I think you're wrong about Sydney. She choked and couldn't run the expo during peak business hours. She had that problem in the earlier episode and I thought she was going to keep her composure and give directions to the kitchen brigade during the crunch when they had to plate all the food in 15 minutes. Ritchie had to save her ass.
Speaking of metaphor, I can't think of a more perfect metaphor for this whole show than Carmy trapped in the cold, locked out of his own success. That restaurant came together because of him, supporting Sydney's ambition, giving Richie a new direction, boosting the confidence of everyone on the line, turning a grungy little sandwich shop into a world-class endeavor. He made all that happen, and he can't enjoy it. He's literally and metaphorically locked out, just like his mother locked herself out of the family she brought together.
You just nailed it... He was omnipresent throughout the whole series and still, he is locked in his mind and that's why we had that, at the end of the episode, the season 3 is maybe the "opening" of that Pandora Box. He is an alpha bear, but he is still wild. I think he is not that aware of his greatness.
@@kritiskblick That's an interesting take. But I think Carmy is definitely aware of his greatness. I think becoming great was his escape from being a Berzatto, a refuge from his trauma. But if there's one thing that every true-life success story bears out, it's that greatness doesn't make trauma just go away. Carmy doesn't stop being Carmy because he'd become Mister 3-star Chef. The pain is still there. I think his whole endeavor with The Beef was to use his greatness to paper over his family issues. But in the symbolic language of the story, at the heart of that humble little restaurant he'd turned into something great, there's still a broken refrigerator, and the real Carmy is still trapped inside. Greatness doesn't fix that. Bears are great beasts, but they'll still tear you apart.
hard disagree with your comment about "syd can do it on her own" she panicked when she needed to expo and richie took the reigns. sydney's big arc is that she's insecure about her competence, which is an aspect that mirrors carmy albeit in a more adolescent space. The big arc that she took was that unlike carmy, who when shit hit the fan before, took the whole burden on his shoulders until he self-destructed, because he was locked in the cooler, sydney had to make the call, and she deferred to richie helping which let her kick butt on her station and push through the rush. Sydney's growth was the exact opposite of realizing she could do it on her own - she realized she can rely on the team
Exactly! This is what I came to say. This is especially true since when she talks about the catering business she had, we find out that it failed because it got too successful and she couldn't keep up since she was trying to do it on her own. That moment when she froze is probably a lot like what happened to her with the catering. When she tells Carmy that she's afraid of screwing everything up, and he tells her that he won't let her and that she's not alone, she didn't yet realize that that applied to the whole team.
At the beginning of Forks (Richie's episode), Coach K's speech touches on just that. You're not done once you've failed and have a good team you can rely on
Completely agree. Sydney’s whole journey up until this point has been failure after failure because she thought she had to carry the entire burden on her shoulders alone. One thing the Coach K book symbolized was the importance of teamwork and I believe she finally understood after they successfully got out the hole on opening night
Spot on! I had the same reaction to that statement about Syd in the video, and couldn’t have put it better than you have here. Also, I think that the show is still setting up the “equal footing” problem as one that is unresolved between Camry and Sid and will come to a head in s3.
Thank you! Syd can not handle pressure if it wasn’t for Richie the whole night would have been ruined! Syd is very impatient and not a good cook or boss. She is not on the level of Carmy and I think he is too easy on her. Carmy is always apologizing to Syd when she is the PROBLEM! She can’t cook that good and she have no money invested in this restaurant but she want Carmy to call her Everytime he makes a decision smh it’s stupi! She never says “I’m sorry” when she is wrong I hate that about her!
A tale of fire and ice. In S1, Carmy was consumed in fire; the metaphorical projection of rage. In S2, after finally passing the fire suppression test en route to opening night, our tragic hero was consumed by ice; literally trapped in the the walk-in freezer... numbing his heart and depriving himself of anything good, as conditioned by his upbringing.
The opening night started out as a one take, just like episode seven of the first season, then when things start going wrong, at the most pivotal and chaotic moment, it cuts to the clock. This immediately lets you know that its not going to go like it did last time. Marcus, Sydney and Richie have all grown enough to make this time different, and the subversion of expectations by ending that one take shows how this time, they can handle it, even with Carmy shouting from the walk-in
The shot of orders coming out of the machine and Sidney looking at it in panic was also a good throwback. When she looked it at the end she was maybe realizing her sucess.
@@K.TH-cam2 uh to comfort him? To keep him company and to make him calm down? Everyone in the kitchen knows Carmy was panicking, why would leave someone like that enclosed alone without anyone talking to them. Anyone with common sense would have told Clare what was going on and let her pacify Carmy, since you know she is her “girlfriend” common sense buddy
Sydney seems to be on the same path as Carmy. You see this near the end of the last episode where she reached her goal of a succesfully opening the restaurant but after service was throwing up and still hearing the sound of the ticket machine in her head. Similar to when Carmy was working in New York. Carmy and syd also both struggle with extreme self doubt and negative thinking. They are just at different points on the same path.
The thing is, though, Syd has a more stable, if not more supportive, family structure. Well, at least in terms of her dad vs. Carmy's mom. Sugar is supportive with Carmy.
Mostly agree with your analysis, but I think that Sydney is also struggling with her development the same way Carmy is. She is struggling with confidence and her place in the restaurant and relationships. I think this is important because while at the beginning of the show, we saw these two characters as the ones who were right, while the others in the restaurant were stuck in their old ways. Meanwhile, all those characters have developed and found greater purpose and ability. I think the show going forward will be about these two struggling with these issues, risking the progress that the others around them have made.
Aside from Sydney becoming more confident in herself that took all season and we see in those final 15 minutes; her and Carmy had little development if any to their characters and everyone else around them had growth because of them. So season 3 will be about that development about them 2, I’m hoping
She is struggling with her past trauma too (her mother, failures, relationship with his father), the same as Camry and almost all characters in the serie. Its all about evolving, changing, healing...
Sydney seems to be used to doing things on her own so her pausing and tagging in her teammates during an overwhelming moment was a big thing I mean, she offers Nat the position of project manager because she knows she and Carmy can't do it without someone who focuses on more than just the food; she sends Tina, Marcus and Ebrah to learn because she needs to know she can depend on them to make the restaurant a success; tags in Richie who she has had an antagonistic relationship for most of the show; and when Carmen shirks his responsibility? She and Nat spearhead renovations together instead of her doing it on her own so I think that was her arc this season...and the beginning of the end for her physical health because she's showing signs of Carmy's New York/post-New York stress: the vomiting, hearing the ticket machine, the anxiety, etc. I think her arc next season will be about getting that star and potentially overworking herself
I've worked in this business for a long time and I have to tell you getting stuck in the walk-in cooler is a legitimate fear of mine. Also working a line with someone on drugs is a terrifying experience.
So I just thought as well, I feel like the way Claire was filmed was super romantised as well. She looks very different in that final part by the cooler. The lighting is harsher, the camera angle not so flattering. I wonder if this was an intentional stylistic decision to depict or represent the fantasy of being healed through love kind of evaporating for Carmy?
@@clvrswine This is a video analysis, why you're talking about looks is beyond me. Maybe you're just that shallow. Which then begs the question why you're even on this video?
Love Richies arch, starts as an old ass who refuses to change the thing he loved and reminded him of Mikey. To then respecting Carmys vision for the the kind of business he wanted to run with Mikey. In a way honoring Mike's memory. Richie is a beast in that 5 minute rush love this show!
Episode 10 genuinely feels like two steps forward and one step back. Carmie clearly has a long way to go and I am curious to see where season three will take him.
Donna not wanting to come into the restaurant, feeling she didn't belong. Carmy finally beginning to figure out that there are things in life that you don't necessarily understand and are unprepared for. The most interesting contrast this season is Claire and Donna. Both of them love Carmy, in their own way. Donna is needy, Claire wants to give. Carmy didn't know how to accept was was being given, what he had achieved. It's going to be an interesting season 3. I hope Claire comes back. Carmy needs her unselfish nurturing of him. And through her, perhaps he figures out how to live his life in his own light, not in the shadow of his mother. Not in the shadow of Mikey. I enjoyed this season immensely.
Absolutely no. Claire was giving him anxiety. Until he learns how to be handle stress well in his work, he doesn’t need more stress like Claire. Yes, he was in love with her as a teenager and Claire is a good person. Carmy just not in a condition for a relationship she wants and that’s ok. It’s sad Carmy said his self-destructive thoughts out loud and Claire heard them but that doesn’t remove the factor of attitude Carmy has towards work and he needs to fix that asap. And Claire is not gonna help him with this, she’s the i-accept-you-as-you-are type of girlfriend and that doesn’t help Carmy. We know he tries really hard to be better.
@@BrainPilotdidn't you find Claire to be a bit unrealistic? An emergency room Dr would clearly be quite busy and just as (if not more) stressed as a chef opening a restaurant. Additionally, wouldn't she have understood Carmy's was having a panic attack and crisis in confidence speech while trapped in the fridge? Its an oddly written character in the show as unlike EVERY OTHER supporting character. No layers, just a manic pixie dream girl from the writers. Odd 9:18
@@cinnabon944 it's interesting, I didn't much care for Claire as a character and I can't quite put my finger on why. I just had this nagging sense of uneasiness in me when she was on screen. There's definitely a bit my own history colouring that reaction for sure. But it almost felt like a subtle manipulation at points. There was one scene where the song used was Nine Inch Nails - The Day The World Went Away, from their Still EP... it's such a haunting song. and that particular version is so very sad. Apparently it was written about the death of Reznor's grandmother, but I've always interpreted it as the death of Self, the realisation there isn't anything underneath what you thought was yourself. Also thinking about it, I'd be curious who the most stable characters appear to be, and whether their opinions of her are expressed. I know many of the family do say they like her and that she is good... but dysfunctional family dynamics do tend to shape a persons judgement well into adulthood without a heap of work to address those schemas... I love this show. It is so refreshing to see characters trying to change and grow. Richie's arc was super joyous to witness. Jeremy Allen White did such a brilliant job showing some of the subtle signs of trauma and emotional neglect. The moments of overwhelm were well done and very relatable (Claire v the fridge man for instance, and then later on, the fear, panic and deluge of unrecognisable feelings causing him to throw the phone). I also really liked Pete's moment as well, it was a good example of how partners can end up getting dragged into playing along with the dysfunction and chaos as well. It would be good to see the backstory of his character expanded. I'd love to see Carmy in therapy in season 3. The process can be so dark and messy, it would perhaps be fascinating and offer lots of different chances to flip back and forwards through time. The connection between Carmy and Syd would also be fun to see explored as well.
i think that claire was a part of his past and them breaking up will allow him to stop regressing and start moving forward. she was an obvious choice for him since mikey and his family really liked her and he used to have a crush on her, i feel like this is the biggest reason he went for it with her. i never felt their chemistry and i think that was very very much so on purpose.
@@BrainPilot i think he’s just been so influenced by his family and wants to satisfy them and also he really looked up to mikey his whole life and to date claire is one thing mikey really wanted him to do and approved of heavily, and now that he’s gone i think he probably subconsciously wants to do it for him and his family. i really enjoyed your videos!
