I'm sorry, I think season 2 is plain terrible. It doesn't get close to season 1 and frankly I don't know how people don't realise that... I couldn't find ONE single bad comment here. I wonder why... Season 2 is puerile and poorly written. Funnily enough, society has become more puerile too. I wonder if there's a connection between the two things... Whether anyone who reads this agrees with me or not, it's sad when you don't see one person disagreeing with a point. Says it all I guess.
Absolute gangster move for The Bear to drop a 10/10 masterpiece episode, only to immediately follow it up with another. "Fishes" into "Forks" is a one-two punch of pure TV magic.
The show does a great job riding the rollercoaster of highs and lows while also maintaining its integrity. Fishes was so tense and brutal and then they weave that right into forks which is really uplifting for Richie’s character. All the while sticking to the shows core, it all feels in rhythm.
@@ek.2533 Opinions don't change the objective facts of what we were given. You can enjoy the taste of shit, doesn't change the fact you're eating shit. It was an awful episode that offered nothing to the show
@@Digger-Nick There is nothing objective about a TV show or any other piece of art/media. Everyone can have different thoughts and feelings on the same exact show or art, movie, song, etc. That makes your thoughts what? Subjective.
I'll wait as long as necessary for the studios to understand before we get a new show, cause I LOVE good story telling! The bear is SO well made that I almost had a panic attack during "seven fishes" and the season one episode where Sidney stabs Richy in the ass!
yeah its like they gave us something amazing to think about for the next few years during the upcoming content drought. Shows made right before the writers strike are really going to have more time for people to think about them and have them in their mind, possibly raising the show's status as something that people remember for a long time.
The best thing I can say about this show is that I just recently realized on a rewatch that characters like Tina and Marcus occupy the same place in my brain as actual co-workers I have had, not as fictional characters. I see Tina's face and I think "person I know" and not "character I recognize." That's a hell of a magic trick the actors, writers, and editors have pulled.
totally agree. heck, i even see myself in the characters. that’s how i felt with sydney. she’s the first ever character i’ve truly related to and it almost felt like i was watching myself.
My neighbor used to cook professionally. During COVID we would cook and share our creations. I asked him if he watched The Bear and he had it recommended but never watched. I told him he’d likely get PTSD like he is back in professional kitchen. A few days later he confirmed that’s exactly what happened.
another scene where i was quite impressed with the bear's editing was carmy's panic attack in 2x9. the editing there really helped us understand why thinking of claire didn't work; because she is too tied into his past and the dysfunctional dynamics of his family. thanks to the snappy montage, we got that all of his happy moments with claire were interspersed with his familial trauma. then, when he starts to think about sydney; he begins to calm down, and the editing calms down with him. him and syd's moments aren't interfered with his past because she's the only person in the show who has no ties to his family. she's like a breath of fresh air in his life- quite literally! that's why he can calm down and start to breath normally again at the end. i LOVE this show and how editing is one of the main storytellers in it. great video as always!
Thank you for bringing this up cause most reviewers don't, I also think he calms down because Sydney is kind of one of the few people who understands him, and not in the superficial way Claire "understands" him, she is from his world, she experienced the same hardships he experienced in the food business, they understand each other and her wants are clear to him, she wants a star and they both want the bear to work.
@@kimberleywilliams7802 Oh come on, let's stop beating around the bush. He wants to kiss her, he wants to love her, he wants to marry her. Or is that just me?
@@JK_Clark .... You ate that LMAO You know I can't be saying all that round company! This is not a Sydcarmy positive space. They didn't even talk about his panic attack scene.
The scene with Mikey and the stepdad (Bob Odenkirk) was one of the most well written and uncomfortable scenes I've ever watched, it felt so disturbingly real and reminded me of actual family fights I've seen and been in, especially when alcohol is involved
@@MasonMcLeodFilmsyes it is a nickname. That is why in the credits its “Uncle” Lee. Everywhere I saw, he is just a boyfriend though and hasn’t married Donna yet
@@PrickFlairone of the best (and annoying) things art can do for us. hope you make peace with yourself and the people you've wronged. a lot of people never realize their own faults
Apart from the editing I also loved how many varied storylines there were. I especially liked how they treated Ebrahim's character. I loved that the show didn't mock him for wanting things to stay the same and the scene where he excitedly went through the hygiene course on his smartphone was really delightful to see (especially in comparison to how little the culinary school was working for him).
Absolutely. This is a good lesson for any show: don't preach your worldview at us. Don't tell us which character is "right". Just show us what they believe in a compelling way, and let us decide what we agree with.
As somebody who does dialogue for a living, this episode does with crosstalk and layered language what the show normally does with action and focus. I call it the “Uncut Gems Christmas Special.” Also I love it because the 4 most volatile characters in the rest of the show are suddenly put in the back of the chaos bus.
I cried throughout watching Fishes. I have never seen the chaos and disfunction I see in my fam so accurately portrayed...despite the difference in culture and language. They capture something I thought was a unique experience and that shook me. It was oddly comforting, in that I felt less alone knowing that my fam isn't like a fluke, but that disfunction is a human experience others deal with. This episode is what solidified my love of this show. It made me feel so human.
Man this show is just firing on ALL cylinders - thank you for talking to the editors whose work feels so deeply essential to what makes The Bear so incredible. It's some of the most astonishing work I've seen editors do in TV.
Forks was a welcome relief, we finally see a win for Richie. I remember being drawn in and finally being able to relax once I saw that they were going to build him into a new character, rather than have him fail in this new role (would've been a cheap ploy.) The scene analysis was great here, helped me understand why it was so compelling and felt so satisfying. The comped meal was really smart in terms of storytelling, too. It absolutely got his attention and made him realize what that place was all about.
The Sundae montage is jaw dropping. It so perfectly captures the creative process, how you piece different ideas together in your head to make something new. I was watching it by myself and literally called my husband from the other room to rewatch it. It's a masterpiece.
I love the super fast cuts of the plated raviolis where you don’t get enough time to take in what is there but just enough to give an impression. It really feels like creativity where you have a strong idea but it’s just barely out of reach, when you know what it should look like but just can’t quite picture it either.
