The real thing about Chicago winters is that they’re quiet. They’re cold and gray and miserable, but what you notice most is how quiet they are. Windows shut, birds are all gone, people don’t stay outside unless they have to. You might have late December shoppers out, but by February, you don’t. You know that feeling of being at elementary school well after all the other students have left? That’s the loop at 5pm on a Sunday the weeks after Christmas. It not just that there isn’t noise, it’s the distinct lack of noise that’s unsettling. It’s a place that’s supposed to hold thousands of people, and it’s empty. It’s the loneliest you’ll ever feel.
It’s not sad or scary. You’re not worried about the quiet. It’s just the palpable feeling something that’s supposed to be there is missing. The absence takes up all of the room. It’s that same feeling that Chris Storer incorporates into every scene of season two of FX’s hit “comedy” The Bear. And every single second of it is desperately aware of how everyone is missing something.
I bring this up not just because I love my city (and I really, really love my city), but to make extremely clear: this is a sad show. It’s not always sad (“Forks” is one of the most joyful thirty minutes of TV I’ve seen in a long time), but the overall tone of the show is somber. And now I’m going to tell you that if you loved Ted Lasso, you should try The Bear.
A couple of caveats:
- There are no musical numbers
- Very few puns
- No Coach Beard
- I cannot stress enough, no musical references whatsoever
If what you loved about Ted Lasso is that it’s a nice, goofy rom-com, you might not connect with the gritty, vaguely clinically depressed tone of The Bear. But if what you love about Ted Lasso is watching a ragtag team of underdogs led by an unlikely hero, The Bear will be great. Also, it’ll feature Jeremy Allen White looking like this.
White stars as Carmen Berzatto, an up-and-coming chef who returns from working in the best kitchens in the world to run his late brother’s sandwich shop in River North. Did you guess that his late brother died by suicide? Because that’s not as much a spoiler as it is a running gag that’s introduced in the second episode (yes, someone’s death by suicide is played for laughs. I love this show).
In addition to the main character attempting to help elevate a team to the best versions of themselves while also processing his own grief, you’re going to get: a platonic friendship/working relationship between the main character and the female lead; a supporting cast who goes through their own struggles and achievements; the importance of love and forgiveness during healing; a former leader on the team who is unsure of his place and how to remain a part of the team while staying true to himself; a new upstart who is actively working on becoming a start; mom issues; dad issues; active therapy; Jesus Christ, an actual signal. Like a real signal between teammates to non-verbally communicate whatever needs to happen immediately. I’ll admit, I was pitching this whole thing as sort of a wild swing, but I have talked myself into it.
The fact is The Bear is one of the best shows on TV right now and you should give it a shot. It might not be Ted Lasso-y enough to warm your heart, but it will keep you company in the cold.
Seasons 1 and 2 of The Bear are currently available on Hulu.
