Summary
Some fans believe that The Bear should have continued with the down-to-earth, local deli concept from season 1 instead of transitioning to fine dining in season 2.
Some people believe that The Bear should have concluded after season 1, as it offered a satisfying end to the characters' challenges. The incorporation of bear symbolism in the show is perceived as too obvious for certain viewers, yet others contend that it effectively conveys the show's themes without being overly explicit.
The Bear has received overwhelming positive feedback, however, some fans have developed controversial theories and unpopular opinions about the show. The Bear has become a streaming sensation, with season 2 alone accumulating 853 million minutes of viewership within its first week of release. The show's raw depiction of life in a modest deli's kitchen has garnered praise and numerous awards and nominations since its initial airing.
Alongside the widespread acclaim, the show has also sparked debates among internet fans, leading to the sharing of unpopular opinions and disputes regarding the series and its characters. These discussions range from the belief that the show should have ended after season 1, to disagreements about the romantic relationships between the main characters, and even arguments questioning the relevance of certain characters in the series. Many of these discussions take place on The Bear's subreddit, where several users present thought-provoking points as showcased below.
10 The Bear Should Have Continued With The Beef, Not Gone Fine Dining
In the series, the characters have a certain charm as they portray relatable, flawed individuals who could be found in any local diner. However, as The Beef undergoes renovations and becomes The Bear, the show takes on a new dynamic. While this signifies the characters' progress in their culinary journey, it does sacrifice some of the series' heartfelt essence. This point is raised by user jennjunebug82, who found the charm of The Beef and the interplay between the characters more captivating when Carmy was adapting to their world, rather than the other way around.
Nevertheless, shows like this need to evolve and adapt in order to advance the storyline. If the show had initially been portrayed as a fine dining drama, it might have alienated viewers who couldn't relate to the depicted challenges. By showcasing the transformation of a small, local deli and its staff into a more sophisticated dining experience, the show effectively highlights the shared struggles that exist in both types of kitchens.
9 The Bear Should Have Stopped After Season 1
Some creators opt to conclude their shows on a high note after just a few episodes, allowing for a concise and focused narrative that wraps up with a satisfying and optimistic ending. This was precisely the approach taken in the season 1 finale of The Bear. Despite the challenges faced by the team in the preceding episodes, they were eventually rewarded with a glimmer of hope. Carmy stumbled upon a note from his late brother, leading him to discover a significant sum of money accumulated over time. With these newfound resources, Carmy could now fulfill his dream of renovating the restaurant and transforming The Beef into something truly extraordinary. This hopeful and bright resolution rendered any further seasons unnecessary, as there was no need to introduce additional conflicts.
8 The Bear Symbolism Is Too On The Nose
In the initial scene of the first episode of season 1 of The Bear, Carmy finds himself standing in a vast public area, gradually approaching a cage that holds an enormous bear. Suddenly, the bear makes an aggressive lunge towards Carmy, causing him to abruptly awaken, drenched in perspiration. Symbolism and weighty themes such as grief, suicide, and combating inner conflicts are central to this series. Carmy and Mikey, referred to as Bear by their friends, serve as the basis for exploring these themes through the visual presentation in the opening scenes. Despite the differing viewpoint of user ZestyclosePost613, the deliberate decision to include a real bear in an early dream sequence can effectively serve as a mechanism employed by the writers to demonstrate rather than explicitly tell the audience what lies ahead.
7 Ayo Edebiri Is Not A Good Sydney
Syd can be quite an unpopular character. She enters a kitchen that doesn't belong to her and tries to assert her position as sous-chef, only to face rejection and disrespect from everyone. Her determination to take control of the kitchen instead of passively enduring her team's cruel behavior leads to a widespread dislike of the character. Some viewers, like user drunkjohnny, mistakenly attribute this dislike to the actress's performance. The truth is, unlikable characters often require exceptional actors to take on the role and depict someone who challenges societal norms and irritates people.
6 Marcus Was Right to Keep Working on his Donuts
Marcus, one of the most beloved characters in the series, is known for his gentle demeanor and impressive stature. His unwavering passion for crafting desserts and developing exclusive recipes is unmatched. In his relentless pursuit of perfection, Marcus dedicated countless hours to refining his donut recipe. However, amidst a bustling service and a lengthy queue, coupled with a substantial backlog of online orders, Marcus opted to prioritize his personal project over his assigned task of creating cakes at The Beef.
5 Richie Was The Real Victim Of The Bear Season 1, Episode 7
Marcus displayed a commendable level of determination and enthusiasm, greatly admired by Carmy, which prompted her decision to arrange for Marcus to enhance his skills before The Bear's grand opening. Nonetheless, it appears that Marcus should have been able to focus on the game and offer his support when the team needed it. Perhaps, Marcus should have momentarily set aside his indulgence in donuts or refrain from persistently seeking Carmy's feedback on his recipe while other aspects were unraveling.
The explosive conflict in episode 7 of The Bear season 1 arises when the entire kitchen grapples with the challenges posed by the new ordering system. Having been left open all night for pre-orders, the team finds themselves unprepared to handle the overwhelming influx of extra orders. As a result, tensions run high and Carmy, in particular, begins to lose their composure. In the midst of this chaotic situation, both Syd and Marcus decide to quit during service. Throughout the series, Syd has consistently struggled to establish effective communication with Carmy. When they finally have a conversation, it turns out to be a moment where Carmy focuses on pointing out Syd's mistakes.
Add to this that Richie continually berates her, emphasizing how much she messed up the team, despite her constant struggles to maintain control amidst resistance from her teammates. In retaliation, Syd resorts to stabbing Richie. Although Richie is far from being a saint—being crude, aggressive, and rude, and even encouraging the rest of the team to dismiss Syd—he genuinely cares about the deli's success and wants it to thrive. The anonymous user may consider Richie the ultimate victim in this situation, but the entire incident actually reveals a collective failure where mistakes were made by everyone involved, including Richie's own deplorable behavior.
4 The Bear Season 2 Was A Letdown
The dynamics and character interactions undergo a significant transformation from season 1 to season 2 of The Bear. The introduction of a new restaurant and the team's enhanced efficiency and streamlined processes result in reduced chaos. While the initial disorganization and interpersonal hurdles provided intrigue in season 1, the growth and collaboration within the team inevitably bring about changes in pace and the relationships among the characters.
3 The Real Reason Donna Didn't Go In The Restaurant In The Bear Season 2 Finale
User DansPredditor suggests that Donna, Carmy, and Mikey's mother's decision not to enter the restaurant in the season 2 finale may be attributed to her narcissism. However, it is widely believed that Donna, being a self-aware alcoholic, is more concerned about causing a scene and further hurting her family by going inside the establishment.
2 People Should Ship Sydney & Marcus, Not Syd & Carmy
The Bear portrays a series of intense relationships among the kitchen staff, where their fiery passion has the potential to ignite into romantic entanglements. While Syd and Carmy share a close bond and share similar ambitions for The Bear, perhaps Syd's ideal match might be Marcus. There seems to be a genuine connection between them, and they feel at ease in each other's presence, making them an intriguing couple if they were to pursue a relationship.
1 Claire's Story In The Bear Season 2 Didn't Work
In The Bear season 2, episode 2, Claire enters the scene and quickly becomes entangled with Carmy. As a result, Carmy starts neglecting his duties and spending most of his time with Claire. However, other than serving as a love interest and introducing conflict for Carmy, Claire's character doesn't contribute much to the story. Enic920 astutely points out that Claire's lack of a meaningful storyline makes her personality fall flat.