We’ve 86’d the third season of FX’s uber-popular TV series, The Bear, and let’s just say that it was a rollercoaster of emotions. The show has truly made waves in the industry, firmly securing its spot on everyone’s must-watch list. Since its debut, The Bear has garnered widespread acclaim, and its popularity has only surged with each subsequent season.
While we can’t definitively say that each season surpasses the last, the show’s growing attention is undeniable. Season two, in particular, swept up numerous Emmy nominations, earning praise from both critics and fans alike. However, Season 3 has sparked a mixed reaction, with some viewers not feeling the same level of enthusiasm.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty and plate up our review of season three. Was it cooked to perfection, or did it fall short of expectations? Let’s dive in.
Narrative
Season 3 takes place after the rather sombre ending of the previous season, which saw Carmy (aka Carmen Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White) alone with his thoughts as he awaits being freed from the restaurant’s walk-in refrigerator. Considering the circumstances that led to last season’s dramatic finale, there was certainly intrigue about how the story would unfold.
And it starts on a high. The premiere for this season brings us an intimate Memento-inspired collage focusing on Carmy, flashing back and forth between his beginnings as a chef staging for various restaurants and him fresh out of the fridge, preparing a list of non-negotiables for The Bear. These emotional scenes, largely devoid of dialogue, set the tone for the season ahead, and as the opener to a season, it is as good as television can get. But the episodes that follow don’t capitalise on the high it seemingly promises.
Unfortunately, like Carmy, it feels as though the plot for Season 3 is similarly locked away — the door in the way this time being the ambitions of showrunner Christopher Storer, who is trying to make the show appear to be something more.
Following last season’s events, Season 3 mainly depicts how the restaurant is grappling with its first few months of operations, but it largely feels as though the show has stayed stagnant. Both Season 1 and Season 2 had running stakes throughout each season; its debut season saw the need to get The Beef out of its doldrums, while the second was a race against time to get the new restaurant up and ready. Season 3 instead reins in the pressure, and there aren’t any of the ticking clocks that linger over the characters — or at least ones as big as the prior seasons — but the narrative suffers because of that lack of urgency.
That’s not to say that nothing happens this season; there is still lots of drama to be had, but just in a different sense. The chaos of the kitchen is back, and the show never ceases to entertain when there is a shouting match between Cousin (aka “Richie” Jerimovich, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Carmy. It has also become a more character-driven season than ever before, with spotlights on Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), and Natalie (Abby Elliott) — all of whom bring their A-game, particularly the latter two, in terms of performances for this season.
However, despite this season having some of the all-time best episodes of the entire series, their placement within this season leaves us a little confounded. They function like vignettes rather than contributing to the story at large. We shed tears when we got a look at Tina’s origins, but it felt as though we were watching an interstitial; why wasn’t this placed last season when Tina was stepping up as the restaurant’s next sous-chef? Then there is the matter of the Faks, who we all continue to love, but their scenes took too much screen time, which could have been used to explore the other subplots.
In fact, Carmy has less of a presence in this season than in any other season. With the show prioritising other characters for Season 3, he feels pushed to the side. Not only that, but whatever character arc has been cultivated since the start of the series has taken a step back. We love Carmy, but it has been frustrating watching him throughout, given his reduced role and the confusingly bad decisions he makes this season.
It’s been said that Season 3 and Season 4 have been filmed back-to-back, and it certainly feels that way; as though the whole season is version 2.5 rather than an actual continuation. Unlike previous seasons, not many of the subplots introduced in this season are really addressed. By the end, Season 3 felt like a pileup of even more issues atop the avalanche of problems faced by The Bear, and it culminates with a chronically unsatisfying “To be continued” that leaves us all hanging.
In a sense, The Bear Season 3 emulates the restaurant of its namesake a little too closely. The transition from The Original Beef of Chicagoland to The Bear was about turning a humble hole-in-the-wall diner into this serious fine-dining restaurant. The show has likewise also seen a tonal shift. Season 3 is becoming too artsy and experimental, with the direction at the expense of the plot.
Moments
There has been much discourse online about how loose the plotlines are this season. Many fans have expressed irritation with the lack of resolution to existing story arcs, and we’d agree. But when the show gets good, it gets good.
The showrunners have served up a piping-hot plate of key moments that had us laughing and crying. Spoilers will be notably heavier from this point on, so let’s dissect and discuss some of the standout moments from The Bear this season — good and bad.
