Life
Anthony Bourdain’s words echo as I settle in to watch the latest season of The Bear: “Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.” This Emmy-winning show isn’t just about fancy plates and family drama; it’s a pressure cooker of ambition, mental health, and the brutal realities of the restaurant industry.
For the uninitiated, The Bear follows Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a young chef from the fine-dining world who returns to Chicago to run his family’s Italian beef shop after his brother’s suicide. The show masterfully captures the symphony of chaos in the kitchen, the dark humor that keeps everyone afloat, and the relentless pressure to succeed in a cutthroat business.
My expertise within the kitchen remain constrained to the bare minimum of dumping things in the air fryer – later, plating the dino nuggets with a gourmet-style ketchup ‘swish’ on the plate. But, will that stop me from disapprovingly nodding alongside Carmy when a piece of wagyu is overdone by 0.01 second or when a dehydrated flower isn’t angular enough on a piece of cake? Absolutely no.
Season 3 takes a sharp turn. While the first two seasons were a frantic scramble to transform a greasy spoon into a fine-dining haven (think dental surgery without anesthesia), season 3 delves into Carmy’s psyche. The premiere is a masterclass in silent storytelling, a journey through Carmy’s fractured memories. We see glimpses of a tyrannical ex boss, happier times with his girlfriend Claire, and fleeting moments of respite in Copenhagen. It’s a lyrical exploration of what shaped him into the talented but deeply troubled chef he is today.
Back in the present, Carmy’s relentless pursuit of culinary perfection throws everything into disarray. His single-mindedness alienates his team. The Bear isn’t afraid to explore the vicious cycle of abuse that festers behind the decorative curtains of a fine dining kitchen, turning Carmy into the very thing he despises – an unreceptive bully.
A standout episode is “Napkins,” directed by Ayo Edebiri (Sydney), which unveils the backstory of the enigmatic line cook, Tina. We also get glimpses into the world of real-life culinary giants like Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, who mentored a young Carmy. These cameos feel organic, adding depth to the show’s exploration of ambition and mentorship.
Despite its dark exploration of ambition’s underbelly, The Bear retains its signature blend of frantic energy and quiet moments of grace. Stellar performances and superb camerawork continue to make it one of the most compelling shows on television. Season 3 may not be a smooth ride, but it’s a journey well worth taking.
