Why THE BEAR Season 2 Episode 6 Is PERFECT

[@BrainPilot]

Episode 6 was such a good piece of television. What did you think of it? Comment your thoughts below!

[@Can0nn0naC]

I think you hit the nail on the head pointing out how a glimpse into Carm’s family trauma explains the insanity/chaos of the kitchen and himself in the modern day.

[@ElleDubsDubs]

I feel like you missed naming the elephant in the room- the alcoholism and the dynamics of a family with an alcoholic parent. This episode was amazing but emotionally draining if you grew up in a family like this.

[@laurib3896]

Jaime Lee performance as “Donna,”or “hot mess” was spot on & just what I expected for an extreme example of Carmine, Sugar, and Michael’s mother.

[@Vicky-ke4es]

@@ElleDubsDubs True man, it felt so real that I couldn't complete the episode in one sitting, the constant switch between silence and chaos is too much

[@Dechral]

Didn't know jamie Lee Curtis still had it. Holy shit, what an ep.

[@pablod7438]

Did anyone else get completely blown away by Jamie Lee Curtis? I knew she was a good actress but that performance left me speechless

[@BrainPilot]

She was totally incredible in this role!

[@jurney3478]

You can tell she's been waiting for a role like this. I just don't see how she loses the Emmy next year.

[@whatwouldtarado213]

If she doesn't win an Emmy, there is no justice in the world.

[@jurney3478]

@@whatwouldtarado213 amen!

[@cameronembers]

Out of a vast career of jaw-dropping, award-winning performances, this was probably her best work. Absolutely breathtaking.

[@Sabrina-ll2dx]

This is also amazing depiction how one parent’s instability & immaturity affected differently to three children: Mikey with his chronic addiction & depression, Natalie with her anxious attachment, and Carmy with his avoidant attachment tendencies. It’s just amazing

[@Celticsboy1920]

Very true

[@Zelchacha]

Well said

[@clvrswine]

No, it's not amazing. "affected differently to three children" doesn't even make sense in English. It's not amazing.

[@gluehuffer6955]

​@@clvrswineshut up dingus

[@plaster.art.ho3]

Omg yessssss. I grew up w a bpd mom and an aloof dad and tadaa a perfect bpd child HAHAHA

[@DecemberGuy77]

I loved how the Faks were depicted; Like family pets whose chaotic joy distracted everyone from the underlying stress and drama in the household.

[@saber26ful]

This faking guy ☝🏼😂😂😂

[@colinemills9139]

They were purposeful fools in true Shakespearean style

[@hellfish2309]

“Family pets” hilarious 😆… especially since later he’s failing to fix the gas flow and Carmy just finds him facing the wall like a dog

[@DK-haze]

“Was that… a business slap?”

[@Rasid312]

But in irl we are talking bout the real chef in the show

[@machodgdon]

The amount of powerhouse actors they were able to get is crazy

[@BrainPilot]

They must know how good the show is!

[@paulevans6066]

They definitely got all these great actors because this is the episode they’re going to submit to the Emmys

[@hellfish2309]

Seeing as Sarah Paulson got involved, I’d be equal parts amused and infuriated if Pedro Pascal showed up as the angry neighbor or something 😆

[@stevedelamancha6639]

power house actor would be a stretch lol

[@shuhruhakh]

@@stevedelamancha6639 jon bernthal, emmy nominee bob odenkirk, emmy winner sara paulson, emmy winner john mulaney, OSCAR winner jamie lee curtis. u must be bitter because this is what means to be a power house actor, they are all critically acclaimed.

[@Eby98194]

The part where Sugar “asks are you okay?” And everyone’s follow up reaction, was funny and fear inducing. I felt so bad for her!

[@martinnovales]

had to rewind that and rewatch it was so good lol

[@jeffalcazar7005]

Or when the guy brought food lol😂

[@Vicky-ke4es]

That question was something so innocent and yet completely terrifying, it was like pulling the pin out of a grenade waiting for it to explode

[@chrisburruel3019]

​@jeffalcazar7005 the damn tuna casserole

[@Eby98194]

@@chrisburruel3019 That"s 8 fishes!

[@Kira1Lawliet]

The scene where they do the close-up on Jamie Lee Curtis saying, "are we going to have a problem, Carmy?" was probably the most chilling piece of acting I've ever seen from that woman ever.

[@hellfish2309]

It offers multiple meanings too: Mikey refuses to acknowledge a problem that can be addressed in his mom and himself; and Carmy runs off to kick ass and he returns in season 1, we don’t think by comparison he’s the one with the problem… but season 2 shows us Carmy’s problem and him wrestling with admission of it “Do *we* have a problem?”

[@trulydipps246]

@@hellfish2309 What's carmy's main problem again? He seemed okayish among all the Berzattos, except maybe being closed off and reserved I guess?

