The long-awaited third season of “The Bear” premiered on Thursday, June 27. Fans return to the chaos of Carmy’s dysfunctional kitchen as they watch the restaurant try to solidify its reputation as a fine-dining establishment worthy of a Michelin Star.
This season features several cameos from famous chefs, bringing the focus back to the love and appreciation for food. Most notable is Paul “Uncle Paulie” Jones, who opened “Uncle Paulie’s Deli,” playing a line cook working on the original The Beef sandwiches, bringing it back to Mikey’s beloved deli shop which has become a nostalgic symbol for both characters and viewers alike.
The show keeps leveling up with each season. Season 1 brought the heat, setting up a strong base by giving a behind-the-scenes portrayal accurate enough to trigger anyone who has worked in a restaurant before.
Then, season 2 developed the story, exploring the backgrounds and lives behind the beloved characters.
Season 3 is all about the details.
This season is very dialogue-focused, with many scenes structured as theatre-like monologues between the characters.
The establishment of a strong base and background of the complex characters in the previous seasons allowed for the dialogue to be detailed without being overly spelled out. Conversation between characters flowed much like it would between friends in real life, complete with inside jokes, allowing viewers to get an intimate look into these relationships.
The camera served as another form of dialogue, with a number of close-up shots communicating the full display of emotion on the characters’ faces. Homing in on the eyes and then cutting to a shot of a meticulously plated dish or a perfectly set table adds another dimension of conversation into the character’s mind and allows for greater understanding for the viewers.
The dialogue leans into the drama category of the show, with every conversation alluding to a deeper meaning.
Arguments over the details of the menu turn into reflections as to why they strive for greatness. The repetition of diligent cleaning routines turns into lessons about the discipline it takes to get what you want.
Cynical discussions about the frustrations of day-to-day life turn into considerations of the good parts, and why they wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Reflections on past traumatic events turn into ruminations of what could’ve been done differently and what difference it would’ve made.
Conversations — or rather, the avoidance of the character’s breakdowns and panic attacks — spark contemplation about the importance of taking care of your mental health.
The show explores many authentically human themes and brings it all together in the final episode. A group of chefs sit together and reflect on their first experiences cooking, their first failures and their first successes as well as how they felt. They shared their hardest moments in the kitchen that pushed them to the limit, and how it made them into the chefs they are today. They shared stories about the first time they made someone smile with their food, and the moment they realized they’d found their passion. The depth of this conversation gives viewers insight into the extreme consideration that goes into the art of food.
All episodes of “The Bear” are now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
