I have mixed feelings on the season but I LOVED this episode. It's the only one I've rewatched (4 times total) so far lol. I can't empathise with people who said its "just a recap" or "pretentious montage", it's a bold scene-setting ep where loads of stuff happens. We solidify a ton of Carmy's background, learn a few new things, set the stakes for the season and the whole thing is meditative and enthralling in the best way. I cry every time we see that Sydney is receiving the "substitution" dish... someone on Reddit pointed out it's similar to what happens in S1 when Sydney sends out her risotto dish despite Carmy saying it's not ready. Two tiny similar acts of kitchen rebellion that have huge consequences. Syd and Carm are literally the same soul in two bodies lol. eps 1, 6 and 8 are my favs from this season, looking forward to reaching the others.
[edit] mixed in with the completely valid criticism / dislike of the Sydney/Carmy ship is a lot of really mean + racist stuff, unfortunately. There's a contingent of folks who HATE Syd, think she's 'in the wrong', and a bunch of other nasty dogwhistles. There are some really good TikToks from Black creators breaking it down, it happens a lot with interracial ships apparently.
Kara
2024-07-11 16:21:30 +0000 UTC
paddington bodies
Kara
2024-07-11 12:52:25 +0000 UTC
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
cosmotron
2024-07-11 06:12:02 +0000 UTC
Amazing reaction as always guys. This is one of the better episodes in what was a bit of a frustrating season for me but the highs are still really high.
Also Lola when are you dropping your old tv couple fan edits?
Max Carter
2024-07-11 05:26:33 +0000 UTC
haribo
Phil Wu
2024-07-11 02:01:24 +0000 UTC
I agree
Aglio Olio
2024-07-11 00:59:23 +0000 UTC
there wasn’t quite the same cultural buzz surrounding the bear this year but the season itself is just as excellent as the previous imo
it would help if hulu ditched the binge drop and let the show build week to week momentum
Sebastian
2024-07-11 00:54:04 +0000 UTC
It's definitely not a recap. We really got to see Carmy's DNA with this episode.
We also have the full timeline of his journey from Christmas Dinner to The Bear opening. The gaps we filled were full of characterizations of characters we already know like Luca, Terry, Sydney.
The style is certainly an acquired taste, but it definitely works for me
Isaac
2024-07-11 00:38:46 +0000 UTC
polar bear >> any other bear
Robert H.
2024-07-11 00:27:37 +0000 UTC
Interesting, i think this was very much needed because of where carmy is this season. So for me it didn't feel like a recap. the girls said it felt like a dive into his brain and that's also how i felt.
BigJo H
2024-07-11 00:16:17 +0000 UTC
I feel there is two type of reactions to this episode.. either you really like this episode or you don’t lol I feel very mixed about it. I appreciate the aesthetics and the camera work/ presentation but I will be honest.. for me that’s just secondary to the story. This episode felt like a big recap and I would understand if some years happened between seasons but.. season 2 was literally last year lol. We learn a couple things but they felt like I could’ve learn those things in a better way than a recap episode. That’s just me, some people will love the slow pace with the editing and slow music.. it didn’t do it for me but I’m still optimistic about this season and hopefully things on the story front will get better as the show goes on. Enjoy your trip to Chicago btw!
Jack SV
2024-07-10 23:59:20 +0000 UTC
I don't want to unfairly effect your viewing but basically its a bit of a different vibe to the previous 2, yeah.
Kara
2024-07-10 23:56:47 +0000 UTC
Interesting, is it because of the vibe of this season or any particular reason?
My Toasty Toast
2024-07-10 23:52:58 +0000 UTC
I think you should wait. I almost never say this, but I think the season would benefit from watching through with the girls on first watch.
Kara
2024-07-10 23:49:23 +0000 UTC
I’m in the middle of this episode when your reaction dropped. I don’t know if I should rewatch it with your commentary or go ahead with the rest of the show first and then return to the reactions as they come out. I don’t know if I can rewatch so soon
My Toasty Toast
2024-07-10 23:46:06 +0000 UTC
We are of one mind, Kara
Isaac
2024-07-10 23:30:49 +0000 UTC
It's probably mine after Forks and Fishes. Shame this season was so mixed (imo) cuz this was a banger opening.
Kara
2024-07-10 23:30:21 +0000 UTC
Can’t imagine any other show in history that would have got away with this type of episode..basically a 35 minute montage with just a couple of lines in it. I don’t even think the makers of this show could have gotten away with it before now….They really needed to build up the goodwill of their audience over the first 2 seasons before they could drop this acid trip on us. Simultaneously a mesmerising but also kinda frustrating episode.
David
2024-07-10 23:26:13 +0000 UTC
I assume you mean 3rd favourite of series 3? … Coz 3rd of the entire show would be 🤯
David
2024-07-10 23:17:40 +0000 UTC
That's debatable.
Aglio Olio
2024-07-10 23:17:16 +0000 UTC
We're back chefs!
HenryM
2024-07-10 23:16:31 +0000 UTC
I’m curious how you girls will react to this season…ʕʘ‿ʘʔ
Jack SV
2024-07-10 23:15:21 +0000 UTC
Beautiful first episode
BigJo H
2024-07-10 23:14:50 +0000 UTC
black
Isaac
2024-07-10 23:14:31 +0000 UTC
This is probably my 3rd favorite episode of the show