Inti Navia 
Season three of “The Bear” is the most intense the show has ever been, and the most dramatic.
This time around, the series deals with the aftermath of Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) being locked in the meat locker last season and having a mental breakdown, making his girlfriend Claire (Molly Gordon) break up with him. The surprise star of the season, however, isn’t either of those actors.
L-Boy’s (Lionel Boyce) performance as Marcus, the pastry chef in The Bear’s kitchen, is heart-breaking. He just lost his mother last season, and he captivates the whole screen whenever his character is on it. He always played a loveable counterpart to the verbally abusive characters throughout the whole show, but this season feels really grounded as he deals with the grief of losing a loved one.
As my mom and I binged our way through the new season on Hulu, one of our favorite activities was to spot all the local Chi-Town joints that got featured on the show. While I wish “The Bear” spent a little bit more time outside of The Loop and River North, it does a great job featuring what makes Chicago special and different from other cities.
This season is a little bit slower than the other ones, despite its intensity. There are a lot of flashbacks to Carmen’s past working under different chefs and restaurants. One of my favorite flashback episodes, however, was one focused on Tina (Liza Colón Zayas), and how she joined the original restaurant. She instantly becomes one of the most likable and relatable characters. And Jamie Lee Curtis is back as the over the top mom, Donna Berzotto, with more of her messy goodness.
As Carmy gears up to earn his restaurant a Michelen star, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is faced with life altering decisions, like co-owning the restaurant, or accepting a surprise, dream-like offer. “The Bear” is classically in your face, serious, hilarious, and exactly what you should be watching this summer. All 10 episodes of season three are streaming on Hulu.
By Inti Navia, Sophomore, Columbia College Chicago
All Platforms: @intinavia
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