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While this episode does not progress the overall plot very much, it makes up for it with cute reliable moments while giving us a deeper understanding of Carmens character!

I thought the moments between Carie and Carmen were cute cause they have a certain infectious connection that you just immerse yourself in! Qe really got a better understanding if Carmen as a character! It is obvious he is passionate but also misses a time where he can put all of it a side! Its important not to loose yourself in it!

Tina at the bar was great too! Such a surprissing heartwarming moment that I did not see coming!

Why are people hating on the romantic element here? It brings a lot of depth, we get to see the very real dynamic of Carm trying to balance the intensity of the restaurant with something that actually makes him feel good. It's all most like watching him free himself from an abusive relationship (his work), certainly he's starting to realise what he's missing out on due to his all consuming passion. Maybe his identity doesn't need to be entirely tied up in what he does. This is a concept that will chime with many creatives, and I'm glad it's being explored.

Its also so wholesome to see him find a kindred spirit in Claire, but still in keeping with the slightly dark realist vibe of the show because you know Claire has the exact same almost toxic relationship with work. It's full of potential but still dark and real. It's great tv and art. I can't help but wonder if the negative reviews about Claire here are founded on something other than what the show presents.

I don't know why the episode is rated 8 !!. It was nothing but a masterpiece. Most people were upset with the romantic scenario and its addition to the story. I don't know why. Carmy relationship with his girlfriend added a deep, dramatic and extensive building to carmy character. The bear still gives me that magical feeling. And the distinctive vibe... literally throughout the episode I was smiling and tense... from the visual aspect, the music, the dialogues and the narrative depth, the camera, photography and cinematography aspect... It's Just So carefully crafted... for those idiots who did not like the episode because the series moved away from the kitchen events a little bit. I'm sure they didn't understand that the restaurant had 6 weeks left until it opened.. and their journey of building and planning the restaurant and their problems was so interesting and funny.. the best episode of the season so far for me.. just 10/10.

I really had my doubts after 3 or so episodes of season 2 of The Bear. I TRULLY liked Season 1, it was so well crafted - from the atmosphere to the editing to the acting. Just beautiful stuff. Season 2 completely pales in comparison from the get-go. Everything starts being so in-your-face: the editing is super distractful, script is corny and slapstick at times and interactions seem forced.

I started talking about previous episodes in the season because in no episode it's more apparent than in this one. Its flaws become just too apparent. The honesty in the writing that we previously had is pretty much gone. Not all hope is lost though. There still seems to be just enough amber to light the fire back up, let's hope the rest of the season and subsequent ones learn from these weaknesses.

Firstly, as much as I appreciated Syd and Marcus' episodes, it was nice to get back to an outing that deals with almost all of the main players.

Carm is still the heartbeat of this show and placing Claire into the mix has worked wonders. Her presence reveals a somewhat juxtaposition between the life that Carmine could have, one in which he overcomes his lonerism, his anxiety, his stresses, and the life he currently has by staying put within the environment that seems to cause all these problems.

The sequence at the end, when the tone shifts from the somewhat calm, fun atmosphere at the party, back into the claustrophobic tension of the restaurant, then back to Carmine's candy-sweet interactions with Claire - it's a brilliant move that illustrates the two sides of his life. Now Carm is hanging directly in the balance and I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.

In other moments, Tina had a particularly heartwarming sequence, the opening with Uncle J was hilarious, and Richie was brilliant as per usual. That man's comedic timing is wonderful, and you cannot help but like him despite all his shortcomings.

Great episode. Now onto the big ones that everybody is raving about.