The Bear Season 2 Review

Time to go back to the kitchen. We have a lot of work to do.

Season 2 of The Bear aired on Hulu in 2023. On a deadline to fix up the new restaurant, the staff anxiously prepares a different menu and constructs a new kitchen. As opening day veers closer, Carmen wonders if he is the definition of a head chef.

I was mesmerized by the performances and incredible technical achievements in the new season of The Bear. Season 2 conquers remarkable and raw storytelling. Be confident in what you love and good things will happen.

One of The Bear's highlights is undoubtedly its talented cast's performances. Each episode of The Bear establishes stronger character dynamics. The actors achieve depth and authenticity in their respective roles, making the characters feel real. While they’re busy setting up the new restaurant, it’s a chance to see more of the characters' personal lives.

Jeremy Allen White is a magnificent actor. He conquers a raw performance as Carmen, a man who has too many troubles on his shoulders. White does an incredible job with the heavy load, but Carmen has too many doubts. Understandably, he’s not the happiest person, but he is not positive in anything that he does, ruining his chances.

The day the Emmy nominations were announced, I cheered when I saw Ayo Edebiri listed for her performance. Aside from White, if there’s anybody, Edebiri deserves one. She does a spectacular job in the role, administering a strong demeanor for the character.

I love Sydney. She is a hard-working young woman. I honestly find Sydney’s story more intriguing than Carmen’s with what she tries to establish with her life and role. Fighting for what she wants, Sydney pushes herself to extreme levels.

Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachran) grew on me more this season. Richie is a complex character and tackles his issues. He gets a whole episode dedicated to himself where he is training in another restaurant.

Season 2 of The Bear supplied guest appearances from well-known faces. I won’t give them away but expect an appearance from a Scream Queen who debuted in an iconic 70s horror film. Aside from them, Olivia Colman’s brief cameo was another favorite in episode 7.

Episode 6 of The Bear is a doozy. One could write a whole analysis based on this episode and the clever setups, character dynamics, and subtle imagery. Getting a Christmas day in the limelight of the Berzatto family, this episode showcases an overload of Carmen’s dysfunctional family to the max. Sustaining claustrophobic camera angles followed by a tense atmosphere, I felt like I needed a drink once this episode was over.

Speaking of the technical elements, the first 12 minutes of the final episode have an impressive one-take. The cinematography is excellent, capturing delicious plates of food and immense emotions from the characters.

The final episode falls short of the climactic impact I was expecting. Concluding on a downer, it could have been more exciting. Nevertheless, the journey leading up to the finale remains compelling enough to keep viewers engaged until the very end.

I’m still not sure why The Bear is listed as a comedy. While it has funny moments, it’s more of an intense drama. With a deadline to meet, characters continuing to scream orders at one another, and the long stream of F-bombs in episode 6.

Check out The Bear on Hulu. It’s easy to get hooked from the first episode. With its exceptional performances, outstanding camera work, and remarkable editing, the show manages to keep audiences engaged throughout most of its run.