Carmy’s Non-negotiables
The season opens with this intense montage of Carmy’s life as a trainee chef, dramatically juxtaposed with the dark kitchen of The Bear the day after he’s physically freed from the walk-in. If you’ve watched season three, you’d know that he never truly mentally leaves the fridge, remaining trapped in his cycle of self-destruction.
In an effort to make The Bear as effective as possible, Carmy devised a list of non-negotiables that everyone had to follow. This signified the death of the old system and the rebirth of the restaurant. While the moment could’ve gone under the radar, the act of Carmy’s list made it worth noting.
We are Carmy defenders to the day we die, but he was a tyrant this season. His list of non-negotiables was his first act as an authoritarian. Although the moment gave us a pretty hilarious back-and-forth between the kitchen staff, the list of non-negotiables would hang over their heads throughout the season and cause more harm than good.
The new version of Carmy created tension in the kitchen, and he found himself the target of several heated confrontations. While Carmy’s intentions were to bring order and efficiency to the chaos, the rigidity of his approach stifled this season’s connections. The kitchen staff, who once operated like a dysfunctional family, now found themselves walking on eggshells, afraid to make mistakes.
Despite the impact of Carmy’s rules, there were moments of brilliance that reminded us why we root for him. His passion for excellence and his relentless pursuit of perfection, while flawed, were driven by a genuine desire to elevate The Bear to new heights. It’s this complexity in his character that kept us invested, even when his methods were questionable.
Meet the Faks
It’s safe to say that Season 2’s breakout episode was Fishes – the chaotic and intense Berzatto family Christmas dinner. During that episode, we were introduced to a few of the Faks. We met even more of them this season, and they dished out some of the season’s funniest moments.
We were exposed to the Faks’ nature in their natural habitat, which helped us understand their unique behaviours. While these moments provided some sort of comic relief, not all fans were amused. Social media has been abuzz with complaints about how the Faks’ scenes often felt like filler, and we kind of agree.
Given the general dissatisfaction with the loose plotlines this season, it seems like the inclusion of the Faks’ extended scenes added to the frustration of its lack of contribution to the overarching plot. Now, it may very well pay off in the next season, with the Faks laying down the seeds for something potentially big near the end of Season 3, but for now, it has left us all wanting.
If you haven’t watched Season 3 yet, you can expect to see some surprising actors filling the roles of the Faks. Some moments had us ugly laughing out loud, but we agree that certain scenes may leave you frustrated with what could’ve been.
Sydney Gets Offered a Life-Changing Opportunity
Let’s get into the season’s biggest plotline. The tension between Carmy and Sydney reaches an all-time high this season. Some speculate that this was the writers’ attempt to dispel any SydCarmy shippers—and if that’s true, it worked.
Season 3 bids farewell to the Syd and Carmy that we all knew and loved, replacing them with two hollow shells barely communicating with each other. This shift becomes even more significant after Syd receives an offer that might change the entire trajectory of the show.
Previously, the bond between her and Carmy may have been enough to tie her down to the restaurant. But as their communication breaks down, we begin to question if Syd has anything left at The Bear to stay for. The once dynamic duo now appears fractured, and the strain in their relationship leaves us wondering about the future of the restaurant and its staff.
This development adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as viewers are left to ponder whether Syd will choose to fight for her place at The Bear or take up an opportunity that promises a fresh start. The deteriorating relationship between her and Carmy underscores the season’s theme of growth and transformation, even when it means leaving behind what once felt indispensable.
Alas, this has not been answered this season. The ambiguity of Syd’s decision frustrates fans (and us). From the moment she was presented with this choice until the end of the season, there was no development. Every time we thought she had reached a decision, something came along that made us question it. We all just have to wait until the next season to see how this plays out.
Tina’s Backstory
We can’t talk about The Bear without discussing everyone’s favourite episode from this season, Napkins. Interestingly enough, Napkins was also directed by Ayo Edebiri – what can’t she do? Just like how each character gets their own episode in season two, Tina is the main star of Napkins.
In this standout episode, we delve into Tina’s backstory and discover how she landed a job at The Original Beef. The episode was exceptional for a reason. Apart from the genius writing, Liza’s portrayal of Tina was nothing short of amazing.
