'The Bear' Season 3 Had A Few Things Missing

Please, for the good of all things, let this be the end of chef David in “The Bear.” — Erin

I definitely could relate to this scene of Carmy trying to pump himself up to say something big and then wishing he had said the right things in the moment. (Sidebar: I’ve also always appreciated the show’s depictions of anxiety.) But yeah, the show has given us more than enough glimpses of how abusive chef David was and how Carmy is desperately trying to not replicate that work environment (and doesn’t always succeed). It doesn’t need to continually underscore it for us.

To bring this back to the beginning, I think that might be emblematic of the larger problems this season. When this show is good, it’s so, so good. But unlike in Season 2, when everything felt so well calibrated, in sync and just the right amount, this season had a lot more moments where the show took too big of a swing and needed to pull back. — Marina

As I said in this piece about how I adamantly do not think this show needs romance, stop trying to make Carmy and Claire happen! That is all. Nothing against Molly Gordon, who I like in a lot of things. But this character is so underwritten and unnecessary. — Marina

I also don’t like that I felt like their relationship still felt unresolved by the end of the season. Like, is the door closed or not? I don’t want it to feel like she is haunting Carm’s thoughts, even though I guess that is inevitable with how Season 2 ended. — Erin

I guess we’ll find out in Season 4 (sigh). — Marina

This was another hit-or-miss episode for me. There were some highs. I loved the line when Natalie (Abby Elliott) finally admits to Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) why she didn’t tell her she was having a baby — “I didn’t want all that stuff you bring with you” — and Donna replies, “Yeah, well, I’m trying to put that stuff away.” Also, in general, I thought Abby Elliott was so fantastic this season.

At the same time, I thought the mother-daughter reconciliation at times got a little too sentimental for this show. And I kept wanting the episode to move along. I get that it was trying to approximate how much of the excruciatingly long process of childbirth is the stress of waiting for it to happen. But it is also an example of what I mentioned above: how certain moments in this season just felt stuck in place. Like, where is this going? — Marina

I have complicated feelings about this episode, too. I thought it was very well done (albeit a little too long). Both performances were great. It reminded me I needed to revisit Jamie Lee Curtis’ catalog, and I ended up watching “True Lies” for the first time. On the other hand, I don’t think it was time for Natalie to get her own episode. I felt like her character always fell into the background anyway. She seems to be the workhorse of the sibling dynamic, but it wasn’t until Season 2 that I actually realized who she was. So to focus on her and their mom for an episode felt too soon? I liked it, but did we need it? — Erin

Exactly! God bless Jamie Lee Curtis, a living legend. I knew she was probably going to return in some capacity this season; in the earlier episodes, they kept teasing it through someone mentioning Donna or Carmy and Natalie putting off calling her. But dare I say, I find Donna a bit much. I get that’s precisely the point of the character, but we don’t need entire episodes of her to let us know that. — Marina

Yeah, like the scene where Donna meets Natalie at the hospital? It goes on like a minute or two too long. Natalie is screaming for too long, and Donna is just not calming down for too long. It was giving me anxiety on my couch. I think if the episode had been 10 minutes shorter, it would have been nearly perfect, though. What was one of Carmy’s lessons early on? Take some stuff off the plate? This episode could have taken that advice. — Erin

Nice callback, chef Erin. — Marina

OK, I get why Syd would want to leave The Bear, especially in the scene where Carmy basically dictates the (always changing) menu to her without hearing her input. But do we need this storyline right now? It felt distracting to me and also kind of felt similar to the storyline about Syd leaving in Season 2 (did I imagine that?). I need someone else to tell me how to feel about this. — Erin

So much of this season is about whether or not Carmy can actually create a better work culture than the abusive environments he’s worked in. It’s clear that while he’s trying to do better, he often reverts to making it about himself and not considering Sydney a true partner. It made sense to me that the “partnership agreement” was going to be a source of tension throughout the season, and that Sydney was going to put off signing it.

Erin, you’re right, but I think it’s at the end of Season 1. Sydney quits after that disastrous day when the to-go system throws everyone off and Carmy blows up at her (and basically everyone in the restaurant). But at the start of Season 2, she agrees to come back when it seems clear Carmy is trying to be better.

