The Bear season 3: a main course with weaknesses

German fans of the hit series "The Bear" had to wait a year for the continuation of the story about charismatic chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his team. On August 14, the third season - almost two months after its launch in the USA - will finally celebrate its premiere in Germany and promises to captivate viewers once again with its mixture of culinary excellence and profound, impulsive and emotional moments. Whether the start will also break records here remains to be seen.

In the USA, the third season was viewed 5.4 million times in the first four days, making it the most-watched season premiere of a series on the US streaming service Hulu.

In a kind of trance

The first of the ten episodes in particular could be confusing. "The Bear" begins the season in an unusual way, breaking with the usual volume but by no means with the usual hectic pace. "Tomorrow" is more like a captivating overture that provides a deep insight into Carmen "Carmy" Berzato's inner world and makes him more tangible for some after two seasons.

Viewers are taken through the boss's former stations and given insights into his chaotic thoughts, which simultaneously puts them in a kind of trance. This is not only thanks to Christopher Storer, the creator of the series, but also to the sounds of Nine Inch Nails, who provide the soundtrack for this season opener with "Together".
Storer relies on minimal dialogue, quick cuts and the familiar feeling of confinement that was already a constant presence in the previous seasons. After this first episode, the question inevitably arises: can this stylistic brilliance be transferred to the entire season?

Back in the here and now, the third season picks up immediately after last season's dramatic finale.
We remember that Carmy is locked in the cold room and pours his heart out to Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), while at the same time breaking Claire's (Molly Gordon) heart. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) demonstrates her leadership skills despite a panic attack and keeps the kitchen running in Carmy's absence. Cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) shows impressive personal growth as he navigates the restaurant through the chaotic night, and Marcus (Lionel Boyce) struggles with worrying about his ailing mother.

Brilliant production with repetitive elements

Viewers will never know how the opening night ends in detail, but Carmy has made it out of cold storage and is doing everything she can to reach for the stars in the new season with a list of "non-negotiable" rules.
The team deal with the challenges at the restaurant in different ways, allowing for deeper insights into the characters.
Carmy continues to struggle with his own perfectionism and the emotional impact on his team.
Sydney, who is increasingly establishing herself as a leader, is faced with the question of how much say she really has. Richie, who has evolved from an unreliable employee to a valuable team member, also becomes the focus of the season.

The constant conflicts and challenges are reflected in the narrative style of the season, which fluctuates between brilliant staging and repetitive elements.

Guest appearances by real restaurant professionals

In particular, the repetitive conflicts and the sometimes sluggish narrative style give the impression that the series remains in familiar patterns and does not develop further. Episodes such as "Napkins" and "Ice Chips" offer emotional insights, but hardly contribute to any significant progress in the plot.

Added to this are the guest appearances by real restaurant professionals, which contribute to the culinary credibility of the series, but are perhaps too much of a good thing and distract from the actual narrative.

In the hamster wheel of characters

The third season of "The Bear" exemplifies the highs and lows of a series continuation. While it continues to deliver the usual culinary excellence and intense character portraits, it struggles to maintain the high level of the first two seasons. The series continues to impress with its portrayal of the hectic kitchen routine and emotional rollercoaster, but the season as a whole gives the impression that it is getting bogged down in its own complexity.
Unsurprisingly, with all these intense emotions, it is difficult to watch the series in one sitting. Viewers could also become increasingly caught up in the characters' hamster wheels without finding a clear way out of the repetitive conflicts.

With the cliffhanger and "To Be Continued" note at the end, one thing is certain: the story of "The Bear" continues.
The fourth season is already in production and fans can look forward to the continuation of the chaotic kitchen adventures, probably in summer 2025. And even though the series may have passed its peak, viewers may find it difficult to escape the spell of "The Bear".

"The Bear" season 3 can be seen on Disney+ from August 14.

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