"the bear" - new series on fx

[LCHorn 2529]

1 hour ago, jeevsie said:

So what you're all saying is that The Bear insists upon itself?

I think what he’s saying is what can be, unburdened by what has been. 

[utee94 15708]

On 7/12/2024 at 1:23 AM, billfromlaketravis said:

- The kid from We’re the Millers is English. Surprising. 

 

['stache 21520]

I saw a lot of praise for his appearance and assumed he was one of the real life chef cameos, haha. Haven't seen any of his other acting work, obviously. 

[RPM 26090]

I get people bitching about The Faks. Personally, I think Cena was a cameo too far. But the rest of it I like. Got to keep some OG neighborhood weirdo family involved. I don't think there's too much fart sniffing, just filling backstory and setting up next season.

[Mo Horn 8696]

Halfway through season 3. Definitely different, but I'm still enjoying it

Absolutely more food porn so far this season, which I love. 

[billfromlaketravis 11286]

I’ve sat with it some. I’ve given up on a Carmy redemption arc. There’s no organic way to get there. 
 

Putting all my hope into Richie finding peace. 

[Mo Horn 8696]

Finished the season. Definitely different, but I still liked it. Cliffhanger was obvious. 

[Deej 76156]

They need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to keep me in on season 4. What a drop off this season was. 

[Biff Tannen 45013]

2 minutes ago, Deej said:

They need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to keep me in on season 4. What a drop off this season was. 

You hate everything Deej

[Deej 76156]

Just now, Biff Tannen said:

You hate everything Deej

No, I don't, but this season was a let down. Sorry you can't see it. 

[Biff Tannen 45013]

11 minutes ago, Deej said:

No, I don't, but this season was a let down. Sorry you can't see it. 

Both can be true 

[Deej 76156]

I loved the first two seasons. They got full of themselves with season three. 

[C-Man 26617]

We’ve watched three episodes of S3. I’m enjoying it but I think my wife does not. Not nearly as good as the first two IMO.

[South Austin 51564]

Finished Season 3 and enjoyed it. Not on the same level as the first two, and like others have commented, it did very little to advance any storyline. And there were a lot of long scenes throughout with little more than flashbacks or food prep set to music that seemed like filler.  But, it’s still good TV and I’m optimistic that Season 4 will be better.

[wutang75 430]

Did “The Bear” food tour with my kid on Friday - would recommend.

- Mr. Beef
- Urban Belly
- Carmelized Chicken Dumplings (different spot I believe)
- Pizza Lobo
- Donuts from Roeser’s Bakery
- Sundaes from Margie’s Candies (holy shit)
- A beer at Green Door Tavern to end

[Captain Ron 12708]

Did a slower burn on Season 3. Just finished it tonight.

Downer of a season, but seasons 1 & 2 were so good, I have faith they will right the ship for season 4.

And frankly I did like the season. Was it great? not the standards of Seasons 1 & 2, but it was good. Seasons 1 & 2 just set the bar so high, sometimes it makes followups tricky.

I fell that this season didn't have a singular focus to get to. I mean Season 1 was just the restaurant surviving. Season 2 was them opening the Bear. Season 3 was ... ?

I did like the wrap up in the Finale and yeah the cliffhanger was pretty straight forward.

[Surly Bevo 24463]

Did “The Bear” food tour with my kid on Friday - would recommend.

- Mr. Beef
- Urban Belly
- Carmelized Chicken Dumplings (different spot I believe)
- Pizza Lobo
- Donuts from Roeser’s Bakery
- Sundaes from Margie’s Candies (holy shit)
- A beer at Green Door Tavern to end

Didn’t want to drop the coin on Ever?

[C-Man 26617]

On 7/20/2024 at 8:21 PM, Deej said:

They need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to keep me in on season 4. What a drop off this season was. 

We are six deep and feel the same way. I never watched the Arrested Development “bonus” season on Netflix but I heard it was odd since none of the cast could schedule time together so the episodes focused on the individual characters or just a couple at a time because the schedules aligned. This kind of feels a little like that with random “side quest” episodes like Tina’s in Ep6. We’re sitting on the cliff regarding the Tribune review and we get a full flashback episode showing how Tina wound up at The Beef. The episode was mostly pointless until her meeting with Mikey at the end, which I enjoyed very much.

