The Bear Season 3: Unmasking Claire's Biggest Challenge

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Bear season 2!

Summary

In The Bear season 2, Claire's character appears lacking in development in comparison to the intricately crafted characters throughout the series. Despite her captivating profession and undeniable chemistry with Carmy, Claire is never afforded the opportunity to delve into her own life and personal experiences. Instead, she consistently makes herself readily accessible to answer his calls, disregarding his questionable behavior.

To ensure the success of The Bear season 3, it is crucial to delve deeper into Claire's character and background. As her relationship with Carmy is expected to continue, it is important to address the impact he has on her. Despite an issue with the introduction of Claire in season 2 of Hulu's The Bear, the show had a highly impressive second season. Claire is first introduced to audiences when she coincidentally meets Carmy at a grocery store in episode 2. It is revealed that Claire already has a prior connection with the Berzatto family upon her arrival in the series. Their swift romance holds promise for Carmy, who battles with his mental health throughout the show.

Claire Is Underdeveloped Compared To The Bear's Other Characters

The evolving bond between Carmy and Claire in season 2 serves as a central narrative, intermittently adjusting its focus and leaving Claire with insufficient development. In flashback episodes, Claire is referenced, offering insight into her presence in the neighborhood, but solely within the context of the Berzatto family. Molly Gordon delivers a captivating portrayal of Claire, infusing each scene with charm and wit. Nonetheless, the remarkable chemistry she shares with Jeremy Allen White cannot conceal the shortcomings in the writing of her character.

Among the well-crafted characters in the series, especially women, Claire stands out as underdeveloped. The Bear distinguishes itself through its use of authentic language, giving each character a distinct voice that aligns with their personality. Upon her introduction, Claire's intelligence, confidence, and warmth are immediately evident. Her perfect compatibility with Carmy throughout the entire season leads to accusations of her fitting the "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" stereotype.

The Bear Season 3 Needs To Give Claire More Depth (& Backstory)

Claire's job is both captivating and chaotic, yet she never gets the opportunity to express its impact or share her experiences. Despite the demanding nature of her work, she always makes herself available to answer Carmy's phone calls. Carmy's initial rudeness and failure to provide the correct number do not deter Claire; instead, she wholeheartedly accepts him. Knowing his family enables Carmy to avoid explaining his behavior, allowing their conversations to be both peculiar and elusive, yet meaningful. This departure from reality is glaring amidst a cast of characters who are candidly flawed.

Despite the notable writing by Claire in season 2, it didn't have enough impact to detract from an overall excellent season of television. This leaves room for her to further improve and suggests that she may not be gone forever following her fallout with Carmy. In The Bear season 3, Claire's return and her relationship with Carmy, whether it be romantic or friendly, will be a welcomed addition. However, it is crucial that Claire is developed as her own character and that the effects of Carmy's behavior on her are properly addressed. Additionally, it would be fascinating to delve deeper into Claire's life, even if it doesn't directly revolve around the restaurant like the other characters.