Monday 31 July 2023

The Bear - Part II (2023 Christopher Storer & scr)

Thankfully the shouty conflict has been well toned down in continuing drama in which a new restaurant is being furbished with help from Uncle Oliver Platt. (Not quite sure how their ballpark cost of upgrade was $100k then they suddenly needed $800k?)

L-Boy Marcus Brooks spends some time in Copenhagen, being taught by Will Poulter. Ayo Edebiri is trying food all over town, beginning to think Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) isn't going to be the best partner.

Oh dear. Suddenly all the loud conflict is back in almost unbearable Christmas flashback episode, overlong and horribly explosive - I can see why it's there, it's important for plot and character background, and the cinema verité style is fitting, but a difficult watch. Like the series as a whole it could do with some judicious paring down, there's too many long and irrelevant conversations throughout  - throwing the pacing off.  Guests here Jaime Lee Curtis and Bob Odenkirk.

Ends on opening night with Carm amusingly being locked in the larder. Ricky has had a personality transplant, following a spell in Carm's old restaurant, and possibly because he talked to Olivia Colman, and saves the day on the pass.

We quite liked some of the super-slick editing. And some of the music choices.

10x30.

P.S. Quite a winner in the January 2024 Emmys - though surprised to see it listed in 'Comedy' category!


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