Some of y’all said this seems like Storer had a 3-season idea and the network tasked him with stretching it over four instead. There is also an air of pretentiousness that I didn’t really season in either of the first two seasons. I’m still digging it a lot.

Random thoughts. Is it odd that Cicero is my favorite character? I also think they’re using Matty a little too much. He’s better in smaller doses.

[South Austin 51564]

1 hour ago, C-Man said:

Random thoughts. Is it odd that Cicero is my favorite character? I also think they’re using Matty a little too much. He’s better in smaller doses.

I wouldn't say "favorite," but Cicero was one of the best parts of Season 3.  I've always been a big Oliver Platt fan, and he's fucking great as this character.

And agree with the Faks.  They were great in limited roles in Seasons 1 and 2, but got overplayed in Season 3.   

And I actually like Pete.  His airtime is limited, but he's kind of the loveable dork, and seems like one of the few emotionally stable and morally solid characters in the series.  When Sydney asked him how he felt after his baby was born, and all he could say was "grateful," I thought he was a bit of a man after my own heart.

[Gene Parmesan 3951]

I plowed through all 3 season this past week.  Wife was out of town with the kids, so I did a lot of binging.  Share pretty much everyone else's sentiments.  1-2 were great 3 not as much.  Not sure how they get away with cleaning up in the comedy class at the Emmys.  This isn't a comedy.  Have no idea what kind of arc Carmen is on.  Seems like he only really wanted to cook with his brother, and he can't find any enjoyment in cooking otherwise.

[DDD Dad 14060]

On 7/5/2024 at 11:20 PM, henrygandorf said:

yeah, 300 richies would've come and gone under her.

I get the impression Richie wants to come under her.

 

The Faks were annoying as shit.  Small doses would have been fine.

1 hour ago, South Austin said:

I wouldn't say "favorite," but Cicero was one of the best parts of Season 3.  I've always been a big Oliver Platt fan, and he's fucking great as this character.

And agree with the Faks.  They were great in limited roles in Seasons 1 and 2, but got overplayed in Season 3.   

And I actually like Pete.  His airtime is limited, but he's kind of the loveable dork, and seems like one of the few emotionally stable and morally solid characters in the series.  When Sydney asked him how he felt after his baby was born, and all he could say was "grateful," I thought he was a bit of a man after my own heart.

Pete is merely reprising his role as the Progressive guy who became his dad.

[C-Man 26617]

On 7/26/2024 at 1:40 PM, Gene Parmesan said:

I plowed through all 3 season this past week.  Wife was out of town with the kids, so I did a lot of binging.  Share pretty much everyone else's sentiments.  1-2 were great 3 not as much.  Not sure how they get away with cleaning up in the comedy class at the Emmys.  This isn't a comedy.  Have no idea what kind of arc Carmen is on.  Seems like he only really wanted to cook with his brother, and he can't find any enjoyment in cooking otherwise.

We *finally* went back and finished the last two episodes of S3 this weekend. I enjoyed the finale, I guess, though not much really happened at all plot-wise this season. The Faks going to see Claire at the hospital was silly. It felt like the "Ice Chips" episode was inserted to give Jamie Lee Curtis 45 mins to try and recreate the "Fishes" performance from S2. Wild that barely a mention of Sugar having the baby in the final two episodes. While "Forks" was a beautiful transition for Richie, I thought they WAY overplayed that in this season's finale. He was there four days and his "number" is retired? The way the three long-time veterans revere him for those days is a little weird.

Oh well, I'm in for S4 to see how they land this plane. S3 was a little turbulent but not for the right reasons IMO.

BTW, the Emmys needs to do something to their eligibility rules because it's a joke that this is in -- and cleans up -- the comedy awards.

[Masshole Horn 759]

Season 3 recap:

Montage; 90's alt rock; faks; montage; the restaurant gets reviewed; faks; montage; montage; 90's alt rock; Carmy doesn't talk to Claire; faks; montage; 90's alt rock; to be continued.

Edited August 19 by Masshole Horn
faks duh

[RPM 26090]

You left out the montage towards the end.