[@kstreet]

@@trulydipps246 In his monologue at Al-Anon, he described himself as a sensitive, stuttering child, "scared to speak half the time." He was traumatized by an overbearing family, their addictions and abusive behavior. I would guess he's meant to exhibit CPTSD or anxiety. To run the opposite direction from the chaotic environment he grew up in, he sought "perfection" and order in culinary art, which largely alienated him from the average person with lower standards or less ambition and talent. Becoming known as one of the best added its own kind of pressure. He's stressed and lonely, and doesn't really believe that he deserves to take a break to have fun at a party or date his dream girl. He's afraid to relax and have faith that things will be ok, for fear they'll blow up in his face. In "Fishes," Sugar and Carmy were unable to address their mother's problems directly (or fully understand Mikey's), even when she baits them, because they were afraid of all the guilt and anger she would project onto them. In my opinion, Carmy's main problem is never feeling safe.

[@msVanessajay]

I’ve never been so scared of a fake eyelash in all my life.

[@magpie405]

what eyelash? @@msVanessajay

[@cv8499]

Also, there's that great moment of peace provided by John Mulaney saying grace at the table. For a brief moment you think there might be a chance to cut through the chaos and get to reconciliation, at least long enough to share a meal. But the peace is fragile and soon erupts again.

[@BrainPilot]

That's very true - that was a peace and tranquil moment!

[@janem291]

Omg, No- I found ‘grace’ to be just as bad and stressful! Stop talking and just say AMEN- he went on and on and on-I couldn’t take it.

[@saber26ful]

@@janem291exactly. It was nails on a chalkboard painfully hilarious for most of us who grew up actually saying grace at the table 😂😂😂

[@hellfish2309]

Let’s just take a minute to acknowledge Mulaney was dealing with substance abuse and playing this character

[@wendywhite4929]

It sure was a lovely attempt!!!

[@raven_zoe]

To people who couldn't keep up or felt stressed while watching this episode-- that's exactly the point.

[@mattechrome]

I felt like I was home. I actually hoped I was.

[@BrainPilot]

They did it so well! I felt so uncomfortable for so long - when Richie and Tiff went to the room I was like "peace at last"

[@raven_zoe]

@@BrainPilot Yeah, genuinely feels like when you're at home for the holidays and need a second to breathe. They nailed the feeling perfectly.

[@brittanybarba2234]

I couldn’t stop nervous laughing during this episode

[@Dan-yy6tt]

I had to pause it a couple times to go outside for a smoke break

[@MSigs]

I just realized the irony of Sugar constantly asking if her mom is ok getting on her moms nerves, and her later being annoyed at the fact that people were checking in and taking care of her while she was pregnant.

[@briceticker6721]

this episode was great, but the next one, "forks" was something special man. Richie has been my favorite character from the start. He was relatable and i felt like ive known people like him in my life. Seeing him grow so much in 30 minutes was spectacular and was rooting for him the whole time

[@andrewsorensen444]

100% agreed, episode 6 was great but 7 was my favorite

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah they were both fantastic episodes. Richie's development was incredible. That scene of him singing Taylor Swift in the car was bafflingly moving...

[@jaymichelle8357]

Don’t forget the fact that there was a fork problem that Natalie said to Carmy that we see in the final episode that there weren’t enough forks in the restaurant opening night

[@DonnyM32]

​@@jaymichelle8357And Michael throwing the forks at Lee.

[@julied5444]

Episode 7 was my favorite

[@jgatsbyraps]

My favorite small moment is when Richie asks Tiffany if their future daughter will like them and then a little bit after in conversation Tiffany sticks her tongue out at Richie and they go back and forth for a bit doing so playfully. This is the same thing Richie's daughter did to him a few episodes prior when he dropped Eva off at Tiffany's place. He says "you know I'll take care of you" and his kid sticks her tongue out at him. Such a cool small detail to show that yeah..that's their kid and also maybe Eva did get to see her parents somewhat happy with each other for a little bit in the short bit of time she'd been in this world. I dig tiny moments that help expand a character's world to the audience.

[@TheKiki1705]

Beautiful scene

[@k.c5052]

Nice observation

[@divita5717]

oh i loved that part so much. the intimacy in just those 5 mins of the scene had my heart filled to the brim

[@danmartinez7929]

Didn’t think anything could be more stressful than ep 7 of the first season but oh man I was so wrong

[@BrainPilot]

Haha, I just wanted to get out of that kitchen and I wasn't even there lol

[@megamoviez]

Episode 7 when it came out I hailed as the most intense episode of tv in the last 5 years and now I think it’s been dethroned of that title because of this episode

[@unrelentingawesomeness7501]

@@megamoviezuntil ep 10 of season 2 came

[@ahchiu9]

I am happy that Jamie Lee Curtis received all of her awards for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, but this single episode was the greatest piece of work in her entire career. She was incredible

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah I much preferred her in this!

[@bistander]

I very much think Stephanie Hsu should have won supporting actress. She was way more memorable for me in that movie. But Jamie has killed it here.

