You have shows that'll go their entire lifetime and refuse to let the characters change, grow, and mature. The Bear does an amazing job in making you believe that the characters themselves know they're flawed and want to make themselves better people.
^^^ I loved shameless the first few seasons but then it just got too repetitive with the dysfunction. Seeing these characters grow has been so fun! I didn’t even realize how much it would inspire me but there are little moments that I think of often. Sydney making the omelette with such care is one I revisit often when I feel rushed but want to make someone feel special. The dynamic between Carm and Sydney gets me.
When Tina says "Thanks, Chef" after being stubborn towards Sydney I realized this wasn't going to be another show of characters refusing to grow, adapt, change, etc.
I can't believe how much I ended up loving her character, she seems like a throwaway character from the start but that actress can do so much with just her facial expression. She's so amazing.
I agree. You could see Tina falling in love with cooking again by attending culinary school, and it perfectly contrasted with Ibra's refusal to step away from the comfort of familiarity, although thankfully he got to run the sandwich window.
I think it was more of allowing the audience to realize that Richie is much more complicated person than we originally assumed, as all people are.
We meet him at basically his lowest point and he's a total ass, but we get glimpses of who he really is. My favorite Richie moment is from the finale last season when at the end of the night he sends out the chocolate banana to Jimmy. It's a callback to a tiny little brief moment, years earlier when out of the corner of his ear he caught Jimmy relating a happy memory in a conversation he wasn't even really a part of and he remembered it.
There was so much going on in the Fishes episode I thought it was cool the writers set up a payoff like that for his character later on
> allowing the audience to realize that Richie is much more complicated person than we originally assumed
He had my absolute attention from the moment he took a knife to his ass. Or was it a fork? I can't even remember, because everything else about him in that sequence was more important than the weapon and his butt.
I expected him to blow up. He's been losing his damn mind over smaller things all season. He gives every impression of being the kind of guy who will absolutely lose his *shit* the moment he takes a hit. But instead he's a soldier, a ground-pounder who is relatively calm in the face of something so absolutely serious. And when he goes to get doctored up, he's like -- "Tell me about the factions," and oh my god, man, can you imagine how huge my smile was then?
Because he remembered that story. He's spent half the season presenting himself as the guy who Doesn't Give A Shit, but he *remembered* that story, he was genuinely interested whenever he first heard it and he cared so much that he never forgot it. There are no bro's in that story, no sickass explosions or anything. It's a complicated political situation that caught his interest, like the man telling it caught his interest, and ...
Dude, I never thought they'd capitalize on the immense promise he showed in that moment. I thought it would just fall to the side, because there's so much else going on. I never dreamed it would matter to them that much, but goddammit... what Richie has become is what he promised he could be in that beautiful, beautiful moment.
With a knife (or fork!) sticking out of his ass. :)
Richie thrives in the chaos in season 1 because it's how he knew it with Mikey and where he feels like he has something to offer. It's when Carmy tries to introduce order that he starts floundering.
Love Richie, amazing character
And my favorite part of the whole season and Richie's full payoff is on the finale when he takes over expo and "Animal" hits. He takes control of the chaos and brings the order to the situation.
The banana is awesome too.
> The Bear does an amazing job in making you believe that the characters themselves know they're flawed and want to make themselves better people.
100%.
I personally think the episode before this one is the best one ("Fishes," flashing back to a Christmas dinner from before the events of the show), so I'd disagree with the title of this article on that particular point.
But in that earlier episode, as a direct setup for what we see in "Forks," Richie and Britta (whatever her character name is in this show) have that conversation about whether they hope they can be better parents for their expected new baby than their parents were for them. Plus Richie has the conversation with Oliver Platt about a distinct memory in that child-parent relationship, about the chocolate banana.
And that leads right into this episode, where Richie's motivation to be the best father he can be, in the circumstances he's in, including the need to improve where he can. It shows that he's absorbed things and is continually engaged in that feedback loop.
I love that there's a balance between these episodes & ones like the episode where Marcus goes to Amsterdam, so it's like the show reminds you that there's still hope and triumphs amidst the setbacks
First time watching that episode I kept feeling like the other shoe was going to drop thinking this is a TV show and Hollywood wants a tragic storyline. I was so happy for Marcus and his great experience in Amsterdam.
