Hulu: The Bear

wilko

wilko

Member
This is a great little show.
Season 1 was intentionally disjointed. You were thrown into the fire and had to figure out the relationships and context on the fly.
Much Like Carmy (the central Character). It pays off at the end of season one and everything is more understood.

Season 2 - so far, is still at the high level.
Why I bring it up here, this show takes place in Chicago.. Coach K's book is prominently mentioned in 3 episodes so far.
The character reading the book isn't into sports, but wants tips on leadership to be better at her job. Other cast members see her with the book and go into a tiny K sidebar.
Its kind of making her feel like the only person on earth who doesn't fully grok the mythos behind K.

As if I could enjoy this more..

Its worth the time.
 
I think there are actually several recurring sports references this season, although I'd have to agree the K stuff is my favorite
 
I binged season 2 over the past few days. Really enjoyed it - probably more than season 1. The show is intense so watching it all in a few days is a lot, though I think it is better that way as you are more likely to pick up some subtleties. Some thoughts:

- loved the Coach K subplot. It reflected really well on him. Pippen was also referred a few times, as well as the Cubs story.
- I had no idea that was Jamie Lee Curtis until the credits. Wow. I don't follow her career closely (Trading Places?) but that seemed like a very different role for her. She was great.
- The Christmas episode was twice as long as most of the others but was really great. It was stressful and troubling but we have all lived a version of that, though hopefully for most of us it was a bit less chaotic. Such a great use of a flashback.
- I really liked the character development, especially Richie (I really liked the episode that was primarily about him). I feel like we got to know everyone better, understanding more about what makes them tick.
- Interesting that forks played a big part in three episodes - Christmas, the one where Richie is at the other place, and the final episode.
- The camera work throughout was unique and really good. Also, I am not from Chicago but have spent a lot of time there. The various shots of Chicago are really great. I live in NYC and love movies that capture the city where I live, and The Bear did that for Chicago. Music is also really good - particularly loved the Pearl Jam.
- I did not really like how season 1 finished up. The final episode of season 2 was better - I still had some minor issues, but it was better. Too happy of an ending would not be appropriate for this show.
 
Some Spoilers

CrazyNotCrazie said:
I binged season 2 over the past few days. Really enjoyed it - probably more than season 1. The show is intense so watching it all in a few days is a lot, though I think it is better that way as you are more likely to pick up some subtleties.
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I too DEVOURED this series. I'll do a slower re-watch later. Its addictive as all Hell.

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- loved the Coach K subplot. It reflected really well on him. Pippen was also referred a few times, as well as the Cubs story.
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I think he is being queued up for a dine in experience at some point.

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- I had no idea that was Jamie Lee Curtis until the credits. Wow. I don't follow her career closely (Trading Places?) but that seemed like a very different role for her. She was great.
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JLC was a total babe back in the day. Total. Always a dynamic talent, she freaking nailed the crazy mom role. Freaking NAILED it.
Lotta guest stars. Odenkirk. Joel Hale. Clearly its gotten some traction among talents.

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- The Christmas episode was twice as long as most of the others but was really great. It was stressful and troubling but we have all lived a version of that, though hopefully for most of us it was a bit less chaotic. Such a great use of a flashback.
Click to expand...
The character development is insane. it gave context for a lot to follow. "The Michael". It almost made me emotional.

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- I really liked the character development, especially Richie (I really liked the episode that was primarily about him). I feel like we got to know everyone better, understanding more about what makes them tick.
Click to expand...
Cousin Ritchie was my least favorite character. Obnoxious know-it-all blowhard that doesn't know it all. His arc was a rebirth. He's now a Star-catcher.
Wearing a suit instead of misspelled collectors item T-shirts. I also loved Marcus the Pasty Chefs adventures in Copenhagen. I loved the we way they dovetailed that relationship back to Camry.
And Chef Terry. I also like Tina's journey from hardass B, to pliable acolyte of an upscale restaurant

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- Interesting that forks played a big part in three episodes - Christmas, the one where Richie is at the other place, and the final episode.
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Didn't notice. Thanks Chef.

CrazyNotCrazie said:
- I did not really like how season 1 finished up. The final episode of season 2 was better - I still had some minor issues, but it was better. Too happy of an ending would not be appropriate for this show.
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I'm loving it all
 
the Maryland miracle minute

Coach K's book inspired Sidney to learn to stay calm under pressure. She referred to the Maryland miracle minute and how the team remained calm and was able to win the game. She asks 'how does everybody know about that?'



In the flashbacks near the end, they showed actual footage of the game: couldn't see much, but could def. read Maryland and Duke on the scoreboard


LGD
 
hsheffield said:
Coach K's book inspired Sidney to learn to stay calm under pressure. She referred to the Maryland miracle minute and how the team remained calm and was able to win the game. She asks 'how does everybody know about that?'