I’m actually skeptical that her leaving would be the better outcome because chef Shapiro was also a bit of an asshole in the brief glimpses we got of him in Season 2.

I was also dissatisfied that we’re going to have to wait until Season 4 to get a definitive answer to this. I was kind of hoping Season 4 would be about either her leaving or her deciding to stay, but really putting her foot down and trying to make sure Carmy knows he’s being an asshole. At the same time, I get why they would want to save it for Season 4. — Marina

Yeah. Thank you for clearing up that Sydney question, because I was like, "Didn’t we just go through this?" These are all good points. I was definitely waiting on Syd to set Carm straight about relinquishing control and having their work together as an actual partnership. It did make me question one thing — if Syd is head chef, what is Carm’s position? Owner? Co-head chef? — Erin

A great question! Unclear — and probably another reason why Sydney is skeptical she’d be a true partner at The Bear. — Marina

It has been so refreshing to see Syd and Tina’s relationship evolve. I absolutely loved this episode, and Tina was so deserving of a full backstory this season. I feel like the pace of getting to know her as a character has progressed really well. Seeing how she ended up at The Beef was really great storytelling, and then also getting to know more about her relationship with Michael/Mikey (Jon Bernthal) was just the cherry on top. I could have watched them in that scene for another 10 minutes. The dynamic between Tina and her husband was so nice to see, and when she told off that receptionist who basically was acting like she was invisible? Incredible. — Erin

This was, by far, my favorite episode of the season. As soon as Season 2, which gave Marcus and Richie standalone episodes, ended, one of my first questions was, “When does Tina get her own episode?!” I’m glad they delivered. I loved getting to know more about her life outside of work and how she came to work at The Beef. It’s such a painfully relatable storyline — her trying to hustle, only to find that everything seems to be stacked against her.

Ugh, my heart during that scene with Mikey! Sidebar: I love that Jon Bernthal shows up basically once a season and then just knocks it out of the park every time.

Oh, we gotta talk about Ayo Edebiri making her directorial debut in this episode. Perfection. During the press conference last week, she said that she specifically chose this episode, and it makes perfect sense why. Excellent choice, and excellent work from her. — Marina

Yes! I screamed and then shed a happy tear when her name popped up as director in the credits of that episode! I love that Liza Colón-Zayas and Ayo Edebiri have clearly developed a lot of trust in each other in front of and behind the camera. — Erin

Speaking of guest stars, I was so happy they brought back Olivia Colman, who was my favorite guest star of the last season. I thought the arc of her character, chef Terry, closing her acclaimed restaurant, prompting everyone to reevaluate their own career choices and what legacy they want to leave behind, was so well thought out. I liked that it brought up some real-life issues in the restaurant industry. I also liked that it allowed for the return of a lot of other side characters from Season 2, like Will Poulter as Luca and Richie’s colleagues from his internship, with whom he had such a lovely bond. And that final moment between Carmy and chef Terry really warmed my heart. We hadn’t really seen them interact before, but it has always been clear from the flashbacks that she had a profound impact on him as a chef. I wrote last week about how many of the best parts of this show are about mentorship, and this was one of those moments that really got to me.

Also, her being the life of the party at the end of Episode 10? I wrote in my notes, “I just want to do shots with Olivia Colman.” — Marina

OMG, yes! I was like, "How do I get to party with Olivia?" She was living it up! I do love the real chef cameos on the show, too. I’ve seen Daniel Boulud as a guest judge so many times on “Top Chef” that I immediately knew his name when he popped up. But I agree with you, Marina. When John Cena popped up, I was like, "OK, now, I’ve had enough!" He also came in when there were just too many other characters who yell, and my ears were yelling, “Make it stop!” And I can’t say this enough: I don’t ever want to see chef David (Joel McHale) again! — Erin

Lol, same, re: Daniel Boulud. — Marina

My one complaint about the real chefs on “The Bear,” though? That scene in the final episode where they are all talking about their work is so damn long. It made me understand why Carmy was so fixated on his nemesis. He was too bored with the actual conversation before him. — Erin

