My husband and I have been watching Hulu’s “The Bear” over the past couple of weeks. This show, about a family owned Chicago beef restaurant, has been a frenetic ball of chaos since the first moments of episode one. It’s not something I would normally watch, but there are interesting moments and I get the whole “art vibe” of the production. The show has won awards all over the place and everyone is stumbling over one another to declare how much they enjoy the show. It’s the latest in a litany of Internet sensations and has earned its place among “Breaking Bad”, “Orange Is The New Black”, and the one whose name escapes me right now but I remember everyone hated the last season of it.
Chaos is entertainment in these chaotic times of the 21st century, and it’s apparent that folks just want more chaos.
We tried watching “Succession” and didn’t finish the first season; if I wanted to watch the Trump family be insufferable idiots I’d turn on CNN. I know actors like to stretch their craft by realistically portraying these whacked out characters, but watching “Fishes”, the Christmas episode of season two of “The Bear”, threw my anxiety levels through the roof. The direction was amazing, the portrayals were top notch, but I did not find one ounce of entertainment in the entire experience.
If I wanted to watch folks have inexplicable meltdowns I’d drive to the nearest Walmart or Safeway or hang out in one of the seedy areas of Tucson.
For me, entertainment is escapism where I can find something to celebrate. I find no interest in wallowing in completely mental situations of characters cooked up to scream and fling forks and turn over dining room tables while Christmas carols are playing in the background.
I’ll continue to watch “The Bear” with my husband, as he very much enjoys the show and I enjoy spending time with him. But when it comes to entertainment?
I just don’t get it.
Here’s where I’ve landed on The Bear after that Christmas episode:
Almost every episode is pointing out WHY Carmie is so FUCKED UP (also some later revelations about his previous employer) and how gifted artists have to fight external battles to get their art produced. This is also a huge batter of nature vs nurture. Carmie has HUGE talent that’s constantly butting heads with how he grew up and those around him.
You do also start getting some back-story on the other characters in this newest season which helps flesh out why some of the other characters are… complex (Tina).
Beyond that I’m really here for the food porn!
I am having a hard time finding any sympathy for any of the characters. Carmie has a few redeeming qualities but there’s no one on that show that I would hang out with. I just don’t find it relatable in any way and most scenes just amp up my internal anxiety to new levels