With the first season of “The Bear,” Director Christopher Storer caught the attention of the audience thanks to the talents of the actors and their incredible acting. The show explores a successful chef called the Bear, Carmy’s ambition (Jeremy Allen White), to take over his dead brother’s restaurant in the center of Chicago. The 10 episodes of the second season bring even more intensity than the first.
Since the beginning of the show, the sensitivity and the irritability of the characters are involved, especially with the relationship between Carmy and his cousin, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach.) The scenes in the kitchen are intense due to the pressure of time and the goal of perfection. Almost the entire show takes place in a small restaurant kitchen, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.
“The Bear” touches on themes such as complex family relationships. One example occurs in episode six of the second season. The episode includes a flashback to a family getting together on Christmas Eve before Carmy’s brother dies. During the show, the viewer is confronted with his feelings. This creates a direct and intimate link with the characters and a particular attachment to the show.
Managing a team and the strong sense of leadership are a big theme in the show and is explored in the new season through the experiences of the staff of Carmy’s restaurant. The emotional development of the characters, particularly Richie, is notable. The hierarchy is a key issue for Richie and it’s interesting to see how he learns to take on new responsibilities. The episode about Richi’s internship shows perhaps the most unexpected transition of the character. Richi begins angry but eventually accepts and understands the stakes of the work he’s asked to do and takes the time to learn so he can take his initiative later on. The character development of Tina (Liza Colon-Zayas) and Marcus (L-Boy) make the episodes interesting and fun to watch.
Another show that explores leadership is “Ted Lasso,” directed by Declan Lowney. Carmy and Ted are both leaders of a team and have a goal: Carmy’s to open the restaurant and Ted’s, an American coach who is brought in to rescue a football team AFC Richmond in the rank of the Championship Premier League. However, they used different strategies to achieve their goals. Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) starts with a positive attitude and uses empathy to achieve success despite the panic attacks that sometimes hold him back. Carmy is more violent, gives direct orders, and has more obvious insecurities, but also knows how to give professional advice to his apprentice Sydney (Ayo Edebiri.) They don’t have the strong personality that we often associate with leadership like Carmy’s cousin Richi in “The Bear ” or Roy in “Ted Lasso.” Both Carmy and Ted Lasso are unexpectedly successful leaders. If you enjoyed watching “Ted Lasso”, you will like observing the difference and similarities between the two main characters in the same atmosphere of challenge.
The second season is as successful as the first season in the intensity between characters. The show is a series of twists and turns that follow after each other. The appearance of new characters such as Claire (Molly Gordon) heightens the suspense. In March 2024 production will start for season three. The Bear will return to his kitchen to make great food and turn our stomachs.
