Fishes

I think this is one of the best family dinner or Christmas episodes of television I have ever, EVER witnessed. The acting was absolutely phenomenal.

The episode is about Carms family coming together for the holidays a few years ago, we get an absolutely STELLAR cast to fill the roles, all of them were great but dear god hats off to Jamie Lee Curtis for one of the best performances on tv that I have seen in years, she was incredible !!!

The episode is on a spiral and there is no getting off until it's finished, and by the way we are treated to AN HOUR compared to the normal 25 ish minutes.

The sheer chaos that consumes this episode is gripping, i felt like this is what it's like being inside Carms mind, how everything everywhere is going a mile a minute and there is no time for rest.

I have not finished yet, I came here straight after the episode but I doubt this one can be topped, hats off to all, ALSO Jon Berntal was incredible when going up against Bob Odenkirk. So damn good ! 10/10 ep.

Clearly, mental illness runs in the family and wow, this episode did a genius job of unpacking that. Mom most likely has Bipolar Disorder and it seems that Mikey inherited it. Both are obviously self-medicating. Carmy and Nat are dealing with their own symptoms simply from being raised around extremely mentally ill relatives. The genius of this episode is the dynamics of all of it, between everyone. What especially interests me is why Nat can't stop herself from asking her mom if she's ok and triggering her mom, even though she knows better. It kind of makes me wonder if part of her is doing that on purpose? Like it's her own passive aggressive way of asserting some control in an environment that constantly makes her feel powerless. And then she plays innocent? Interesting psychology there. I do think she has a good heart. She's just perhaps not as harmless and innocent as she tries to appear. Or maybe she is. Who knows. This family is as complicated as the dishes they prepare.

Clearly, cooking is a real art in this family, to the point of madness. There's a fine line between genius and insanity, as they say. They are the bears. And also mad chefs.

And then there are the tender moments sprinkled throughout. The moments of sanity that provide a breath of fresh air. The quiet, beautiful, loving conversations in the corners. It's a family of contradictions... rational one second and irrational the next. They can be so loving and genuine, but also so angry and hateful. They are ruled by emotion. They're passionate. These people are not monsters, they're just human. And Italian.

I'm a therapist, and watching this episode I couldn't help but think that Dr. Claudia Black who literally wrote the book on alcoholic families would have an absolute FIELD DAY with this episode. Anyone who's ever been a part of a co-dependent family or family with an alcoholic/addict will identify hardcore with the Berzattos after this. It gives some deep insight into how the family came to be this dysfunctional and chaotic. You now see how everyone falls into their rolls which Claudia Black researched and outlined in her books.

And all the guest actors each hit home runs with their performances at the flash back to a Berzatto family Christmas. And we thought we were just getting a Jon Bernthal cameo.

I knew the bear had so much potential from the first season and I was willing to bet it will get better and better. This episode proves it without a doubt. This is a great show.

What an insane ride of an episode that was. I don't think I've ever watched a tv episode about a family that felt so real. I started thinking that I would be exactly like the guy with the glasses, cracking jokes and trying to lighten the mood. Like I was there. Every newly introduced character acted and talked exactly like you would feel they do. I don't think people realize how hard is it to write dialogue that flows so naturally and feels so authentic. The acting is crazy good too.

Honestly, one of the best tv episodes I've watched in a minute. The next episode is a breath of fresh air as well. The bear you are spoiling us with this michelin star worthy entertainment. Please continue to do so.

This is a gut wrenching episode. The amount of emotions captured for a dysfunctional family is the most realistic take on Christmas I've seen yet. Christmas time last year I felt like I didn't matter to my family just like Carmy's mom did. I felt like I didn't belong as my Uncle pressed the issue, hence Mikey's emotions. I've been told I'm nothing by a family member as well. The reviews saying this is unrealistic is absolute dog puke. This is the closest thing to realistic and will give me something that isn't boring to watch when the holidays roll around, because all of that garbage is happy go lucky while every lonely individual during that time feels pinned in a corner with nobody on their sides. This episode also adds loads of character development to the main characters of The Show, Fak and Sugar included. This show continues to bring raw emotions to the table and its ironic because where the table is at (like working in restaurants too) is where these things live. I feel bad for Carmy.