FILMMAKER REACTS to THE BEAR Season 2 Episode 6: Fishes

Hope you enjoy my first reaction to The Bear. :D
Early Access (2 episodes ahead!) & Full length Reactions: / jamesvscinema
Original Show on HULU: The Bear (2022)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
Follow Me:
Instagram: / jamesadamsiii
Twitter: / jamesadamsiii
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Donna being like "None of you helped me!" when she literally rejected every help offer while she was cooking is the most painfully accurate thing. My mom is like that sometimes. I love her, but she can get on my nerves. This episode was seriously triggering 😭

[@cooliostarstache5474]

My mom sometimes does the same thing, thankfully it's nowhere near as bad as Donna but it's enough to make me roll my eyes haha

[@francb1634]

I think the biggest achievement of this episode is that despite having 6 new guest stars which could amount to stunt casting, not one of them feels like a random cameo.. they all instantly and thoroughly feel like members of this family. like they've been on the show for 8 seasons but we just never go to see their scenes.

[@tejida815]

💯

[@CitizenScorn]

Well said 💙

[@dir-gk]

Exactly. It’s fucking incredible.

[@adambainbridge1708]

This episode was so intense, I felt like watching Crawl Space (Breaking Bad) to calm down.

[@Batt-man]

😂

[@Knightowl1980]

Sarah Paulson character was basically saying Carmey needs to get the fuck out bc that famiky and his mother will eat him alive, and if he stays behind he will never reach any potential so he needs to get out and stay with her to see the possibilities away from them. She sees what he can become

[@NNFaNRacing]

I saw it this way as well, I think she is one that "got out" and is trying to help Carmy do the same.

[@robovike]

Tried to throw him a life line and Carmy is like "I'll try." Took a while but he finally did try.

[@coreym0]

The convo between Carm and Sarah Paulson was her just noticing how crazy the family is and offering him a way out in NY. She just doesn't want to see him get stuck there.

[@lydia1634]

But it didn't necessarily help him. It's what sent him to that destructive restaurant and what severed his relationship with Mikey. It was good advice...and it wasn't altogether helpful for him.

[@trashsplashtucker]

@@lydia1634 Mike wasn't picking up his calls prior to this episode

[@dtgstl3148]

The reason they all call each other "Bear" is because their last name is Berzatto, pronounced "Bear-zah-toe".

[@chaost4544]

It says something to the quality of the series when highly respected, established actors in the industry want to be part of something.

[@dahliaherrod4301]

Right?! Like what did the team say to these people to get them on board?

[@stevemartegani]

They want ALL THE EMMYS! LOL

[@oggyreidmore]

There are four major responses to trauma: Fight, flight, fawn, and freeze. Michael fights (even with himself), cousin Michelle runs away to NYC, Natalie fawns, and Carmen freezes up and disassociates. The family is the personification of trauma, both cause and effect.

[@T.Florenz]

🧡

[@MsPsychedelia]

Not only is your comment amazing, it also reminds me of one of my favorite seasons from one of my favorite shows (Mentopolis - Dimension 20). So, it feels like I'm double fangirling here hahahaha.

[@Zbeast5972]

That’s a really cool way to describe it

[@adambainbridge1708]

The conversation at the beginning hits deeper once you start to connect with their mom’s character and every time Nat tries to handle her. I love that they started this episode with a warning!

[@kristinav198]

and the fact that this episode is followed by yet ANOTHER banger. can’t wait for the Forks reaction omg

[@Vuronov]

Also, the job Cicero gave Richie in this episode is the one he was convinced Richie screwed up back in the hot dog episode where it turned out the tenant had been calling Michael's number by mistake.

[@elheber]

I didn't think so. Whatever job he had with Cicero ended before Michael died, which was why he was already back working at The Beef and why he wasn't living with Tiffany for some time. Based on their conversation in the hot dog episode as they were walking up to the house, Richie was some kind of enforcer, but he messed up and hurt some lady... he caught himself in front of Carmie and said "when she fell down the stairs" instead of what actually happened.