I agree. His subconscious knew that’s Why he gave her a fake number. He’s haunted by what could have been in the past so when claire track him down he feel that pressure and guilt from his past and can’t resist her, but it’s clear at the beginning of episode 9 when he is having a panick attack thinking about her and his family pushing him to talk to her, then he calms down thinking about sydney, who has a real positive influence on his present life and represent a way out of his toxic past family dynamics.
The only thing that took me out of the episode was when Carmy got trapped in the walk-in cooler (it wasn't the freezer, we would have seen his breath and I think there would have been more panic to get him out). To pass inspections, which Carmy, Syd, and Nat were stressing over all season, all walk-in coolers and freezers have to have an interior release to prevent trapping. It was still a phenomenal finale and I couldn't think of a better scenario for Carmy who really needed to cool off, no better place than the walk-in.
Somehow they managed to outdo the first season. Episode 7 that focused on Richie was my favorite part of the season and I've rewatched that episode three times already. If you want another show to cover, I'm shocked I can't find any videos on Arcane here. It's a gold mine for video essayists
I'm inclined to agree that the next season is going to be about a lot of growth from Carmy. Though he has a hard time managing his emotions-he seems to either freeze or explode-it's a good representation of trauma response in people who are very naturally caretakers. Sugar has been forced into the role of caretaker in a family full of addicts. She is the typical enabler in that household. I'm sure Sugar (Natalie) will be concerned about her own ability to be a good mother in the next season. I'm not sure if the family is aware of the mental illness of Mom. She probably drank as much as she did to self-medicate because she seemed so manic depressive. Michael was certainly a mirror to that after his scene with Carmy in episode 7. So, we can see that mental illness is passed down genetically. Carmy, in contrast to Sugar, simply freezes and stares. He doesn't seem to be able to get out of the fight, flight, or freeze mode. His "flight" out of country to escape his family only led to more trauma under the negative attacks of his mentor, who briefly showed up in the finale episode. I am anticipating Carmy standing up to him, I hope. But what Carmy demonstrates, at least some of the time, is more understanding for mistakes and ability to bring out the best in people because it's what he longs for. But constantly taking care of others when we are emotionally empty leads to some bad places-frozen out of success, happiness, love. He's got to do even more work with those who have hurt him and who he has hurt. I hope he can work more on his personal issues because I'm so rooting for him.
I guess we didn't see that episode the same way i felt as Sydney had once again panicked it the most stressful situation and if it wasn't for Richie who stepped up and took control of the situation who knows what would have happened. She is great but she too has some insecurity, anxiety, and demands shes trying to over come i feel like she some growing up to do but definitely has soo much potential to be just as great if not better than Carmy but definitely not there yet. That smile at the end to me was a "i cant believe i got through it, i dodged a bullet " moment
Also the smile was about finally getting validation from her father. His acknowledgment that cooking is more than a hobby for her, it's what she's meant to do, was huge and likely something she'd been longing to hear for a really long time. When he tells her how much he enjoyed his meal, you could see a weight lifting off her shoulders.
@cv8499 that's a great point one that I can honestly say I had not given a lot of thought about because he looked like the type of loving caring father that might have said it before but I might be wrong and if so then yes that would be something she would be happy and proud to hear. Great point
@@zaden176 Yeah, you could see it definitely wasn't something she was used to hearing, as he was constantly encouraging her to take other jobs. Even after she tells him she's helping to open this restaurant, he tells her that her cousin can get her a job at the airport as an air traffic controller. And the fact that she had to work at the United Postal Service to pay her way through culinary school implies that she didn't get much help from him in that endeavor. Carmy tells her that her dad probably just can't understand her pursuing a field that doesn't pay anything and is likely to fail. The whole reason she's living with her dad is because her catering business failed. So she had a lot riding on the night her dad came to eat at their restaurant. She needed to prove that not only was she a great chef, but she could be successful at this path she's chosen and it's not just a hobby until something "real" comes along. As he says at the end, "This is the thing." It's a risky dream to chase, but she's got the goods.
All through S2 Sydney was thinking “leadership” meant “running the line”/giving all the directions, etc. She showed true leadership when looking at Richie (who was awaiting her consent without shoving her out of the way) and saying “Drive!”
Hopefully we can see Richie get with that Chef Jess from that other restaurant and maybe Carmy can figure out a balance if he can fix what happened with Claire.
I really hope we get more of Donna in the next season and seeing more of that family dynamic. Carmy and Sug obviously still have a lot of emotional baggage they’re holding onto. I also hope we see more of Sug and her husband. The scene when he sits down with her after Donna splits was so emotional and it shows how much we can take on our partners emotionally burdens without even knowing it.
Same, when Richie left by the door I was checking the time like ‘what the fuck only 6 minutes no no no there has to be more this can’t end here’ but ofc i also knew that it would be cheaper if they had him talking to Claire explaining his feelings, or talking to Syd, but man I was just feeling so satisfied by the ending for a lot of reasons with most characters having a real solid defined arc that ended there, all except Carmy who has so much still to go
I’m sorry. If Carmy and Claire didn’t break up now, they would have broken up in the next season. I always felt that he cannot have 2 great loves this season. Carmy and Sydney on the other hand. There’s something deeper bubbling. Especially seen in that moment with that table. That table and the looseness felt as though they’re clearly showing Carmy is unstable. Syd is the only one who can literally bring stability and form that foundation he needs. Her face calmed him down in his near meltdown moment. That restaurant is their love story
I feel like they have a platonic relationship, in a deep loving and symbiotic way, they’re partners, but not romantic. I feel like that would come out of left field. When Carmen was freaking out outside with visions of Claire, and then calmed down when he saw Sydney, that was more about work vs personal relationships. Idk Syd-Carmy romance would be a bit strange, they are very dependent on each other but in a deeper wag rather than physical attraction
@@GuineaPigEveryday I think it was more about how Sydney isn't connected to his family and history, the way Claire is (which is why Claire was one of the things stressing him out). She sees him differently than his family does and her compliments affect him differently, as well. Sydney admires him, went to work there because of him, is trying to make The Bear work with him. She represents very good things to him, especially the positive things about himself she believes. I'm fairly certain it's going to eventually go in a romantic direction, but it'll be a slow burn. I agree they're deeply loving and symbiotic and I think that's a pretty good basis for a romantic relationship. I admit I'm a pretty big fan of romance (in concept, not always execution), so that's probably coloring my view a bit lol, but I genuinely think they could work out really well.
4:30 That's a great analysis. I would add that he also gave Claire the wrong phone number. Not sure if conciously or if he subconciously sabotaged himself.
It's a brilliant episode. It also shows how things aren't easy-going for anyone. We all struggle. Every day is and won't be perfect. The last 2 songs in this episode. Just a perfect end to this season.
I am wondering about Sydney, her bathroom medicine cabinet and the reason her mother died when Syndey was just four. Does Syndey have an illness, maybe the same as her mother? Sydney is my favorite character. And did she sign a legal contract with Carmy making her a real partner? Looking forward to answers in Season 3!
After his tour de force throughout all 11 seasons of Shameless, JAW is smashing it yet again here. I find some similar incidents and mannerisms between Carmen and his Lip Gallagher from Shameless. Both can be hot headed, emotionally and personally driven, and intentionally drive away good people who care for them. They both are face the danger of turning out like a parent. Carmen's parallels to Donna's neurosis and self doubt via bursts of emotion and his reluctance to see the similarity to his Mam reminded me of Lip's alcoholic path to self sabotage and destruction, mirroring and mimicking his Dad's reckless life. The show's Chicago settings and sweary, fiery banter and highly charged characters also remind me of Shameless in places.
Michael burned (at least planned to) down the restaurant for Carmen to continue the work he can't finish. Mikey killed himself probably somewhat overpowered by the immense gap between concept of the renewed restaurant and the reality of how messed up things are (cf. Michael's Christmas breakdown partially triggered by seeing the sketch of The Bear: M was tortured by Carmen's sincerity or naive hope. For M, Carmen didn't know about the drugs or the curse of that restaurant, at least M thought Carmen didn't know. But all this time Carmen was living that darkness himself in these top kitchens around the world. Carmen literally cannot cut family off even if Michael "protected" Carmen by kicking him out of the kitchen. I don't think Michael left the restaurant to Carmen in a hopeful/ positive mindset. It could be that M's intention at that point was dark and that his thought would have been a mixture between: Carm can try it out with those money I kept, maybe he can do it; or I am passing the curse to Carmen, I can't protect Carmen anymore, the darkness has spread and is also Carmen's (which sort of explains why Michael left Richie out of it, because Richie didn't deserve to inherit the familial curse and Michael loved Richie). This shows that the mere weight of up-cycling a beloved but dysfunctional family restaurant is purely insane. It's probably insane because it literally requires Mikey, Carmen, and the OGs to go through self improvement THEMSELVES that hosts the symbolic meaning of the dysfunctional restaurant. Michael ended up losing that battle. But this might suggest that Carmen had some sort of survival (albeit misplaced) instinct to run away from the curse. Carmen's running away either means he is a coward and will eventually be swallowed up whole or it shows that he has somewhat the survival instinct that Michael had completely lost. I personally don't think Carmen would or should get back together with Claire (also because if Carmen tried fixing things with Claire in third season plus if Claire were to accept Carmen apologising that will make Claire the literal worst female character ever written in a 2023 TV show). But what I am saying is that sometimes there is hidden wisdom in people's coping mechanism. Even if Carmen escaped the renovation process of The Bear (I think it is beyond just having him distracted by a pretty woman; Carmen literally would run away and do anything else), the next season hopefully will see that him sinking to a deeper spot and reconcile with the subplot that Michael kept him out trying to protect him. Hence, realising that he has always been loved by Michael. Love hides in hard choices sometimes.
The thought I had was, this point for Carmen is the same point as Zuko in Avatar at the end of s2/ beginning of s3. He needs to regress a bit before he is ready to return to progressing
hm am i the only one who felt like the "love vs career" dilemma to be somewhat inorganic? superb acting from everyone, but just narratively speaking, it seemed more like an afterthought, like the writers suddenly just felt like carmy should have something to be broken up over since he already finally faced his brother's death. or am i reading that curveball wrong? i feel like this should have been "show, don't tell" because it seemed off when cicero literally talked him out of being in a committed relationship because he should be that focused on the restaurant. that part disrupted the suspension of disbelief for me. but other than that small nit-pick, i think this show is really going to be considered a classic in the future.