[@clvrswine]

Your opinions aren't even your own.

[@pabloescobarschanclas]

@@clvrswine???

[@cv8499]

I think the timers also served to symbolize the beginning of the countdown to Mikey's suicide. The confrontation with Bob Odenkirk when he's telling him repeatedly that he's nothing may have been the tipping point for him, just as Natalie asking her mom if she was okay was the tipping point for her. They were both ticking time bombs.

[@BALUMJAJU]

Wow so true.... couldn't stop thinking about Bob throughout that fight... how he felt after Mikey's death, how haunting those words were or still are to him

[@bho84]

i think carmey and mikey talking about opening the bear and then the dinner fight was the catalyst for mikey's plan to get the $300K from Unc, burn the restaurant down for insurance money and get the money to Carmey to start his restaurant while replaying Unc back with the insurance money.

[@azuredivina]

oh, shit. yep.

[@girlonfire2.076]

@@bho84 you nailed it, maybe we will see more scenes with Mikey doing just that, I wonder what made him delete himself

[@kristineilochi4615]

Great insight!

[@Earth1218]

It is tragic but still somehow, strangely comforting that so many people here are commenting that they’ve gone through this, or that this was their mom, or that this brought them to tears because it hit so close to home. For most of my life I thought I was the only one. I thought I was a freak and that no one would possibly believe, much less understand what I experienced from my childhood up into adulthood. I was so ashamed. In school I kept to myself and didn’t have many friends. At least none that I allowed to get close enough that they would ever want to come to my home. I couldn’t allow anyone else to see what I lived in. I sabotaged relationships in my early adulthood. I was terrified that getting married or starting a family would create the exact thing that I ran from. The thing that I subconsciously entered an extremely stressful and demanding career to avoid and hide from. This was my mom to a frightening extent, on many levels. My sisters and I were Mike, Carmy, and Nat. One big difference was that my mom NEVER showed that side of herself to anyone outside the immediate family. To everyone outside she was one of the most beautiful, charming, charismatic women they knew. This would have never happened at a holiday dinner with extended family and friends. But it happened all the time just for us, behind the walls of our home. Week after week, year after year. My mom never drove a car into the house. But sometimes other things can happen. Things that can be just as, if not more bizarre and devastating. My mom had serious and untreated mental health issues. She didn’t self-medicate with alcohol. Non-stop extreme chain smoking was her coping mechanism. That, and tearing my father apart. And teaching us kids to hate him. And when he was gone, eventually, we were left solely in the line of fire. But my mom wasn’t one dimensional. Along with the darkness and the cruelty and the fear there were also extreme moments of tenderness. Moments of kindness. Moments of love. It was a deeply complicated and contradictory relationship. At this point in my life, I am so very conflicted. I go back and forth between the two sides, but I don’t know if I will ever be able to allow both to exist in the same space. I feel I need to, but don’t know how. When I focus on the dark parts, I feel like I am betraying mom. When I push those away and focus on the good parts, I feel like I am betraying myself. I’m married now and do have a family of my own. I know I’ve made mistakes in my own way, but I’ve tried hard to never let my kids experience anything like I did. I’m so adverse to confrontation and anger that I’ve probably swung too far the other way. It took a long time for my wife to peel back the protective walls and layers of emotional deadness that I learned to survive behind. I eventually brought my wife home and eventually, she learned how I grew up. She didn’t run away. I’ll forever be grateful for that, and for her love. I don’t know if I’ll ever truly deserve it. I know that I need to seek therapy to reconcile what I’ve experienced. In a way, seeing this episode and then seeing all of the comments from all of the people who can relate has been therapeutic. And it’s convinced me that it would be very good for me to pursue help. Thank you everyone, for that.

[@Mieslk2]

In Season 1, a scene of Michael telling a story was an incredible way to show how cool and captivating he was. It was such a cool callback to show him telling a story again in this episode, except he is in the sink of his addiction and depression. His second story of being messed up with Richie is not endearing at all when he is really struggling unlike the first time we see him. Powerful dichotomy of his character

[@emileeout1964]

As an Italian-American who's family has owned restaurants, sold drugs, and acted like complete psychopaths at family functions.... this episode hit me right in the trauma bone. The overlapping dialogue was brilliantly executed. Some of the most incredible acting I have ever seen by Jaime Lee Curtis. This episode, (while it gave me anxiety and panic) thrilled me in a way only a masterpiece can.

[@nb-wp2qz]

Weird, it felt nostalgic and I laughed most of the time...

[@avalokiteshvara113]

​@@nb-wp2qznice, gj psycho

[@clvrswine]

Shut up. Really. Have a shred of dignity. "Anxiety and panic"? Really? How weak are you and why are you on The Internet, sharing this?

[@RyaMM____]

This episode felt like it was never going to end and I was SUPER stressed while watching but ultimately loved this episode

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah they nailed the experience didn't they!