[@derek6460]

This episode and Forks (ep7) are two of the best episodes of tv in a long time.

[@Quixotic1018]

I was rewatching Everything Everywhere All at Once recently and Jamie Lee Curtis' character talks about driving a car through her ex-husband's house so I'd like to think this is one of her alternate universes.

[@Zbeast5972]

No way 😭😭

[@spdcrzy]

I damn near guarantee this is not a coincidence. It HAD to have been written in for this episode lol.

[@CJKdrum711]

Might have to check out the uncut version for this one, one of the best TV episodes of all time, IMHO

[@LucasMarques-gm2fj]

where can I watch the uncut?

[@ArianneVillareal]

@@LucasMarques-gm2fjpatreon

[@topher2041]

I was waiting for this episode!!! One of the best tv show episodes out there! I have a few friends that could not finished it because it hit to close to home.

[@jculver1674]

As anyone who grew up in a family like this can attest, this episode was too damn real.

[@przemekkozlowski7835]

My parents are sane people but my extended family has some real doozies due to alcoholism and/or mental illness. This episode reminds me of a family dinner when I was a teenager. My mother was the "Nat" in the scenario and her attempts to keep things from escalating backfired. There was no car crashing through the wall but otherwise things went just as bad.

[@lordhoot1]

I think everyone can recognise elements of this madness from their own family, even if things were never as crazy as this.

[@johnnyrivas2619]

21:22 Carmine just completely checks out, the bro disassociated and I don't blame him one bit. He looks almost like he could be in a Rembrandt painting there. And in an episode of glorious cameos, Jamie Lee Curtis outdoes them all. She's a devastating force of nature in what I think is her greatest performance in an already storied career. The one-two punch of Fishes followed by Forks is just transcendent. We go from a tempest of utter chaos to a tranquil and sublime lake, and they have to be in the conversation for the two greatest back-to-back episodes in television history. I'm really looking forward to your reaction to Forks, my brother.

[@jaives]

Sarah Paulson's character was being genuine with Carmy. Since she's related, she knows how toxic the Berzatto's can be, and out of all of them, Carmy has the most potential to get out and succeed because of his culinary education. She was trying to save him. That's how Carmy ended up in NY working for the best restaurant in the country.

[@abbeybarnett855]

The conversation with Carm about New York. Right now in this episode Carm is in Copenhagen and if you remember in season one when Carm was working at the French Laundry in new york so needless to say this night and how messy it was is the reason Carm went to New York!

[@johnnyscans]

French Laundry is in Napa, not NYC.

[@qbreezy2417]

He was at Eleven Madison Park in NY. The French Laundry is where he worked in Napa Valley.

[@rhystaylor6939]

The craziest thing about this episode is James reading it as a positive family experience where they are just having deep emotions.

[@kelly9876]

James seemed to miss the mom drinking throughout, and Sugar discreetly pouring out the alcohol to try to control the situation. That Michael got high following the conversation with Carmen in the pantry. Michael knew that he would never be able to get it together enough to have that dream with his brother. Carmen and Nat are going to Al-Anon because of their brother AND mother (and probably father)

Jon Bernthal is an underrated actor and I'm glad that with this episode he received his first Emmy nomination. He deserves a little more attention.

[@nolaw7949]

He hasn’t been nominated for this episode. He was nominated for his episode last season. The bear season 2 will be present at the upcoming Emmys. The last one was for season 1

[@gelfling3077]

Ohhhh I've been waiting for this one. Acting so good you forget they're acting, direction and cinematography that deposits you DIRECTLY in the chaos...It's perfectly painful TV. Absolutely magnificent.

[@619Gotenks]

Anthony Bernthal putting on a clinic

[@JamesVSCinema]

LMFAO, mans is no joke

[@TisBoiGoTSkiLLz]

Can’t wait for your reaction to the next episode. Genuinely one of the best episodes in television history.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Everytime I watch this show, I get so lost in the chaos that I forget they're acting. Insane filmmaking. Shout out to everyone involved!