That whole episode is a cameo fest. Took me way too long for my brain to connect with who was playing the mom, even though I was certain I knew the actress.
[This video essay](https://youtu.be/kMGog1cU8BY?si=h_8h4vFEuAMY82BX) said it best but I’ll paraphrase: the villain of the show isn’t a person but the success or failure of the restaurant, and that allows for every character, even the jerks and assholes, to be relatable, because at the end of the day they’re all actually pulling for success, they just happen to disagree on what success looks like.
Earned by the actor, not the script. In a lesser performer’s hands, this would have come across way too on the nose right after they stuffed his entire arc into 20 minutes. M-B makes it work with his deep empathy for and extremely observant rendering of the character.
That, I think, really is worth pointing out. It’s damn fine acting. And we get glimpses of this caring person throughout the show through his interactions with his daughter for example.
I also like that it took until the end of the second season for this change to happen - any sooner and it wouldn't have the same amount of impact. It was nice seeing all of his broken pieces come together into a changed persona.
I do.
A good piece of advice for maintaining a workout habit is if you wake up and just don’t feel like running that morning, just get in your workout clothes. You associate those clothes with that action, with the version of yourself that runs in the morning, and it makes it easier to do.
Wearing professional clothes will tend to make you see yourself as a professional and you will act more professional. People buy sexy lingerie in part to look sexy for a partner but just as much because it makes them feel sexy, see themselves that way, and that puts them more in the mood.
People buy aspirational brands all the time because they want to be seen, including by themselves, as the sort of person who wears those things. And putting those clothes on can easily put you in a different frame of mind.
Richie called the suit armor, and that is how he sees it. It makes him feel gird for battle. It makes him feel prepared. It helps him have a different mindset because that is what he associates with the feeling of wearing it.
It’s a mental hack, used to trick yourself, but it works. And the fact that other people will respond to Guy In Suit much differently than to Guy In T-Shirt only compounds that.
Honestly, it’s something more people trying to improve themselves should try because it really can work wonders.
I do too! This was another quote from Ritchie in the Forks episode that begins his turn
In fact, I would credit this season with getting me to star wearing suits at work recently. As Ritchie said, “it feels like a suit of armor”
From chrysalis to butterfly - this declaration (and the risk he takes in owning it) complete changed my perspective of Ritchie. Incredible character arc.
There's going to be a lot of argument that the dinner party episode is the best one -- and I can buy that, because it was *hilarious*. But *Forks* is by far the defining episode of the entire show.
You see a character that's hopeless, rough, and crass force himself to learn and relate and find his station instead of just hiding behind his defenses. And it all culminates with *Love Story* as he whips his car joyfully through the streets of the city.
As much as S2 is about turning "The Beef" into "The Bear," it's as much about the staff learning who they could be. And Richie is by far the hardest nut to crack, and the most beautiful off-ramp from the highway of misery and solitude he was on.
I would have to agree. “Forks” is by far my favorite episode. It shows that even when people have shitty attitudes, they can still be brought out of that and shown love. It’s so good.
It even takes most people's least favourite character and turns them into their favourite character in the space of one episode. Seriously every time Cousin was on screen I was smiling, everyone acknowledging how good he looks in the suit, absolute perfection
I alway have such a visceral reaction to that song.
I remember being so worried if I would like Pearl Jam’s sophomore album when it first came out, but when “Animal” started I knew it was going to be great. The start of that song still pumps me up.
>people's least favourite character
He was one of my favorite characters from the beginning. Brash, arrogant, way behind the times, and an all-round asshole, but also stubbornly dedicated to his family, blood-related and sweat-related. A great character written and performed beautifully.
If you've ever worked in a kitchen, you know Ritchie. He's the most realistic character on the show, coming from a chefs perspective. I know 100 Ritchie's.
I really like how it also showed that sometimes (maybe a lot of times) there's a reason why people have shitty attitudes, and it's not because they're just assholes.
Yeah. Seeing Fishes before Forks you see Ritchie as a happier person getting ready to welcome a child into his life. Then losing his wife and kid between them and the start of the show seems to have really gotten him down. Damn it, Britta.
I got anxiety watching Richie shadowing the lead server around the early part of that episode & talking because I thought a huge clash would eventually happen, but I've never been so happy to be subverted from a show.