No uncle was pretty clear about the fact, when he said that besides the ‘im so happy for you man’, this is also an ‘uh-oh’ moment, i mean he’s an investor, and the restaurant with a million in-debt opens in a few days, he doesnt have time for romance. Thats pretty realistic for an investor and family-member to say worried about the guy risking his entire future over this one relationship
@@GuineaPigEveryday the timing is sus. why did he scare him right before the big night? shouldn't he have waited for that to pass first since it's a critical moment? it sounded a bit like sabotage tbh because the uncle can get his money back by selling if it fails
@@maggyfrogrewatch the interactions. He wanted them to succeed. Selling would yield a lower profit than they thought (last ditch effort, barely a win). He wasn't trying to sab the relationship but it was a point where Syf had been trying and failing to flat out let him know that he lost focus and no one else tried to call him out. The uncle did as soon as he heard. The talk was a shape-up and make me some profit talk but then he heard *why* he lost focus and went "uh oh". He needed to hear that from when he ditched taste testing with Syd to hang with Claire tbh. It was already crunch time.
@@K.TH-cam2 it's not the talk that's sus to me. it's the timing. he could have given him a proper pep talk before the big night, and after that, then he can tell him to go "shape up" and set his priorities straight. you just don't go telling someone they're gonna lose it all at a very critical moment if what you want is for them to not have self-doubts. that kind of talk should have been right at the beginning of season 2 or right after the big night.
@@maggyfrog but if he wasn't telling him to shape up what was the point of the talk? Cicero isn't a cuddlu hold your hand through the fire kind of guy so that wouldn't make sense for his character, he wouldn't come to pep him up, he only shows up when his money is at risk or they seek him out. At the beginning of the season he already talked to him about the opening and made the deal so how could he tell him to fix what he wasn't yet failing at? Noticed he called Nat out to talk business and to avoid a scene because he knew Carmy. He's business first uncle second.
it's the show of the year for me so far - always enjoyed Jeremy Allen White in Shameless US. Carmy's development was amazing so real and I think this actor was so good at playing it what happened to him mid way through the episode had to happen because of the extreme stress he was under such a clever writng move. As for Jamie Lee Curtis as his mother everyone will know what a brilliany actress she is and again she proved it in this episode as well. Syd has serious doubta about herself, but she needs to let it go, as she's more than capable, but I love this character, Richieis a character who you sort of hate or at least tolerate in season 1 but for me now he's one of my favourite characters and he is a true partner in the restaurant shown in the control he has in this episode none of which Carmy witnessed directly.
So honestly, I don’t see that he regressed back to the state he was in. I saw that he was finally able to articulate and openly say what he was in just feeling internally so he did let the bear out he was exposed.
Binged watched the whole 2 seasons in 4 days. Amazing show coming from someone who has been, manager, sous-chef and "garde-manger". "Chef" movie was really good, "Burnt" too, although clearly influenced by Ramsay, a bit too much. Some of the episodes of the show are just masterclass, no competition to be had.
The best part of this episode was Carmy expecting everyone to disastrously fuck up on opening night only for his teachings and leadership to be so strong to the point that they pull it off completely without him.
So excited to see the development from season one to season two. Cannot wait for season three. Three issues though. Carmie’s relationship with Clair showed that with love, support and listening he was able to grow. He was so unfamiliar with these three things that he tossed them for his familiar anxiety, isolation and self hatred. People keep expecting him and Sydney to get together, but how? Syd likes him and has foodie rapport with him, but she is self aware and has taken on the role of keeping him honest - way down bro - not good in an equal romantic relationship. She will grow past him. Finally, Syd has her father’s love and Marcus loves his mother. Don’t think he will become driven like Carmie. He wants love in his life and will take Luka’s advice with looking outside for inspiration.
I want The Bear to be like a 10 season show. I know that series that carry out like that never end well but I want to delve deep into each character each relationship, what happens after what event and all of that. The show has a slow but through style and I'd love to see this thoroughness being carried out in a consistent way over many seasons. Even the thought of that really makes me happy. Also, the show has successfully introduced me to "stress" I'm 18 and I was raised in a really chill environment so I'm not familiar with the emotion that is stress. This taught me so many things. I'm so stoked to see how things'll carry out
What's the deal with Gary? He seems the least developed of all the characters in the kitchen. After Carm, Ritchie, Sydney, Marcus is the most developed. Tina could use a bit more developing but she's a huge part of the spirit/family of the kitchen.
I wonder if the fact that the walk-in is one of the only things remaining from the original restaurant could be relevant? Everything else has changed outside the walk in, which reflects in how all the characters have changed and grown into better people But Carmy is stuck in the same old walk in and can't let go of old traumas
I love reading and listening to other ppl perspectives when it comes to "The Bear". As someone who deals with life silently with constant anxiety. I see everything through different lens when I watch this show. 1. Carmy and Syd are somewhat similar but their differences connects them to a T. Syd brings something the table the Carmy needs and Carmy bring something that Syd needs. 2. No one seem to notice how detached Carmy was when Syd walked out on him. Even Tina was asking him whats wrong. Cause he wasnt being his usual "get down to business boss self" 3. CLAIRE. I don't think people understand how ppl with trauma and anxiety function. Claire is the girl from Carmys tragic past. Based on my experience and therapy. In order to heal fully I had to go back in the past and made peace with all the shit I had to deal with. BUT the key thing is to never STAY THERE. Claire is a constant reminder of Carmy's past. That's why Carmy's panic attack got worst when he thought about her. Carmy is living in his past through Claire. She took him back to parties with high school ppl he knew but forgot, its like she was walking him through unhealed territory. If he finds a way to heal through Claire, it will be hard to stay in a relationship with her. Because through his traumatized eyes, it would be like staying in the past..... this is my opinion based on my own experience. 4. I love me some Richie. But people need to under that Syd is dealing with a mental struggle like Carmy, while Richie is literally his own enemy. We can't compare these two ppl, its unfair. 5. When Carmy got locked in the freezer, we clearly saw a parallel to when Syd walked on him. Syd literally lost her shit. This is because what Carmy brings to the table - the thing she needs and can't live without is missing. BALANCE. These two ppl bring BALANCE to each others life. Syd is more emotional than Carmy that is why everyone can complain that she's weak and Richie saved her and blah blah blah. Syd literally showed us she was falling apart without Carmy through her facialexpressions and wanted time to step out, while Camry was sitting in his office quietly falling apart without Syd. I think ppl have to be understanding or experience certain trauma to understand where these characters are coming from. Both Syd and Carmy needs balance because to be honest mentally both of them are unstable. That is what they are to each other BALANCED/STABILITY. Carmy looks to Syd and Syd looks to Carmy. Both of them literally can't run that restaurant without each other. I don't hate Claire, but all I can say is after my therapy ended I was good with my past. But being heal doesn't mean I'm perfectly fine and I can go to my past whenever. No, it's means I know how to handle my present when I'm triggered by my past. These triggers normally come from people I knew "example Claire" who cares baggage (memories) from my past.
Carmy has heavy imposter syndrome, when things go well he never knows how to process or absorb it. The chaos of his family life and relationship with his mother has led him to believe his life is only ever gonna feel like hell. I'd like to see Carmy in therapy and to see how he would react in that environment.
@@dannydavis9133yes and being reminded of Season 1 when she messed up the system and they had a hundred or so orders and Carmy went insane. Sydney couldn’t handle it then, and this time she had to ask Richie
Eh. I dont agree with the Marcus one. I think the season highlighted the fact that Marcus is not at all like Carm. He’s not stupid nor naive. He knew his mother was gonna die. Will he be upset that he was distracted when it happened? Yeah, obviously. But I honestly think her death is gonna strengthen his resolve and drive
This might be semantics, or maybe a reframing of what the video is saying: I think Carmy IS showing character growth. He felt healthy enough in this season to try to have a relationship, to try being open to loving someone and more important, being deserving of love by them. But once he got locked in the cooler, he got triggered and regressed. There is deep seated perfectionist trauma in there from his Mom and this situation, like all good writing, is made perfectly to bring that to the fore. I had a mentor tell me that progress is like a spiral staircase: you will feel like you are going around in circles and are in the same place all over again, but you're not, you're moving up. I desperately hope that next season is about Carmy learning he can have a healthy relationship and work at a high, all consuming level. I mean she's an ER doctor, she gets it.
And uncle didn’t help by messaging him to his commitment to restaurant. As for Claire, she knows about him and to turn and run on one open night ,letdown doesn’t seem totally buyable.
You'd think an ER doctor would be more sympathetic to a professional lashing out in a moment of extreme stress. That said, if this is the end of the fake and contrive Claire Bear story arc I'll take it.
@@colleenjones8225 Words still hurt, though. She's allowed to get upset about being called a waste of time, you know? And if she decides she doesn't want to be on the receiving end of comments like that, honestly, more power to her. You may love someone, but sometimes it's not a good time to be in a relationship with that person.
She knows about some parts of him, yeah. He called her a waste of time. And honestly? She doesn't have to stay there and take it. The same way Carmy got upset and said some awful things, his words upset her, so she left. I think it's odd not to afford her the same consideration. But I understand why that's hard to do. The season didn't build her into her own character they way it has for the others. We don't really know her.
@@joyc.e.7511 I don't buy it as a character trait (seeing as she's chosen a massively stressful occupation and also was very aware the Berzatto drama cult, but if this means she leaves and keeps going I'm all for it.
@@colleenjones8225 I'm a little confused, you don't buy her getting upset and leaving as a character trait? I think it's a pretty human reaction. I also think it's perfectly plausible for her to be that way, considering everyone in his family called her nice and essentially too good for Carmy. I take that to mean she isn't the screaming and insulting when angry sort, which is all Carmy's ever known, really. I agree she's chosen a massively stressful occupation. My brother's in med school, so I kind of get it. Rotations are crazy. He doesn't really scream at people though, nor would he just brush off being insulted. I think expecting Claire to just stand there and take being spoken about that way, is odd. I also hope they don't get back together and that she doesn't stay his girlfriend. They didn't do the character work for Claire to make that a real possibility, probably on purpose. She is a bit of a manic pixie dream girl. It wouldn't fit for Carmy, development wise either.
Theyve been hinting at her having an abnormal relationship with eating. Theres a few lines with her dad about how she didnt eat much for dinner or breakfast. Also theres scenes of her taking some undefined medication. Ive been suspecting she might have an eating disorder of somekind. Also, it would explain how she ate so much in the episode Sundae. Just speculating though!
I really loved the moment where Richie accidentally called Carmy "donna" after his mom. Carmy and his mom both dissociate hard, and are prone to never accepting joy and happiness and sinking themselves in that
I share your appreciation of this show. It is so good. However, I disagree with you on the Carmy = Donna comparison. Sure, when he is trapped in the fridge, he may think he is becoming his mom, and Ritchie may even call him Donna when they are arguing through the door, but that is where the comparison ends. Donna would never let anyone help her in Fishes, because she is a poisonous person who loves to play the martyr and loves to tear everyone down around her. Carmy, with all his issues, is exactly the opposite. He empowers the people around him. He was the one who rebuilt Sydney's confidence after her failures. He was the one who gave Ritchie's life purpose. All the staff had lifted up their game because of Carmy's influence. So, when the indispensable man, Carmy, gets locked in the fridge, the team he created doesn't miss a step. Everyone is ready and able to be the "next man up," and the opening night is a success. The fact that the specter of Donna is hovering outside, unwilling to come in and see the success, is THE moment from this episode. It even bring Sug's irrepressible husband to tears. No. Carmy is not his mom. He may have issues with not being in total control and allowing others to help him, but that is precisely what differentiates him and what ultimately saves him.
