The Bear: Season 3

Doors! The Beef is open for business.

A master class of excellent modern television that depicts Carmen Beraztto having one manic night that everyone else has to pay for throughout ten episodes.

The Culinary Kind of Cinematography.

The Bear continues to excel with the way it is shot.

Placing an emphasis on the culinary dishes that change day to day, the movement in the front of the house staff, framing the chaos in the kitchen and with flash backs of Carmy's memories during his last family Christmas, his time in New York and in Copenhagen.

The flow is seamless.

My personal favorites are first and sixth episodes. Episode one, 'Tomorrow', where most of the story telling is shown with minimal to no dialogue for 36 minutes is something that I haven't seen shown before.

Meanwhile episode six, titled ' Napkins', follows Tina and her history with The Bear. 'Napkins' happens to be directed by our very own Sydney, Ayo Edebiri, and serves as her directorial debut!

The season may feel like a filler, but it's not.

As a viewer, I can see how one may walk away from season three and label it as 'a filler'. However, I would like to offer a different perspective.

Season one, we see Carmen after his brother passed down The Beef to him. He's dealing with grief, family issues, keeping the restaurant staffed, and trying turn a profit at the same time. By the end, we are attempting to transition into what is now known as The Bear.

Walking into season two, viewers followed Carmen, Sydney, Richie, Natalie and the rest of the restaurant family during its fast paced remodel in order to open in three months. The last episode, titled 'The Bear', depicts the new restaurants' practice run during "Friends & Family" night.

Based on what happened during the first and second season, it's important to remember that we have not previously seen 'The Bear' open for business to the public. The order, so far has been, the transition of ownership, the remodel, and now the opening.

Season three is not a filler because it is what the prior seasons have been building up to.

Invisible Strings.

Also known as a connection between people, events, or things, that isn't clearly visible but is felt. This season tears at your heartstrings, only if you are invested in any kind of relationship development between Sydney and Carmen.

No matter if it's a mentor/mentee relationship, a work partnership, a friendship, or a potential slow burn of a romantic relationship. Granted, the scene is maybe one minute at best AND it's a memory but still.

If there are any SydCarmy truthers, that's the most satisfaction you'll get all season.

Relationships in the kitchen.

The relationship and character development this season may be hard to understand if watchers are too focused on the potential romantic relationship between Syd & Carmy. Both Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White have said during press interviews that there is no romantic relationship between Syd & Carmy this season. They are correct but it's not just Syd & Carmy's relationship (whatever kind of relationship it is) that did not positively develop and move forward. It's Carmen's relationship with everyone that comes to a screeching halt; and it's mostly his fault.

One manic night after he was released from being locked in the walk in, happened to bleed on everyone he encountered from the beginning to the end of the season. Carmen wants the restaurant to be so successful that he starts to exhibit character traits of Chef David Fields from his past in New York that he hates the most.

From what I have heard from fans of The Bear, Carmen is getting just as much hate, if not more, than Claire this season. Now while I may not like his actions, I do understand them.

There is a lot of pressure to make sure that this restaurant is successful. There is money owed, the pursuit of a Michelin start, and the possibility that if it doesn't go well within less than two years...it could all be snatched away. With that being said, he does not have the right to disrespect and mistreat others because of how he is feeling.

Guest Stars, Returning Cast, Too Many Stars?

It's not surprising that Will Pouter and Olivia Colman returned due to the development and progression of the story. However, the introduction of another Fak and Richie's ex wife's fiancé Frank may have taken away key screen time that could have been used to expand on other aspects of the story.

I won't say what new actors are guest staring, as it would ruin the surprise, but I am very interested on others opinions about if the new characters added any value to their viewing experience or not.

Season Four.

The Bear was renewed for its fourth season when it had been announced last fall that it would be coming back for its third.

I cannot wait to see the follow up and the future of 'The Bear' next June.

Until next June...Goodbye Chef!