In the flashbacks near the end, they showed actual footage of the game: couldn't see much, but could def. read Maryland and Duke on the scoreboard


LGD
Click to expand...


sorry: flashback is at the end of episode 8 season 2
 
hsheffield said:
Coach K's book inspired Sidney to learn to stay calm under pressure. She referred to the Maryland miracle minute and how the team remained calm and was able to win the game. She asks 'how does everybody know about that?'



In the flashbacks near the end, they showed actual footage of the game: couldn't see much, but could def. read Maryland and Duke on the scoreboard


LGD
Click to expand...

hsheffield said:
sorry: flashback is at the end of episode 8 season 2
Click to expand...

When watching how things unfolded in the season finale, when the staff had to recover in 5 minutes while Carmy was stuck in the walk-in fridge, I realized the miracle minute hints were foreshadowing. :)

Love this show.
 
Just finished up last 2 episodes last night. Love the show.

When Carmy was locked in the walk-in and beating himself up he said “I failed you all.” What he didn’t realize was that it was just the opposite: he had trained and motivated them all SO well that they were able to run the restaurant that night without him. They were prepared to be better than they realized they could be. That’s the job of a coach. I’m sure Coach K would approve.
 
It was a great season until the freezer door locked. "Acting" on either side of the door, yelling and banging. Just a bit off after some terrific writing and development. Scene steal: Sugar's husband. Best performance of the episode.
 
We’re playing catch up but holy cow was the Seven Fishes flashback episode a stressful, tense but captivating piece of television. I had to physically decompress after watching it!
 
bundabergdevil said:
We’re playing catch up but holy cow was the Seven Fishes flashback episode a stressful, tense but captivating piece of television. I had to physically decompress after watching it!
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That episode was excellent. There was a similarly frantic episode in season one but I thought this one was much better. We have all had uncomfortable family get-togethers but this one was off the rails. It also filled in some of the back story of the show well. I didn't realize who was playing the mom until the closing credits - she was excellent.
 
CrazyNotCrazie said:
That episode was excellent. There was a similarly frantic episode in season one but I thought this one was much better. We have all had uncomfortable family get-togethers but this one was off the rails. It also filled in some of the back story of the show well. I didn't realize who was playing the mom until the closing credits - she was excellent.
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I told my wife that based on this season, I think Jamie Lee Curtis will win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama (I had to google if that is still a thing). She was amazing.
 
Rich said:
Someone told me she wasn't even nominated (which I found confounding) and according to this link they're right. Not sure if there's another category.

https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2023/outstanding-guest-actress-in-a-drama-series
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Thanks for the info. It's hard to believe that she wasn't nominated. She seems to be a lock to win it, given that performance.

I remember a few years back someone won the award with less than five minutes of actual screen time (or something absurd like that). At the time they said that the show producers and network had to nominate for this particular award. Maybe JLC asked them not to nominate her?
 
I've enjoyed both seasons immensely! I tried to bring up the Coach K book in the Chicago Event thread but it didn't get any traction.
I have a couple of restaurant industry friends who said that the insanity in the kitchen is spot on, maybe even a little soft compared to their own experience.
 
bundabergdevil said:
Would it be a comedy series? That seems a gross oversight.
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nmduke2001 said:
Thanks for the info. It's hard to believe that she wasn't nominated. She seems to be a lock to win it, given that performance.

I remember a few years back someone won the award with less than five minutes of actual screen time (or something absurd like that). At the time they said that the show producers and network had to nominate for this particular award. Maybe JLC asked them not to nominate her?
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Mystery solved. Season 2 is not eligible this year. The guest stars will surely be nominated next year...

https://ew.com/awards/emmys/why-the-bear-season-2-guest-stars-no-2023-emmy-nominations/?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20230807

Not sure if the link is working. It's giving me some issue.
 
weezie said:
It was a great season until the freezer door locked. "Acting" on either side of the door, yelling and banging. Just a bit off after some terrific writing and development. Scene steal: Sugar's husband. Best performance of the episode.
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I couldn't agree more. Such a great series but I found the whole locked in a freezer thing silly. First he wouldn't have yelled that much. Freezers have interior releases that wouldn't really be effected by the outside handle coming off. Pulling the hinges...easy, etc. Had he got stuck in there for a few minutes (and not acted like a 6 year old), it would have been great (good chance for his cousin to step up).
 
nmduke2001 said:
Mystery solved. Season 2 is not eligible this year. The guest stars will surely be nominated next year...

https://ew.com/awards/emmys/why-the-bear-season-2-guest-stars-no-2023-emmy-nominations/?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm_content=20230807

Not sure if the link is working. It's giving me some issue.
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Ah, makes sense. After JLC, the brothers and their scheming were great. Thought Mulaney was playing himself but still funny.

All the other guest stars were great, too, but Curtis stole the show.
 
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