finally realized what i recognized pete from.

Yep.  Called it right when he showed up on screen.

[Pato del Muerto 52499]

1 hour ago, someguy said:

no disrespect to the photo posted up thread, and make no mistake I would gladly devour it as it looks delicious, but that is not a french omelet technique with how browned the omelet is

[Texzilla58 4736]

I did not know this but Sugar, played by Abby Elliott, is the daughter of Chris Elliott, also of SNL and Letterman, and granddaughter of Bob Elliott of the great Bob and Ray comic team.

[henrygandorf 29191]

6 hours ago, someguy said:

The whole point of the omelet scene with Sydney is the care she took with it, as expressed in the time and technique she was using when nobody was looking.  Sugar was pregnant and hungry and asked for an omelet.  Sydney was not serving a customer and was not being judged or evaluated on the omelet.  She could have just banged out a perfectly edible omelet and Sugar would have eaten it.  So why loving beat the eggs over a mesh strainer, perfectly execute a french omelet (I won't go over all the steps, but the show nails the details with how the french omelet is executed - no disrespect to the photo posted up thread, and make no mistake I would gladly devour it as it looks delicious, but that is not a french omelet technique with how browned the omelet is), put in the little touches with chives and crumpled chips, and make sure to even coat it one last time in butter?  Sydney did that 1) because she loves to cook for cooking's sake and 2) she loves to take care of people.

One of the big themes of this season - especially in the second half of the season - is about the motivation of why we work, and in particular making the case for the beauty of working from a motivation of love and service.

Marcus - goes to Copenhagen, learns a lot from the pastry chef.  The pastry chef tells a story of how he thought he was the best until he met someone better while working as a commis (strongly implied he is talking about Carmy when, in the Fishes episode, Richie walks in a hallway and sees a picture of the pastry chef and Carmy).  Pastry chef talks about how he had to learn that it isn't just about mastering technique, the best dishes he had ever eaten were inspired.  Marcus is tasked with coming up with three desserts and nails it, inspired by Copenhagen, Sydney, Carmen, and Michael.  Marcus creates out of love.

Sydney - see omelet example above.  She is weighed down by doubts, fears, responsibilities - but at the end of the day she still loves to cook - it comes from a pure place.  She might want the stars and she certainly wants to reach financial stability (not bad desires!), but underneath it all, she is motivated by love of cooking and love of serving people.

Richie - the most dramatic arc demonstrating the theme.  Richie is angry and defensive and doesn't know his place.  He is good with people but torpedoes whatever progress he makes due to his personality flaws.  Through his experience staging at a 3 Michelin star restaurant, he comes to see the beauty and dignity in serving others.  It transforms him and allows him to hone his strengths without self sabatoge.

Sugar - her involvement with the restaurant started as a place of conflicting feelings for her, with all the ghosts and family trauma associated with it.  At the beginning of the season, Sugar said at first she couldn't stand to be there but, once they started the renovation, she felt herself drawn there.  She starts out somewhat reluctantly part time, getting drawn more and more into it.  By the end she has discovered she is good at project management and loves/is invested in the success of the restaurant.  She navigates issues with the city, staff, Carmy, and Cicero with skill.  In the last episode her husband affirms the changes he sees in her, saying how happy he is and how much easier it is to live with her now that she's found something she loves, even if it has required more of her.

Claire - hers isn't really a journey.  She knew when she was young she was fascinated with understanding medicine and how to help people, as evidenced by her story as a child when a friend broke her arm.  Claire has a very realistic and clear eyed vision for the sacrifice involved with residency and pursuing her passion/vocation, but she loves it despite the sacrifice.  Claire understands that even though it is busy and draining, it is life giving to love what you do and help people doing it.

That leaves Carmy - he is the one character still figuring it out.  He is in process.  He has the training, the talent, and the accolades.  Does he love to cook, or is it just something he discovered he is really good at?  Did he press into cooking because he brother wouldn't let him be part of his restaurant, so Carmy set out to get so good his brother would have to let him in?  Was he able to thrive in the intense pressure cooker of working under pressure and abusive chefs because he raised by a narcissistic mother?  There is evidence that Carmy found refuge in food, discovered he was good at it, but never really loved it.  There is also evidence that Carmy does love food and loves people.  Carmy is constantly getting distracted - the fridge door handle being the obvious thing - but the entire season Carmy is dodging meeting with Sydney to focus on the restaurant.  But Carmy, when present, also shows himself capable and willing to love and nurture.  We see him gladly give up his knife to Tina (no small thing for a chef to do).  We see him listen and take the time/effort to give Sydney a special chef coat.  We see Carmy, with Claire's influence, start to confront his past and channel it into inspiration with the savory pistachio cannoli.

At the end of the last episode, when Carmy is locked in the fridge, he and Richie have an intense screaming match after Richie sees Claire leaving upset.  Richie accuses Carmy of being just like his mother, which (understandably) sets off Carmy.  Richie's point is that, like his mother, Carmy will not let himself be happy, will not enjoy who is around him and is constantly looking for the black cloud over every situation.  Viewed a certain way, Richie has a point, but it is also somewhat unfair as Carmy - unlike what is depicted of his mother - is not a narcissist and shows himself over and over capable and willing to team up with others, look out for them, serve, nuture, and elevate them.  However, there is no denying that Carmy is in a transitional place - there is a realistic scenario where he takes the Richie path, and a realistic scenario where he takes the path of his mother.

great post.  the "why we work" is what kept striking me.  listening to luca, listening to richie's boss (the asian guy and also olivia colman), listening to carmy (in s1 at the meeting and in s2).  everyone comes from different places but they all respect the process so much and found happiness there. 

we know carmen is still a work in progress, but we also know he got marcus, richie, and sydney access that is not easy for just anyone to get.  that comes from carmen's professionalism, passion, skill, and generosity he's shown in the past.

[Pato del Muerto 52499]

So- Carmen is the chef that made Luca realize he wasn’t the best, right?  I’m making that leap. 

[Bateshorn 9927]

6 hours ago, Party_Taco said:

To be fair, I was cooking on ceramic and on an unfamiliar stove, so the slip of butter after the first turn cooked fast as shit

You nailed the structure of that scene though - It’s all about love.

Looks good Chef, but need to watch the browning on the eggs.  Let’s not summon the tiny angry ghost of Escoffier.