I wonder if I’m the only one, but I thought for sure that Marcus was killed by the crack smoking employee. The employee was being pretty aggressive to Marcus when he confronted him and told him he was gonna ask if he should fire him. Then first thing Sydney did when she came outside she threw up, and before this scene Marcus wasn’t showed on screen. Curious if I’m the only one who thought this had happened.
honestly i felt it was getting pretty shady and i was getting a bit weary about the ‘guy smoking crack’ character since they made the joke and it felt like there was more to it than just the joke, and that it would also have further consequences, then again probably too on edge so i was expecting it to go sideways
@@GuyunZhongli-ow4tior an eating disorder. Theyve hinted at this a bit. She takes an undefined medication, doesnt eat much for breakfast or dinner, and yet was able to eat unusually high amounts of food in the episode Sundae.
Claire is not "different" in his life, the opposite. It represent all his past, all his family trauma, all the old ways his tied to and for which he suffers and cant evolve. Contrary to Syd which represents change and a new way of life. Camry, Claire and Syd is a love triangle being build up along the season. And finally Camry realizes shes not for him (she takes him away from his goals, the same way his family did in the past). You can even see after the scene where Camry and Claire are both in bed (s02e09) the next scene is Syd with a sauce staint in her heart when shes changing clothes.
I can see Carmy leaving cooking and go into another career. It can be seen as him becoming his own person and not do something because of his resentment towards his brother.
It seemed to me that Carmy didnt have people in positions to thrive. Once he was out of the picture, people were moved into the correct places, and the opening went great. I think he needs to find a different role in the kitchen in season 3, maybe step back completely and focus on his relationships/mental health.
He wasn’t in a relationship with Clair. He went to party she invited him to, bummed a ride from her a couple times, and slept with her. I still think he’s a great character though!
I like Sydney but it frustrated me that throughout the season, she acted as if it was her restaurant. In reality, Sugar, Richie, and Carmy were the ones risking nearly $800,000 and the profits from the lot Although she skipped pay for several months, she had so much less at stake than the others
This is totally valid, but in fairness to her character, she had already failed big time previously with a similar business venture and her father was feeling uncertain as to whether she could even succeed in the restaurant industry. So she really, REALLY wanted this one to work to prove to him that succeeding was possible. In a way, she wants it to feel like HER baby. That's just my thoughts, though.
okay actually, sydney carmy and sugar were the only ones who delayed their pay and were full partners in the venture. richie got paid the entire time they were building.
@@haileyo450 Sydney had zero claim to the $1.2 million dollar land that Carmie, Sugar, and Richie received from Mikey. They were full partners in terms of opening the restaurant but not in terms of investing the same amount of liquid assets
@@landonpuckett1767 I agree with everything you said and I know she had major personal/professional things at stake. They couldn’t have done it without her!
I think Claire is good for Carmy. She brings him happiness, even though he doesn’t know it or can even appreciate it. Carmen already got a star so he doesn’t need to prove himself like Syd; I think his growth should be learning how to be happy and that’s not necessarily in the restaurant. At least that’s what I hope for him.
i don't have a strong opinion of Claire but I don't see how she brings him happiness? He literally had a panic attack and thinking of her only made it worse?? I do agree that he needs to know to be happy but it's better if he does it alone and looks to find his love for cooking again or maybe other passion he has. But first, he needs therapy and maybe a prescription.
@@jhoanac6296very very true lololol, she might bring him happiness in the best case scenario but he’s not in a good place mentally speaking and still a lot of unprocessed trauma especially regarding his workaholic lifestyle. Maybe when he’s in a better place they can be good together. But seriously i do think they care for each other a lot, and they do communicate, and they are invested in each other’s futures, so i feel like ppl give claire too much shit in the comment section, they could have a good relationship
@@GuineaPigEverydaythey have the familiarity of a shared history which makes it seem like they know each other more than they actually do. She was written like trainig wheels for him finding out to *be* outside of cooking. Very flat which is why it's hard to relate compared to the other characters. She brought him "happiness" = Carmy got laid 🎉 + pseudo therapist experience.
@@jhoanac6296 that’s because his uncle and Sydney we’re trying to make him focus on the restaurant only, so he was freaking out about Claire, even his uncle said he was happy to hear the news, but uh-oh, which means he thought it wasn’t good for the restaurant and other people made him freak out about her that he can’t have both, but he can, he was becoming a better person with her and being happy, Sydney freaked out when Claire helped him decide to go with her plates, she wanted his focus only on the restaurant and her and her make the decisions, even though she wasn’t footing the bill
Syd is NOT a "partner" in the store. She is Carmey's top employee, sure. She is VERY important to the running of the restaurant, yes. But she is NOT a partner. This drives me crazy. If The Bear fails, sure she'll be hurt. She is emotionally invested in the new place. But that failure would DEVASTATE Carmey, and Sugar, and Richie. She also has no money in the place, unlike Carmey. It kind of drives me crazy that people still continue to say Carmey was right to apologize to Syd in S1 after she walked out. Again, she's an employee who lied to her boss, stabbed a co-worker (after picking a fight with him and insulting him in the lowest way possible), then simply walked away in the middle of the chaos she created instead of staying and trying to fix it. I thought she wanted to work in a kitchen for a great chef? Isn't getting screamed at kind of par for the course when you fuck up THAT BADLY in that scenario?
I don't know what show you all were watching but you couldn't be more wrong. Cicero would be out $800,000. Not Carmy and the rest. They would just walk away and move on. Sydney is not a "top employee". She was designing the menu, sent Marcus to Copenhagen, took the initiative to raise Tina up to the new "Jeff" and held down the fort with Sugar when Carmy was dropping the ball at every turn.
I love the downplaying of sydneys character. We're supposed to feel sorry for richie when season 1 he did nothing but insult her when she was trying to help and make the place work? She reached her breaking point in 1x07 because she gave carmy a blueprint on how to save the beef, dealt with the pressure of being sou even when she told carmy no, and Richie constantly picking and underpkaying her talents like people in this comment section. It's almost like we're watching two different shows and you have no interest in looking at sydneys point of view.
@@neonrays28Misogyny and racism at play. People are constantly downplaying the partnership as if Carmy is investing his own money in this enterprise when it's entirely Cicero who is funding everything. Carry sees Sydney as an equal partner, I don't understand how obtuse some viewers can be can see otherwise.
@@bbrooqlyn the whole point though is they pay him back through the land if it failed. The lot was worth $1.2 million prior to renovations so Carmie, Sugar and Richie would be losing at least $400k on top of the $800k borrowed from Cicero…not sure how they aren’t taking financial risks like you said. I guess it’s not money directly in their pockets but it could be feasibly gained Sydney put the most work in this season. no denying that they wouldn’t have even come closed to opening without her, but she objectively has less financial risk than the others
Hope you enjoyed this video! Which season of The Bear did you enjoy most? Season 1 or Season 2? Comment your favourite below!
I’m there already! Breaking Bad, Homeland, The Americans, now The Bear 🐻. All #1 equally brilliant 😊
I think you're wrong about Sydney. She choked and couldn't run the expo during peak business hours. She had that problem in the earlier episode and I thought she was going to keep her composure and give directions to the kitchen brigade during the crunch when they had to plate all the food in 15 minutes. Ritchie had to save her ass.
Speaking of metaphor, I can't think of a more perfect metaphor for this whole show than Carmy trapped in the cold, locked out of his own success. That restaurant came together because of him, supporting Sydney's ambition, giving Richie a new direction, boosting the confidence of everyone on the line, turning a grungy little sandwich shop into a world-class endeavor. He made all that happen, and he can't enjoy it. He's literally and metaphorically locked out, just like his mother locked herself out of the family she brought together.
That is very true!
I kept thinking about the freezer scene as well. Literally locked away in a cold, dark place, banging frustratingly on the walls.
beautifully put !
You just nailed it... He was omnipresent throughout the whole series and still, he is locked in his mind and that's why we had that, at the end of the episode, the season 3 is maybe the "opening" of that Pandora Box. He is an alpha bear, but he is still wild. I think he is not that aware of his greatness.
@@kritiskblick That's an interesting take. But I think Carmy is definitely aware of his greatness. I think becoming great was his escape from being a Berzatto, a refuge from his trauma.
But if there's one thing that every true-life success story bears out, it's that greatness doesn't make trauma just go away. Carmy doesn't stop being Carmy because he'd become Mister 3-star Chef. The pain is still there. I think his whole endeavor with The Beef was to use his greatness to paper over his family issues. But in the symbolic language of the story, at the heart of that humble little restaurant he'd turned into something great, there's still a broken refrigerator, and the real Carmy is still trapped inside. Greatness doesn't fix that. Bears are great beasts, but they'll still tear you apart.
hard disagree with your comment about "syd can do it on her own" she panicked when she needed to expo and richie took the reigns. sydney's big arc is that she's insecure about her competence, which is an aspect that mirrors carmy albeit in a more adolescent space. The big arc that she took was that unlike carmy, who when shit hit the fan before, took the whole burden on his shoulders until he self-destructed, because he was locked in the cooler, sydney had to make the call, and she deferred to richie helping which let her kick butt on her station and push through the rush. Sydney's growth was the exact opposite of realizing she could do it on her own - she realized she can rely on the team
Exactly! This is what I came to say. This is especially true since when she talks about the catering business she had, we find out that it failed because it got too successful and she couldn't keep up since she was trying to do it on her own. That moment when she froze is probably a lot like what happened to her with the catering. When she tells Carmy that she's afraid of screwing everything up, and he tells her that he won't let her and that she's not alone, she didn't yet realize that that applied to the whole team.
At the beginning of Forks (Richie's episode), Coach K's speech touches on just that. You're not done once you've failed and have a good team you can rely on
Completely agree. Sydney’s whole journey up until this point has been failure after failure because she thought she had to carry the entire burden on her shoulders alone. One thing the Coach K book symbolized was the importance of teamwork and I believe she finally understood after they successfully got out the hole on opening night
Spot on! I had the same reaction to that statement about Syd in the video, and couldn’t have put it better than you have here. Also, I think that the show is still setting up the “equal footing” problem as one that is unresolved between Camry and Sid and will come to a head in s3.
Thank you! Syd can not handle pressure if it wasn’t for Richie the whole night would have been ruined! Syd is very impatient and not a good cook or boss. She is not on the level of Carmy and I think he is too easy on her. Carmy is always apologizing to Syd when she is the PROBLEM! She can’t cook that good and she have no money invested in this restaurant but she want Carmy to call her Everytime he makes a decision smh it’s stupi! She never says “I’m sorry” when she is wrong I hate that about her!
A tale of fire and ice. In S1, Carmy was consumed in fire; the metaphorical projection of rage. In S2, after finally passing the fire suppression test en route to opening night, our tragic hero was consumed by ice; literally trapped in the the walk-in freezer... numbing his heart and depriving himself of anything good, as conditioned by his upbringing.
