"The Bear Season 3" Wait That's It?

     Look, I would never complain about getting a new season of The Bear. I really do think it's one of the best shows out there right now, and whether it be the cinematography or the soundtrack (which is one of the best I've ever heard), I am always ready for more. However, I'd be lying if I said this latest season of the show left me a little disappointed. It's not that the episodes they did do were bad perse, it's just that when there's such limited time given out every season, I wonder if this was really the best allocation of the episodes? What I'm saying is, is this a transition season? Is this all set-up for a fourth season that will absolutely blow everyone out of the water? I think my main frustration with this season is that, hardly anything is accomplished. I mean sure, you get to see the fleshing out of some of your favourite characters, but it feels like you basically leave this season with the same questions you had before, and you're just desperately wanting more.

    Where do I even start? While I don't think that every single episode needs to push the plot forward narratively, I think that for a season of any TV show to feel substantial, and to leave viewers at least somewhat satisfied, progress must be made, and sadly I have to report that it's simply not the case. I was talking to my friend and the truth is there are simply too many flashback episodes, or self-contained almost bottle-like episodes if that makes any sense? Now don't get me wrong, these sort of singular-character focused episodes are absolutely critical in making The Bear so special, into what it is today. Just look at Spoons, which is mine, and many other peoples favourite episode, and for good reason, which focuses solely on Richie. That episode is fantastic, and serves to finally provide character growth to Richie, who admittedly, up to that point hadn't shown much growth, mainly serving as almost a sort of foil to Carmy's character. With just that one episode, while it focuses only on Richie, it transforms him into a character that's frankly likeable, and someone you want to root for, and also establishes what his role will be moving forward as the show moves forward. But, the "single-character' episodes this season don't do any of that. Tomorrow basically just recaps the anxiety-riddled and absolutely demented path Carmy took to get where he is now, Ice Chips explores Sugar's relationship with their mother, but it ultimately doesn't really lead to anything, and Napkins is a flashback that is never discussed again.

    As I told my friend, considering the fact that there are only ten episodes, and each episode is capped out at around 30-45 minutes long, is it really the most optimal allocation of time to have multiple episodes contribute very little to the plot? Now, don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that Ayo Edebiri had her directing debut, and I kind of liked the Tina episode, but the issues with them are simply amplified when the other episodes don't do much to move the show forward either. I mean Carmy has yet to address the Claire in it all, and the closest you get is he almost presses call on his phone. The Bear (the restaurant) is still struggling to fight for it's own survival, especially in this climate, and it ends off this season still fighting for it's life, albeit this time with it's main backer, Cicero, also on the ropes. Carmy sort of faces his demons in his old mentor, but I wouldn't say it's satisfying or triumphant, just sort of deflating, especially considering how prominent Carmy's flashbacks to him are. I wouldn't say much else happens to any other character, other than the fact that now Syd is thinking about leaving, as tensions between her and her idol are beginning to boil. That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of this season, Richie and his daughter/navigating co-parenting was something I enjoyed, and for once I kind of enjoyed the Fak's, especially John Cena who's a better Fak than I thought he'd be.

    In the end it just feels like this season treads in about the same area it finished last season. When the season ends with "To Be Continued", it really does feel like that, because we need more, there's so much unfinished business that at the very least needs to be addressed. I mean Marcus' mom dying is sort of pushed to the side, they sort of montage through a month of the restaurant being open, and they add some old workers back to the "regular" sandwich part with Ebrahim, but all of this is kind of rushed, so it doesn't feel like progress. I suppose this was bound to happen, eventually you can't keep on going bigger and bigger. In season one it felt like this stressful train ride where the team couldn't get any wins until the very end, when they found all of the money Mikey stashed away that gave them an out. In season 2 you could really feel them building towards something, and it was beautiful when the restaurant finally opened. This season, it was stressful to be sure, but it was like they were blowing some tiny bubbles to leave on the surface for a while, deciding to pop them at a later date, leaving fans with very little to be excited for that's new.

Final Score: 65/100

    Am I disappointed with this season, for sure. Do I think this season has zero merit though? Absolutely not, this show came out less than 24 hours ago and I already finished it, would I have done that for a show that I disliked? A show that I don't want another season from? Ultimately, I think the fact that the show is so short does it a disservice. Considering the fact that season three and four were filmed back to back, I would assume that season four wraps up most of the questions/concerns people have. Which makes me wonder, was this season supposed to be longer, is this more like part one of a season three, and next season is sort of like a part two? All I know is that they kept the stoking the fire, I wouldn't say it roared, or it became more alive, but this season did enough to keep me engaged for the next season. It's parts were good, but it really does feel more like a transition season where they're ramping up for a super stress-inducing fourth season that finally blows up in all of our faces, in the best way possible of course. Even if this season is lowkey mid, I will swear by it no matter what, and fingers crossed, this season just makes season four that much more worth it.