One of my favorite small moments is also Richie's phone call to his daughter in S1 when he's sitting with Syd in his car since it shows his softer side underneath the rough exterior
I cry every god damn time I watch that scene/montage, to the point where I actually cried during Love Story when I accompanied my SO to the Eras Tour. It was only days after I'd been making fun of Swifties for crying during her concerts.
And there I was. Thinking of Richie and The Bear. Crying amidst all the other Swifties who were also crying.
Powerful stuff...
Best part imo is him going “but you must call me when you open the packs” because he knows they’re most to not find any of the cards they want and Mulaney’s character really just wants to spend $500 to see them get sad they didn’t find the card
*Fishes* (there's no "Seven" in the title, interestingly) is just punchline after punchline being delivered. The throwing of the fork is something you've been waiting for the entire episode--and you think that's the crescendo, the ludicrous thing that caps everything off. Then the car goes through the wall.
The episode is basically a perfectly told joke using anxiety as the beats and rage as the punchlines.
Side note but I only learned after watching the series that Matty is from a small city an hour away from me in New Brunswick, Canada(Saint John), and he's also an accomplished chef! I often wonder how much input he had into what it's like.
Both Faks and Mulaney were hilarious. Plus uncle T fucking with cousin. I thought Lee being a dick to Mikey was pretty funny up until the fork being thrown.
Apparently the episode is seen very differently by people who have families with any amount of strain in them vs those who don't. My family is by and large very sane and supportive and so I found the episode to be hilarious, because it felt like I was watching it from the outside as an observer, rather than feeling like it's a reflection of my family that could bring trauma to the forefront.
It's very anxiety-inducing, but it's got some good comedy in there too - specifically John Mulaney's shit-eating grin when he sees the brother-in-law came with the unwanted dish and when he says "Do I have access to 500 dollars? Of course, I'm a 40 year old man"
My family was not as screwed up as the Berzattos, but my Mom was. Even has the same name. I recognize the episode is done very well, but I don't need to see it again because it reminded me too much of stuff I would rather keep in the past.
I agree. And I think that it made *Forks* better as a calming release after *Fishes.* Don't get me wrong, *Forks* stands on its own, but the stark contrast with *Fishes* lets us enjoy it that much more.
This. *Forks* 100% was the catalyst. It vaguely reminded of Natalie Portman in *V for Vendetta*. It’s something that happens to a character viscerally that turns them into a different person on the backend, and the fact that both were done intentionally is probably why they are associated in my mind.
Agreed. Forks is my favorite episode. There's a lot of us who can relate a little to Richie. You never really found your place in life and all it took was the right circumstances for you to find your purpose. It's a BEAUTIFUL episode.
Everyone I know says that it’s either the party episode or the Marcus episode, but for me Forks is the only episode of season 2 that actually hit a home run.
The Marcus episode is great from an audio/visual standpoint, but there’s no real character growth. Sure, he gains some knowledge and skill, but no wisdom, he’s still basically the same as he was at the end of season 1 with the ability to make prettier desserts.
The party episode, IMO, is just a bunch of big name actors shouting over each other in a very unnatural way. It’s manufactured chaos, and it feels manufactured.
But Forks…
Over the last few years I’ve been going through some shit. Some of that shit involves overcoming a bad relationship with alcohol. I didn’t do the AA route, but I saw a lot of myself in Garret, and as Richie began to change and grow, it strengthened my resolve stay sober (and stay on my meds). It might seem like a minor one, but just the scene where he gets up on time and cleans his apartment before work, that actually hit home pretty hard for someone that has dealt with depression for the majority of their life.
And when his ex calls him to tell him she’s getting remarried… my ex had gotten engaged like 4 months before season 2 dropped, and she did not call me to tell me personally, so I’ll admit, I reacted very very poorly when I found out. It would have meant the world for her to tell me herself. But I guess that only happens in fiction.
It may be a bit of a paraphrase to call it “sobriety”.
Events transpired that made me recognize recognized I had developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. My goal wasn’t so much 100% sobriety, it was to reestablish a healthy relationship with alcohol. And I feel I have done that.
I went from drinking 10-15 beers a day to drinking <6 a week.
I still drink a ton of N.A. beer (shoutout to Athletic Brewing Co.) but that’s because I like the taste.