Forks was my favourite episode, I just loved seeing Richie evolve and find his place, and how people reacted to him. It was quiet not chaotic. This is a man who didn’t get to shine in this chaotic dominating family, and he experienced such trauma with Michael’s death, that it was so wonderful to experience his journey along with him. Especially after an episode like fishes, which was exquisite but freaking stressful and dysfunctional
'fishes' is definitely top 5 most upsetting things I've ever witnessed in media. Holy shit. It devastated me and left me in tears and a giant headache. It was completely suffocating, especially as we were pulled closer and closer to each characters faces. Truly sickening, and an incredible episode
@@Digger-Nick that's your opinion, and that's fine. I agree though for the episode after. forks was fantastic and an absolute joy to watch. I don't think they're particularly comparable, but I thoroughly enjoyed both
@@Digger-Nick the episode shows how that dysfunctional family destroyed pretty much all of them, by doing that to the audience too. it's 45 minutes and absolutely exhausting to watch, and that's the point. it's SUPPOSED to suck. and then you think about how carmen (and richie, and the sister, and the previous owner) weren't just there that night, they had that nightmare dynamic be their family for their entire lives. it explains exactly who they all are.
@@heathersmith4042 It offers nothing, we already know their family is a wreck, wasting an hour on nothing in such a short series is called filler. Absolutely terrible episode
@@Digger-Nick it is showing the weight of how dysfunctional their family is. I didnt get that much emotional impact learning that they have a pyscho mom and and and addict brother who killed himself when it was just told by someone or was hinted indirectly. Seeing it actually play out is such a great move to build more attachment to the characters and learning their psyche.
The bear is great, but shout out to Thomas Flight - consistently delivering intelligent thought-essays ina highly approachable manner. Bravo young man!
Episode 2x07, “Forks” the Richie episode is one of the maybe 3 single times a piece of television has made me cry. I’m very rarely as emotionally invested in tv characters as I can get with films, but I believe that Dutch angle shot that was mentioned cutting to Richie by his car was what did it. The way that every element of filmmaking came together for 30 minutes to tell this deep and quiet story about fighting your own depression and doubts to find self-worth, it was beautiful. In a fantastic cast of characters Richie has always been my favourite because of how they leveraged the acting, writing, editing, everything to make him a very layered person who’s much more than the brash asshole we first meet. Thanks for this video! I often find editing the hardest thing to understand in film criticism and I appreciate you breaking it down, plus giving credit to the talented people responsible.
Man, I only now put together that they did "Fishes", which ends the way it does and *why* it does, and the next ep was "Forks". That's some richly black humor from Storer/Calo et al.
Richie! How to find your self-respect by offering compassion to others: really, a wondrous episode which I didn’t expect to like - Richie being Richie: this is gonna rebound…& affect others, as it did me! 🙏🏽💔🙏🏻 17:06
Truer words were never spoken, well done! As they started building him up in that episode, I had a looming fear that they would have him fail, just for the sake of dramatic writing. I was so relieved when it was basically a winning transformation. In particular, the shot where he runs the pizza out to the table... I thought to myself, please don't let him drop it, he has EARNED this. He's done it all perfectly, just let him crush it! Sure enough, they let him have the win. Brilliant. I wondered if many ppl were moved by that episode. That's why I was so happy to find your comment.
@@coma13794 I definitely found myself crying, which I didn't expect to do. It does take a lot to make me cry in general, so I really have to be entranced/drawn into the world in any tv show or movie for that to happen. Watching him evolve like that really was moving.
I'm glad you focused on the 2x03 sequence of Sydney conceptualizing dishes. It was so inspired, unique, and well-executed. Definitely a highlight in the season that not enough people talk about.
this show was legitimately stressful for me to get through. it's _so_ well made and for those of us who grew up with explosive parents leading to division among siblings, it hits far too close to home.
as a video editor, this was SUCH a great essay/interview to watch. it's so rare to hear professional editors speak in depth about their craft which is as you rightly pointed out often overlooked or mistreated but it's so refreshing to see it treated for what it is, the final rewrite. thank you for this!
What moved me the most in this season is the conversation between Carmen y Michael on episode 7, there you can feel how much Michael love him but how much he is suffering as well, trying to fight the suicidal thoughts and trying to hide those depresive feelings, but you already know thats a battle he is going to lose...
the sound design is one of the things that has impacted me the most from the bear. The way it uses organic sounds from the enviroment to compose music to amplify the tone is genius because it just flows and mixes to give you the emotions that youre supposed to feel. But also their ability to utilize silence is so amazing and impactful. And the soundtrack is great too The sound of each scenes already gives you so much of the story and not only that it becomes a part of it in a way I feel like not many visual media use
The editors really did a great job making half hour episodes feel packed with beauty, nice transitions and specially not predictable. What an incredible show in every aspect❤
I LOVE The Bear, and Richie‘s development is one of the most rewarding arcs I‘ve ever seen. This show is ridiculously good at earning the emotional payoff. Nothing is wasted, everyone works hard, and there‘s so much heart.
Fantastic interview. I'm amazed how young these editors are, and already so skilled. Makes me really hopeful for the future. Everyone raves about Fishes, rightly so, but I honestly loved Forks just as much. And the visualisation of what went on in Sidney's has in Sundae was like a 3 star meal in itself.
Something I caught was when Lee screams at Mikey that he is “NOTHING” they flash to carmy and shows him physically flinch at the comment. A mix of emotions at once knowing despite Lee being a dbag that he is somewhat on point that Mikey is a mess while also being worried that Mikey will explode and do something crazy. Yet won’t interject because he knows both Lee AND Mikey will shut him down for it.
I come from a big family, I am one of 9 children not including the ones from my stepdad. Watching the fishes episode was actually bordering on being triggering lmao. So many family gatherings in my huge and loud family ended the same way, maybe not crashing the car but close. Fists fly, things are said that can’t be taken back, etc. I had to take a break mid episode because of how much it just brought back bad memories of Christmas lmao
“I only came for the stuffing, not to argue ‘bout nothing - but mark my words, I’ll be home on the 23rd” ‘Wintering’ : The 1975: actually starting to look like small fry, next to the might of ‘Fishes’ (sorry!) So scarily perfect…I can’t believe it! 🙏🏻💔🙏🏽
This show is a lightening in a bottle. Jeremy, Ebon and Ayo are on top of their game. And the supporting cast are a chef’s kiss. Never in a million years did I expect Matty Mathison to shine in this show. He is both guest starring and co-producer. I was Completely blind sighted by his performance. Well done Matty👏👏👏👏
I LOVED the editing in this show! The visual and sonic chaos in Carmy's flashbacks in season 1 and Syd's panic attack in the finale of season 2 both did a fantastic job of portraying the characters' insecurities.