[@tibor420]

Fishes into Forks is like legit legendary television

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Only a show like The Bear can make a Christmas-related episode its most intense yet

[@candyapu3]

Which I really appreciated, the holidays for a lot of families are unfortunately like this a lot of times (hopefully nobody is driving a car through the wall), but I can’t remember a single thanksgiving growing up where it didn’t end with my grandma or one of my aunts in tears. One year, my uncle decided that sitting down at the table when ready to eat would be an optimal time to announce he was a heroin addict.

[@JamesVSCinema]

This is THE Episode...absolute chaos. Better Call Saul & More Always Sunny & Succession & The Bear on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day y'all!

[@cooliostarstache5474]

The conversation between Michael and Carmy and Michael's reaction (especially how he basically self harms) just hits so deep

[@everausten]

I never caught that the next episode is called Forks as a connection to Mikey throwing the fork in this episode 🤯

[@MsPsychedelia]

This episode made me appreciate Natalie so much more. I loved the character before, but seeing her all anxious, trying to deal with her family during the holidays (especially her mom, and her desperate attempt to stop Mike from fighting, trying to control that specific situation) hit me super hard, I saw myself reflected on her and that made me see her on a different light. Like I could understand her better. This show is great the first time you watch it, but wow its rewatch quality is also incredible. Especially after this episode.

[@stevenhs9773]

a) The siblings call each other Bear, because all of their last names are Bertazzo. b) Sara Paulson's character, Michelle Berzatto, invites Carmy to New York, explains the origin of how he became chef at 11 Madison Park, the restaurant where he was abused in the opening scene of Season 1 Episode 2.

[@wade.russell]

The mum in the kitchen gave me a mini panic attack due to familiarity. Except mine was sober which is somehow worse.

[@dreamcoyote]

This episode was.. a LOT. Incredibly done. Watching you talking about it I realized just how much tension, anxiety, just absolute pressure it builds up to and what was the pressure about? throwing a fork not bringing one extra fish dish and for Sugar.. literally making sure not to ask your mother "are you ok?" - that was the nuke that destroyed everything. something so caring, innocuous, normal.. but yet nuclear in this situation. There's so much skill behind this show.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

And I thought they couldn't make a more intense episode than "Review" from the first season

[@ger.baltav]

Then there's the finale

[@Nick_ZL1120]

I was waiting for this episode man it’s a crazy trip. Love ur reactions James keep it up 🖤

[@sherylsmallwood-valdivia5375]

My mom and I had this episode at the lowest possible volume in fear our neighbors would call the cops on us.....and we STILL could hear everything. 😅

[@lydia1634]

"This is a top tier episode!" Yes! We've been saying that since you started watching season 1! This episode and the next one "Forks" are some of the best episodes in television ever, not just this show.

[@kupoflupo3346]

This episode is perhaps my favourite single episode of any show.. the complete unexpectedness, the pure chaos is kicked up to 9000%, some real down-to-eath moments, and surpirse cameos

[@stevemartegani]

While I was watching this episode I had so much anxiety... If I ever walked into a house with a family that was like this, I would immediately walk out and never come back LOL

[@NickWalkerWilliamson]

Using so many recognizable actors is brilliant for so many reasons. Obviously for their acting chops, star power, ability to bring them back into play down the line, etc. But I think the best side effect of using such well known people is that it makes us kinda feel like part of the family right away. Like “oh yea I know all these people, I love them!” Then you can just settle as a viewer and enjoy how the writers and director utilize them.

[@kristentitus4946]

This and the next episode are some of the best "TV" I've ever seen..... feels so real and these character's are so complex.... as we all are. This episode really shows the struggles of a family and especially when the parent has mental illness and how it effects all the kids differently. I relate heavy to that type of chaos and they protrayed it shockingly accurate. Anxiety through the whole episode

[@T.Florenz]

It's nuts how many wounds their mother inflicted on each child that night. It's a hard one to watch, for me. Too close to home, the way one person's rage and pain can become a violent storm while everyone just looks on, feeling helpless and powerless to stop it or escape it.

