Here’s why The Bear is worth sticking around for and why you shouldn’t give up hope for your TV faves

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Here’s why The Bear is worth sticking around for and why you shouldn’t give up hope for your TV faves

It’s one of TV’s most-lauded shows, picking up an astonishing 23 nods at this year’s Emmys nominations.

But when the third season of The Bear premiered back in late June, the hospitality drama, which stars Jeremy Allen White as tortured chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, was met with decidedly underwhelming reviews.

The Guardian called it “unbelievably frustrating”, The Atlantic postured that it had become “hard to watch” and The New Yorker didn’t ****** words, saying the most recent series was both “overstuffed” and “undercooked.”

Ouch.

But now the dust has settled and more of us have caught up — is it really so bad?

And was it ever going to measure up to critics’ sky-high expectations?

“The Bear was such a sensation that many audiences wanted it to maintain that level of intensity and momentum,” notes Wenlei Ma, Culture Editor for The Nightly.

“Personally, I loved the third season but I can see why it disappointed some.

“I think what the show tried to do is to reflect the frustrations of real life, which is to say that sometimes you do stagnate, or you backslide in your growth journey or you don’t get the catharsis you’re looking for from confronting a bully — and maybe that’s not what some people want from their TV shows as well?”

Camera IconWhen the third season of The Bear premiered back in late June, the hospitality drama, which stars Jeremy Allen White as tortured chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, was met with decidedly underwhelming reviews.  Credit: Matt Dinerstein/FX Networks

Ma makes a good point, though audience sentiment seems to be a lot more cut-and-dry.

Many have simply . . . bailed out.

Some cite the characters’ constant arguing, others say the “comedy” has disappeared from the series altogether; that the show’s main characters are no longer likeable enough to warrant commitment.

Perhaps they are not wrong.

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But we’re not giving up on this stellar show just yet.

While its audience rating on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes has slid to a dismal 53 per cent, there are still plenty — this critic included — who, like Ma, have leapt to the show’s defence, arguing The Bear is simply playing the long game, giving audiences a ‘bridging series’; allowing for real conclusions to play out when the show returns.

With a “to be continued” tacked onto the final episode and news the show has been renewed for a fourth season, we may not have to wait much longer to find out.

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But perhaps, for some, it’s simply too late.

“It’s easy to give up on something that isn’t grabbing you when there are so many new series clamouring for your attention,” says Ma.

“But some things are worth sticking around for, because shows can change or they can dig themselves out of a bad turn.”

Viewers who did keep watching past that tortured (some might say torturous) second episode were indeed rewarded: episode six, directed by series star Ayo Edebiri, detailed Tina’s (Liza Colón-Zayas) backstory and was nothing short of sensational.

Ditto the show’s eighth episode, which saw the return of Emmy-nominated Jamie Lee Curtis as the Berzatto matriarch.

That episode also showcased the extraordinary talents of Abby Elliott, whose character Sugar (she plays Curtis’ daughter) had only taken a ********* to that point.

If you hadn’t stuck it out you wouldn’t have seen these stellar turns — and you’d have been the poorer for it.

Other Shows Worth Sticking Around for

Here are 10 other shows that more than made up for their missteps in the long run.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconWorth watching for Claire Danes’ extraordinary performance in the final season, which ties things up satisfyingly well.  Credit: Jim Fiscus/Jim Fiscus/SHOWTIMEHomeland (Apple TV Plus)

By the time season eight rolled around it felt as though we were the only ones left watching this espionage series, which took some genuinely surprising turns in later seasons. Worth watching for Claire Danes’ extraordinary performance in the final season, which ties things up satisfyingly well.

Schitt’s Creek (

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This show does everything in its power to make you stop watching in its first two seasons. But my goodness, get through these and you’re in for a treat! This is as heartwarming as it is laugh-out-loud funny, and truly a modern comedy classic — stick it out!

Blue Heelers (7Plus)

Early seasons of this perennial Aussie fave won legions of fans and awards aplenty for Lisa McCune. But after she left mid-run, things veered off-course. But thanks to some great additions to the cast and tighter storylines, they righted themselves and the show finished on a high.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconElisabeth Moss in a scene from the TV series The Handmaid’s Tale. Credit: George Kraychyk/ContributedThe Handmaid’s Tale (SBS on Demand)

You may have bailed after the emotionally harrowing first season and we don’t blame you — this is most definitely NOT feel good TV. But those who stuck around have been rewarded with some fabulous subsequent seasons and a story still as gripping — and frightening — as ever.

Offspring (Ten Play)

After Patrick (Matthew Le Nevez) was sensationally ******* off at the end of season four many called it quits. But those that stuck around till the end got a great final season and a satisfyingly “happy” ending for Nina and her brood.

New Girl (Disney Plus)

This show is one of those rare beasts that got steadily better as the show went on, and the actors bedded into their fabulously-drawn characters. Fast forward and it’s now one of TV’s most enduring — and best-loved — modern comedies. Nick and Jess for life!

30 Rock (ABC iView)

It doesn’t matter how many times this airs repeats, we’ll always tune in, and always find something to laugh about. OK, so there were a few patchy seasons, but this quirky comedy was able to regain its pace and finish on a high. Stands the test of time.

A Place To Call Home (Foxtel and Binge)

It looked like curtains for this Aussie drama when it was cancelled by the Seven Network after two seasons. But thankfully Foxtel threw it a lifeline, delivering another four years packed full of melodrama, romance and some superbly underrated performances. Worth seeking out.

M*A*S*H (Disney Plus)

When this premiered back in 1972 few had an inkling it would go on to become one of television’s most celebrated series. By the time its incredible finale went to air a decade later, it was a certified phenomenon, its iconic finale watched by 105 million viewers in the States alone.

Law and Order (7Plus)

Wait — this show is STILL on air? It sure is! And while you may have bailed decades ago, it’s still very much worth your time and still every bit as compelling as those earlier seasons. If that’s not enough to persuade you — Maura Tierney is joining the cast for season 24! Sign us up.

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#Heres #Bear #worth #sticking #shouldnt #give #hope #faves

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