The day I saw “Forks” I put it on repeat in my iPad while I worked like 10 times … the music , tempo , feelings of Richie and the feeling it gives you when you watch it like a music video is like going to a museum or to a concert and you just remember what you felt when you were there. Amazing work ❤️🔥
Really well done. I was just thinking about Richie today, and his comment in S2: “I wear suits now.” Great writing, acting and editing: all reasons to support those who make these incredible series like The Bear. Let’s not lose that because CEOs want to make millions, and leave the rest of us behind. ✊
I absolutely hated Richie up until s02e07 but that episode made me love everything we had seen up until then! The absolute fragility of the scene with Olivia Coleman was probably the most realistic piece of TV I’ve ever seen, absolute perfection from everyone involved.
Just shows how brilliantly done this was. I’m late to the party and came for this comment! Loathed Richie, he was so obnoxious, then bam in one episode I’ve fallen totally in love with that fragile yet resilient, noble at heart guy. The scene with Olivia was outstanding- she is something else and those two played off each other. Richie’s transformation was one of the most satisfying things I’ve seen on tv.
If one could point out the secret ingredient that makes this show so captivating it is (personally) the editing. I`ve seen tons of great acting, directing and photography, sound design, etc. But the way they manage to build moments in my head is just something I`ve never seen before, to be honest. The Bear is my own private event show. Thanks, Joanna and Adam for your work, and thanks Thomas for the video
By far the best show out on TV right now. Thanks for the great interviews with the editors! Very insightful and shows how much passion and care went into this season in particular
I am so happy he got to interview the editors, I admire them so much. I would love to find out how they are able to edit the sound with how chaotic all the dialogue captured on set seems to roll. I would love to shadow the editors for like a month just to see how they do it, it's genuinely the best of the best.
i've been training as an actor for a while, and this episode of the bear was so full of those little reaction moments and i LOVEDDDDDD them so much. I've worked in food service since high school to put myself through school, but also because i love food. this show couldn't be more fucking perfect
the way they will show everybody but the person talking really made it like YOU were at the table, or even the one talking. it reminded me of those family arguments where you say something and then see your moms face fall, or your dad look away from you.
The problem I had with the Sydney episode was that the editors made it seem like Sydney packed away a ton of food in one day. They didn’t show a number of transitions from morning to night to show that she did all this eating in the course of several days. No one could eat that much food in one day.
Yes, this. I was thinking how no one could eat that much food in a day. Especially when allowing the necessary spaciousness needed for creative inspiration.
“Forks” is one of the best episodes of television ever. Everything from the acting, the writing, the music and the editing, tells the story of this character amazingly well. I’ve rewatched it several times. I laughed, I cried and was completely engaged throughout. It is the first time I’ve watched a show and wished I could call everyone involved in creating it to tell them what a great job they have done.
That storyboard book is so neat and meticulous that it's absolutely beautiful. I love densely packed information presented in a clean way, it becomes art.
I feel like I have heard of other Korean directors doing this. It’s such an interesting concept to bring depth and breadth to the storyboard and make it almost like a graphic novel. And it is its own form of art, like you said
I would have to say perfection is when all the parts come together, perfectly. They story is compelling. The acting is dramatic, and like real life. And finally, the edit keeps you at the edge of your seat.
"Fishes" stressed me out like nothing else I've ever watched. My heart rate and I'm pretty sure my blood pressure were still up minutes after the episode ended. My anxiety was through the roof. A TV-watching experience I don't think I'll soon forget. What a masterpiece of an episode...
So cool you got to speak with editors from the show. I wonder how long they've been doing this, because to be KILLING it at your job, at what I only assume is fairly early in your career is mega impressive.
Bless the editors. Way back in high school when I thought I could be one, these are the kinds of scenes I wish I could cut. This is some of the most compelling television there is.
Watched that episode yesterday and my mouth was opening more and more and in the end I was just mind blown! So, so good! What an unbelievable, beautiful piece of work and art!
Also props to the edit of THIS video!! On the subject of having an eye for knowing how and when to use certain shots to convey story, Thomas does this seamlessly and helps me appreciate things I would have missed otherwise. Bravo, friend.
I love how you incorporated some of the editing techniques that were highlighted in the interview in your video! I don't know if it was intentional but it felt similar to the overall montage-y editing of Sydney and Marcus' solo episodes. Anotha one!
I like the analogy of the editors to the platers; I was thinking the same thing early in the video. They're really that last touch that can elevate the entire meal into something special.
Last comment from me, big shot out to Thomas, this is amazingly insightful commentary that has helped me better understand why this show was so incredibly compelling. I love the reverence you hold for editing and how you present it as an actual form of storytelling. Great work.
“Fishes” is simply a masterwork. I can’t even imagine the work involved in writing, acting, directing, filming and editing that episode. It absolutely needs to win an Emmy.
There’s such fantastic detail on every thing The Bear touches. Mental health, familial and financial trauma, extremely stressful work environments (specifically the unique kind of jackhammer-to-the-head stress that comes with working in a restaurant), interpersonal relationships. There are points where watching interactions feel identical to my own personal experiences and I’d have to wager not only are there others in the audience who feel the same thing, but almost certainly everyone who contributed to the show from writers to actors to stage crew. Maybe it’s not as high and complex as some other really fantastic pieces of writing/television, but hot damn it’s like going from high-class dining with something like Shogun to the most nostalgia-tripping comfort food made by your mother. Peak art
Oh wow I was looking forward your season 2 The Bear video and I’m glad you got to interview part of the crew! Especially editors, I rarely see interviews of them. Genuinely impressive and it gives us an insight that is invaluable. I love how they absolutely understand the complex, layered characters they created. Thank you so much for this!
Forks was my favorite episode by far. I wasn't a huge fan of the family episode (episode 6) but I loved how episode 7 was shot. Much of what they said here, I noticed and is what made me love it. The quiet moment of Richie peeling mushrooms was so good. Like him finally feeling calm and safe while doing something simple alongside an expert, really allowed him to feel like he wasn't a "failure" or that carmy was punishing him.
