THE BEAR Season Two: An Elevated Experience

“You can spend all the time in the world in here. But, if you don’t spend enough time out there…”

A year ago, The Bear came into our lives and blew everyone away. Well, blew me away at least.  It was a raw, tense, thrilling ride that I couldn’t stop discussing with my friends in the industry. The expert blending of comedy and drama with its grounded emotional core made me feel something with every watch and rewatch, as I did in preparation for the new season. My hopes were high, and I was nowhere near disappointed. Once again, this series pulls the incredible magic trick of making me long for the days of creativity and discipline that came with a restaurant while simultaneously making me glad that I’m no longer in such a high-stress environment.

A Satisfying Sophomore Success

The second season picks up where the first left off, as Carmy and the crew rush to reopen the Beef as an upscale establishment, now bearing the series’ title. Carm and Syd tell Jimmy about his money, which Carm’s brother Michael had hidden in cans throughout the restaurant, and rather than returning it, they ask him not only to keep the three hundred grand but for an additional $500K as well as his partner. The deal: Payback in eighteen months, or the building and the lot it stands in become his.

No pressure.

Together, the crew works night and day, only to find new and worse problems with every step. In doing so, we see growth within the restaurant as well as within themselves. For example, Carm’s sister Natalie, a.k.a. “Sugar,” becomes more involved with the restaurant, and by proxy closer to her brother. Richie becomes consumed with the idea of what his purpose is, showing signs of personal growth – including not saying certain words in the workplace – but also discovering what he’s truly good at and finding his place to shine. Each major supporting character has their time in the spotlight, and it’s a delight to learn more about these “Jeffs” that we’ve come to love. 

A Frenetic Force of Entertainment

The frantic energy of the first season has been refired here, and the quieter moments, if they can be called that, still serve wonderfully to propel the story as well as the characters on their journeys. Once again, Jeremy Allen White is magnetic as Carmy, frantically leading the charge alongside Ayo Edebiri as Sydney as both learn more about themselves and each other. Both shine in any moment on-screen, and they very much get that chance together as well as separately. Thankfully, Abby Elliot gets more screen time here than she did last season, and her performance as the sometimes sole voice of reason amidst the chaos is delightful. As we follow their struggles, the show is cognizant of the high-risk endeavor that is opening a restaurant and repeatedly notes the scores of other establishments that have and continue to close their doors in a post-pandemic world. 

Lionel Boyce, as Marcus, and Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina get their opportunity in the spotlight and to great effect. Each steals their fair share of scenes, but Ebon Moss-Bachrach gets nearly a whole episode to himself, in what may be my favorite episode of the season. For viewers that have already binged the show, there might be an argument that the preceding episode is better, and that very well may be true. That hour-long epic is a force from start to finish and I have nothing but glowing things to say about it. However, Richie’s episode reminds me of my own time in hospitality, how much I enjoyed making guests’ days and blowing minds, and it left me wondering what I might have done if I shared his opportunities or had my enthusiasm fostered as he does, so it just hit a little bit differently. Not that I’m completely unfamiliar with family interactions as portrayed by the Berzattos. In addition to the stellar primary and supporting cast, this season is bolstered by an almost inconceivable roster of guest stars, nearly all of whom are a complete surprise until they casually enter a scene and yet fit perfectly into this world.

Christopher Storer, along with his team of writers, directors, and producers, has again delivered a season so piping hot with tension, emotion, drama, and comedy so well-balanced that each episode might as well be compiled as a “thoughtful chaos menu” all its own. The dialogue and action are continually on point, immersing you in this world that’s so enthralling, and yet you want to step back from before you get caught up in the chaos. A welcome addition is the even more prominent use of music. As impactful as the soundtrack was in the first season, this season takes it up a notch or three. From The Pixies to the Replacements, Bruce Hornsby to Lindsay Buckingham (and perhaps the best use of Taylor Swift), the show has compiled a playlist I’d be thrilled to own on vinyl. Happily, “New Noise” by The Refused has made its reprise as an adrenaline-boosting motif, ever-reminding us of the stress and intensity that such an environment can produce.

A consistent theme throughout this season is that of fostering talent. By targeting everyone’s strengths, and giving them the tools and opportunity to thrive, we find that they’re capable of operating at a caliber even they didn’t think they could. As powerful as this is to watch on-screen, and to witness the faith in each other that everyone has, it also is prevalent on another level. With nearly every cast member being further developed than the previous season, each gets their own time to shine and we even find ourselves rooting for people we might not have even ten episodes prior. Every emotional beat lands as it should, and the performances paired with carefully plotted development make even the smallest moments, such as lending someone a knife, a big deal. Another is the balancing act of life which is working in the restaurant. As we’ve seen the others juggle the stresses of work and home lives, so too do we see Carm face what may be his first foray into what life could be outside the kitchen. We watch as Marcus tries to boost his talents as a pastry chef while also making sure his mom’s nurse knows every little thing to keep her comfortable, as Sydney sets out to prove to her father, and herself, that she can do this a second time, and as Natalie helps with the restaurant’s opening in addition to navigating her life’s next steps. It’s not a revolutionary topic to tackle, but it’s enthralling to watch unfold. 

Conclusion:

As much as I adored the first season, this one might perhaps be even better. The groundwork set has enabled the series to really branch out and develop its characters in a way that wasn’t totally possible the first go around. Season two feels like an improvement over the first both in writing and performances, and I’m very much looking forward to the announcement of the renewal for season three and its continued accrual of well-deserved accolades.

All eighteen episodes of seasons one and two are currently available to stream on Hulu.

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