[@CD-bn7el]

I didnt love it way too crazy for me i could never b around a family like that n the mom was very unstable. Liked other episodes so much more

[@3headedsnake388]

@@CD-bn7elI mean that’s kind of the point though no?

[@wiidy9641]

i felt so bad for sugar the whole time i was watching this episode

[@BrainPilot]

She just looked so scared the whole episode. I did laugh out loud when she triggered her mother kicking off

[@hellfish2309]

Made me consider the “sugar vs salt” part her lore, and how Donna keeps insisting to Pete that he’s sweet; Donna, Carmy, and Mikey salt the wound and suffer, wringing their hands in cries for help

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

Watching her try to stealthily pour the alcohol down the drain was very sad

[@phrankster909]

She's so innocent. And then inadvertently lights the touchpaper. Such a brilliant acting performance.

[@MsPeaches2you]

THIS. This is what Jamie Lee Curtis should win an award for. I think she knocked this out of the park - even better than her performance in EEAAO.

[@BrainPilot]

Totally agree!

[@matewuocean]

Michael J. Fox once said "The oldest form of theatre is the dinner table" and this could not be more true with "Fishes". I was left dumbstruck, and not many episodes of a show have done this to me. When I think about episodes like 'Tern Haven' from Succession, 'Ozymandias' from Breaking Bad, and Arrested Development's episode 'Pier Pressure', or 'Heidi' from the show High Maintenance, to name only a few, The Bear sits comfortably among these groundbreaking shows as ambitious television. I am so happy the attention of this show is growing. Cannot wait for season 2 let it rip

[@deeveeuhs]

Absolutely agree! Side note: are you a writer?

[@matewuocean]

@@deeveeuhs I am an english student, aspiring writer 😀

[@sk8mafia214]

Another movie I would add to that is Pig with Nicolas Cage(highly recommend that movie).

[@deeveeuhs]

@@matewuocean it shows! I love when I read something that’s written well and can describe something not only efficiently but effortlessly as well. Kudos to you :)

[@saber26ful]

No honorable mention of Pine Barrens in your pantheon of goat episodes!?

[@KIUStinger]

Best and most stressful part of the episode is when richie and mikey are practically screaming at carmy about Claire by the door and he can hardly keep up or understand. If you’ve ever been screamed several things in a second by a couple of drunk family members before, you know how what carm was feeling

[@whatwedoinyah1614]

along with the scene with unc and richies wife

[@robotlixgaming4135]

I grew up in a family like this and it just felt so real…the arguments, the awkwardness of everyone when they wanna ignore the issues, and even the tense emotions felt so real. I’m so glad they were able to nail this feeling in the episode. 10/10 would watch again

[@fightrudyfight5799]

Episode had so much truth to it. The food, the time and space to make a meal, family conflict and trying to keep your mom calm over everything but blowing up regardless, best episode of season 2.

[@BALUMJAJU]

Even the gravy stains on the timer was perfection

[@monharris28]

I actually loved episode 4, with Marcus in Denmark, and episode 7 with Richie. Richie for me was the star of this season.

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah episode 4, 6 and 7 were so good in this season!

[@maybehere_]

@@scottystcloud7086i don’t necessarily agree wit the last part, i think carmy is jus self sabotaging himself once again. while i think claire’s entire character is really jus built as a distraction for him, he literally says that he doesn’t need enjoyment but i don’t think that’s true i mean he’s human😭 he can sacrifice everything for the restaurant but i think that’ll worsen his mental health and maybe even kill him.

[@gasparjimenez821]

FOR REAAAAAAAL Richie became my fave.

[@ashmenon6543]

Adding Will Pouter in this episode was amazing!

[@SatyrAzazel]

I also liked the choice of actors for the family. Most of them have such a full presence as actors and it made the scenes seem over full in an intentional way. That choice of actors really added to the already heavy personality of each character being portrayed. This show is really an art piece in so many ways.

[@JohnGWright-415]

Literally one of the best episodes I’ve ever seen. Acting impeccable, timing perfect, script writing on point, and cinematography excellent. Literally the perfect episode. Have never been so impressed and invested in a work like this in my life.

[@BrainPilot]

Totally agree - it's such a great episode!

[@clvrswine]

Worst episode from either season. You have terrible taste.

[@stephenholmgren405]

This show is beyond anything I've ever seen. I have a hard time recommending it to friends and family. They're are like, " so a, show about people opening a restaurant? " If there was an award above an Emmy, an Oscar, or a BAFTA for best drama series. It's THIS

[@KiMb3rMc]

At the end, I was thinking how in the world are they going to award the $htt out of this episode and every actors performance individually and as an ensemble without coming up with an entirely unique award 🥇🥇🥇

[@jerrysalmon7875]

Lol every time I describe it to people they just look at me like “what’s so interesting about that?”

[@rachelm.3173]

​@@jerrysalmon7875Right?! You have to just watch to see...

