The Bear Season 2 Review: Most stressful show on television gets even better

The aftermath of the chaotic season 1 finale finds Carmy and the rest of the staff at The Beef (soon to open The Bear) attempting to throw off the shackles of the past in The Bear season 2. The results are exhilarating, frustrating and at times quite moving. Season 2 of The Bear improves upon the tremendous 1st season in every way.

**Spoiler Warning for Season 1 of The Bear**

The Bear season 2 features a clearer throughline than the 1st season.

Carmy shut down his brother’s sandwich restaurant, The Beef, at the end of season 1. Season 2 begins with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Carmy’s sister Sugar (Abby Elliott) trying to launch their new restaurant. Everything that can go wrong in starting a new restaurant does go wrong. Failed fire suppression tests, and testing new menu concepts while balancing the combustive environment push Carmy’s anxiety to the max.

Carmy responds to the chaos by pursuing his first significant relationship with the adorable, sympathetic Claire. While the restaurant is undergoing deconstruction or remodeling depending on your perspective, he and Sydney decide to send the rest of the kitchen staff out to improve their skills in the kitchen.

Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) improve mightily over the course of season 2 due to their adventures. Their experiences allow them to pull off the first dinner service during the season finale without Carmy to help. The character development of the bombastic, hostile Ritche is some of the best development of a character on television in recent memory. Moss-Bachrach follows up his impressive run in Andor and season 1 with an even better performance that should earn him an Emmy nomination

Season 2 of The Bear features the best guest cast on television. Oliver Platt, Jon Bernthal, and Jamie Lee Curtis deliver Emmy-worthy performances.

The only nitpick with season 2 is Sydney doesn’t receive nearly as much focus as in season one. There is an episode revolving around Sydney traveling around Chicago trying different foods and observing restaurant staff. Unfortunately, Ritchie’s own experience at another highly regarded restaurant follows similar territory but leads to a more profound change than Sydney’s.

With The Bear season 2 and the relaunch of Justified happening soon, FX seems poised to dominate the summer television landscape.

With the overview out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the throughline, best character and episodes in The Bear season 2. There may be some minor spoilers. The Bear seasons one and two are streaming on Hulu.

Shackles of the past in The Bear Season 2

The past continues to haunt the lion’s share of the cast in season two. Carmy and Sydney are still trying to move out of the shadow of their brother’s (Bernthal) suicide. In season one, Carmy decides to wallow in the past by continuing his brother’s sandwich shop. Season two brings Sydney into Carmy’s orbit by making her the project manager of the reopening effort.

Carmy makes the already anxiety-riddled situation all the more nail-biting by offering Uncle Cicero (Platt) an impossible deadline. He asks for $500,000 from Cicero who is reluctant, but Carmy promises to pay him back in 18 months. The restaurant is nowhere near being ready to open.

In its current state, The Bear could open in six months which means Carmy would only have a year to pay back. Carmy, Sugar and Sydney decide to try to open the restaurant in half the time (3 months). Sugar’s involvement in the day-to-day at The Bear is one of the biggest improvements in season 2. Her calm and ability to see through the BS works nicely opposite the chaotic staff.

Meanwhile, Michael’s best friend Ritchie responds to the changes by fighting against everyone. He continues to treat Sugar and Sydney horribly to start season 2. However, the return of his ex Tiffany kicks off a massive redemption arc for Ritchie.

The rest of the kitchen staff at The Bear work on their skills. Michael heads to Europe to learn from a renowned chef played by Will Poulter. Tina and Ebraheim are sent to culinary schools. Sydney works hand-in-hand with Carmy on the new menu. Finally, Carmy tries to reconnect with a part of his past by starting a romantic relationship with a childhood friend.

All Hail Ritchie Jerimovich

Ritche’s arc in season 2 starts as the always combative, resistant-to-change character from season one. However, his stubborn mindset and resistance to The Beef becoming The Bear transform into a remarkable strength.

The introduction of his ex Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs) shows Ritchie at his softest. He wants to be a good father but doesn’t have the skills to really provide. Like the rest of the staff, Ritchie is sent out for some education. His training involves learning how to expedite a dinner service at an upscale restaurant. Ritchie starts out uninspired but is blown away by how the restaurant serves the customers. In season one, Ritchie was the one who wanted The Beef to retain its character so it could serve its usual patronage the best.

He returns to The Bear a new man. Ritchie apologizes to Sydney and Sugar. He follows up his apology tour by interviewing the front-of-house staff with Sugar where he showcases his attention to detail.

The best aspect of Ritchie’s development is how it doesn’t completely change who Ritchie is as a character. His “my way is the only way” mindset was a huge weakness for the new restaurant, but due to his training, it becomes the biggest strength on the opening night of the restaurant.

Forks and Fishes

There isn’t an episode of The Bear season 2 that comes close to being below great. However, the best episode of season 2 are Fishes and Forks. These back-to-back episodes illustrate how terrible the Berzatto family is and begins Ritchie’s arc.

Episode 6, Fishes, is a flashback episode showing the Berzatto family gathering at their mother’s house for Christmas. Curtis makes her debut on The Bear as Carmy, Sugar and Jimmy’s mother, Donna. Within moments of popping on the screen, you understand where Carmy’s anxiety was born. Jimmy adds fuel to the fire by constantly squabbling with Donna’s boyfriend Lee (Bob Odenkirk).

Episode 7, Forks, kicks off Ritchie’s arc. Ritchie begins at the aforementioned upscale restaurant polishing forks. The chef loses his mind over a smudge appearing on a plate. What appears to be a rebuke against the neurosis of over-the-top dining, turns into a wonderful appreciation of people who dine at the restaurant. Ritchie observes how the front-of-house knows who is dining at the restaurant. Without talking to a guest at the restaurant, the staff knows who has allergies to certain ingredients.

Ritchie is also upset at Carmy. He believes Carmy wanted him out of the way. However, a conversation with the Head Chef makes it clear Carmy sees Ritchie’s potential for connecting with people. Olivia Coleman is terrific as usual in the scene.

The Bear Season 2 final thoughts

Television doesn’t get as intense or better than Season 2 of The Bear. Most of the supporting characters are given more of a focus than in the 1st season. Focusing on the additional characters allows the season finale to succeed.

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