‘It isn’t hard to see where things went wrong’: how The Bear went off the boil
I want to start by saying that The Bear is one of the best shows I've ever seen. If you're looking for a top-notch TV season, I'll always recommend the first eight episodes of The Bear. This season was stylish, captivating, and had characters you couldn't help but cheer for. But above all, it had a deeper meaning. The first season of The Bear was all about leaving home, coming back transformed, and trying to find your place again. This theme resonated throughout every scene, making it truly remarkable.
During the second season, the story unfolded at a slower pace, but it was still propelled by a powerful force leading up to the grand opening of a new restaurant. The excitement was so high that, like many others, I eagerly watched it all at once. I can't wait for season three to start.
Here it is, but there seems to be an issue. Despite being known for its tension and excitement, the third season of The Bear is surprisingly scattered. It consists of 10 episodes that lack direction and purpose. Even worse, it doesn't have a clear theme. In the first season, Carmy returned home. In the second season, he opened his dream restaurant. In the third season, no one seems to know what comes next.
You might have already heard about the first episode of the season, titled Tomorrow, and how it has divided opinions. At first glance, it may appear overly self-indulgent; a 35-minute recap with ambient music that recaps the story of The Bear through clips and montages, feeling longer than the first two seasons combined. However, after watching the entire third season, I am starting to be more forgiving. The episode is essentially a condensed version of the season. It has style but lacks cohesion, with various mini-stories that don't come together in a satisfying way.
Looking through the eyes of a supporter, it's easy to see the missteps that have occurred. Christopher Storer, the mastermind behind the project, has a history of working quickly. The first season was approved in October 2021 and aired in June 2022. The second season was approved in July 2022 and premiered in June 2023. However, now it appears he is facing some challenges.
The show has become extremely popular, propelling its three main actors to fame. Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri were previously not well-known, but after their roles in The Bear, they have become sensations. White gained attention by appearing in only his underwear for a commercial, Edebiri stars in the highly anticipated film, Inside Out 2, and Moss-Bachrach is set to join the cast of the Fantastic Four. It seems like the show's creator is rushing to make more episodes because he knows that the actors' rising fame might lead them to leave the show soon.
Certainly, earlier this year it was revealed that The Bear had received the go-ahead for a fourth season to be filmed immediately after season three. Those episodes have been filmed now, showing that Storer has written 20 episodes of a television series in just over six months. This is incredibly quick. To compare, the last season of Succession, which had 10 episodes, took 17 months from being approved to being aired.
It's disappointing to see that The Bear we adore, with its messy and scrappy nature, still shines through at times. We catch glimpses of it in certain scenes where characters with different perspectives argue loudly while 90s alternative guitar music plays in the background. In these moments, The Bear is just as exciting as before. However, it's truly heartbreaking when this side of The Bear disappears.
The Bear has always been all about change from the very beginning. The first season's chaotic and busy sandwich shop was replaced in the second season with a focus on building something new. However, in the constant rush to keep evolving, it seems like something important has been overlooked. The show has moved on without fully figuring out its next direction. Season four won't be released for another year. Hopefully, Storer can take a step back and carefully craft this new season. The Bear deserves nothing less.
The Bear can now be viewed on Disney+
