I wear suits now
Starting my trip down The Guardian's Top 50 TV Shows of 2023
#1 : The Bear
It’s done it again! For the second year running, this bravura drama about a high-end chef’s attempt to turn his deceased brother’s grotty Chicago restaurant into a success has topped our list of the finest TV shows around. And no wonder: it didn’t just create a second season with every bit as much heart as its first – it surpassed it. From the fist-in-the-air joy of seeing Richie’s transformation into a slick maitre d’ via the claustrophobic wonder that was the Berzattos’ fork-throwing Christmas Eve feast, it was such emotional, vital TV that it was impossible to tear yourself away from. When it hit that glorious, cathartic finale, it only just felt like this show was really starting to motor. Do we expect season three to top this list for a third time? Yes Jeff!
I loved this last year and meant to get around to watching this but completely failed to do so, unlike my wife who very much enjoyed it. I have absolutely no doubt I'll enjoy it too though...
Yeah, I actually think I agree with The Guardian that this surpasses season 1. In this season, the gang are attempting to convert the low-end restaurant from season 1 into a high-class joint in a ridiculous timescale - and in the process, wouldn't you know it, they also need to take a good look at themselves and their willingness to change. And that's all I really need to say - it's just so well written with so much drama and so many nice touches in it. Do pay attention though - they certainly don't signpost things for you.
That may be all I need to say, but I'm going to say plenty more because the episodes are nicely compartmentalised - they stand alone whilst also linking together nicely and there are some absolute doozies in here. Honeydew is a lovely episode where Marcus heads off to Copenhagen to learn some pastry stuff from Will Poulter who has a nicely understated cameo (although it's somewhat bizarre that no-one else appears to work in the restaurant). Fishes is incredible with its five year flashback and Jamie Lee Curtis being amaaaaaayzing, but it's sooooo stressful with a LOT of dialogue (and at an hour long is twice as long than the other episodes). That kitchen must also have been a continuity nightmare!
Forks is lower key but also excellent - who knew you could learn so much from forks?!? Also, what they do with the deep-dish is just amazing, there's a nice cameo from Olivia Colman - and is that a hint of personal growth for Richie? I"m also going to call out the fire suppression test scene in Bolognese which does an excellent job of showing what the restaurant means to each of the characters in a scene with no words other than a countdown. And, literally finally, The Bear (the season finale) which had some lovely touches in it (including a VERY long shot) but still managed to craft a pretty downbeat ending out of a generally successful episode (those missed calls killed me).
It's all super well acted as well - Jeremy Allen White as Carmy is still very much the strong but sad core. I'm not one for self-doubt and panic attacks, but his portrayal felt very real to me. Ayo Edebiri is also at the core as Sydney, always holding herself back and accommodating others - until she doesn't.
And what a great supporting cast as well - Lionel Boyce (L-Boy!) as Marcus excels during his episode and Liza Colón-Zayas has a tricky role as Tina who is pretty inscrutable, but her karaoke scene is gorgeous and comes out of nowhere. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie is an asshole, but a well-played asshole with a heart of gold hidden away somewhere. Abby Elliott as Natalie gets a lot more to do in this season - as does Matty Matheson as Fak, but whilst he's often present, he does feel a bit underused, as is Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebrahim as he's not even present for a lot of the season.
New to the scene, Molly Gordon is great as Claire as a tentative love interest ("is she your girlfriend or a friend who is a girl?"). I'm also going to call out Chris Witaske as Pete (Natalie's husband) for some beautiful work in the last episode and also say that I like Oliver Platt as Jimmy in this - and I rarely like him in anything that he does. What a lot of people given namechecks!
It's also beautifully shot - particularly Chicago and the food (and there are quite a few episodes where it really takes centre stage in this season). The music also deserves a shout-out because it's great - I've read so many reviews that say they love the music, but I REALLY loved the music (and it all ends with R.E.M., so they get bonus points for that).
I actually couldn't manage more than one episode at a time - there was just too much tension for my poor nerves. It was rarely big "in your face" tension - it was more "what might happen" tension, and sometimes it did and sometimes it didn't. But despite the tension, I really enjoyed this - I do think it was better than season 1 with more characters being given some space and some of them even being allowed to grow and learn. If you haven't seen any of it, then do yourself a favour and start at season 1 (it's on Disney+) - finishing top of the list two years a row isn't a fluke and it's well worth your time getting to know these people.
Comments
Post a Comment