[@xombiekat13]

An hour long episode that goes by in like 5 insane minutes.

[@chrisannlewis8767]

they all call each other bear cuz of their last name-Berzatto. cuz it’s pronounced like bear-zah-toe🐻 it’s the cutest!

[@Vuronov]

I think the nickname of Bear comes from their last name, Berzatto, sounding like Bear. Cousin Michelle tells a story about Bears and seems imply that it's a common family nickname.

[@steved1135]

Nice. A crazy episode that builds so much story background. Next up though: one of the single greatest TV episodes of all time.

[@cvcorvus]

favorite episode from the show, just so perfect

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

I always like to picture this episode as a bomb. The buildup and majority of it is the fuse being lit and the ending is the explosion.

[@jillmayer9501]

The mother is an alcoholic - that is why Sugar can be seen pouring out alcohol. The mother's personaility is inhanced by the drinking and all of her emotions come out. My mom used to act a lot like this when she was drinking. Also friendly reminder that Mikey is also an addict. His behavior is erratic again due to substance abuse. Regardless of whether or not mental illness is involved - some of their unfavorable behavior is likey due to their addictions.

[@rocks2clouds282]

Aside from so many of the other wonderful things about this episode that have already been pointed out, I also love seeing a more tender and vulnerable side of Richie. That scene with him and Tiff- one of the actually quiet moments of the episode. It was very sweet to see

[@oliviameade14]

I know this is a bold offer, but this was some of the finest television making in years.

[@melskmelsk]

This ep was a beautiful nightmare. I was so stressed and so impressed. Also impressed with your edit! Wasn't sure I'd enjoy experiencing this one again tbh but I really did!

[@majormajormajortom]

Forks time! Next episode was my favourite of the season, and just a good episode of television all round. One of the best ever put to the screen, period.

[@phw6526]

Also what’s cool is the dude that plays the heavy set friend that hangs around all the time, he is really the “real life chef” , seen him back in the day on vice channel doing food and cannabis parings.. I think he is the brains of the mini series

[@antsteele871]

Next episode somehow cleared this

[@brandonsniegowski2759]

As someone who had an incredibly similar situation with my family this episode sent me down into a spiral …loved and hated this episode lol

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Yooooooo, we're here! We're finally here!

[@chandlermorgan708]

This family is an absolute nightmare

[@Bpinardi]

been waiting for this one!

[@dnllrnt]

Yeah, I had to look up the relationship between Lee (Odenkirk) to the Berzattos. He's Donna's on again/off again boyfriend, so the vitriol between he and Michael makes so much more sense. Also during the episode, you can hear Mikey and Richie tell the Bill Murray story at least twice in the background 😂

[@joetaptaco]

One of the best episodes of TV ever. A masterpiece.

[@mmoore0325]

You are one of few reactors that I'll rewatch this episode with. This ep still makes my stomach hurt!

[@ShelbyBaby27]

I gotta say James, thank you for breaking down this episode without judgment and the need to over diagnose/ label what is going on with the characters ike other channels.

[@Knightowl1980]

Bro I just clicked out of a completely different reaction so damn fast when I saw this -definitely go back and rewatch it without worrying about commentary. A year later I still pick up new nuances

[@robovike]

I know it wasn't JLC's calculated intention but I feel like her driving the car through the living room at the end was similar to Mookie throwing the trash can through the window of Sal's at the end of Do the Right Thing to divert attention, or else everyone would have torn each other apart.

[@JacksGameReviews]

Depressing this episode is straight depressing Written so incredibly well, the inevitability of negativity overpowering a night of happiness, anxiety inducing man

[@lydia1634]

And why it's so important to be followed by Forks. The whole audience needs good news.