I love Th Bear and I love your videos on it. I wish you could do more, plainly because I want to talk about it more. There were some things in Season 2 that I didn't like but the editing is not one of them. In fact, I found myself rewinding dozens of times per episode, just to take closer note of particular edits that caught my eye or felt like something I'd never seen before. Hats off to Joanna Naugle, Adam Epstein, and the whole editing team. They are amazing, inspiring, and I love their passion not just for their own department but the whole story. Thank you
This is what television is all about. It makes you feel things, it makes you feel like you're part of the cast, it makes you wonder how you would react. Season 1 was amazing, Season 2 is one of the best things i've ever seen. It took me days to proces what i watched,
Excellent breakdown, and thank you for introducing me to the editors. I've had a lot of people tell me to watch the Bear, you gave me the reason. Thank you!
I watched this episode at about 4am one morning before work and it was not what I expected. It was so deep and intense that I couldn’t turn away, couldn’t fully grasp, and couldn’t fully appreciate without watching it again. It set my whole day to a little chaos, but it was a truly impressive.
I keep coming back to this, such structured and thorough analysis and very fascinating to hear all the detailed and dedicated reasoning and care for the show from the people who made it.
It's funny, before I watched the bear everyone warned me about the one take episode being panic attack inducing. As someone who works in a very stressful environment, it was absolutely brilliant but the stress didn't overwhelm me. The episode that was absolute agony to sit through however, and this was a testament to how brilliantly crafted it is, is Fishes. In the kitchen, as rough as the team can be, everyone is fighting towards the same physical goal. But there is no common physical goal at a family gathering, the common goal is to spend time together. So when years of bad dynamics and conflicts are combined in that one evening, that goal is fundamental unachievable. Being trapped in there is nothing short of a nightmare. The whole production team nailed caging you into that environment, that shit messed me up 👏
I stumbled upon this show while searching for something to watch, i binged it in two days and it was so good! So real and beautifully shot and well acted. The Christmas episode was so good and anxiety inducing that when it ended i just took a deep breath and sighed with all kinds of emotions.
Thank you for phoning in the people who worked for this show, most times editors are afterthought and focus was always about the directors and actors visions for their roles
Can’t stop re watching the series. Their anxiety feels like it’s been mine my whole life. I almost take a deep breath the second the episode ends. It’s great art all together
The Bear is amazing! I did have to force myself to watch the first 3 episodes not understanding a thing, since I feel nothing they do nor their motives makes sense, but then...wow! just wow! They're dysfunctional and flawed people who somehow make up a functional and perfect "family" I remember seeing this episode for the first time and it was phenomenal. It's amazing, truly the best series this year or maybe in the decade
you mentioning decision to leave was just soooooooo right. The bear and decision to leave are super different but to me they always felt like they were in the same vein in some way and I think you nailed that!!
I know it's small, but as someone from Chicago, I love how many actors they cast that actually from the city. I think it helps make it feel more genuine
Thoroughly enjoyed this analysis and interview! It's fascinating to learn about the narrative editing process for the Bear. This second season is unbeatable! The characters, writing, acting, editing, Everything is phenomenal ♥
Watch Decision to Leave and get a whole month of great cinema FREE with MUBI: mubi.com/thomasflight
I loved ‘Decision to Leave’ - big empathy for ALL the characters: thank you for your recommendation!
🙏🏻💔🙏🏽
I'm sorry, I think season 2 is plain terrible. It doesn't get close to season 1 and frankly I don't know how people don't realise that... I couldn't find ONE single bad comment here. I wonder why... Season 2 is puerile and poorly written.
Funnily enough, society has become more puerile too. I wonder if there's a connection between the two things...
Whether anyone who reads this agrees with me or not, it's sad when you don't see one person disagreeing with a point. Says it all I guess.
whole thing is a load of crap
Absolute gangster move for The Bear to drop a 10/10 masterpiece episode, only to immediately follow it up with another.
"Fishes" into "Forks" is a one-two punch of pure TV magic.
The show does a great job riding the rollercoaster of highs and lows while also maintaining its integrity. Fishes was so tense and brutal and then they weave that right into forks which is really uplifting for Richie’s character. All the while sticking to the shows core, it all feels in rhythm.
More like 1/10 followed by a 10/10
@@Digger-Nick More like your opinion is just that... an opinion.
@@ek.2533 Opinions don't change the objective facts of what we were given. You can enjoy the taste of shit, doesn't change the fact you're eating shit.
It was an awful episode that offered nothing to the show
@@Digger-Nick There is nothing objective about a TV show or any other piece of art/media. Everyone can have different thoughts and feelings on the same exact show or art, movie, song, etc. That makes your thoughts what? Subjective.
The Bear Season 2 “Seven Fishes” episode is just an unbelievable hour of television. One of the greatest all time Christmas episode
Finally something that perfectly captures how awful Christina usually is
It was the most Succession style episode
It was instilled chaos
Truly a sight to behold
@@gor764succession style?
@@gor764I know what show you’re referring to btw & think it’s good but I’m interested in what you mean
The Bear is the perfect reason why competent writers are essential for Hollywood and why the strike is justified.
Yeah you can tell season 2 was written before the strike. They really phoned it in.
I'll wait as long as necessary for the studios to understand before we get a new show, cause I LOVE good story telling!
The bear is SO well made that I almost had a panic attack during "seven fishes" and the season one episode where Sidney stabs Richy in the ass!
@@loganmiat wrong
Because on show is good? Nah man.
yeah its like they gave us something amazing to think about for the next few years during the upcoming content drought. Shows made right before the writers strike are really going to have more time for people to think about them and have them in their mind, possibly raising the show's status as something that people remember for a long time.
The best thing I can say about this show is that I just recently realized on a rewatch that characters like Tina and Marcus occupy the same place in my brain as actual co-workers I have had, not as fictional characters. I see Tina's face and I think "person I know" and not "character I recognize." That's a hell of a magic trick the actors, writers, and editors have pulled.
Relatable characters are hard to find these days.
totally agree. heck, i even see myself in the characters. that’s how i felt with sydney. she’s the first ever character i’ve truly related to and it almost felt like i was watching myself.
@@madeofcastironi loveeeee herr, fantastically written character. Wonderful actor.
💯
i have a manager who literally just is tina, it’s crazy
The bear is one of the best series in the last couple of years. The conversations feel so real and authentic it's insane
I would take that a step further and say ~the~ best series in the last couple of years, but that's me !