Interesting.
wellsaid
George r r martín approves this comment
Fantastic observation and brilliantly written and stated. I really liked reading that and thinking about this statement watching the episode again.
Been there
Done that
Tryna forget 🚬⛄️
I can see this show getting the status of The Wire and Breaking Bad years from now. It will take time for people to really appreciate it.
I feel it could get there. It’s got the quality and the uniqueness in the story!
It just got nominated for 13 emmys
It's one of the best shows I've seen in a while. And I watch a lot of great stuff. I love this show.
@@frozenknight3817Same! First time I’ve enjoyed a show in a while. Got any other recommendations?
It's getting mainstream buzz and award recognition a lot sooner than Breaking Bad did.
The opening night started out as a one take, just like episode seven of the first season, then when things start going wrong, at the most pivotal and chaotic moment, it cuts to the clock. This immediately lets you know that its not going to go like it did last time. Marcus, Sydney and Richie have all grown enough to make this time different, and the subversion of expectations by ending that one take shows how this time, they can handle it, even with Carmy shouting from the walk-in
Yeah it was interesting
I hoped for another epic one shot episode but it felt like right none the less
The shot of orders coming out of the machine and Sidney looking at it in panic was also a good throwback. When she looked it at the end she was maybe realizing her sucess.
What I didn’t get was why not tell Claire straight away what happened to Carmy
@@Arctis326why would they? Claire is a mpdg, she wouldn't fit there at all.
@@K.TH-cam2 uh to comfort him? To keep him company and to make him calm down? Everyone in the kitchen knows Carmy was panicking, why would leave someone like that enclosed alone without anyone talking to them. Anyone with common sense would have told Clare what was going on and let her pacify Carmy, since you know she is her “girlfriend” common sense buddy
Shoutout to the guy smoking crack in the alley behind the restaurant 🙌
That was Alex Moffat! He used to be on SNL haha
“You’re being really weird about this, man!!!”
Smoking crack all day chef.
@@JessUhlandI KNEW he looked familiar! It was killing me, I was like why does he look so familiar.
@@Thiccythiccreadsit’s a kitchen. of course someone’s doing hard drugs.
Sydney seems to be on the same path as Carmy. You see this near the end of the last episode where she reached her goal of a succesfully opening the restaurant but after service was throwing up and still hearing the sound of the ticket machine in her head. Similar to when Carmy was working in New York. Carmy and syd also both struggle with extreme self doubt and negative thinking. They are just at different points on the same path.
The thing is, though, Syd has a more stable, if not more supportive, family structure. Well, at least in terms of her dad vs. Carmy's mom. Sugar is supportive with Carmy.
The Bear has so many layers you could literally make a video for each episode.
So true!
So many I keep reqarching because I catch something new.
Please do! @brainpilot
Would watch all of this... I need more Bear after finishing season 2
Like an onion, or a cake.
Mostly agree with your analysis, but I think that Sydney is also struggling with her development the same way Carmy is. She is struggling with confidence and her place in the restaurant and relationships. I think this is important because while at the beginning of the show, we saw these two characters as the ones who were right, while the others in the restaurant were stuck in their old ways. Meanwhile, all those characters have developed and found greater purpose and ability. I think the show going forward will be about these two struggling with these issues, risking the progress that the others around them have made.
Aside from Sydney becoming more confident in herself that took all season and we see in those final 15 minutes; her and Carmy had little development if any to their characters and everyone else around them had growth because of them. So season 3 will be about that development about them 2, I’m hoping
She is struggling with her past trauma too (her mother, failures, relationship with his father), the same as Camry and almost all characters in the serie.
Its all about evolving, changing, healing...
And he created a team that pulled it off in his absence which was a victory in itself.
Exactly. Someone really needs to sit him down and tell him that. Now whether or not he'll actually LISTEN is another matter...
Sydney seems to be used to doing things on her own so her pausing and tagging in her teammates during an overwhelming moment was a big thing
I mean, she offers Nat the position of project manager because she knows she and Carmy can't do it without someone who focuses on more than just the food;
she sends Tina, Marcus and Ebrah to learn because she needs to know she can depend on them to make the restaurant a success;
tags in Richie who she has had an antagonistic relationship for most of the show;
and when Carmen shirks his responsibility? She and Nat spearhead renovations together instead of her doing it on her own so I think that was her arc this season...and the beginning of the end for her physical health because she's showing signs of Carmy's New York/post-New York stress: the vomiting, hearing the ticket machine, the anxiety, etc.
I think her arc next season will be about getting that star and potentially overworking herself
I've worked in this business for a long time and I have to tell you getting stuck in the walk-in cooler is a legitimate fear of mine. Also working a line with someone on drugs is a terrifying experience.
Haha that sequence with Marcus trying to find the crack guy was hilarious.
It's fake as fcuk. I worked in a restaurant in the early 80's. The walk-in had HUGE knob that would let you out. FAKE SCENE. Fake comment.
So I just thought as well, I feel like the way Claire was filmed was super romantised as well. She looks very different in that final part by the cooler. The lighting is harsher, the camera angle not so flattering. I wonder if this was an intentional stylistic decision to depict or represent the fantasy of being healed through love kind of evaporating for Carmy?
She was framed as a memory or a dream, not as much as a person. The framing of pretty much every other character is very humanising, but not Claire’s.
She is more pretty than you. Get over it.
This is an ugly comment…delete this.
@@clvrswine This is a video analysis, why you're talking about looks is beyond me. Maybe you're just that shallow. Which then begs the question why you're even on this video?
@@clvrswinethat's the type of disgusting comment that said a LOT about who you are.
Love Richies arch, starts as an old ass who refuses to change the thing he loved and reminded him of Mikey. To then respecting Carmys vision for the the kind of business he wanted to run with Mikey. In a way honoring Mike's memory. Richie is a beast in that 5 minute rush love this show!
I feel Sydney was unhappy/annoyed because Carmy didn’t keep her updated, and blew her off sometimes.
Yeah I definitely felt that!
Episode 10 genuinely feels like two steps forward and one step back.
Carmie clearly has a long way to go and I am curious to see where season three will take him.
Donna not wanting to come into the restaurant, feeling she didn't belong. Carmy finally beginning to figure out that there are things in life that you don't necessarily understand and are unprepared for. The most interesting contrast this season is Claire and Donna. Both of them love Carmy, in their own way. Donna is needy, Claire wants to give. Carmy didn't know how to accept was was being given, what he had achieved. It's going to be an interesting season 3. I hope Claire comes back. Carmy needs her unselfish nurturing of him. And through her, perhaps he figures out how to live his life in his own light, not in the shadow of his mother. Not in the shadow of Mikey.
I enjoyed this season immensely.
Yeah it was such a good moment in the finale! It's going to be interesting how their relationship changes in the next season!
Yeah it sucked that claire heard what was going on in his head. He needs to get after that girl
Absolutely no. Claire was giving him anxiety. Until he learns how to be handle stress well in his work, he doesn’t need more stress like Claire. Yes, he was in love with her as a teenager and Claire is a good person. Carmy just not in a condition for a relationship she wants and that’s ok. It’s sad Carmy said his self-destructive thoughts out loud and Claire heard them but that doesn’t remove the factor of attitude Carmy has towards work and he needs to fix that asap. And Claire is not gonna help him with this, she’s the i-accept-you-as-you-are type of girlfriend and that doesn’t help Carmy. We know he tries really hard to be better.
@@BrainPilotdidn't you find Claire to be a bit unrealistic? An emergency room Dr would clearly be quite busy and just as (if not more) stressed as a chef opening a restaurant. Additionally, wouldn't she have understood Carmy's was having a panic attack and crisis in confidence speech while trapped in the fridge? Its an oddly written character in the show as unlike EVERY OTHER supporting character. No layers, just a manic pixie dream girl from the writers. Odd 9:18
@@cinnabon944 it's interesting, I didn't much care for Claire as a character and I can't quite put my finger on why. I just had this nagging sense of uneasiness in me when she was on screen. There's definitely a bit my own history colouring that reaction for sure. But it almost felt like a subtle manipulation at points. There was one scene where the song used was Nine Inch Nails - The Day The World Went Away, from their Still EP... it's such a haunting song. and that particular version is so very sad. Apparently it was written about the death of Reznor's grandmother, but I've always interpreted it as the death of Self, the realisation there isn't anything underneath what you thought was yourself. Also thinking about it, I'd be curious who the most stable characters appear to be, and whether their opinions of her are expressed. I know many of the family do say they like her and that she is good... but dysfunctional family dynamics do tend to shape a persons judgement well into adulthood without a heap of work to address those schemas...
I love this show. It is so refreshing to see characters trying to change and grow. Richie's arc was super joyous to witness. Jeremy Allen White did such a brilliant job showing some of the subtle signs of trauma and emotional neglect. The moments of overwhelm were well done and very relatable (Claire v the fridge man for instance, and then later on, the fear, panic and deluge of unrecognisable feelings causing him to throw the phone). I also really liked Pete's moment as well, it was a good example of how partners can end up getting dragged into playing along with the dysfunction and chaos as well. It would be good to see the backstory of his character expanded.
I'd love to see Carmy in therapy in season 3. The process can be so dark and messy, it would perhaps be fascinating and offer lots of different chances to flip back and forwards through time. The connection between Carmy and Syd would also be fun to see explored as well.
i think that claire was a part of his past and them breaking up will allow him to stop regressing and start moving forward. she was an obvious choice for him since mikey and his family really liked her and he used to have a crush on her, i feel like this is the biggest reason he went for it with her. i never felt their chemistry and i think that was very very much so on purpose.
That's an interesting take! It will be interesting to see which direction he's going to go in!
@@BrainPilot i think he’s just been so influenced by his family and wants to satisfy them and also he really looked up to mikey his whole life and to date claire is one thing mikey really wanted him to do and approved of heavily, and now that he’s gone i think he probably subconsciously wants to do it for him and his family. i really enjoyed your videos!
I agree. His subconscious knew that’s Why he gave her a fake number. He’s haunted by what could have been in the past so when claire track him down he feel that pressure and guilt from his past and can’t resist her, but it’s clear at the beginning of episode 9 when he is having a panick attack thinking about her and his family pushing him to talk to her, then he calms down thinking about sydney, who has a real positive influence on his present life and represent a way out of his toxic past family dynamics.
I don’t agree. Carmy said it himself that he loves her so much it scares him
@@erez615 the fact that he is scared about her being “perfect” It’s an indication that he doesn’t really loves her he just idealizes her.
The only thing that took me out of the episode was when Carmy got trapped in the walk-in cooler (it wasn't the freezer, we would have seen his breath and I think there would have been more panic to get him out). To pass inspections, which Carmy, Syd, and Nat were stressing over all season, all walk-in coolers and freezers have to have an interior release to prevent trapping. It was still a phenomenal finale and I couldn't think of a better scenario for Carmy who really needed to cool off, no better place than the walk-in.