[@thejustinjustin1233]

The tension and stress oozes from episode to episode while also being relatable. We all get stressed and we all have breaking points. This show captures that very human element.

[@stephenholmgren405]

@@rachelm.3173 The best shows fly below the radar 👍

[@billthecat3688]

Anyone who grew up in an alcoholic family will identify with this X-Mas dinner episode. As someone who lost her brother to suicide and goes to weekly Al-Anon meetings, i can relate to a lot of the family dysfunction. The shows screenwriters and actors just nail it!!!

[@ejmfoundation4446]

God Bless you🙏🏾❤️

[@annadeinum3480]

I'm truly sorry for what you've been through.. God bless

[@becksimilian2955]

7:06 this is also a great callback to season 1 when we flashback to Carmy being berated by his old boss. It effected him so much because it brought up this night. Makes sense why he freaked out opening night when he thought he saw that chef at The Bear

[@jayatoumashoatz4730]

THIS WAS MY EXACT THOUGHT

[@fatalshore5068]

Just realised we got 2 community alum in the show now as cameos. Danny Pudi when?

[@apblolol]

I love how well jon bernthal portrays lost and broken men. How madness seeps into the cracks that form when you cant hold yourself together under all the pressure. His genuine support and love for his younger brother but he knows or at least thinks he cant be brought back from the edge. He's too far gone, so by the point Carmen brings up "the bear" Mike wants nothing more than to be with his brother and share in his success. In his mind nothing good will come from his involvement, and when he finally makes the decision to take his own life, he leaves all he has to his brother. His final gesture "let it rip" giving his blessing to Carmy to open the bear and leave the beef in the past. Its tragic and poetic and he gets all of his emotions across in one episode.

[@ozeirGD]

Almost feels like watching a movie than just a new episode. Like it's damn good.

[@BrainPilot]

Totally agree!

[@DurvalLacerda]

That episode was one of the best pieces of media I've ever seen in my life. And it hurts that it was relatable in so many ways. I see Carm totally different now.

[@timkau7]

Generational Trauma - episode 6: Donna (crashing the car and going crazy while Mike yells "open the door!") ➔ episode 10: Carmy (stuck in the walk-in going crazy, yelling "get me the f* out of here!")

[@sneakykamon]

😮good catch! I didn't even think about that.

[@Freshlygrazed]

Yup, and when Richie called Carmy "Okay, Donna!" in the fridge, which set them off too. Episode 6 was the glue that bonded this entire season

[@clvrswine]

No. No such thing as Generational Trauma, sorry. Grow a spine.

[@chrisheeran]

This episode wasn’t even over and I knew it was the best thing I’ve watched all 2023

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah it was truly something wasn't it!

[@CuratedVibes]

The stress and anxiety was coming through screen so clear. I was also on edge during the finale. It sent me back to my time as a line cook in busy kitchens.

[@BrainPilot]

Same here - it was so good!

[@CuratedVibes]

@@BrainPilot spectacular! I was truly satisfied with the entire season.

[@corygibson3304]

Me and my wife were just talking about how no other TV episode left us so emotionally drained, burned out and we loved it. Its our favoirte episode. I've never enjoyed being so emotionally run through the ringer like this.

[@BrainPilot]

Same here!

[@azuredivina]

"Fishes" was incredibly intense. i had to take a break halfway through & made myself a drink to finish it. then decompressed afterward. i loved what you said about how the timers throughout the episode were indicative of Donna's impending explosion. wow. everybody was absolutely great & the editing surely was masterful. it's heartbreaking to think that there are families that are like this, passing down these generational traumas, & sometimes losing loved ones to the pain. i appreciated getting a glimpse into how it is that Carmy zones out, compartmentalizes, & thrives under extreme pressure. hopefully he eventually accepts that he IS deserving of love.

[@youcangonowproductions]

It gave me John Cassavetes vibes, it just felt so raw and messy, but so perfect and real. I just can’t begin to understand how this was made. It was perfect. And the cameos made me SCREAM and they all fit in so well.

[@rhiannonsalt]

i am so grateful for this episode as someone who experienced similar family stuff growing up. i really hope this episode also helps people who have been through similar know that things also don’t have to be that way as well. It was so beautifully done and Jamie Lee Curtis portrayed that character so well.

[@Vicky-ke4es]

Felt like I needed a hug after watching this nightmare, the way they portrayed the atmosphere of a toxic family, where both loudness and silence is equally unnerving, where every conversation is tense filled with many layers unresolved issues, where words and deeds that come from the best possible intention can easily poison the atmosphere making everyone suffocate and numb, doing your best won't pay off and to top it all, it'll backfire too... boy they made it too real and raw. I really thought the dinner would end in a hopeful note, like all the Christmas celebrations are meant to be, then came Donna crashing the hallway.

