“The Bear” delivers a strong personal and professional study

Set in Chicago in a family-run sandwich shop, “The Bear” premiered in 2022 with stunning physical and emotional elements. I was captivated immediately, impressed by creator/showrunner Christopher Storer’s ability to maintain the dynamic interaction of the extended family, multiple chefs, and diverse staff. It’s a juggling act presented with creative and even courageous choices.

Impressively, each character presents a complex, unique personality with unresolved issues and inhibiting conflicts. No spoilers here, because this series, from season one through the current season three, covers a multiplicity of crises. In the setup, award-winning New York chef Carmen Berzatto, called Carmy, returns to the family’s Italian sandwich shop--The Beef--after his brother Michael has committed suicide four months earlier. This does not bode well for smooth sailing, and very rough water will follow.

Chief among them is Carmy’s stormy relationship with volatile Richie, the restaurant manager. Factor in Sydney, the talented sous-chef who is calm, disciplined, and ambitious. There’s pastry chef Marcus, line cook Tina, Carmy’s sister Natalie (aka Sugar), and disruptive childhood friends. It’s no secret that workplace and family interaction, much less the need for collaboration and support, make for difficult situations. That contributes to the explosive, unpredictable problems as Carmy decides to rebrand and reopen The Beef as an upscale The Bear amidst financing challenges, professional and personal obsessions, an inability to show vulnerability and to forgive others, added to the desire for a Michelin star-rated restaurant, among the most elusive to earn in a most difficult business.

Season three gives back stories and developments for each central character. Christopher Storer’s guidance is superb, technically strong in every detail. In the performances, Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, Lionel Boyce, and everyone else give a master class in acting: anger, grief, joy, impatience, cooperation--agony and ecstasy, real, never sugar coated. And guest appearances are notable, including actual star chefs and real Chicago restaurants. Seasons one and two have won acting, Golden Globe, and Emmy awards, though the comedy-drama category skews to drama, among the best on television. The ten episodes of “The Bear’s” third season stream now on FX on Hulu. And it has been renewed for a fourth season. Count me in.