There’s a lot of TV out there. Maybe (definitely) far too much for the average consumer to keep track of. Some of it isn’t worth it, and simultaneously, with cancelations left and right, fans have every right to be hesitant when it comes to starting something new. However, if you’re in the market for something that has a good chance of renewal, FX’s The Bear is the way to go.
With shorter episodes and nuanced storytelling, there’s also a chance that creator Christopher Storer has a clear vision of where he wants the story to go. It’s compelling and exhilarating, and it is the type of series that will likely entice many viewers, no matter their genre tastes.
1. The Bear Features Unbeatable Performances
There’s a reason stars like Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach swept award seasons this year. It’s rare for a series to achieve this much traction in its debut season, and even though accolades aren’t always significant indicators of worthy content, with The Bear, the entire cast deserves every bit of recognition they’re getting.
How the actors embody their complex, exceptionally well-written characters is no small feat. As sharp as the series is, it’s hard to imagine what it would be like with different performers. Whether diving into sardonic responses, screaming at the top of their lungs, or heavy, heartbreaking emotions, from the first moment they appear, it’s evident that the actors know their characters. And that alone is worthy of great praise.
2. It’s Well Written
The Bear is not a comedy. At least not in my book. Do I laugh occasionally? Yes. But the series is more of a drama than anything else. It’s an honest excavation of legacies, careers, and family trauma veiled underneath moments of quiet levity.
Still, while we could get lost in the mechanics of who makes who laugh and whether the genre is accurate or not, there is no denying that the series is thoughtful, well-researched, and admirably character-driven. The plot matters, but the characters are always in the driver’s seat, which, in this house, always makes a TV show far superior.
3. The Relationships Are Compelling
Whether romantic or platonic, the relationships within The Bear are some of the best depictions of growth on our screens. They present clear exhibitions of what it’s like for the people closest to you to hurt you the most, and they reveal the pangs of trauma brought on by familial grief.
However, it’s not always happy. Two seasons in, and the romantic arcs all fumble, but there’s a tremendous showcase of a developing found family. There are roads the show can lead to that’ll give plenty of viewers something to hold onto, and because the series is so character-driven, the relationships gleam even amid the muddied moments. [Also, louder for the people in the back: people can and should ship whatever they want!]
4. It Includes Astounding Needle Drops
Sometimes, people are fortunate not to be chronically online and thereby can avoid big TV moments. To those who are somehow still in this boat, I’ll keep this portion spoiler-free. Music is a big deal, and when it comes to The Bear, every song is featured perfectly. That’s it. That alone deserves a spot on your watch list.
5. It’s a TV Gem
Few shows make the kind of impact that will stay with viewers for a long time. The Bear is quickly becoming one of those shows, and it’s largely because it’s the first of its kind. We don’t have much centered accurately around restaurant life. While we have quite a few workplace comedies, there’s something about them that effortlessly carves a space long beyond their runtime.
We don’t know how long The Bear will last, but it’s already significantly different from so much of what we have on our screens. It’s an anxiety-inducing and, at times, a profoundly weighty series, but it’s one worth diving into to see that sometimes TV is genuinely outstanding.
The Bear is now streaming on Hulu.
First Featured Image Credit: ©FX | Hulu