Somehow they managed to outdo the first season. Episode 7 that focused on Richie was my favorite part of the season and I've rewatched that episode three times already.
If you want another show to cover, I'm shocked I can't find any videos on Arcane here. It's a gold mine for video essayists
It's phenomenal isn't it! and thanks for the rec! Season 2 comes out soon as well!
Yet not one "essay" here. Not one. A comment is not an essay.
@@BrainPilot*?
I'm inclined to agree that the next season is going to be about a lot of growth from Carmy. Though he has a hard time managing his emotions-he seems to either freeze or explode-it's a good representation of trauma response in people who are very naturally caretakers. Sugar has been forced into the role of caretaker in a family full of addicts. She is the typical enabler in that household. I'm sure Sugar (Natalie) will be concerned about her own ability to be a good mother in the next season. I'm not sure if the family is aware of the mental illness of Mom. She probably drank as much as she did to self-medicate because she seemed so manic depressive. Michael was certainly a mirror to that after his scene with Carmy in episode 7. So, we can see that mental illness is passed down genetically. Carmy, in contrast to Sugar, simply freezes and stares. He doesn't seem to be able to get out of the fight, flight, or freeze mode. His "flight" out of country to escape his family only led to more trauma under the negative attacks of his mentor, who briefly showed up in the finale episode. I am anticipating Carmy standing up to him, I hope. But what Carmy demonstrates, at least some of the time, is more understanding for mistakes and ability to bring out the best in people because it's what he longs for. But constantly taking care of others when we are emotionally empty leads to some bad places-frozen out of success, happiness, love. He's got to do even more work with those who have hurt him and who he has hurt. I hope he can work more on his personal issues because I'm so rooting for him.
I would like to see Carmey an Donna try an work in their relationship
Evil Chef did not actually show up in the last episode. that was all in Carmy's head 😬
I guess we didn't see that episode the same way i felt as Sydney had once again panicked it the most stressful situation and if it wasn't for Richie who stepped up and took control of the situation who knows what would have happened. She is great but she too has some insecurity, anxiety, and demands shes trying to over come i feel like she some growing up to do but definitely has soo much potential to be just as great if not better than Carmy but definitely not there yet. That smile at the end to me was a "i cant believe i got through it, i dodged a bullet " moment
Also the smile was about finally getting validation from her father. His acknowledgment that cooking is more than a hobby for her, it's what she's meant to do, was huge and likely something she'd been longing to hear for a really long time. When he tells her how much he enjoyed his meal, you could see a weight lifting off her shoulders.
@cv8499 that's a great point one that I can honestly say I had not given a lot of thought about because he looked like the type of loving caring father that might have said it before but I might be wrong and if so then yes that would be something she would be happy and proud to hear. Great point
@@zaden176 Yeah, you could see it definitely wasn't something she was used to hearing, as he was constantly encouraging her to take other jobs. Even after she tells him she's helping to open this restaurant, he tells her that her cousin can get her a job at the airport as an air traffic controller. And the fact that she had to work at the United Postal Service to pay her way through culinary school implies that she didn't get much help from him in that endeavor. Carmy tells her that her dad probably just can't understand her pursuing a field that doesn't pay anything and is likely to fail. The whole reason she's living with her dad is because her catering business failed. So she had a lot riding on the night her dad came to eat at their restaurant. She needed to prove that not only was she a great chef, but she could be successful at this path she's chosen and it's not just a hobby until something "real" comes along. As he says at the end, "This is the thing." It's a risky dream to chase, but she's got the goods.
@cv8499 very true great point
All through S2 Sydney was thinking “leadership” meant “running the line”/giving all the directions, etc. She showed true leadership when looking at Richie (who was awaiting her consent without shoving her out of the way) and saying “Drive!”
Hopefully we can see Richie get with that Chef Jess from that other restaurant and maybe Carmy can figure out a balance if he can fix what happened with Claire.
I really hope we get more of Donna in the next season and seeing more of that family dynamic. Carmy and Sug obviously still have a lot of emotional baggage they’re holding onto. I also hope we see more of Sug and her husband. The scene when he sits down with her after Donna splits was so emotional and it shows how much we can take on our partners emotionally burdens without even knowing it.
i don't think we will see Donna, judging by the many missed calls from her nurse on Carmen's phone. safe to assume she took her own life
@@Kai88988 So, that was Marcus' phone, his mother's nurse was calling
Watching the ending like "don't end it there! Don't end it there! Don't end it- fuck. They ended it there."
It’s a show that you just want to watch more of isn’t it!
Same, when Richie left by the door I was checking the time like ‘what the fuck only 6 minutes no no no there has to be more this can’t end here’ but ofc i also knew that it would be cheaper if they had him talking to Claire explaining his feelings, or talking to Syd, but man I was just feeling so satisfied by the ending for a lot of reasons with most characters having a real solid defined arc that ended there, all except Carmy who has so much still to go
I'm so excited for people to discover this show in ten years and I'll get to say "yeah, I couldn't wait for season three to come out."
I love your love for the show. It’s a true masterpiece.
I’m sorry. If Carmy and Claire didn’t break up now, they would have broken up in the next season. I always felt that he cannot have 2 great loves this season.
Carmy and Sydney on the other hand. There’s something deeper bubbling. Especially seen in that moment with that table. That table and the looseness felt as though they’re clearly showing Carmy is unstable. Syd is the only one who can literally bring stability and form that foundation he needs. Her face calmed him down in his near meltdown moment. That restaurant is their love story
I feel like they have a platonic relationship, in a deep loving and symbiotic way, they’re partners, but not romantic. I feel like that would come out of left field. When Carmen was freaking out outside with visions of Claire, and then calmed down when he saw Sydney, that was more about work vs personal relationships. Idk Syd-Carmy romance would be a bit strange, they are very dependent on each other but in a deeper wag rather than physical attraction
Ain’t no way
you guys are gross. thats called friendship. dear lord
Nah, she’s him but relatively healthy emotionally. He’s trying his best to teach her without turning her into an alone person like he is.
@@GuineaPigEveryday I think it was more about how Sydney isn't connected to his family and history, the way Claire is (which is why Claire was one of the things stressing him out). She sees him differently than his family does and her compliments affect him differently, as well. Sydney admires him, went to work there because of him, is trying to make The Bear work with him.
She represents very good things to him, especially the positive things about himself she believes. I'm fairly certain it's going to eventually go in a romantic direction, but it'll be a slow burn. I agree they're deeply loving and symbiotic and I think that's a pretty good basis for a romantic relationship. I admit I'm a pretty big fan of romance (in concept, not always execution), so that's probably coloring my view a bit lol, but I genuinely think they could work out really well.
Richie was the mvp and fak is made for the front of the house
I love this show. Being in the service industry myself the pressure of kindness is extremely exhausting. It's sometimes hard to watch.
4:30 That's a great analysis. I would add that he also gave Claire the wrong phone number. Not sure if conciously or if he subconciously sabotaged himself.
Thanks!
It's a brilliant episode. It also shows how things aren't easy-going for anyone. We all struggle. Every day is and won't be perfect. The last 2 songs in this episode. Just a perfect end to this season.
I am wondering about Sydney, her bathroom medicine cabinet and the reason her mother died when Syndey was just four. Does Syndey have an illness, maybe the same as her mother? Sydney is my favorite character. And did she sign a legal contract with Carmy making her a real partner? Looking forward to answers in Season 3!
She mentioned her father has a cpap machine, maybe most of it is his.
After his tour de force throughout all 11 seasons of Shameless, JAW is smashing it yet again here. I find some similar incidents and mannerisms between Carmen and his Lip Gallagher from Shameless. Both can be hot headed, emotionally and personally driven, and intentionally drive away good people who care for them. They both are face the danger of turning out like a parent. Carmen's parallels to Donna's neurosis and self doubt via bursts of emotion and his reluctance to see the similarity to his Mam reminded me of Lip's alcoholic path to self sabotage and destruction, mirroring and mimicking his Dad's reckless life. The show's Chicago settings and sweary, fiery banter and highly charged characters also remind me of Shameless in places.
Michael burned (at least planned to) down the restaurant for Carmen to continue the work he can't finish. Mikey killed himself probably somewhat overpowered by the immense gap between concept of the renewed restaurant and the reality of how messed up things are (cf. Michael's Christmas breakdown partially triggered by seeing the sketch of The Bear: M was tortured by Carmen's sincerity or naive hope. For M, Carmen didn't know about the drugs or the curse of that restaurant, at least M thought Carmen didn't know. But all this time Carmen was living that darkness himself in these top kitchens around the world. Carmen literally cannot cut family off even if Michael "protected" Carmen by kicking him out of the kitchen. I don't think Michael left the restaurant to Carmen in a hopeful/ positive mindset. It could be that M's intention at that point was dark and that his thought would have been a mixture between: Carm can try it out with those money I kept, maybe he can do it; or I am passing the curse to Carmen, I can't protect Carmen anymore, the darkness has spread and is also Carmen's (which sort of explains why Michael left Richie out of it, because Richie didn't deserve to inherit the familial curse and Michael loved Richie).
This shows that the mere weight of up-cycling a beloved but dysfunctional family restaurant is purely insane. It's probably insane because it literally requires Mikey, Carmen, and the OGs to go through self improvement THEMSELVES that hosts the symbolic meaning of the dysfunctional restaurant. Michael ended up losing that battle. But this might suggest that Carmen had some sort of survival (albeit misplaced) instinct to run away from the curse. Carmen's running away either means he is a coward and will eventually be swallowed up whole or it shows that he has somewhat the survival instinct that Michael had completely lost.
I personally don't think Carmen would or should get back together with Claire (also because if Carmen tried fixing things with Claire in third season plus if Claire were to accept Carmen apologising that will make Claire the literal worst female character ever written in a 2023 TV show). But what I am saying is that sometimes there is hidden wisdom in people's coping mechanism. Even if Carmen escaped the renovation process of The Bear (I think it is beyond just having him distracted by a pretty woman; Carmen literally would run away and do anything else), the next season hopefully will see that him sinking to a deeper spot and reconcile with the subplot that Michael kept him out trying to protect him. Hence, realising that he has always been loved by Michael. Love hides in hard choices sometimes.
The thought I had was, this point for Carmen is the same point as Zuko in Avatar at the end of s2/ beginning of s3. He needs to regress a bit before he is ready to return to progressing
hm am i the only one who felt like the "love vs career" dilemma to be somewhat inorganic? superb acting from everyone, but just narratively speaking, it seemed more like an afterthought, like the writers suddenly just felt like carmy should have something to be broken up over since he already finally faced his brother's death.
or am i reading that curveball wrong? i feel like this should have been "show, don't tell" because it seemed off when cicero literally talked him out of being in a committed relationship because he should be that focused on the restaurant. that part disrupted the suspension of disbelief for me. but other than that small nit-pick, i think this show is really going to be considered a classic in the future.