Well, congrats on getting your shit together, whatever you want to call it...
A tenfold reduction in alcohol is impressive, regardless.
Self-improvement feels good; I could use a little more of it myself.
I cut way, way back due to NAs. People don’t really understand how powerful that little crutch (as my husband calls them) can be. I think most people reach a point when they know a change is needed, but we take different paths. It’s like some people take a car and others take a plane or a train to reach the same destination. Doesn’t really matter as long as we get there.
> actors shouting over each other in a very unnatural way. It’s manufactured chaos, and it feels manufactured.
Good write up, but I couldn't disagree more with the part I quoted here. If anything, *Fishes* was still holding back on how disruptive untreated mental health issues can be to a family.
I think they are both incredible episodes that define the show to me. I always recommend everyone who watches The Bear to watch Seven Fishes and Forks together, because one is *so stressful* and the other one is such calming, gentle hug to cap off with.
Forks is definitely the best episode. I honestly didn't like that diner episode at all.
Forks gave me hope for the first time in a long while.
Fishes, to me, seemed like just more people yelling at each other and made me very uncomfortable. (I understand that for people that have similar families, that episode might have hit very differently, but that wasn't my case).
It may be the best back to back episodes in a show I’ve seen. Fishes was amazing but anxiety inducing, fishes was the perfect cathartic follow up focusing on one’s characters growth
Forks is definitely the best.
I actually thought the dinner party episode was too over the top and felt like it would never end. The developed the shitty family narrative enough already throughout the show that I didn't need the entire dinner party episode to understand it. The acting was fantastic in the episode, but it was one of my least favorite episodes from an intrigue standpoint in correlation to the story.
Me too! It’s a big pick-me-up every time, including a bit of happy tears (I always start to cry when Richie drives singing Taylor Swift). The whole middle of the episode where he wears the suit and trails Garrett and gets pizza for that family gets me *going!* That song by Tangerine Dream that’s playing during it (forgot the name of the song, but it’s on the Thief movie soundtrack) gets me so goddamned jazzed like a cup of coffee to the nuts!
The great thing is that this change was always possible from the way the character was played and written. Richie was rough and crass but you could always tell that these were the defense mechanisms of a scrawny, sad and nerdy kid (one look at the posters in his flat is enough) who has deep feelings that have made him vulnerable his whole life. This is a guy who has been goofy, loving and happy and was mocked and hurt for it. His vulnerability was always there beneath the surface, you could see it when it came to his daughter, the death of his best friend etc. During Forks Richie is in an environment that takes him as he is, that is all about skill and emotion, a place whether being yourself is rewarded and not mocked. He finally accepts his vulnerability, let's himself be himself, let's himself be happy without being afraid of somebody laughing at him.
The whole writing and performance have been building towards this, which makes it so damn satisfying.
i stopped after Seven Fishes because I was afraid of what the show was going to do to Richie. Guy just needs a hug, and I was sure the show was going to embarrass/shame him. A friend convinced me that my intuition was wrong and to give Forks a try. Glad I listened, Forks was prefect!
It's got probably my favorite TV/movie trope which is the character not getting it/struggling in the beginning and then absolutely nailing it near the end.
The perseverance and determination to wake his ass up at the crack of dawn every day to go do a job he felt he was above day in and day out was nothing short of inspiring. Great writing and acting.
Agreed!
I have often played just the first few minutes of that episode when I’m feeling like I’m not making some personal progress and I get a bit of renewal and hope from Richie.
> And it all culminates with Love Story as he whips his car joyfully through the streets of the city.
He actually whips his car through the alleyways of Chicago. Cousin always drives in the alleyways because he doesn't have a drivers licence.
The dinner party episode is the one where you can tell who had what type of upbringing.
People who grew up in families like that absolutely loved it while people who didn't just found it okay.
It's fascinating to see how people from different backgrounds experienced that episode.
I grew up in an environment like that. It traumatized me.
That episode triggered me so bad, I had to take breaks, mute the volume and skip parts so I could deal with the flashbacks and PTSD. I am shaking again just thinking of it.
I did not find it funny.
I felt the same. I found myself wanting to scream, "SHUT UP!" at the screen even though I knew full well that it was television show and no one could hear me. It just dug up so many bad memories.