[@ForcesInMotion]

While I can understand if folks think this episode was too over-the-top, for me it's one of the all-time great episodes of television. Very difficult, but rewarding, if you can get yourself into a space to be able to deal with it. And even though there are so, so many things/characters/events/actors to point to in this episode as standouts, for me I remember walking away from this episode being most impressed w/ Richie's development. His character, and the actor who plays him, just blew me away here; and then in the subsequent episode Forks. Spectacular. And yeah... Of course. It was great to see Jimmy McGill in there. Odenkirk can do no wrong :)

[@snekles6449]

This episode is insane. And the best part is its not even the best episode. That would be forks

[@mljs_stv5664]

WE MADE IT, Y’ALL! NEXT, FORKS 😂

[@dahliaherrod4301]

I've always liked Jamie Lee Curtis' work but her last 2 projects-The Bear and Everything, Everywhere-were seriously great. I had no idea she had it in her. Still wanted Angela Bassett to win Best Supporting Actress Oscar but I'm alright with her losing to Jamie.

[@Nihilus_Outis]

What can I do for anyone to make a reaction video to one of my favorite films and one of the most underrated movies of the last two decades? I'm referring to 'Angels & Demons' (2009) starring Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, and directed by Ron Howard, with a score composed by Hans Zimmer. It's the sequel to 'The DaVinci Code' (2006). Be the first one, James. I beg you. 😅

[@jpettersson84]

This is one of the greatest episodes of television I have ever seen, and I never wanna watch it again. That says something.

[@keeghanmclane3586]

Coming from a therapist perspective, the mom is a dead ringer for having Borderline Personality Disorder. A brilliant depiction if intentional!

[@reubenlee6438]

It has arrived and I'm 100% here for it.

[@elbruces]

The casting director went *berserk* on this one!

[@JackHancock03]

I rewatched this episode on Christmas Day, mistakes were made

[@thepontiacbandit7329]

This episode is called Fishes. The next one is called Forks actually. Can you please release your reaction to it here on KZbin as well? It's a very special episode, I don't wanna give any spoilers....

[@Toastrodamus]

Jon Bernthal is the BEST possible choice for this role. Every group of siblings has one who takes after their most f**ked-up parent, and Michael definitely takes after Donna. He just brings loud drama because that's all he's ever known

[@frederickmiles8815]

Great Episode - Jon Berthal is always great for some one off heavy lifting in the acting department!

[@ShiestyNagoo]

This and the following are a serious 1-2 punch.

[@KMM-kx2yn]

Is that Jamie “TERROR FROM THE SKIES!” Lee Curtis? It’s a reference to her big character performance, google jamie lee Curtis terror from the skies

[@dahliaherrod4301]

Justice for Pete! That man be going through it every episode. He must really love Sugar cause it couldn't be me.

[@pricemoore2022]

AWESOME REACTION OF MY FAVORITE THE BEAR EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@liamgallagher3833]

Oh I’ve been WAITING for this one

[@nickboseman5250]

Could not wait to see your face when Saul Goodman came around the corner!!

[@southpaw2830]

Can you please do Menace II Society and Godzilla Minus One?

[@Amatsu2077]

Its a shame theyre limited to how much they could do with Bernthal because of his character being dead. Underated legend

I've never been so anxiously watching an episode in my entire life. It's for neurotypicals hahaha But I'm so happy when I see Jon Bernthal back. I think season three needs to do a whole Mikey and Richie episode. For the old Punisher days.

[@EJTaylor8]

let’s go people, we made it 🙌

[@alvarosuarez1267]

My only thought this episode was Aww, Brittas in this?

[@SC457A]

this episode and the next one are top tier great TV

[@AL-fl4jk]

Jamie Lee Curtis came to teach a class this episode

[@SanjuroSan]

Finally! Amazing episode.

[@phw6526]

Acting by Jamie Lee Curtis was incredible..hit a grand slam..👍

[@lindsayfan6031]

Best episode in tv history ????

[@Personneinternet]

Man this episode hit home, i can barely watch it

[@fusfauxpas]

Been looking forward to this

[@jessecoombs]

fork?

[@jandnorton]

Jamie Lee is going to win the emmy for this episode