[@moderndeveloperllc]

Wife and I watched this together. We sat and hugged for a while and watched puppy videos for the next 30 min

[@annerothhaas5926]

I loved when everyone knew Mikey was on drugs while he was telling his story in the living room -- the small looks they gave each other, the way they watched him and smiled flatly but perked up when he was looking at them, giving him the reaction he needed -- the way Ritchie told the story with him, keeping up with Mikey trying to make it okay, Lee's face when he doesn't speak and then when he says the thing that everyone is thinking. Almost micro-moments that were so powerful - incredibly well-blocked and shot scene

[@b1thearchitect401]

Absolutely incredible piece of filmmaking. It felt very cinematic with it's incredible build up of tension over it's near film like run time. Absolutely loaded with psychological insight into this family, their dynamics and their history. & it's an insane emotional rollercoaster that ranges from extreme anxiety, hilarity to heartbreak. One of the most well put together episodes of television I've ever watched

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah this was definitely one of the best!

[@heathwasson7811]

I've never felt so claustrophobic and uncomfortable watching a show. I wanted to skip it about halfway through but was afraid to miss anything. Following it up with the calmness of "Forks" is brilliant... especially when you know most people are binging it and will swing from one extreme to the other. The season taken as a whole is what makes it so marvelous. It's not just one episode, it's how the episodes play off one another as a single long-form composition.

[@BrainPilot]

This episode was a true experience wasn’t it!

[@deeveeuhs]

This episode triggered a bit of PTSD for me. I’ve spent countless holidays in situations very much like this one. My family is some of the most warm and loving people I know but also broken and filled with addiction, narcissism, ego and other toxic traits with little self awareness. I needed to step out for a cigarette after this one lol.

[@somecontrol268]

I gave up smoking 15 years ago but wanted a cigarette as soon as episode ended. Never truly free of any addiction I guess as long as the triggers are still there. Happily I did not have one in the house.

[@cornonthecob1179]

what an episode. Loved seeing Richies past along ep 7 forks which is one of my favourites

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah that was also such a good episode!

[@monharris28]

yeah, forks did it for me this season, loved the message behind it--it's never too late. LOVED seeing richie grow

[@tyharding6160]

OMG IT WAS AN HOUR LONG, it was so good, I was glued to the screen it didn’t even feel like an hour went by! Love this show!

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah this was a great episode!

[@neonrays28]

I knew as soon as i watched this would be a highly acclaimed episode. Really showed how painful family dyfunctuon is, how our insecurities and doubts affect us just as well as everyone around us. Mental illness, addiction, doubts. Unfortunately, i can see the mothers self-talk passed down to mikey and carmey.

[@Just2gofoods]

Can we all applaud Michelle who basically pleaded in her own way to tell Carmy to leave Chicago abd stay with her in New York. This was a brilliant episode.

[@gabriellebadowski4712]

I wonder if the creator(s) of this show have a personal connection to addiction - because there is no way you can get something so right without having firsthand experience with it. This was a brilliant episode.

[@BrainPilot]

That’s an interesting point!

[@kev4850]

so glad you made this video. This episode literally amazed me. I was really hoping that people appreciated as much as it needed to be

[@BrainPilot]

Thank, glad you enjoyed the video! Yeah, it was something special for sure

[@solitary2]

Donna referring to her family as “these people” really indicated how she really viewed them all

[@sonchik6324]

I just finished season 2 and this was by far the best episode for me. I grew up in a family like that and I hated it as a kid… but watching this made me oddly nostalgic. I see myself a lot in Carmy, the quiet youngest child that never intervened and just internalized everything. My family eventually fell apart and I cut a lot of people off and got therapy and maybe I’m in a better place in my life right now but I’m still mourning. To me, family is chaos. And I know it’s bad but I can’t help missing it. I guess that’s why The Bear is such a comfort show for me, despite its hectic style.

[@jalen2024]

My mom has many mental health issues and actually acted a lot like his mom in my younger years. Needed help but couldn’t accept help, lashed out a lot, brain fog, days without leaving bed, etc. Ep 6 really made me feel some things down in my core. Great writing, acting, and cinematography.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

This channel is one of the best. They'll always have our support.

[@keith919]

Honestly, while I was watching this episode, I badly needed their family tree LOL. The amount of talent on that table was so f**cking awesome

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah this episode was really top class!

[@xRenegade_999]

Dont forget the lil easter egg when michael asks carmy 3 things about that place and carmy mentions where he slept on a boat and fed an invisable cat, just like they showed 2 episodes ago with marcus. The way this show places small hints throughout the normal episodes reallt encourage you watch every second on the screen. Definitely one of the best shows ive seen in a long time. As a cook myself. This shit hits so hard lol. This is up there with breaking bad for me

[@SawyerCoco]

OVER AN HOUR LONG?? I didn’t even realize the episode was longer than the others. It was that good.

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah definitely one of the best pieces of TV this year!

[@matthewmarshall5730]

The use of the timer with the zoom ins and blasting the noise in the mix reminded me of how some similar things are used in the movie Requiem for a Dream

[@BrainPilot]

That's true actually!

