Fishes

Words really won't do justice how good this episode is, particularly its last 20 or so minutes.

It's strange; I adore 'The Bear' but, based off of Season 1, it has the capacity to produce an episode that is so far beyond its average quality that it's borderline miraculous. The Bear is a brilliant show. But this episode? An absolute hall-of-famer.

The penultimate episode of last season, the 20-minute one-shotter? One of the finest episodes of television ever. That isn't to say that 'The Bear' isn't great outside of these anomalous episodes. But every once in a while, the show decides to suddenly fire on all cylinders and deliver some of the most intensely dramatic sequences ever committed to screen. And when it does this, it's hard to think of many shows that have ever done it better.

I sometimes refer to 'The Bear' as a drama-comedy that is infused with a somewhat uniquely claustrophobic tension. 'Fishes' catapults that description into the stratosphere and pulls off an episode that will almost certainly make you shiver with dread. You cannot watch this without feeling uncomfortable.

The ensemble is great. I always refer to Carmine as the heart of the show but this episode proves that it can transcend him. 'The Bear' isn't carried by a protagonist, if it ever was. It is carried by incredible writing and wondrous filmmaking. I adored this. I really hope we find our way back to another episode with the Berzattos if there is to be a Season 3.

Side Note: It would be unfair to call this episode all-out tension without at least mentioning the hilarity of the Faks and the tug-at-your-heartstrings look into Richie's ex-marriage. And a big shoutout to Bob Odenkirk. Love that guy. This show really can do it all.

I really like how this season truly delves into each character. This is a good episode and easy to follow, but GEESH was I drained afterward.

It was definitely written by someone who has experienced similar, as you can't just pull this work from nothing. It was gritty and raw with elements of uncomfortable humor. I had to walk away afterwards and process the whole thing as my family is nothing close to that. It made me feel for the families that can totally relate, and I appreciate being allowed to experience a bit of what some actually go through, even as uncomfortable as it made me at times. I had to catch the next episode on another day as I knew I wasn't ready to take it in.

Simply masterful. So much chaos and you learn so much about our main characters from this one episode that was never fully explained in the previous season.

So much makes sense when you watch this episode and learn about the family dynamics, I never knew why certain characters acted the way they do until now.

The acting has never been better, there wasn't one bad performance or bad line or bad moment.

The cinematography as it has been in this entire season is pure eye candy, as well it being almost like a character itself.

I haven't finished this season yet but I am very excited to finish it.

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 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.