She captured the little nuances of Tina’s character, portraying her vulnerability and frustrations to a T. The episode follows Tina’s tumultuous job search, a journey many can relate to. Liza’s performance brings depth and authenticity to Tina, making her struggles and triumphs all the more impactful.
We see the growth Tina has undergone pre-season one, and her character development mirrors that of The Beef, transforming into The Bear. From a hole-in-the-wall establishment to a fancy restaurant, Tina’s journey into the person she is today reflects the evolution of the restaurant itself.
Just as The Beef struggled with its identity and purpose, Tina grappled with her own insecurities and challenges. Her initial reluctance and scepticism about the changes in the restaurant parallel her personal resistance to change. As The Beef slowly evolves into The Bear, Tina also finds the strength to embrace her vulnerabilities and grow. Much like The Bear has become more than just a restaurant, Tina has evolved into a more confident and self-assured version of herself.
Our only nitpick is that it feels out of place in this season. It would have been better placed in Season 2, a season all about self-improvement. Here, the episode felt like a filler episode to pad the season to a nice 10-episode run. Nevertheless, it remains a standout episode in its own right and gives Tina much-appreciated lore.
Sugar Goes Into Labour
From one standout episode to the next, we have Ice Chips—this episode threw us for a loop and made us ugly cry. In Season 2, Sugar (aka Natalie) is revealed to be pregnant, and in Season 3, she goes into labour.
You can’t watch this episode without a box of tissues by your side because it’s an emotional rollercoaster. As Sugar experiences the pains of labour, she turns to her mum (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) for solace. The ensuing stories and revelations remind us why we love The Bear. The raw emotions and the candour of the moment add depth to the show and the characters’ development.
Ice Chips masterfully intertwines the past and the present, bringing to light the complex relationship between Sugar and her mom. Jamie’s performance is both heart-warming and tender (which is not what we’re used to in this show), showcasing the strained yet loving bond between mother and daughter. This episode not only highlights Sugar’s vulnerability but also reveals the underlying strength she draws from her family.
The candid conversations and emotional revelations provide a deeper understanding of the characters, making us empathise with their struggles. It’s these raw, unfiltered moments that elevate The Bear, transforming it from a simple narrative into a profound exploration of family, resilience and personal growth.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to mention how well they curated the soundtrack for season three. Everything from The Beastie Boys to The Ronettes was just the chef’s kiss.
Carmy Confronts His Old Boss
From season one of The Bear, we’ve known about the former boss who tormented Carmy’s life. The figure was painted as a perfectionist who would often verbally abuse his chefs in the pursuit of excellence. In season three, we finally meet the man responsible for inflicting further damage on Carmy.
As The Bear starts to take off, Carmy can’t seem to shake off the trauma inflicted by his old, vindictive chef. This all leads to a pivotal moment in the final episode where Carmy confronts his nightmare once again.
Given the extensive buildup throughout the series, viewers were primed for a huge, explosive showdown between these two forces. The tension had been mounting, and the anticipation was palpable. However, we got something much more mellow and, frankly, underwhelming. Instead of a dramatic confrontation, the encounter became a subdued exchange, leaving viewers with a sense of anticlimax.
The lack of fireworks in their confrontation felt like a missed opportunity. After seeing the immense impact this figure had on Carmy’s life, we expected a moment of catharsis or dramatic resolution. Instead, their interaction’s subdued nature left many unsatisfied, yearning for the emotional payoff that never came. Yet, it felt realistic. They say you should never meet your heroes, and this falls on a similar side of the coin.
We understand the decision behind the direction for this scene, and for any other season, it would have been quite the bold move that paid off. However, given the lack of progress in the storyline this season, the confrontation just ended up being another thing that felt unfulfilled.
Verdict
It’s an off-season for Season 3 of The Bear. Compared to the frenetic nature of the show’s chaotic kitchen, the third season never really feels like it gets off the ground. The slower pace of the plot and arcs may have presented a better build-up for the next season of the show, but it was a detriment for this season.
There are still many things from this season that keep our eyes glued to our screens; it brings some of the highest emotional peaks we have seen yet. However, Season 3 was quite the frustrating watch overall. Here’s hoping Christopher Storer lets the story cook in Season 4.
Where to Watch
All 10 episodes of The Bear Season 3 are available to watch on Disney+.
Visuals courtesy of The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia).