[@healingv1sion]

When he threw that fork I lost it 😂 craziest moment I've seen on TV in a long time

[@BrainPilot]

Loool, I know what you mean. That would hurt as well

[@patrickhernandez2145]

This episode feels like the perfect “acting school.”

[@Cr33persJeepers]

It was so good the fact that when you're not hearing screaming you feel tension in the silence. There was almost no peace and I loved it

[@DIRTYPRODiGY]

Out of this entire episode, I think there's a very crucial point where I think everyone missed. This episode is chaotic and just plain traumatic. Mom, Carmy, Michael, and Nat all suffered a form of traumatic memory that haunted them. Michael ended up killing himself over Lee's "You're Nothing" and that was his final straw. Natalie always doubt herself ever since, trying to help out. It wasn't until later episodes that she found joy in helping Carmy and the restaurant that she found her purpose again. Carmy associated the madness with the cannoli dish, but finally accepted it once The Michael was presented by Marcus that he reverted that association from negative to good. But the import part is, out of the entire episode of pure madness, Richie remembered Uncle Jimmy's story about the chocolate banana and presented him the surprise in the final episode. That, to me, is a masterpiece. Because Richie has always been the more chaotic one and never learned to pay attention while listening, but ever since his transformational experiences working in Episode 7 - Forks, he paid attention and remembered. Out of all the chaos of the storm, he became the calm. He isn't a leech in the family, he is the bond that brought the Bears siblings together. Masterpiece. Just pure masterpiece.

[@captjackp]

It was amazing, so many amazing cameos and that ending! Wow

[@BrainPilot]

Totally agree - it was such a great episode!

[@naomm8832]

watching it felt like watching a kettle overheat and then explode. most stressful hour of tv but it really transmitted the anxiety, the emotions, the trauma and the tension of a family gathering. heartbeat was racing and i went through all the motions.

[@adminucop9019]

Emmy awards for this surreal acting..

[@BrainPilot]

Totally deserves it!

[@thelytz9806]

Episode left me completely speechless, this show has to go down as one of the best of all times, up there with Breaking Bad and The Sopranos

[@marionsistena4357]

The sound design on this episode was amazing...all the scenes before the ultimate dinner scene had music underscoring them. George Harrison and Christmas songs adding this other layer of depth to the scene. Also the scenes within a scene...the added chaos of hearing the kitchen even though we were in the living room or hallway.

[@DPauyo76]

Great review! Just finished watching Season 2! This episode was a masterclass in showing family generational trauma and how it negatively effect each family member differently! Made me understand Carmy better! Was on the edge of my seat watching! Can’t wait for Season 3! 😁♥️📺✨

[@BrainPilot]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@curtconroy8789]

This episode was one of the best I’ve ever seen on television. Every element of the performances , writing, editing directing - seems like a magic trick. It is flawless. JLC gives the performance of a lifetime

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah it's such an intelligent episode - with such thought and attention to detail!

[@GIBBO4182]

Simply some of the best writing I’ve ever seen in a tv show

[@ephoneus]

Theres something about Jamie Lee Curtis' frowns in that conversation with Carmy and his mother in the kitchen that always get me, over and over. Like the whole conversation she's compelled to pull the saddest, deepest, most gut-wrenchingly agonizing singular frown that persists through every high and low that really only spawns in your heart when you feel hopeless. It's so beautiful she was able to capture that on camera. That, Carmy and Sugars frequent hollow numb stares, and Richie quaking when Unc almost told his wife he didnt have a job really made this one of the most viscerally relatable and human pieces of television I've ever seen.

[@joey_wentz]

The episode is amazing and if you personally punch walls, and raise your voice, make weird noises, and make faces, instigate arguments to ruin things for whatever reason, like this episode did it’s best to touch on generations of problems across genders and drugs and mental problems and in my opinion nailed it, you can see the mental illness and addiction in the mother, definitely fell into mikey, but so much all did too like his story telling his comedy how he cares and connects with people, I can’t wait for next season and I would hope it’s all mikey and glimpses into the future this time but oh well

[@JulietteHelene]

Here’s to all the kids who endured this level of stress and chaos at family functions and were able to grow up to break these generational traumas ❤ May all your gatherings be harmonious, fun and stress free

[@matthewryan2060]

As a chef all I can say if this is the best show I’ve ever seen. I was on the verge of a panic attack in half the episodes. I think we deserve a raise chefs, heard?

[@BrainPilot]

Yeah it was so well delivered from both the crew and cast!

[@StarEeyed143]

Great recap of this episode. I really enjoyed the details in your analysis. Makes me want to rewatch the episode to find the things you spoke about.

[@BrainPilot]

Thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@limitgoesoff]

Just finished this episode. This show really gets to me because of how good the actors are. The emotions, the trauma, the drama, the fighting the chaos, it feels so real. The family dynamic just felt so, real it's hard to explain.

