The Bear S5 — 3.5/5
With this season, it feels much like the last season, though I don't think it manages to reach the catharsis of that season or prior seasons. Despite the tension inherent in the premise of the season, it's calmer now, centered on Syd who is thrust finally into becoming the main character and, as I keep saying, it's not really her show. Carmy and his sad eyes try to take a backseat, but your eyes keep going to him. To see if he breaks? To see if he can hang on? And he doesn't, and he does. Yay, good for him. As I may or may not have said, I can't remember, depends on who I talked to, I guess, I see Carmy's experience similar to my own (though not nearly to the same degree). More a similar question of 'is leadership what I want?' — though I don't think that quite sums it up. Maybe more of a 'is leadership worth the anxiety?,' or 'does caring about your work have to mean carrying it into your personal life?' Maybe one of those, dunno. 'Is the cost worth what you are paying,' in essence. (The problem with seeking answers is being unable to define the question.) But those questions, that similarity, puts 'The Bear' in a special place in my heart. For all the criticism and lessening of consideration that took place, there is a lovely simple story about reaching the heights, and deciding that's not what you want. Who knew? You couldn't know until you got there. So while I think a lot of the show feels like 'can they get there?', it's really about whether that's the place you need to be. And the answer, really, is that for some, yes, and for some no. Some need the drive, the chaos, the discipline, the support, the accolades, and those are lovely stories and each one valid but for Carmy, and eventually for me, coming sooner by the day, is the reassurance that it's okay to step back, and just be part of the crowd.