@@pia1758Maybe if Succession didn't exist
No, it’s not. The conversations are ridiculous. Horrible show that is overrated and overhyped
@@Radioghost717 sure buddy
My neighbor used to cook professionally. During COVID we would cook and share our creations. I asked him if he watched The Bear and he had it recommended but never watched. I told him he’d likely get PTSD like he is back in professional kitchen. A few days later he confirmed that’s exactly what happened.
another scene where i was quite impressed with the bear's editing was carmy's panic attack in 2x9. the editing there really helped us understand why thinking of claire didn't work; because she is too tied into his past and the dysfunctional dynamics of his family. thanks to the snappy montage, we got that all of his happy moments with claire were interspersed with his familial trauma. then, when he starts to think about sydney; he begins to calm down, and the editing calms down with him. him and syd's moments aren't interfered with his past because she's the only person in the show who has no ties to his family. she's like a breath of fresh air in his life- quite literally! that's why he can calm down and start to breath normally again at the end. i LOVE this show and how editing is one of the main storytellers in it. great video as always!
Daamn this girl is too pretty and genius! Thomas you should make a video with her!!!
Selinsucu great analysis!
Thank you for bringing this up cause most reviewers don't, I also think he calms down because Sydney is kind of one of the few people who understands him, and not in the superficial way Claire "understands" him, she is from his world, she experienced the same hardships he experienced in the food business, they understand each other and her wants are clear to him, she wants a star and they both want the bear to work.
@@kimberleywilliams7802 Oh come on, let's stop beating around the bush. He wants to kiss her, he wants to love her, he wants to marry her.
Or is that just me?
@@JK_Clark .... You ate that LMAO You know I can't be saying all that round company! This is not a Sydcarmy positive space. They didn't even talk about his panic attack scene.
The scene with Mikey and the stepdad (Bob Odenkirk) was one of the most well written and uncomfortable scenes I've ever watched, it felt so disturbingly real and reminded me of actual family fights I've seen and been in, especially when alcohol is involved
I've also just seen Bob's character was credited as 'Uncle Lee', but I could've sworn he was Donna's Ex husband? Maybe that was just his nickname
@@MasonMcLeodFilmsyes it is a nickname. That is why in the credits its “Uncle” Lee. Everywhere I saw, he is just a boyfriend though and hasn’t married Donna yet
It reminds me of myself and how I’ve reacted to people at times. It brought me regret and reflection.
@@PrickFlairone of the best (and annoying) things art can do for us. hope you make peace with yourself and the people you've wronged. a lot of people never realize their own faults
Apart from the editing I also loved how many varied storylines there were.
I especially liked how they treated Ebrahim's character. I loved that the show didn't mock him for wanting things to stay the same and the scene where he excitedly went through the hygiene course on his smartphone was really delightful to see (especially in comparison to how little the culinary school was working for him).
I wish he and Tinna had their own solo episodes
@@Manus7100Tina definitely deserves her own like Marcus and Cousin got there own.
Absolutely. This is a good lesson for any show: don't preach your worldview at us. Don't tell us which character is "right". Just show us what they believe in a compelling way, and let us decide what we agree with.
I accept
This is what happens when creators are allowed freedom and 100% trusted to do their job. Absolutely stunning show and faultless in every respect.
As somebody who does dialogue for a living, this episode does with crosstalk and layered language what the show normally does with action and focus. I call it the “Uncut Gems Christmas Special.” Also I love it because the 4 most volatile characters in the rest of the show are suddenly put in the back of the chaos bus.
Great point, Mikey and Donna were the agents of chaos there. By the other four most volatile do you mean:
Carmy
Richie
Sugar
Uncle Jimmy/Fak?
@dmacmcmanus95 I was wondering the same. Carmy and Richie sure, cicero and sugar is less faie I think but have their moments for sure
@bigmike485 Just out of curiosity, have you worked on anything we would know?
FINALLY I found someone who also sees similarities in The Bear and Uncut Gems 😭🤝
I love how whenever he mentions bad editing he always show that one clip from bohemian rhapsody
I don't want to rag on other editors but here's the worst editing in a recent major film.
@@kkattrapand it still won an Oscar. However, the Live Aid scene is an impressively assembled sequence though it is a spot-on reenactment
Never forget
@@MrXabungleIt shouldn’t have won that Oscar, when sequence with okay editing doesn’t make you worthy for a Best Editing Oscar.
I still haven’t stopped thinking about how The Bear Season 2 is one of the best seasons of television I’ve ever seen. it was really excellent
Word. I have never seen a TV show season in two days... The worst part of this season is that it ends.
pretty close to perfect, as far as I can tell
i think so too. It was beyond excellent. To watch people you love succeed is so satisfying.
I couldn't agree more!
Bro season 2 was dogshit compared to the first, bar the last 3 episodes maybe
I cried throughout watching Fishes. I have never seen the chaos and disfunction I see in my fam so accurately portrayed...despite the difference in culture and language. They capture something I thought was a unique experience and that shook me. It was oddly comforting, in that I felt less alone knowing that my fam isn't like a fluke, but that disfunction is a human experience others deal with. This episode is what solidified my love of this show. It made me feel so human.
Man this show is just firing on ALL cylinders - thank you for talking to the editors whose work feels so deeply essential to what makes The Bear so incredible. It's some of the most astonishing work I've seen editors do in TV.
Forks was a welcome relief, we finally see a win for Richie. I remember being drawn in and finally being able to relax once I saw that they were going to build him into a new character, rather than have him fail in this new role (would've been a cheap ploy.)
The scene analysis was great here, helped me understand why it was so compelling and felt so satisfying. The comped meal was really smart in terms of storytelling, too. It absolutely got his attention and made him realize what that place was all about.
Ohh I was cheering so hard for Richie I about cried. ❤❤
The Sundae montage is jaw dropping. It so perfectly captures the creative process, how you piece different ideas together in your head to make something new. I was watching it by myself and literally called my husband from the other room to rewatch it. It's a masterpiece.
I love the super fast cuts of the plated raviolis where you don’t get enough time to take in what is there but just enough to give an impression. It really feels like creativity where you have a strong idea but it’s just barely out of reach, when you know what it should look like but just can’t quite picture it either.
