Hulu Disney+ The Bear (1 Viewer)

[DaveF]

We started The Bear S3 this week. How I’ve gone 180º on streaming release preferences: I wish this was a weekly release. This is a show that should be discussed with friends. But the full season drop breaks the opportunity to watch in pace and talk with friends. Instead, two friends binged it the weekend it was out. I couldn’t start until after they’d finished and are struggling for time to watch. And another friend is further behind than we are.

I lamented that The Bear should have been a weekly release to slow us down. They said, you’re an adult and you can self regulate how you watch TV. I said yes, the problem is that I can’t self regulate my friends and make them slow down!

It also means I can’t even risk looking at any of the prior conversation, because I don’t know if everyone’s finished and sharing spoilers or what.

 

[DaveF]

Ok, S3.
Watched the first episode, then went back and rewatched S2 finale. Wish I’d watched that to start. Ah well.

Episode 2 the show really launches off. A year later, it’s the next day. The Bear, compared to most streaming shows, it’s incredibly proficient in only having a single calendar year between seasons. But also it’s been a full year since the last season! I remember not long ago being annoyed at 6 week late winter breaks in the 22 episode seasons. Now, I’m happy for “only” a year gap. (Sigh).

I realized belatedly that this episode happens almost in real time. Once Sydney gets to the restaurant, it’s 20 minutes of a real time series of conversations (arguments / fights). E02 was very engaging and completely exhausting.

0303 was also stressful, zooming through a month at The Bear. Despite my better judgement, I watched a second one immediately after. But 0304 was quieter, a respite from the prior two highly intense episodes.

I’ve heard there’s a lot negative criticism for this season. So far, the show is great, the equal of prior two seasons. But I can anticipate how it might skew in different good or bad story and character directions in the coming episodes.

 

[Greg.K]

Finished season 3. Honestly feels like the weakest season so far. Not a lot really happens, it’s just a lot of character backstory, and copious yelling. Mostly filler. Here’s hoping that season 4 rights the ship and sticks the landing.