Fishes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.