I get that seeing these real chefs reflect on their experiences informs how Carmy and Sydney are thinking at this moment in the show about their respective futures. But this went on for so long! Get to the point. — Marina

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I did not love “Fishes,” and one of the reasons I did not love it was due to the overwhelming number of guest stars, which was a distraction. This season, it felt like the show took a more measured approach to guest stars. But still, it was very hit or miss. John Cena was annoying and distracting (though I guess that’s kind of the point of the Faks). I did, however, love Josh Hartnett (or JOSH HARTNETT, as I wrote in my notes) as Tiffany’s fiancé. — Marina

I loved Josh Hartnett in this, even though he was barely in it. I love Hartnett in most things, actually. A friend of mine just posted on Instagram that she was mad that no one told her he was in this season, and I immediately had to apologize because I had his name in all caps in my notes too. (I did the Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme when he popped up in “Oppenheimer” as well. More Hartnett all the time!) — Erin

When he popped up in that episode, I think I said out loud to myself, “IS THAT JOSH HARTNETT??!!” — Marina

I thought Marcus’ (Lionel Boyce) return to the kitchen was handled perfectly. He didn’t want to talk about his mother’s death, and then, when confronted by Carmy, who says something like try to find a way to deal with it, Marcus says, “Is that what you did?” He shut Carmy right up! Like, don’t tell me how to grieve! He doesn’t miss a beat here. Then, in Episode 3, Marcus is in the pulpit of a church, and he hadn’t even opened his mouth to start the eulogy for his mom, and I was already crying. There was a simplicity to his words of appreciation for his mom that were just so touching, too. — Erin

I loved this episode. It was probably one of the first high points of the season. I loved Sydney welcoming Marcus to the “dead moms club” and Marcus wishing his mom had gotten to try their food. One of the show’s strengths has always been how it thoughtfully explores grief and the way it connects these characters, both to each other and to their work. — Marina

I thought Episode 1 was beautiful at first, but about five minutes in, I felt like I needed a recap of what happened in Season 2. I was so confused about where we were in the timeline. In fairness, I probably need to rewatch the episode to decide how I fully feel about it. In the same breath, I don’t want to see chef David (Joel McHale) be a dick on screen ever again. Seeing all those flashbacks to toxic moments in the kitchen was so tough. But I also do think it was good for the viewer to actually get a feel for what’s going on in Carmy’s brain. — Erin

This was actually one of my least favorite episodes because, as I mentioned earlier, it was too showy. It felt like a way to show off what the show is able to do with the editing and cinematography, now that it’s in its third season and has more room to do some fancy technical things. You bring up a great point about the timeline: the constant jumping back and forth between various moments of Carmy’s culinary training, but also moments in Season 2. It was too much to follow — and again, too showy!

However, I loved the reveal at the end — the diner Carmy is serving is Sydney! A wonderful callback to Season 1, when she says the best meal she ever had was made by Carmy, how she basically went broke trying various high-end restaurants, including his, and how she applied for the job at The Beef because she specifically wanted to work for Carmy. Those are the kinds of moments that make this show worth it. Every time. — Marina

Oh yes, seeing Syd at that table in the last scene did make my heart sing a little bit. — Erin

Listen, this season made it crystal clear to me that “The Bear” is not a comedy. I laughed at two small moments during this season. In Episode 7, Syd is trying to break down boxes, and she is standing in the dumpster, basically flailing around, trying to smash them. It’s such a relatable moment. I have a box full of boxes that I need to break down right this minute. The other moment is when they are talking about “Orwellian butter” and someone goes, “It’s dystopian?” The other “comedic” moments are just the Faks doing their whole Fak thing, which is not at all my kind of comedy. It is just annoying. — Erin

Ah, yes, those were genuinely funny. I also laughed at Tina always coming up with variations of calling chefs “Jeff,” like, “Every day, Geoffrey Ballet?” (For people not familiar with the reference, the big ballet company in Chicago is the Joffrey Ballet.) And this was mean, but I laughed at Carmy telling Richie, “I’m sorry, you worked in a three-star restaurant for 10 minutes.”