Forks was my favourite episode, I just loved seeing Richie evolve and find his place, and how people reacted to him. It was quiet not chaotic. This is a man who didn’t get to shine in this chaotic dominating family, and he experienced such trauma with Michael’s death, that it was so wonderful to experience his journey along with him. Especially after an episode like fishes, which was exquisite but freaking stressful and dysfunctional
'fishes' is definitely top 5 most upsetting things I've ever witnessed in media. Holy shit. It devastated me and left me in tears and a giant headache. It was completely suffocating, especially as we were pulled closer and closer to each characters faces. Truly sickening, and an incredible episode
Incredible? It was a boring slog that offered nothing to the show.
The episode after was FAR better in every way
@@Digger-Nick that's your opinion, and that's fine. I agree though for the episode after. forks was fantastic and an absolute joy to watch. I don't think they're particularly comparable, but I thoroughly enjoyed both
@@Digger-Nick the episode shows how that dysfunctional family destroyed pretty much all of them, by doing that to the audience too. it's 45 minutes and absolutely exhausting to watch, and that's the point. it's SUPPOSED to suck. and then you think about how carmen (and richie, and the sister, and the previous owner) weren't just there that night, they had that nightmare dynamic be their family for their entire lives. it explains exactly who they all are.
@@heathersmith4042 It offers nothing, we already know their family is a wreck, wasting an hour on nothing in such a short series is called filler.
Absolutely terrible episode
@@Digger-Nick it is showing the weight of how dysfunctional their family is. I didnt get that much emotional impact learning that they have a pyscho mom and and and addict brother who killed himself when it was just told by someone or was hinted indirectly. Seeing it actually play out is such a great move to build more attachment to the characters and learning their psyche.
The bear is great, but shout out to Thomas Flight - consistently delivering intelligent thought-essays ina highly approachable manner. Bravo young man!
Episode 2x07, “Forks” the Richie episode is one of the maybe 3 single times a piece of television has made me cry. I’m very rarely as emotionally invested in tv characters as I can get with films, but I believe that Dutch angle shot that was mentioned cutting to Richie by his car was what did it. The way that every element of filmmaking came together for 30 minutes to tell this deep and quiet story about fighting your own depression and doubts to find self-worth, it was beautiful. In a fantastic cast of characters Richie has always been my favourite because of how they leveraged the acting, writing, editing, everything to make him a very layered person who’s much more than the brash asshole we first meet.
Thanks for this video! I often find editing the hardest thing to understand in film criticism and I appreciate you breaking it down, plus giving credit to the talented people responsible.
Man, I only now put together that they did "Fishes", which ends the way it does and *why* it does, and the next ep was "Forks". That's some richly black humor from Storer/Calo et al.
Richie! How to find your self-respect by offering compassion to others: really, a wondrous episode which I didn’t expect to like - Richie being Richie: this is gonna rebound…& affect others, as it did me!
🙏🏽💔🙏🏻 17:06
Truer words were never spoken, well done! As they started building him up in that episode, I had a looming fear that they would have him fail, just for the sake of dramatic writing. I was so relieved when it was basically a winning transformation.
In particular, the shot where he runs the pizza out to the table... I thought to myself, please don't let him drop it, he has EARNED this. He's done it all perfectly, just let him crush it! Sure enough, they let him have the win. Brilliant.
I wondered if many ppl were moved by that episode. That's why I was so happy to find your comment.
I think watching Richie's transformation was so moving and gave all of us hope for ourselves too.
@@coma13794 I definitely found myself crying, which I didn't expect to do. It does take a lot to make me cry in general, so I really have to be entranced/drawn into the world in any tv show or movie for that to happen. Watching him evolve like that really was moving.
I'm glad you focused on the 2x03 sequence of Sydney conceptualizing dishes. It was so inspired, unique, and well-executed. Definitely a highlight in the season that not enough people talk about.
this show was legitimately stressful for me to get through. it's _so_ well made and for those of us who grew up with explosive parents leading to division among siblings, it hits far too close to home.
as a video editor, this was SUCH a great essay/interview to watch. it's so rare to hear professional editors speak in depth about their craft which is as you rightly pointed out often overlooked or mistreated but it's so refreshing to see it treated for what it is, the final rewrite. thank you for this!
What moved me the most in this season is the conversation between Carmen y Michael on episode 7, there you can feel how much Michael love him but how much he is suffering as well, trying to fight the suicidal thoughts and trying to hide those depresive feelings, but you already know thats a battle he is going to lose...
the sound design is one of the things that has impacted me the most from the bear. The way it uses organic sounds from the enviroment to compose music to amplify the tone is genius because it just flows and mixes to give you the emotions that youre supposed to feel. But also their ability to utilize silence is so amazing and impactful. And the soundtrack is great too
The sound of each scenes already gives you so much of the story and not only that it becomes a part of it in a way I feel like not many visual media use
Really cool to hear from the actual editors of these episodes to get another layer of insight into how the show was put together
The editors really did a great job making half hour episodes feel packed with beauty, nice transitions and specially not predictable. What an incredible show in every aspect❤
I LOVE The Bear, and Richie‘s development is one of the most rewarding arcs I‘ve ever seen. This show is ridiculously good at earning the emotional payoff. Nothing is wasted, everyone works hard, and there‘s so much heart.
Fantastic interview. I'm amazed how young these editors are, and already so skilled. Makes me really hopeful for the future.
Everyone raves about Fishes, rightly so, but I honestly loved Forks just as much. And the visualisation of what went on in Sidney's has in Sundae was like a 3 star meal in itself.
The Bear is a show with consistently superb editing.
Something I caught was when Lee screams at Mikey that he is “NOTHING” they flash to carmy and shows him physically flinch at the comment. A mix of emotions at once knowing despite Lee being a dbag that he is somewhat on point that Mikey is a mess while also being worried that Mikey will explode and do something crazy. Yet won’t interject because he knows both Lee AND Mikey will shut him down for it.
I come from a big family, I am one of 9 children not including the ones from my stepdad. Watching the fishes episode was actually bordering on being triggering lmao. So many family gatherings in my huge and loud family ended the same way, maybe not crashing the car but close. Fists fly, things are said that can’t be taken back, etc. I had to take a break mid episode because of how much it just brought back bad memories of Christmas lmao
“I only came for the stuffing, not to argue ‘bout nothing - but mark my words, I’ll be home on the 23rd”
‘Wintering’ : The 1975: actually starting to look like small fry, next to the might of ‘Fishes’ (sorry!)