[52-80 18982]

On 7/26/2024 at 8:40 PM, Gene Parmesan said:

 Not sure how they get away with cleaning up in the comedy class at the Emmys.  This isn't a comedy. 

Well, award shows are stupid. Top Gear won a best "non-scripted TV show" at the International Emmys and people have ever since used that to argue that the shows preposterous stunts arent contrived

[South Austin 51564]

And Matt Damon won a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy for The Martian. Some funny parts, yes. But not a comedy. Awards ceremonies have been a joke for quite a while.

[pops 6956]

I've tried. This show just kind of sucks. 

[Deej 76156]

This season lost me. 

[DDD Dad 14060]

On 8/19/2024 at 11:04 AM, Masshole Horn said:

Season 3 recap:

Montage; 90's alt rock; faks; montage; the restaurant gets reviewed; faks; montage; montage; 90's alt rock; Carmy doesn't talk to Claire; faks; montage; 90's alt rock; to be continued.

 

On 8/21/2024 at 3:50 AM, RPM said:

You left out the montage towards the end.

And the faks.

[RPM 26090]

They overplayed The Faks casting Cena. They are background characters Larry, Darryl and Darryl.

[South Austin 51564]

28 minutes ago, RPM said:

They overplayed The Faks casting Cena. They are background characters Larry, Darryl and Darryl.

The Faks are entertaining characters.  Cena was played over the top, and was obnoxious.  I hope we don't see him in Season 3.

[henrygandorf 28754]

On 8/21/2024 at 3:23 AM, South Austin said:

And Matt Damon won a Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy for The Martian. Some funny parts, yes. But not a comedy. Awards ceremonies have been a joke for quite a while.

compared to the bear, the martian is blazing fucking saddles.

Edited September 18 by henrygandorf

[jdhorn92 1527]

Finished S3 last night.  The last episode really landed the plane for me.  After the so-so episodes in the middle (the baby episode was awful), I liked the finale.  Richie needed to bring his counterpart from the other restaurant to the wedding, but that may be too much for his daughter to handle.  The Faks are ok, i think I read where most of their scenes were non-scripted.  Sena was a non-starter for me, could have done without.

I loved the music as others have said, but i'm an REM and Counting Crows fan, so I was stoked for all the airplay.  Kind of surprised Carmy didn't learn how not to manage from his experience with the shitty boss...Carm strikes me as a guy who hasn't been a boss before and instead of being in a kitchen for 10 years (eg), he's been in charge for 1 year, 10X, never evolving or growing as a leader.  I don't have anything personally that I'm necessarily passionate about (maybe other than TX FB), so maybe I cant relate.   I viewed the conversation with that guy in the hallway as a "I treated you poorly so you could do better " type excuse, so "you're welcome".  Kind of a right of passage thing.

I can see him and Claire reuniting as he grows professionally.  I see him ceding control to Syd next season, or perhaps as a way to wrap up S4.  He is better as a #2 imo....no leadership skills.  The boxes scene was him doing an I told you so.   Looks like the review was bad, not sure how Cicero squares staying in the deal with the bad review.  Someone needs to be an angel investor is most likely , perhaps they coop the deal and all put some skin in the game, get a loan etc.. but $800K from the kitchen staff is highly unlikely.   Mortgage the building , get a loan and pay off the debt?

Looking forward to S4.

 

[Gil Bang 25551]

Carmy is now fucking Claire IRL. 

[Surly Bevo 24463]

Maybe the restaurant fails like most of them do but Carmy finds personal peace? I mean ya never know.

[Biff Tannen 45013]

39 minutes ago, Surly Bevo said:

Maybe the restaurant fails like most of them do but Carmy finds personal peace? I mean ya never know.

I think this is probably the most likely ending actually. It’s not about the restaurant. It’s about family (and friends). It always has been. 

['stache 21520]

No, the review was mixed, not enough to kill it, Carmy will do better, rely more on Syd, reconcile with Claire, get his star, series finale. I think it’s pretty obvious unless they just want to be obscurely dark with the conclusion, or cheesy like him going back to slinging sandwiches and finding peace.

I sorta liked the Faks. Just more absurdity that your fat funny mechanic friend becomes a server/host at your restaurant that’s pursuing Michelin stars. We’ve already suspended belief that Richie became a pro after four days of training and a complete change in perspective, adding Fak feels like too much of a stretch.