No uncle was pretty clear about the fact, when he said that besides the ‘im so happy for you man’, this is also an ‘uh-oh’ moment, i mean he’s an investor, and the restaurant with a million in-debt opens in a few days, he doesnt have time for romance. Thats pretty realistic for an investor and family-member to say worried about the guy risking his entire future over this one relationship
@@GuineaPigEveryday
the timing is sus. why did he scare him right before the big night? shouldn't he have waited for that to pass first since it's a critical moment? it sounded a bit like sabotage tbh because the uncle can get his money back by selling if it fails
@@maggyfrogrewatch the interactions. He wanted them to succeed. Selling would yield a lower profit than they thought (last ditch effort, barely a win).
He wasn't trying to sab the relationship but it was a point where Syf had been trying and failing to flat out let him know that he lost focus and no one else tried to call him out. The uncle did as soon as he heard. The talk was a shape-up and make me some profit talk but then he heard *why* he lost focus and went "uh oh". He needed to hear that from when he ditched taste testing with Syd to hang with Claire tbh. It was already crunch time.
@@K.TH-cam2
it's not the talk that's sus to me. it's the timing. he could have given him a proper pep talk before the big night, and after that, then he can tell him to go "shape up" and set his priorities straight. you just don't go telling someone they're gonna lose it all at a very critical moment if what you want is for them to not have self-doubts. that kind of talk should have been right at the beginning of season 2 or right after the big night.
@@maggyfrog but if he wasn't telling him to shape up what was the point of the talk? Cicero isn't a cuddlu hold your hand through the fire kind of guy so that wouldn't make sense for his character, he wouldn't come to pep him up, he only shows up when his money is at risk or they seek him out. At the beginning of the season he already talked to him about the opening and made the deal so how could he tell him to fix what he wasn't yet failing at? Noticed he called Nat out to talk business and to avoid a scene because he knew Carmy. He's business first uncle second.
it's the show of the year for me so far - always enjoyed Jeremy Allen White in Shameless US. Carmy's development was amazing so real and I think this actor was so good at playing it what happened to him mid way through the episode had to happen because of the extreme stress he was under such a clever writng move. As for Jamie Lee Curtis as his mother everyone will know what a brilliany actress she is and again she proved it in this episode as well. Syd has serious doubta about herself, but she needs to let it go, as she's more than capable, but I love this character, Richieis a character who you sort of hate or at least tolerate in season 1 but for me now he's one of my favourite characters and he is a true partner in the restaurant shown in the control he has in this episode none of which Carmy witnessed directly.
“Yup. Another Bear video. The show is too good to not talk about so that’s my defense.” 😂
It is just too good haha!
@@BrainPilot It really is! Can’t wait for season 3
So honestly, I don’t see that he regressed back to the state he was in. I saw that he was finally able to articulate and openly say what he was in just feeling internally so he did let the bear out he was exposed.
💯 Underrated comment. Carm articulated these emotions for the first time.
Binged watched the whole 2 seasons in 4 days. Amazing show coming from someone who has been, manager, sous-chef and "garde-manger".
"Chef" movie was really good, "Burnt" too, although clearly influenced by Ramsay, a bit too much.
Some of the episodes of the show are just masterclass, no competition to be had.
I love this breakdown of this episode!!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Again bear great also glad I saw you did beef just finished it the other night both are great. Keep up the great work look forward to more 😊
Hope you enjoy
@BrainPilot so far yes much indeed
The best part of this episode was Carmy expecting everyone to disastrously fuck up on opening night only for his teachings and leadership to be so strong to the point that they pull it off completely without him.
So excited to see the development from season one to season two. Cannot wait for season three. Three issues though. Carmie’s relationship with Clair showed that with love, support and listening he was able to grow. He was so unfamiliar with these three things that he tossed them for his familiar anxiety, isolation and self hatred. People keep expecting him and Sydney to get together, but how? Syd likes him and has foodie rapport with him, but she is self aware and has taken on the role of keeping him honest - way down bro - not good in an equal romantic relationship. She will grow past him. Finally, Syd has her father’s love and Marcus loves his mother. Don’t think he will become driven like Carmie. He wants love in his life and will take Luka’s advice with looking outside for inspiration.
We need those gap episodes that fill in more resolution for Michael
Yeah i'd love to even see an episode just with Mikey next season!
@@BrainPilot You might get just that
Yes!
Are we going to ignore Richie's incredible arc?! He kicked ass in the end! Only to get shit on by Carmi!
Yeah Richie was great!
I want The Bear to be like a 10 season show. I know that series that carry out like that never end well but I want to delve deep into each character each relationship, what happens after what event and all of that. The show has a slow but through style and I'd love to see this thoroughness being carried out in a consistent way over many seasons. Even the thought of that really makes me happy. Also, the show has successfully introduced me to "stress" I'm 18 and I was raised in a really chill environment so I'm not familiar with the emotion that is stress. This taught me so many things. I'm so stoked to see how things'll carry out
What's the deal with Gary? He seems the least developed of all the characters in the kitchen. After Carm, Ritchie, Sydney, Marcus is the most developed. Tina could use a bit more developing but she's a huge part of the spirit/family of the kitchen.
Love the comments so love the bear
Found it late but binge often
40 yrs in the biz
It is such a good show!
I wanted Carmie to have a relationship but don't think Claire was a good casting choice. LOVE the show though. 🎉
I am tired on TV shows having to inject a romance thread into every show. It cheapens the writing and the storyline..
I wonder if the fact that the walk-in is one of the only things remaining from the original restaurant could be relevant?
Everything else has changed outside the walk in, which reflects in how all the characters have changed and grown into better people
But Carmy is stuck in the same old walk in and can't let go of old traumas
Really interesting point
I really liked the 7th episode.
Yeah that was a great episode!
Didn't catch the nurse calling Marcus. I didn't know who's phone that was or who it was
I love reading and listening to other ppl perspectives when it comes to "The Bear". As someone who deals with life silently with constant anxiety. I see everything through different lens when I watch this show.
1. Carmy and Syd are somewhat similar but their differences connects them to a T. Syd brings something the table the Carmy needs and Carmy bring something that Syd needs.
2. No one seem to notice how detached Carmy was when Syd walked out on him. Even Tina was asking him whats wrong. Cause he wasnt being his usual "get down to business boss self"
3. CLAIRE. I don't think people understand how ppl with trauma and anxiety function. Claire is the girl from Carmys tragic past. Based on my experience and therapy. In order to heal fully I had to go back in the past and made peace with all the shit I had to deal with. BUT the key thing is to never STAY THERE. Claire is a constant reminder of Carmy's past. That's why Carmy's panic attack got worst when he thought about her. Carmy is living in his past through Claire. She took him back to parties with high school ppl he knew but forgot, its like she was walking him through unhealed territory. If he finds a way to heal through Claire, it will be hard to stay in a relationship with her. Because through his traumatized eyes, it would be like staying in the past..... this is my opinion based on my own experience.
4. I love me some Richie. But people need to under that Syd is dealing with a mental struggle like Carmy, while Richie is literally his own enemy. We can't compare these two ppl, its unfair.
5. When Carmy got locked in the freezer, we clearly saw a parallel to when Syd walked on him. Syd literally lost her shit. This is because what Carmy brings to the table - the thing she needs and can't live without is missing. BALANCE. These two ppl bring BALANCE to each others life. Syd is more emotional than Carmy that is why everyone can complain that she's weak and Richie saved her and blah blah blah. Syd literally showed us she was falling apart without Carmy through her facialexpressions and wanted time to step out, while Camry was sitting in his office quietly falling apart without Syd. I think ppl have to be understanding or experience certain trauma to understand where these characters are coming from.
Both Syd and Carmy needs balance because to be honest mentally both of them are unstable. That is what they are to each other BALANCED/STABILITY. Carmy looks to Syd and Syd looks to Carmy. Both of them literally can't run that restaurant without each other.
I don't hate Claire, but all I can say is after my therapy ended I was good with my past. But being heal doesn't mean I'm perfectly fine and I can go to my past whenever. No, it's means I know how to handle my present when I'm triggered by my past. These triggers normally come from people I knew "example Claire" who cares baggage (memories) from my past.
Great review
Thanks a lot!
Carmy has heavy imposter syndrome, when things go well he never knows how to process or absorb it. The chaos of his family life and relationship with his mother has led him to believe his life is only ever gonna feel like hell. I'd like to see Carmy in therapy and to see how he would react in that environment.
Great episode but i cant process the amagazing job they did in episode 6
Yeah that was a phenomenal episode!
If Carmen and Claire get back together it will cheapen all of their season 2 story.
If they don’t get back together I will be very sad
The best show this year
Can’t wait for season 3 to start off with Richie just bossing pass
Same here!
anyone know where to find movie sistah supreme? by liza colon-zayas (tina)
I feel like Carmy got himself locked in the walk in on purpose.
Not a bad shout!
Self sabotage behavior.
Subconsciously for sure
Yeah, no shot we get a season next year with the writers'/actors' strike
Why did Sydney freak out when she saw the order machine jam?
Ptsd from the night
@@dannydavis9133yes and being reminded of Season 1 when she messed up the system and they had a hundred or so orders and Carmy went insane. Sydney couldn’t handle it then, and this time she had to ask Richie
@@GuineaPigEveryday oh yeah that too
So season 3? Will that be the final season? 😢
Theyre currently filming seasons 3 and 4 together, so we'll have at least two more
I loved it but I must have missed the symbolism of the Chocolate covered banana that was presented to Uncle?
Eh. I dont agree with the Marcus one. I think the season highlighted the fact that Marcus is not at all like Carm. He’s not stupid nor naive. He knew his mother was gonna die. Will he be upset that he was distracted when it happened? Yeah, obviously. But I honestly think her death is gonna strengthen his resolve and drive
This might be semantics, or maybe a reframing of what the video is saying: I think Carmy IS showing character growth. He felt healthy enough in this season to try to have a relationship, to try being open to loving someone and more important, being deserving of love by them. But once he got locked in the cooler, he got triggered and regressed. There is deep seated perfectionist trauma in there from his Mom and this situation, like all good writing, is made perfectly to bring that to the fore.
I had a mentor tell me that progress is like a spiral staircase: you will feel like you are going around in circles and are in the same place all over again, but you're not, you're moving up. I desperately hope that next season is about Carmy learning he can have a healthy relationship and work at a high, all consuming level. I mean she's an ER doctor, she gets it.
👉🏼One more week to go ladies & gentlemen✌️
Marcus and Carmy parallel is excellent writing
Yeah the characters are so good!
Love this show so much!
Same, one of my favourites!
@@BrainPilot it’s so good! Hope the writers strike doesn’t last too long!
And uncle didn’t help by messaging him to his commitment to restaurant. As for Claire, she knows about him and to turn and run on one open night ,letdown doesn’t seem totally buyable.
You'd think an ER doctor would be more sympathetic to a professional lashing out in a moment of extreme stress. That said, if this is the end of the fake and contrive Claire Bear story arc I'll take it.
@@colleenjones8225 Words still hurt, though. She's allowed to get upset about being called a waste of time, you know? And if she decides she doesn't want to be on the receiving end of comments like that, honestly, more power to her. You may love someone, but sometimes it's not a good time to be in a relationship with that person.