[@katewackerle]

I checked with some of the crew who worked on the episode and they said it was actually filmed digitally - but the effect on the edit is so good some of them were questioning their memory of the shoot! So, it certainly does its job!

[@BrainPilot]

Oh wow! That’s interesting!

[@GungaLaGunga]

and the horn pendant jewlery Donna is wearing. Details like that are sublime and hilarious. Thanks whoever's idea that was.

[@24p0]

This episode was a tough nut to crack for me at first. I got stuck halfway through and it took a week before I got around to finishing it. At three in the morning, the silence of the night was broken by my loud "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? DAAMN!" Like five times. It's probably the best episode of any TV series I've ever seen. And I thought Fargo would remain unbeaten. Excellent!

[@L-92761]

They captured the feeling of a big (and disfunctional) family gathering for the holidays brilliantly I felt like I was back home lol

[@artoflariz]

This was an excellent take on this episode. Well done! The fact that the viewers really felt the stress every time the scene is in the kitchen. And yes, I said what you said in the review. GEt me out of that place.

[@BrainPilot]

Thank you very much!

[@jarrodbagwell3628]

This episode shook me.. best acting I’ve seen in a long time.. I can relate to so much, my mom struggled with mental illness and ended up taking her life.. the chaos they are able to capture within the family and how a death like that can effect them is all too real.. left me speechless

[@JoeRiver444]

Sooo good! This episode will stick with me forever.

[@BrainPilot]

It was a good one for sure!

[@abhinavsalgunan1337]

it's one of those episodes which you feel that you've lived once in your life, it's so raw that each characters felt real and authentic.Classy episode ❤❤

[@BrainPilot]

Definitely!

[@brandonconde1383]

I was so happy when Mike threw that last fork

[@BrainPilot]

Loool!

[@chadturner614]

Instead of stressful, it was uncomfortable with how Donna was so familiar that it cut like a knife. I had to pause it and take a break. That kitchen... oh, that kitchen. The screaming, the wine and vodka, the meltdown, it was so familiar. It was mostly the mother that sent chills. With Sugar pouring and hiding booze, and Carmy doing anything to help and nothing satisfying the mom. While she berates everyone for not helping, but mostly her children who tried to reach out to her getting punished the most. I was sweating in panic induced nostalgia of the worst kind.

[@truboss9470]

I’m going to need a 2 hour film surrounded around the events of Mikey’s death😭‼️

[@1997Milan]

I just watched the episode and I was so so stressed out because it felt .. idk relatable. Incredible show.

[@1997Milan]

When Mikey threw the last fork at Lee, I LOVED IT , cuz that's what I would've wanted to do in that situation.

[@benjaminhariri602]

I just saw this episode hours ago. It’s one of the best episodes of TV I’ve ever seen. It felt so real words can’t describe it. My fav seen was Cousin and Tiff on the bed together, so real and so sweet. One of my fav shows rn

[@MsNationaltreasure]

This scene was literally my husband's family on Christmas. They are Italian and they do 7 fishes each year it's really this chaotic.

[@Air.keccc1]

Every five minutes had me saying “this is the best episode of tv ive ever seen” and then the next scene would top it like its was nothing

[@thatguitarguy9157]

This episode was a short film without question

[@BrainPilot]

100%! Such a great piece of TV

[@michaelmiles2305]

“I do have access to $500” …..“is Michael still holding the fork”😂😂😂 naw Stevie my new fav on the show I need more

[@devak45167]

This episode will go down with the all time greatest episodes of television and it will be in the top section of that list. This is on the level with BB’s Ozymandias or Sopranos Pine Barrens. It’s gonna gain legend status and it’s truly a masterclass in every sense.

[@crozraven]

This episode is just too real to me. Like watching a mirror or video footage of my own family dinner during holidays.

[@paulie2140]

Really good analysis and insight of a jaw dropping episode. Really like your views on the timer, I think you're spot on. I wanted to add that one major theme for me was that on mental health and the ignorance towards it by others. For me, it was made obvious that Mikey and his mum share the same disease and it's not being recognised or at least dealt with by others. Two of the most poignant scenes for me were where Carmy and Mikey are talking in the bathroom under the stairs and when Carmy and his mum talk in the kitchen near the end of the episode. Carmy wants to understand and help but neither let him in. I think it's also clear that Lee plays a major role in both Mikey and his mum's problems but just hasn't done enough. When the mum has a meltdown at the table, Lee quickly dismisses it and brushes it aside - which causes Mikey to explode. I think it's hinted here that Lee has also been absent in Mikey's suffering. I don't think Lee is a bad guy, but maybe he represents the ignorance in a lot us towards mental health and its sometimes ultimate consequences. Wondered if anyone else thought the same or had similar ideas?

[@saurabhtantry5550]

A small detail which I loved was when you could briefly hear Mikey retelling that same Bill Murray story, which we heard him recount in season 1