Edited October 11 by 'stache

[South Austin 51564]

I think in Season 3, the restaurant fails, so Carmy goes back to simpler food, and develops a new fast foot hamburger joint, calling it McDowell's.

[baboso 6035]

Specializing in the Big Mick hamburger.

[Biff Tannen 45013]

Some of the good stuff right?

I actually hate that line.

[HornOnTheBayou 8852]

1 hour ago, South Austin said:

I think in Season 3, the restaurant fails, so Carmy goes back to simpler food, and develops a new fast foot hamburger joint, calling it McDowell's.

This would be a great idea for a spinoff. We could have a new Fak brother that starts out mopping the floor. But now... now he's washing lettuce. Soon he'll be on fries; then the grill. In a season or two, he'll make assistant manager, and that's when the big bucks start rolling in.

[RPM 26090]

Carmy Fries. Think about it. You want them already.

[BHMCruiser 1806]

I think there's a strong chance the review is excellent and people are freaked out because it means they're in the big leagues. That's my guess. 

[bborange 9851]

21 hours ago, HornOnTheBayou said:

This would be a great idea for a spinoff. We could have a new Fak brother that starts out mopping the floor. But now... now he's washing lettuce. Soon he'll be on fries; then the grill. In a season or two, he'll make assistant manager, and that's when the big bucks start rolling in.

I guess he gets his big break when the fry guys dies.

[Mo Horn 8696]

On 10/11/2024 at 1:05 PM, BHMCruiser said:

I think there's a strong chance the review is excellent and people are freaked out because it means they're in the big leagues. That's my guess. 

I'm going with a good review. His "mother fucker" sounded like a wow, I can't belive it's good, instead of shit.

[52-80 18982]

On 10/11/2024 at 1:21 AM, Gil Bang said:

Carmy is now fucking Claire IRL. 

"Help step-bro, I'm stuck in the walk-in"

[BHMCruiser 1806]

22 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

I'm going with a good review. His "mother fucker" sounded like a wow, I can't belive it's good, instead of shit.

I think it's more like play time is over. They are barely functioning and now the weight will be crushing and he knows that. Part of him wanted to fail I think. That's how he's been acting, anyway. 

['stache 21520]

On 10/11/2024 at 3:05 PM, BHMCruiser said:

I think there's a strong chance the review is excellent and people are freaked out because it means they're in the big leagues. That's my guess. 

 

22 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

I'm going with a good review. His "mother fucker" sounded like a wow, I can't belive it's good, instead of shit.

 

7 minutes ago, BHMCruiser said:

I think it's more like play time is over. They are barely functioning and now the weight will be crushing and he knows that. Part of him wanted to fail I think. That's how he's been acting, anyway. 

I thought I posted this before but couldn't find it in the thread. The review was clearly mixed. I think the author here is probably right, it praises Carmy as an obvious genius but criticizes the staff for failing to execute consistently, including with service. His concern is that he's going to have to address that the staff he's put together isn't good enough. Because they are key characters they aren't going to be fired, but there is going to be serious drama in how to make them better and he's going to struggle with how to do that without becoming a complete asshole like Joel McHale's character.

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/28/nx-s1-5020609/the-bear-season-3-ending-finale-restaurant-review

[DDD Dad 14060]

On 9/18/2024 at 1:42 PM, South Austin said:

The Faks are entertaining characters.  Cena was played over the top, and was obnoxious.  I hope we don't see him in Season 3.

 

On 10/11/2024 at 7:49 AM, South Austin said:

I think in Season 3, the restaurant fails, so Carmy goes back to simpler food, and develops a new fast foot hamburger joint, calling it McDowell's.

Did you skip Season 2 or something?

[billfromlaketravis 11286]

I think they’ve done the triumph thing. End of Season 2.

A bad or mixed review is probably a more interesting show. The show is basically about a dysfunctional family. A possibly toxic family. Maybe a bad review causes the family to break up so individuals can achieve happiness. Syd would almost certainly leave. Richie might bounce too. Cicero would pull whatever money he has left out of the restaurant. Carmy would have to retool everything including his personal life. Maybe this causes him to reconcile with Claire and finally find some work life balance.