Scallop

A few minutes into this episode I realized that each character is becoming the best version of themselves especially Sydney and Carm. But that was just the beginning.

One of the most fulfilling storylines is Richie. Bringing in his non-negotiables, who back in the Forks episode, helped him become who he now. The results put a huge smile on my face and I hope many others who saw it.

I must include the conversation with Claire. So well written and performed that I could see my own past front porch conversations despite them being decades in the past.

This episode immersed me in the story and I caught myself feeling great; for great wine pairings, and helping each other, and for caring about giving something great to someone who trusts you to give them an extraordinary experience.

Maybe that's why I thought back to Forks and why this is the first episode I've written about since then. A perfect bookend to my other favorite episode and hopefully the beginning of more good things for these amazing characters.

Was started off as an amazing show about family cooking restaurant life has become a redundant snooze fest. The characters have developed no growth. The same theme over and over. No plot twist no story development no anything. If I wanted to see a show about working in a restaurant struggling, I would go back to working in a restaurant. This by far was a show that I was so excited for that turned into something that I just won't watch anymore. The acting is superb. The story is like a 12-year-old trying to tell you a story that just won't get to the damn point. How the show wins awards is amazing.

Up to this point The Bear has, in my opinion, been a show of peaks and valleys. When watching the first season back in 2022 I really just didn't get it. Until, that is, I got to The Review, a 20 minute episode that is almost entirely one shot. I watched it back twice right after the first time.

Again, with the episode right after, the Season 1 finale, I loved it. While the second season was better in almost every way, it also peaked with two incredible episodes (Fishes and Forks) that were on par with the best TV I've ever seen. However, through all this, the Bear has produced many mediocre - good episodes, nothing to write home about. I think this becomes most prevalent in Season 3 for one reason, the peaks aren't as high. While I loved the first few episodes and the finale, lots of season 3 felt like too much Claire Bear and not enough The Bear. I didn't hate it as much as other but was scared the fourth season might end up the same way.

I am happy to report that this fear was not realized at all through 3 episodes The first was good, but felt incomplete. Ok, fine, it'll get better like every season. Then the second episode blew me away, amazing, as good as the best of season 3. The third though, the inspiration for this rambling, did even more. It feels so complete, like Chris Storer managed to compile all the best parts of his other best episodes. The tense conversations from The Review, a Carmy monologue like S1 finale, yet still gives gratifying moments like those in Forks. Seriously Awesome, looking forward to the rest of the season with cautious optimism.

This season had a very slow, depressing start to it to begin. It was great tv but the vibe was off. Not a lot was going right and everyone seemed down in the dumps. The comedic/family vibe of the show had not come about yet. Episode 3 seemed to be going down that path until good old Richie and the gang pull out a once in a lifetime surprise for their guests. It is such a feel good moment that brings laughter, tears, and a feeling of hope back into the show. This episode is everything the Bear is about and what makes us all love this show so very much. Family, opportunity, friendship and memories.

Damn.. this episode really struck me withs amazing simplecity, that still hit me emotionally in so many different ways!

This was a combination of tears of joy, sadness and some strange sort of resolution! This episode had essentially everything i love about this show! It just gave me all the good vibes that I think about when I think of the best of the show! Like when you get to experience what It means to feel purpose and give someone that special once in a lifetime experience, just like back in Forks!

Then there is the scene between Carmen and Claire.. damn.. Outstanding acting! Somehow i could really resonate wirh that scene! How hard It sometimes is to tell and express how much you love another person!