The Bear Season 1 - The Most Anxiety-Inducing Show You'll Ever Watch

The Bear (2022) is only eight episodes long at about thirty minutes each episode, of this you should be glad. The Bear will keep you in a state of near-constant anxiety as you observe this family-like crew of chefs battle it out in the kitchen, trying to keep The Beef afloat.

Though once the show is over, you realize that the show did not feel its length at all- suddenly it's over and you can breathe a sigh of relief but at the same time, you miss its consuming presence. With a second season on the horizon, a binge-watch of the entire season is fast approaching.

At the heart of the show is Jeremy Allen White, who plays Carmen Berzatto, a Chef that comes from the world of fine dining and has come back home to Chicago to run his deceased brother's failing sandwich shop- The Beef.

White's performance is a standout of an already exemplary ensemble cast, as he plays a complicated character dealing with the weight of confusing grief, stress from running the restaurant, and a self-destructive streak mixed with a lack of self-confidence that came from his time as the CDC in the best restaurant in the world.

At first, there is no time to get more than what would seem like a surface-level understanding of Carmen. This is due to the nature of the fast-moving and chaotic environment of the kitchen of The Beef. Submerging himself and the audience into this environment keeps everyone outside of Carmy's life- seemingly no one can make it past whatever he allows us to know. Even his sister Sugar is kept at arm's length and it is only until the latter episodes that he truly lets anyone else in.

Carmen offers an interesting character study on what the brutal world of fine dining cooking can do to the human psyche. It is shown that Carmy was often belittled at the hands of a Chef at his fine dining job in New York. This leaves one the question of why he would stay in the first place. It is only through White's epic monologue in the final episode that we are let into Carmen's thoughts and feelings and the reasonings behind his choices and why he is the way that he is.

This seven-minute-long monologue proves Jeremy Allen White deserves the never-ending praise and awards he has earned for playing Carmen. Throughout the monologue, you get lost in the words and the clear emotions that Carmy is feeling along with the release of the pent-up emotions that he has never had the ability to let go of before.

You learn that Carmen's broken relationship with his brother is at the heart of why he is doing what he is doing. Carmen wanted to prove to his brother, who had seemingly rejected him after Mikey had sunk into a life of addiction, that he could make something of himself. Suddenly everything makes sense when you take this into account, the way that Carmy is is a product of his trauma.

Trauma is a big theme of the show when it comes to Carmy. Who is clearly going through so much that he often has panic attacks when these feelings become too overwhelming. Though he cannot quite find the words to voice his feelings to others- in particular his sister Sugar, who is desperate to get closer to her remaining sibling. Though they ultimately close the distance that had grown between them, once Carmy had gotten a grip on his emotions and very maturely admits to himself and to his sister why he has never asked Sugar how she is doing.

Though it is not only the familial relationships that are at the center of this show, though you could definitely call the chefs at The Beef a family- it is these relationship dynamics that keep the show as interesting as it is. Ayo Edebiri performs impeccably as the young and talented Chef Sydney who is determined to learn from Carmen, whom she deems the very best Chef to learn from. The two riff off of each other seamlessly, with a hint of trepidation and miscommunication here and there, which makes for an interesting dynamic between mentor and mentee. All of this bubbles up in the excellent episode 7 of season 1 (an impeccable episode of television that will keep you riveted and glued to your seats), in which Chef Sydney quits working at the Beef which is a big wake-up call to Carmen as he loses both Sydney and Marcus in quick succession.

For Carmen this is the biggest wake-up call as he realizes that he has become the very thing that had both made and ruined his life- he had become the belittling and overarching head Chef that had pushed his subordinates well past their limits. It is a humbling experience for Carmen who makes sure to make his apologies to both of them in the following and final episode of the season.

With all the family back together, Carmen makes a shocking discovery after reading his brother's final note to him before his death. Mysteriously, there must be hundreds of thousands of dollars kept in the canned tomatoes, which Carmen uses to create his own restaurant called The Bear. The season ends as the make-shift family happily dine on the family recipe pasta, with things looking up for the Chefs.

In conclusion, The Bear delivers a riveting and emotionally charged first season that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Through its exploration of trauma, familial relationships, and the intense world of fine dining, the show presents a compelling narrative filled with complex characters and thought-provoking storylines. Jeremy Allen White's standout performance as Carmen Berzatto brings depth and authenticity to the character, portraying the weight of grief, stress, and self-doubt with remarkable skill. The dynamics among the ensemble cast, particularly the mentor-mentee relationship between Carmen and Chef Sydney, add layers of tension and growth to the story. The Bear showcases impeccable storytelling, with well-crafted episodes that seamlessly blend tension, drama, and moments of heartfelt connection. With its engaging plotlines, exceptional performances, and compelling exploration of the human psyche in the culinary world, The Bear leaves a lasting impression and promises an exciting binge-worthy experience for viewers. Overall, The Bear is a must-watch series that captivates and resonates, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next chapter of Carmen's journey and the tantalizing possibilities that lie ahead.