Spoilers

S2 E1: “Beef”

S2 E2: “Pasta”

I started in season two of The Bear on Hulu this morning, watching the first two episodes. It’s been about a week since I finished the first season and I remember thinking that the first season ended in a manner that could have easily concluded the series. I was intrigued to find out exactly how they were going to press on. The first two episodes showed me how.

There was a ton of details and areas of improvement in order to open a restaurant, and the first episode did a great job of showing all of the things that they have to do.

The best part of this series has always been the character interactions, and the second season continued that trait. Sydney, seeing how Carmy was not strong at managing the plans for everything that needed to be done, offered a project manager position to Carmy’s sister Sugar, who has seen her presence in the series pick up over the first couple of episodes. The episode started with Marcus rubbing lotion on the hand of some woman in a hospital bed. We do not find out the identity of this woman, but I do believe it will come into play as the season progresses.

Oliver Platt returned as Carmy, Sugar and Sydney work to try and convince him to invest in the restaurant to the tune of another $500,000 dollars. Carmy makes a deal with him that if he did not pay him back by 18 months, Oliver Platt would get the whole property. This sets a ticking clock in place for the crew at the Bear.

Richie is struggling with purpose and the show gave us more scenes between Richie and Fak, first arguing about moving lockers and then about mold in episode 2. How they have started to calling Sugar “Mom” like they are quarreling brothers is a hoot. More of Fak this season would be awesome.

Carmy also ran into a childhood friend, Claire, who is clearly heading toward being a romantic interest for Carmy. Apparently, Carmy had shared his restaurant name with her at some point in their childhood and she remembered it. Carmy did not believe she remembered the name, and bet her, jokingly, a million dollars that she did not know the name. She did and these two showed a ton of chemistry in this short scene. Claire is being played by new cast member, Molly Gordon (from Booksmart).

Ebraheim and Tina are attending culinary school. Tina seems excited, but there is something bothering Ebraheim. This is clearly another of the side stories this year and I’m down for it. Ebraheim did not have much screen time last year. I love Tina and her excitement when Sydney asked her to be the new sous-chef was one of my favorite moments of the first two episodes. The connection between Sydney and Tina has grown so much since their initial negative response that it is great to see.