THE third instalment of “The Bear” recently dropped on Disney+. It is by far one of the best TV series I’ve watched to date.
And it keeps getting better, not that I thought it was possible. But that’s a testament to the skills of the creator and writers.
With a record-breaking 23 nominations at the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, “The Bear” deserves all the nods, awards and critical acclaim it has received to date.
From the script and cast to the direction, this series is top-notch.
For those unfamiliar with the comedy-drama, it centres on the manic operations of the kitchen at The Beef, a family-run business, where egos clash, out-of-this-world dishes are conceived and ambitions are realised.
Season one centred on Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a James Beard Award-winning chef, returning to Chicago to run the failing business after his brother Michael “Mikey” Berzatto (Jon Bernthal), who has battled with addiction, commits suicide.
His return creates a lot of upsets among his dysfunctional family and restaurant staff but it also sparks hope.
Having worked at Michelin-star restaurants, his background and skill mark a pivotal turning point for the restaurant. And with that unexpected windfall that they found, they were able to turn things around, amid the usual chaos.
The third instalment serves plenty of emotion as several characters confront their past demons. There is also healing but not before a maelstrom of heated arguments.
The first episode simmers in silence, which, if you know the series, goes against the ethos of the show. But it is vital in that it sets the tone for the reflections and full-circle moments to come.
Carmy returns to the kitchen, following the fiasco of him getting locked in the walk-in refrigerator on the opening night of the revamped restaurant. His meltdown, which contributed to the end of his relationship with Claire, impacted everyone.
Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Michael’s best friend and the de facto manager of the restaurant, is no stranger to Carmy’s biting insults. While he has developed a thick skin, he’s also human.
A doting dad to a little girl, he’s also figuring out his next as his ex is about to walk down the aisle with someone else.
Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) is Carmy’s talented sous-chef who acts as a buffer between him and the rest of the staff.
She’s the calm in Carmy’s storm. But it does come at a cost. In season three, she finds herself at a crossroads when it comes to her career and loyalty.
For Marcus Brooks (Lionel Boyce), who evolved from a breadmaker to a skilled pastry chef, the journey, while incredible, hasn’t been easy.
In the new season, he is devastated by the loss of his ailing mother.
Interestingly, there is an entire episode dedicated to Tina Marrero (Liza Colón-Zayas), who, while strong-willed, softened as she was elevated as a line cook. It is a very inspiring episode with fans getting to understand who Mikey was and the impact he made on her life.
Then there is Natalie aka Sugar, who is, Carmy and Mikey’s sister. Now heavily pregnant, the co-owner of The Beef tries to pacify Carmy with his unrealistic demands when it comes to ingredients they use and Jimmy “Cicero” Kalinowski (Oliver Platt), who is a key investor in the restaurant as well as their “Uncle” (he is the best friend of the Berzatto siblings father).
Jimmy is having heart palpitations by just looking at their cost and profit margin and is demanding cost-saving measures.
But Carmy with his new list of non-negotiables and proposed menu, which changes daily, is throwing everyone off their game, as well as the budget.
Niel Fak (Matty Matheson), as the childhood friend of the siblings and their handyman, adds plenty of comic relief along with Sammy Fak (played by John Cena).
Another supporting character is Christopher Zucchero as Chi-Chi, who runs the restaurant’s sandwich takeaway section.
As I pointed out, there is a lot of introspection this season. Carmy reflects on significant mentors in his career.
At the closing of Ever, helmed by chef Andrea Terry (Olivia Colman), he thanks her for her guidance in teaching him the ropes in the industry while he confronts David Fields (Joel McHale), the executive chef in New York City, who gave him sleepless nights.
Ironically, the closure he gets is crucial as it dictates how Carmy moves forward as he carves his path while awaiting a critical review from the “Tribune”.
The performances by the lead cast are off the charts but that is what fans have come to expect.
“The Bear” is moulded on the pandemonium of the kitchen, where personal and professional demands collide. There is also much self-reflection and healing in the third instalment.
Season three is a truly sumptuous serving of ambition, humility and forgiveness. That’s what makes it a winning recipe for the franchise and, undoubtedly, at the upcoming Emmys, too.
∎ “The Bear” 3 is streaming on Disney+