She knows about some parts of him, yeah. He called her a waste of time. And honestly? She doesn't have to stay there and take it. The same way Carmy got upset and said some awful things, his words upset her, so she left. I think it's odd not to afford her the same consideration. But I understand why that's hard to do. The season didn't build her into her own character they way it has for the others. We don't really know her.
@@joyc.e.7511 I don't buy it as a character trait (seeing as she's chosen a massively stressful occupation and also was very aware the Berzatto drama cult, but if this means she leaves and keeps going I'm all for it.
@@colleenjones8225 I'm a little confused, you don't buy her getting upset and leaving as a character trait? I think it's a pretty human reaction. I also think it's perfectly plausible for her to be that way, considering everyone in his family called her nice and essentially too good for Carmy. I take that to mean she isn't the screaming and insulting when angry sort, which is all Carmy's ever known, really.
I agree she's chosen a massively stressful occupation. My brother's in med school, so I kind of get it. Rotations are crazy. He doesn't really scream at people though, nor would he just brush off being insulted. I think expecting Claire to just stand there and take being spoken about that way, is odd.
I also hope they don't get back together and that she doesn't stay his girlfriend. They didn't do the character work for Claire to make that a real possibility, probably on purpose. She is a bit of a manic pixie dream girl. It wouldn't fit for Carmy, development wise either.
why did sydney throw up at the end?
Theyve been hinting at her having an abnormal relationship with eating. Theres a few lines with her dad about how she didnt eat much for dinner or breakfast. Also theres scenes of her taking some undefined medication.
Ive been suspecting she might have an eating disorder of somekind. Also, it would explain how she ate so much in the episode Sundae.
Just speculating though!
They never mention what happened to their dad.
Lol “troubled relationship with his mother”. Dude’s mother has borderline y’all. Traumatising af.
3:15 Claire basically eavesdropped on Carm's emotional breakdown and then judged him for it. Kinda shitty imo.
Best show of 23
I really loved the moment where Richie accidentally called Carmy "donna" after his mom. Carmy and his mom both dissociate hard, and are prone to never accepting joy and happiness and sinking themselves in that
Carmy is Donna
Definitely!
What was up with the girl Sydney puking in front of her dad scene? That was weird right? Seriously if you just watch that again you know what I mean
I think it was the pressure and the overwhelming nature of the situation finishing!
Or an eating disorder
I share your appreciation of this show. It is so good. However, I disagree with you on the Carmy = Donna comparison. Sure, when he is trapped in the fridge, he may think he is becoming his mom, and Ritchie may even call him Donna when they are arguing through the door, but that is where the comparison ends. Donna would never let anyone help her in Fishes, because she is a poisonous person who loves to play the martyr and loves to tear everyone down around her. Carmy, with all his issues, is exactly the opposite. He empowers the people around him. He was the one who rebuilt Sydney's confidence after her failures. He was the one who gave Ritchie's life purpose. All the staff had lifted up their game because of Carmy's influence. So, when the indispensable man, Carmy, gets locked in the fridge, the team he created doesn't miss a step. Everyone is ready and able to be the "next man up," and the opening night is a success. The fact that the specter of Donna is hovering outside, unwilling to come in and see the success, is THE moment from this episode. It even bring Sug's irrepressible husband to tears. No. Carmy is not his mom. He may have issues with not being in total control and allowing others to help him, but that is precisely what differentiates him and what ultimately saves him.
I wonder if I’m the only one, but I thought for sure that Marcus was killed by the crack smoking employee. The employee was being pretty aggressive to Marcus when he confronted him and told him he was gonna ask if he should fire him. Then first thing Sydney did when she came outside she threw up, and before this scene Marcus wasn’t showed on screen.
Curious if I’m the only one who thought this had happened.
honestly i felt it was getting pretty shady and i was getting a bit weary about the ‘guy smoking crack’ character since they made the joke and it felt like there was more to it than just the joke, and that it would also have further consequences, then again probably too on edge so i was expecting it to go sideways
ur tripping Marcus was putting up the "every second sign", while Syd was talking to her dad
She was throwing up bec of anxiety
@@GuyunZhongli-ow4tior an eating disorder. Theyve hinted at this a bit. She takes an undefined medication, doesnt eat much for breakfast or dinner, and yet was able to eat unusually high amounts of food in the episode Sundae.
Claire is not "different" in his life, the opposite. It represent all his past, all his family trauma, all the old ways his tied to and for which he suffers and cant evolve.
Contrary to Syd which represents change and a new way of life.
Camry, Claire and Syd is a love triangle being build up along the season. And finally Camry realizes shes not for him (she takes him away from his goals, the same way his family did in the past).
You can even see after the scene where Camry and Claire are both in bed (s02e09) the next scene is Syd with a sauce staint in her heart when shes changing clothes.
How the Fak is this show a comedy lol
I would call it a dramedy.
Let it rip
I can see Carmy leaving cooking and go into another career. It can be seen as him becoming his own person and not do something because of his resentment towards his brother.
It seemed to me that Carmy didnt have people in positions to thrive. Once he was out of the picture, people were moved into the correct places, and the opening went great. I think he needs to find a different role in the kitchen in season 3, maybe step back completely and focus on his relationships/mental health.
To be honest, Camry quickly became my least favorite character in this show. While the opposite happened to everyone else around him , imo.
He wasn’t in a relationship with Clair. He went to party she invited him to, bummed a ride from her a couple times, and slept with her. I still think he’s a great character though!
I like Sydney but it frustrated me that throughout the season, she acted as if it was her restaurant. In reality, Sugar, Richie, and Carmy were the ones risking nearly $800,000 and the profits from the lot
Although she skipped pay for several months, she had so much less at stake than the others
That’s fair. I wonder if Sydney will look to invest eventually
This is totally valid, but in fairness to her character, she had already failed big time previously with a similar business venture and her father was feeling uncertain as to whether she could even succeed in the restaurant industry. So she really, REALLY wanted this one to work to prove to him that succeeding was possible. In a way, she wants it to feel like HER baby. That's just my thoughts, though.
okay actually, sydney carmy and sugar were the only ones who delayed their pay and were full partners in the venture. richie got paid the entire time they were building.
@@haileyo450 Sydney had zero claim to the $1.2 million dollar land that Carmie, Sugar, and Richie received from Mikey. They were full partners in terms of opening the restaurant but not in terms of investing the same amount of liquid assets
@@landonpuckett1767 I agree with everything you said and I know she had major personal/professional things at stake. They couldn’t have done it without her!
I know a lot of people dislike Claire, but I enjoyed her.
I think Claire is good for Carmy. She brings him happiness, even though he doesn’t know it or can even appreciate it. Carmen already got a star so he doesn’t need to prove himself like Syd; I think his growth should be learning how to be happy and that’s not necessarily in the restaurant. At least that’s what I hope for him.
i don't have a strong opinion of Claire but I don't see how she brings him happiness? He literally had a panic attack and thinking of her only made it worse?? I do agree that he needs to know to be happy but it's better if he does it alone and looks to find his love for cooking again or maybe other passion he has. But first, he needs therapy and maybe a prescription.
@@jhoanac6296very very true lololol, she might bring him happiness in the best case scenario but he’s not in a good place mentally speaking and still a lot of unprocessed trauma especially regarding his workaholic lifestyle. Maybe when he’s in a better place they can be good together. But seriously i do think they care for each other a lot, and they do communicate, and they are invested in each other’s futures, so i feel like ppl give claire too much shit in the comment section, they could have a good relationship
@@GuineaPigEverydaythey have the familiarity of a shared history which makes it seem like they know each other more than they actually do. She was written like trainig wheels for him finding out to *be* outside of cooking. Very flat which is why it's hard to relate compared to the other characters. She brought him "happiness" = Carmy got laid 🎉 + pseudo therapist experience.
@@jhoanac6296 that’s because his uncle and Sydney we’re trying to make him focus on the restaurant only, so he was freaking out about Claire, even his uncle said he was happy to hear the news, but uh-oh, which means he thought it wasn’t good for the restaurant and other people made him freak out about her that he can’t have both, but he can, he was becoming a better person with her and being happy, Sydney freaked out when Claire helped him decide to go with her plates, she wanted his focus only on the restaurant and her and her make the decisions, even though she wasn’t footing the bill
Season 2
Claire was boring. Carmi and Sidney need to hook up.
I don’t get the hate for Claire lol, she didn’t do anything wrong
It was just the chemistry and the story for me. It didn’t quite work
Do you ever have an original thought? Every video is the same... Even the titles are the same.
Syd is NOT a "partner" in the store. She is Carmey's top employee, sure. She is VERY important to the running of the restaurant, yes. But she is NOT a partner. This drives me crazy. If The Bear fails, sure she'll be hurt. She is emotionally invested in the new place. But that failure would DEVASTATE Carmey, and Sugar, and Richie. She also has no money in the place, unlike Carmey. It kind of drives me crazy that people still continue to say Carmey was right to apologize to Syd in S1 after she walked out. Again, she's an employee who lied to her boss, stabbed a co-worker (after picking a fight with him and insulting him in the lowest way possible), then simply walked away in the middle of the chaos she created instead of staying and trying to fix it. I thought she wanted to work in a kitchen for a great chef? Isn't getting screamed at kind of par for the course when you fuck up THAT BADLY in that scenario?
I'm so glad I'm not the only one that feels that exact same way
I don't know what show you all were watching but you couldn't be more wrong. Cicero would be out $800,000. Not Carmy and the rest. They would just walk away and move on. Sydney is not a "top employee". She was designing the menu, sent Marcus to Copenhagen, took the initiative to raise Tina up to the new "Jeff" and held down the fort with Sugar when Carmy was dropping the ball at every turn.
I love the downplaying of sydneys character. We're supposed to feel sorry for richie when season 1 he did nothing but insult her when she was trying to help and make the place work? She reached her breaking point in 1x07 because she gave carmy a blueprint on how to save the beef, dealt with the pressure of being sou even when she told carmy no, and Richie constantly picking and underpkaying her talents like people in this comment section.
It's almost like we're watching two different shows and you have no interest in looking at sydneys point of view.
@@neonrays28Misogyny and racism at play. People are constantly downplaying the partnership as if Carmy is investing his own money in this enterprise when it's entirely Cicero who is funding everything. Carry sees Sydney as an equal partner, I don't understand how obtuse some viewers can be can see otherwise.
@@bbrooqlyn the whole point though is they pay him back through the land if it failed. The lot was worth $1.2 million prior to renovations so Carmie, Sugar and Richie would be losing at least $400k on top of the $800k borrowed from Cicero…not sure how they aren’t taking financial risks like you said. I guess it’s not money directly in their pockets but it could be feasibly gained
Sydney put the most work in this season. no denying that they wouldn’t have even come closed to opening without her, but she objectively has less financial risk than the others
Marcus needs to get with Sydney. Hooking her up with Carmie would total ruin their dynamic. ❤
Poor Claire 😢