In the beginning, I did laugh at the Faks, like when Neil goes out to serve the broth and then forgets to give the diners the actual broth. But after a couple of episodes, I really got annoyed at their schtick about everything supposedly being “haunted.” That bit ran its course very quickly.

But yes, this show, while containing some comedic moments, is not a comedy! Over and over, it has become comical when this show wins awards for comedy over actual laugh-out-loud shows like “Abbott Elementary” and “Hacks.” Just because it’s a half-hour show doesn’t mean it automatically should be slotted into the comedy category at award shows. — Marina

I think two episodes a week would be a good cadence for this show. I’d love for the conversations about the series to last longer than just 5-7 days and then pop up again around the Emmys. (The Emmy nominations are in a couple of weeks, and I’m going to have to keep reminding myself that these nods will be for Season 2! There will be much confusion, I fear!) I don’t know if networks think we have enough self-control to try to space it out ourselves or what, but sorry, network honchos, I do not have self-control! Plus, with the way the internet works, people love to talk about plotlines on TV and film immediately, and most people who are plugged in online (especially reporters and editors) have to stay on top of the conversations to do their jobs. Maybe they’ll try it differently next season? — Erin

Ah yes, the perennial question — to binge-watch or not to binge-watch? I agree completely (a good counterexample is “Hacks,” which does two episodes a week). That cadence for a half-hour show is ideal because you get the best of both worlds — a bit of binge-watching, but then a reason to return the following week. With “The Bear” specifically, there’s a density to each episode that requires more time to process, so I would have loved more time to appreciate each episode more fully.

Saloni Gajjar, my friend at the A.V. Club, wrote an astute piece about this last season, arguing for a weekly release schedule. At a press conference last week, she asked the cast about this very issue, and Ayo Edebiri gave an unsatisfying answer about how people can “pace it out themselves.” But as you said, we definitely don’t have the self-control! Also, for our jobs specifically, the release schedule highly affects how we cover the show. If it were weekly, that would give us more time to write about specific episodes and tailor our interviews toward specific moments, instead of just watching the entire season in two sittings (which I did and regret but will do for journalism purposes) and then having to try to keep the conversation going longer than a few days. It also makes it hard for people to avoid spoilers if they want a spoiler-free viewing experience. We’ll see if they try a weekly schedule for Season 4, but I doubt it, given that we’ve been asking this question since after Season 1. — Marina

Hello, chef Erin. Now that we’ve digested (pun intended) the third season of “The Bear,” what are your overall impressions of the season before we get into the specific ingredients? — Marina

Chef Marina! I mostly enjoyed this season. (Now let’s see how many cooking puns I can get in here.) Sure, there were components that did not seem to pair well together and episodes that didn’t really progress the menu forward. But overall, it gets four out of five stars. A good rating! I see what they were trying to do, even when it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. — Erin

I wanted to start here because a lot of the discourse I’ve seen so far has been about how the season was a step down from Season 2. I see where people are coming from and agree that it was overall a less consistent season. As you said, there were components and dishes that did not work. For instance, I thought the first episode, which we’ll get to, was too ostentatious — more about technique and less about plot and character. To continue the food puns, there were episodes that were perhaps over-seasoned — there for some pop of flavor but unnecessary for the overall arc of the season. By contrast, Season 2 felt like every single episode was both distinctly its own and moving toward something at the end of the season, and the opening of the new restaurant provided a clear structure and endpoint. This season, I just kept wondering: Where is this going? — Marina

Yes! Plus, there was just a progressive energy to Season 2 that was missing in Season 3. I also still remember the rush of feelings I had in some of those episodes: Marcus in Denmark, Richie at his internship and Tina finally satisfying Syd with that dish! This season had less of that for me. — Erin

Totally! The joy I felt for Richie in “Forks” when I realized that the asshole from Season 1 is now the person I’m rooting for. That said, I still adore this show. Season 2 was overall more consistent, but it was also a near-perfect season of television and set a pretty impossible bar. While this season had a lot more peaks and valleys, the peaks were still spectacular. — Marina