So scarily perfect…I can’t believe it!
🙏🏻💔🙏🏽
I feel like despite most of us may not have family conflicts this intense, there are definitely little dynamics across we feel relatable with
This show is a lightening in a bottle. Jeremy, Ebon and Ayo are on top of their game. And the supporting cast are a chef’s kiss.
Never in a million years did I expect Matty Mathison to shine in this show. He is both guest starring and co-producer. I was Completely blind sighted by his performance. Well done Matty👏👏👏👏
I LOVED the editing in this show! The visual and sonic chaos in Carmy's flashbacks in season 1 and Syd's panic attack in the finale of season 2 both did a fantastic job of portraying the characters' insecurities.
I appreciate u giving credit to the editors and stuff bc they have a very important job that is often overshadowed
The editing in this show is what made the show embody its "Every Second Counts" slogan.
The “fishes” episode was so good, it could’ve been a hit indie film released separately 🙌🔥
I never knew editors had such creative freedom
The day I saw “Forks” I put it on repeat in my iPad while I worked like 10 times … the music , tempo , feelings of Richie and the feeling it gives you when you watch it like a music video is like going to a museum or to a concert and you just remember what you felt when you were there. Amazing work ❤️🔥
So true. That's the episode I'm going to watch for the second time first.
Really well done. I was just thinking about Richie today, and his comment in S2: “I wear suits now.”
Great writing, acting and editing: all reasons to support those who make these incredible series like The Bear.
Let’s not lose that because CEOs want to make millions, and leave the rest of us behind. ✊
I absolutely hated Richie up until s02e07 but that episode made me love everything we had seen up until then! The absolute fragility of the scene with Olivia Coleman was probably the most realistic piece of TV I’ve ever seen, absolute perfection from everyone involved.
Just shows how brilliantly done this was. I’m late to the party and came for this comment! Loathed Richie, he was so obnoxious, then bam in one episode I’ve fallen totally in love with that fragile yet resilient, noble at heart guy. The scene with Olivia was outstanding- she is something else and those two played off each other. Richie’s transformation was one of the most satisfying things I’ve seen on tv.
If one could point out the secret ingredient that makes this show so captivating it is (personally) the editing. I`ve seen tons of great acting, directing and photography, sound design, etc. But the way they manage to build moments in my head is just something I`ve never seen before, to be honest. The Bear is my own private event show. Thanks, Joanna and Adam for your work, and thanks Thomas for the video
By far the best show out on TV right now. Thanks for the great interviews with the editors! Very insightful and shows how much passion and care went into this season in particular
I am so happy he got to interview the editors, I admire them so much. I would love to find out how they are able to edit the sound with how chaotic all the dialogue captured on set seems to roll. I would love to shadow the editors for like a month just to see how they do it, it's genuinely the best of the best.
i've been training as an actor for a while, and this episode of the bear was so full of those little reaction moments and i LOVEDDDDDD them so much. I've worked in food service since high school to put myself through school, but also because i love food. this show couldn't be more fucking perfect
It does seem as if the makers have actually worked in those places. Felt like a real kitchen.
the way they will show everybody but the person talking really made it like YOU were at the table, or even the one talking. it reminded me of those family arguments where you say something and then see your moms face fall, or your dad look away from you.
The problem I had with the Sydney episode was that the editors made it seem like Sydney packed away a ton of food in one day. They didn’t show a number of transitions from morning to night to show that she did all this eating in the course of several days. No one could eat that much food in one day.
What, do you need a cross-fade of a calendar ripping out pages to figure it out?
100% agree everyone i know thought she ate 15000 calories in one evening
Yes, this. I was thinking how no one could eat that much food in a day. Especially when allowing the necessary spaciousness needed for creative inspiration.
it really felt like that although u could deduce it took several days
i learned something new today! thanks for breaking this down thomas
If UA-cam comments you know it was a good video
bring back visible dislikes.
When the large business conglomerate leaves a comment on your video ☺️☺️☺️
Both seasons of this show already presented to us masterpieces of editing and writing.
Masters of their craft fr, the editing was such a fabulous narrator in this show. It really felt like it’s own character
“Forks” is one of the best episodes of television ever. Everything from the acting, the writing, the music and the editing, tells the story of this character amazingly well. I’ve rewatched it several times. I laughed, I cried and was completely engaged throughout. It is the first time I’ve watched a show and wished I could call everyone involved in creating it to tell them what a great job they have done.
It’s an epiphany! And they make it in under 30 minutes. What an achievement
That storyboard book is so neat and meticulous that it's absolutely beautiful. I love densely packed information presented in a clean way, it becomes art.
I feel like I have heard of other Korean directors doing this. It’s such an interesting concept to bring depth and breadth to the storyboard and make it almost like a graphic novel. And it is its own form of art, like you said
The Bear is one of those shows that showcase why having good editors, cinematographers and composers can elevate a show.
I would have to say perfection is when all the parts come together, perfectly.
They story is compelling. The acting is dramatic, and like real life. And finally, the edit keeps you at the edge of your seat.
I've never seen the creative process conveyed so effectively... I want more.
Best show on TV. It’s not even close for me. The pacing, the writing, the acting, the efficiency of storytelling.
"Fishes" stressed me out like nothing else I've ever watched. My heart rate and I'm pretty sure my blood pressure were still up minutes after the episode ended. My anxiety was through the roof. A TV-watching experience I don't think I'll soon forget.
What a masterpiece of an episode...
So cool you got to speak with editors from the show. I wonder how long they've been doing this, because to be KILLING it at your job, at what I only assume is fairly early in your career is mega impressive.
The entire cast for this episode is insane. Great to see micro and the punisher hang out again
Bless the editors. Way back in high school when I thought I could be one, these are the kinds of scenes I wish I could cut. This is some of the most compelling television there is.
Watched that episode yesterday and my mouth was opening more and more and in the end I was just mind blown! So, so good! What an unbelievable, beautiful piece of work and art!
Also props to the edit of THIS video!! On the subject of having an eye for knowing how and when to use certain shots to convey story, Thomas does this seamlessly and helps me appreciate things I would have missed otherwise. Bravo, friend.
