QuincyAbeyie well, if you only showed one episode of the bear to anyone and it was that family dinner episode, I would agree none of the characters are likeable. However, as you say, it was followed by that episode with Richie learning something about himself and how he is really viewed, and valued, by Carmie. And I found it incredibly moving.
As someone who who has worked in a restaurant - okay, only McDonald's but I think it counts because I recognise a lot of what happens in the show - been a people manager in that environment and has returned to management over the last seven years, I also identify with the journeys everyone's on. I recognise Tina, the old timer, stuck in her ways but revivified by a new way of doing something, I see in Syd something of myself as I was seven years back, trying to get respect and new ideas across to people I wasn't sure wanted to hear them. The realisation Carmy has that he should be encouraging and nurturing Marcus.
But especially, to bring it all back round, Richie's realisation that he is valued by Carmie and that a new way of doing something might be better, not just for but for everyone.
Yeah, I recognise all of them. Of course, that fact doesn't mean you have to like them, but what can I say? I just do. Maybe part of it is that I'm watching a show where the writers clearly care about their characters. Maybe another part of it is how many shows, so many of them, are filled and headed by anti heroes. As I think I said a few weeks back, something like this is in sharp relief to a show like Succession. These are just a tight group of people trying to get a successful restaurant going. So maybe I love it for that.
But to your point, that dinner episode - man, it even made Bob Odenkirk unlikeable and that is some achievement!
