FX’s “The Bear” had a clean sweep at the Golden Globes this past Monday. Nominated for Best Actress and Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series, Best Male and Female Supporting Role on Television, and Best Musical or Comedy TV Series, the show ended up raking in all five awards. This was also the second year in a row that it took home the hardware for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy TV Series and Best Musical or Comedy Series. While this may sound like an absurd amount of accolades, the show is entirely deserving.
“The Bear” follows Carmy, an extremely accomplished yet emotionally unstable chef played by Jeremy Allen White. Carmy is intensely passionate about his work, partially because of his family’s culinary background, and partially because of the strain of the intense demands of his executive chefs and fine cuisine culture in general. When Carmy’s family is suddenly struck by a tragic loss, he must return home to Chicago to keep the struggling family restaurant, The Original Beef of Chicago, afloat. Here, he is greeted by an unwelcoming staff that is eager to accept the changes Carmy wishes to make in hopes of improvement. As the show progresses, the plot dives further into the lives of Carmy’s family and the restaurant staff.
The writers do an excellent job of developing the characters’ backstories, making them feel relatable, and granting the show a larger variety of plotlines. In the second season, which is arguably better than the first, several of the episodes have a main focus on specific characters. In “Pasta,” staff members Tina and Ebra are sent to culinary school. Although both were originally disgruntled by changes in the restaurant, Tina is extremely enthusiastic about this opportunity, and while Ebra takes more time to adjust throughout the season, he is eventually proud of his hard work and new skills. In “Forks,” more is revealed about the life of family friend and staff member Richie, outside of work. He, too, receives more formal training at a high-end restaurant, igniting an enthusiasm for restaurant service while also allowing him to overcome his fears and insecurity of being inadequate. Arguably the best among these episodes is “Honeydew,” in which Marcus travels to Copenhagen to study under a renowned pastry chef, foster his own aptitude for creating specialized desserts, and learn about maintaining a balance between his personal life and the demands of the job.
One of my favorite aspects of the show is the soundtrack. Some of the most heartfelt moments of the show are made possible by the R.E.M. and Radiohead playing in the background. Songs also pay homage to one of the show’s central focuses: the city of Chicago. Sufjan Stevens’ “Chicago” and Wilco’s “Via Chicago” complement shots of Chicago’s iconic skyline in the intros and transitions of each episode. This artistic cinematography is another one of my favorite aspects of “The Bear.” While quick cuts, chaotic scenes, and intense dialogue make it a slightly stressful watch, viewers feel immersed in the action and turmoil of The Original Beef.
In short, this award-winning show is a must-watch. I guarantee that viewers will be entirely engrossed and maybe even shed a few tears. “The Bear” maintains a perfect balance of style and substance. My only complaint is that there aren’t enough episodes. Thankfully, it was renewed for a third season last November, and production is predicted to begin in late February.