This feels like watching all my favorite characters/actors in one room
The fact that there's so many hours of first class footage of these actors to choose from shows how amazing the director and actors are.
I love how you incorporated some of the editing techniques that were highlighted in the interview in your video! I don't know if it was intentional but it felt similar to the overall montage-y editing of Sydney and Marcus' solo episodes. Anotha one!
I like the analogy of the editors to the platers; I was thinking the same thing early in the video. They're really that last touch that can elevate the entire meal into something special.
The Fishes episode lives rent-free in our heads. 👏 Major shoutout to Joanna Naugle, ACE!
Last comment from me, big shot out to Thomas, this is amazingly insightful commentary that has helped me better understand why this show was so incredibly compelling. I love the reverence you hold for editing and how you present it as an actual form of storytelling. Great work.
“Fishes” is simply a masterwork. I can’t even imagine the work involved in writing, acting, directing, filming and editing that episode. It absolutely needs to win an Emmy.
There’s such fantastic detail on every thing The Bear touches. Mental health, familial and financial trauma, extremely stressful work environments (specifically the unique kind of jackhammer-to-the-head stress that comes with working in a restaurant), interpersonal relationships. There are points where watching interactions feel identical to my own personal experiences and I’d have to wager not only are there others in the audience who feel the same thing, but almost certainly everyone who contributed to the show from writers to actors to stage crew. Maybe it’s not as high and complex as some other really fantastic pieces of writing/television, but hot damn it’s like going from high-class dining with something like Shogun to the most nostalgia-tripping comfort food made by your mother. Peak art
Oh wow I was looking forward your season 2 The Bear video and I’m glad you got to interview part of the crew! Especially editors, I rarely see interviews of them. Genuinely impressive and it gives us an insight that is invaluable. I love how they absolutely understand the complex, layered characters they created. Thank you so much for this!
thanks for pointing out and explaining how important editing is.
Forks was my favorite episode by far. I wasn't a huge fan of the family episode (episode 6) but I loved how episode 7 was shot. Much of what they said here, I noticed and is what made me love it. The quiet moment of Richie peeling mushrooms was so good. Like him finally feeling calm and safe while doing something simple alongside an expert, really allowed him to feel like he wasn't a "failure" or that carmy was punishing him.
I love Th Bear and I love your videos on it. I wish you could do more, plainly because I want to talk about it more. There were some things in Season 2 that I didn't like but the editing is not one of them. In fact, I found myself rewinding dozens of times per episode, just to take closer note of particular edits that caught my eye or felt like something I'd never seen before. Hats off to Joanna Naugle, Adam Epstein, and the whole editing team. They are amazing, inspiring, and I love their passion not just for their own department but the whole story. Thank you
This is what television is all about. It makes you feel things, it makes you feel like you're part of the cast, it makes you wonder how you would react. Season 1 was amazing, Season 2 is one of the best things i've ever seen. It took me days to proces what i watched,
I love how abstract and expressionistic the editing is on the Bear its very anime like.
Excellent breakdown, and thank you for introducing me to the editors. I've had a lot of people tell me to watch the Bear, you gave me the reason. Thank you!
"It's not style for the sake of itself; it's style that's deserving of purpose". Absolutely love that.
I watched this episode at about 4am one morning before work and it was not what I expected.
It was so deep and intense that I couldn’t turn away, couldn’t fully grasp, and couldn’t fully appreciate without watching it again. It set my whole day to a little chaos, but it was a truly impressive.
3:43 This was a brilliant insight. If they don’t explode and let out their negative emotions and energy, it eats them up inside alone and isolated.
the writing and acting in that entire episode was beyond stellar.
I keep coming back to this, such structured and thorough analysis and very fascinating to hear all the detailed and dedicated reasoning and care for the show from the people who made it.
It's funny, before I watched the bear everyone warned me about the one take episode being panic attack inducing. As someone who works in a very stressful environment, it was absolutely brilliant but the stress didn't overwhelm me. The episode that was absolute agony to sit through however, and this was a testament to how brilliantly crafted it is, is Fishes. In the kitchen, as rough as the team can be, everyone is fighting towards the same physical goal. But there is no common physical goal at a family gathering, the common goal is to spend time together. So when years of bad dynamics and conflicts are combined in that one evening, that goal is fundamental unachievable. Being trapped in there is nothing short of a nightmare. The whole production team nailed caging you into that environment, that shit messed me up 👏
Editing is like magic, I really don't know how people are able to do it, it's amazing
The Bear is such a beautiful show. I cannot stress that enough.
I stumbled upon this show while searching for something to watch, i binged it in two days and it was so good! So real and beautifully shot and well acted. The Christmas episode was so good and anxiety inducing that when it ended i just took a deep breath and sighed with all kinds of emotions.
Thank you for phoning in the people who worked for this show, most times editors are afterthought and focus was always about the directors and actors visions for their roles
That episode allows you to cry for literally every single person at that table for a different reason
Can’t stop re watching the series. Their anxiety feels like it’s been mine my whole life. I almost take a deep breath the second the episode ends. It’s great art all together
Jeez Thomas would you stop being so gd insightful. This was amazing. You're too good to us bruv
The Bear is amazing! I did have to force myself to watch the first 3 episodes not understanding a thing, since I feel nothing they do nor their motives makes sense, but then...wow! just wow! They're dysfunctional and flawed people who somehow make up a functional and perfect "family"
I remember seeing this episode for the first time and it was phenomenal. It's amazing, truly the best series this year or maybe in the decade
as usual, thomas flight brings some of the absolute best video essays on the entire internet. 10/10 insight and interview man.
i just finished binge watching both seasons last night - it was so good i couldnt stop! the tension in the scenes, the chaos - so captivating
you mentioning decision to leave was just soooooooo right. The bear and decision to leave are super different but to me they always felt like they were in the same vein in some way and I think you nailed that!!
The show has a way of weaving optimism through tragedy and trauma and portrays life quite how it is, bittersweet.
Decision to Leave is such a powerful movie (and one of my favourites), so glad it was brought up
I know it's small, but as someone from Chicago, I love how many actors they cast that actually from the city. I think it helps make it feel more genuine
Thoroughly enjoyed this analysis and interview! It's fascinating to learn about the narrative editing process for the Bear. This second season is unbeatable! The characters, writing, acting, editing, Everything is phenomenal ♥