The Bear is an FX series about a chef who gets part ownership of his brother’s restaurant and tries to fix it, improving it. As time passes, he and all of the other chefs face struggles and hardships. In the last episode of the first season, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) found a wad of money in one of the cans of marinara sauce. He was going to make a family recipe that his deceased brother Mike (Jon Bernthal) had saved for him. Carmen figured out why his brother had written down the recipe because he had left money in if not all of the cans, then most of them. 

Season 2, episode 1 of The Bear marks a thrilling start to the new season. The show’s captivating storyline and strong character development continue to hook viewers, leaving everyone anxious, waiting to see what comes next. 

The episode starts with a scene of Marcus Brooks (L-Boy) sitting next to his mother, who’s in a hospital bed. Marcus’ mother’s situation could be an explanation as to why he was so focused on the cakes he was making in the last season. He kept his focus on that, while not wanting to worry about his mother, who seems to be sick. That scene also shows that the show will focus more on all of the characters, the side characters. 

This series has been able to focus on other characters other than Carmy, Richard (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri). But, with that being said, there has been more focus on those three characters because they are the main characters in the series in the first season. Season one briefly introduced a wide array of characters, from very wise to quirky and stubborn individuals, and season two has delved into these connections more deeply.

After the scene with Marcus, it follows back to where it left off in the previous episode. Carmen decides that the money can help make improvements to the restaurant. The name changes come into play. The name goes from ‘Beef’ to ‘The Bear’, which is a crack opening to the name of the series. Even though all of that money was found, the restaurant is still having some trouble with finances.

Another thing that is important in this episode is Richard’s hesitation and thought process of all of the changes being made. He was so used to the way things were, the way Mike had things. Richard doesn’t know where he fits in all of the changes and he feels lost. Richard and Carmen have a strong relationship, not only because their cousins, but because they are also running the restaurant together. 

Carmen, Sugar (Abby Elliot), and Sydney decide to talk with Carmen’s uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) about becoming a partner. This brings the viewers back to season one because Jimmy had always wanted to buy the restaurant. But, they all come together to discuss the partnership, mostly because of their money situation. This is a big part of the storyline because they will have to work even harder than they have, in order to reach their goal by eighteen months. The overall total amount of money that is needed for the kitchen’s renovation is ninety-five thousand dollars. 

The three of them ask Jimmy for five-hundred thousand dollars, the goal being that they pay him back all of the money Mike and Carmen owe him when it gets to that eighteenth month. If that goal isn’t reached, Jimmy will become the full owner of The Bear and he will basically become a millionaire, earning no less than two million dollars. Jimmy, who is unsure of it all, agrees, which starts the fuse for a fast-paced and very stressful journey to their new beginning. The episode ends with the camera zooming in on a note that was underneath the schedule, “EVERY SECOND COUNTS”.  

Overall, with its engaging storyline, strong character development, and impeccable visual effects, the episode draws audiences deeper into the world of the show. This new season will be filled with even more drama, intensity, humor, and mystery than the last season. This episode leaves the viewers with new information and has them wanting to watch the next episodes moving forward, wanting to see how this new season will unravel. 

Rating: 9/10