• Director: Christopher Storer, Joanna Calo, Ramy Youssef
• With: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Richard Esteras, Oliver Platt, John Bernthal, Chris Witaske
• Music by: Johnny Iguana & J.A.Q.
• Number of episodes: 8
• Studio: FX
• Platform: Disney+ (Hulu)
• Rating: 7/10

Synopsis:

Carmen Berzatto, a brilliant young chef from the fine-dining world is forced to return home to run his local family sandwich shop – the Original Beef of Chicagoland – after a heartbreaking death in his family. A world away from what he’s used to, Carmy must balance the soul-crushing reality of trading in Michelinu star restaurants for the small 1business’ kitchen filled with strong-willed and obstinate staff and his strained familial relationships, all while grappling with the impact of his brother’s suicide.

Review:

I had to jump on the hype of ‘The Bear’ after hearing and reading so many rave reviews.

And I must say, I don’t really get the hype around it. It’s good, it has great moments but is it great? Meh 🤷 It’s a bit too chaotic and there’s too much screaming. (Am I officially old now?)

These episodes are maximum 30 minutes long. Each episode is a day in the life of the people that work in the restaurant inherited by Carmen after his brother, Michael, died. He tries to save a sinking ship, not always helped by those employees he ‘inherited’ with the restaurant. Richie, Michael’s best friend and self proclaimed ‘cousin’ of Michael and Carmen.

The show deals about survival and family, about the need to keep your head up high, even in dark times.

Best character: Sydney, Marcus and Carmen

Worst characters: Richie and Fak (deadbeats!)

Best episode:

• Storytelling: episode 4. Dogs – the kid’s party from start to finish. Plus Oliver Platt is a genius actor!
• Visually; episode 7. Review – the entire episode is one take, where we are guided through the restaurant!

Worst episode:

• Storytelling: episode 1. System – what the hell was going on here?
• Visually: episode 1 as well… that episode just didn’t make sense. If it wasn’t for the reviews, I would have never continued watching this show because of this episode
• Extra mentioning: episode 7. Review – so damn chaotic and all the screaming… damn! That gave me a headache! I know it represents a restaurant where pressure is boiling but that was too much (still not a bad episode despite that!)

So yes, all in all.. I give this show a 7/10 (season 1) and I will continue to keep watching it because it’s a good show, it just isn’t a perfect one!