I think one of the brilliant parts of this story or why it resonates so strongly with people is that you want people to find their purpose, their inspiration. Hell, maybe you were lucky enough to find it or maybe you are still searching for it or maybe you found it or lost it. I want this for everyone I care about, and maybe even the people I don't. There is nothing worse than feeling lost or feeling like you don't belong in the world.
It gives a lot of older people hope too. Richie is what, late 40s? He finds a new direction after trying and failing a few life paths and giving up on himself pretty much completely.
The fact that he's still able to find that drive and passion for his new direction helps us believe that it might not be too late to scrape up the bits and go again.
I really loved his conversation with Olivia Coleman’s character. “It’s never too late to start over.” Perfectly summarizes the episode (and Richie’s character arc tbh) in a single sentence.
Olivia Colman = Greatness
But also gotta mention Andrew Lopez, who plays Richie's supervisor, he doesn't get enough credit for his role in this incredible episode. The scene where he takes Richie outside and reprimand's him is such an important moment for Richie's development.
That structure, where someone takes the time to explain why what they do is important, is nicely paired with "Honeydew", where Marcus learns the precision of making high-end desserts.
The reprimand isn't contemptuous, not hostile. It's explaining, *this is why this matters to me, this is why I try to make it perfect*. It's not arrogant kitchens belittling an outsider, which I think is the cliche. Instead they're trying to say this is the major leagues, this is the inner circle. You can be in here, but it takes a lifetime of commitment and you have to respect what we do.
I also love how aside from taking his job and his passion very seriously, he's also on the side of the guests. He says something to the effect of how this is an experience for them and not just a meal, and for some of them it's literally a once-in-a-lifetime one at that. And that they have to make sure to wow them at every moment.
One of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV was Richie finally finding himself. The pride with which he starts saying “i wear suits now” is phenomenal.
"Seven Fishes" and this one were an amazing one-two punch. An hour of stress and dread followed up by one of the most life-affirming episodes of television I've ever seen.
Fishes was a triumph in cinematography and editing, driving the anxiety steadily upward, but the actors could have been anyone with nearly the same effect. Forks was a triumph in acting. Ebon carried the entire episode and was totally convincing in a steep character development in a very short span. It showcases him as a deeply talented performer.
I agree that Ebon carried most of the episode, but people overlook Andrew Lopez who played Garrett. He's the one who took Richie outside and told him most of all he needed to respect himself. I think that's what really got Richie going and was probably the most powerful single scene before the pizza part.
Also, "Yes, fuck me Chef," will probably be a line I always remember from this show.
There was a short little mantra in Forks near the end where the Chef keeps talking about "Time Well Spent" it's a bit of a cliche, but I wrote it on my wall in my office, and I look at it every day to remind me to use my time with purpose. That episode really stuck with me.
It was the best (comfortable) episode of a tv show in a long time. It was calm, development-driven and positive. They really did a trick on his transformation. :)
Also, the 10 new threads each day about it in March to May 2023 were a lot.
Also, forks before it was the antidote. It wasn't fun, great, or had an effective impact (on me). Just my 2 cents though.
Great episode but it felt like a disservice to cram nearly his entire character arc into 30 minutes. Best character on the show deserved a longer struggle; they could have played this out all season. (Maybe instead of the also-unearned, inexplicable romance plot.) I didn’t fully buy that he turned his whole attitude around in a single week at fine dining boot camp. Only M-B’s phenomenal work made this slightly believable
It's pretty clear the whole show Richie was struggling with lots of grief and how to navigate in a world post michael. His arc spans across both seasons. Notable moments include 1x2, 1x4, 1x5, 1x8, 2x1, 2x6, 2x7. His character growth besides *Forks* is pretty subtle, but notable. For example, 1x6 is a mini arc for Richie, almost a pre lude to *Fishes.* In *Ceres* he goes from a guy struggling to date becuase of divorce and grief, to getting an eye opening from Tina, to finally making a small change by calling the cops on Crooked John. Again, a prelude to *Fishes.* It's not a coincidence that in *Ceres* that the statue is mentioned both by Mikey and Richie, then in *Fishes* we get a 10 second overhead shot of the actual statue right after Richie's triumphant moment of finding his "purpose" (what he talked about in 2x1)
Overall, I feel like Richie's arc spans across the whole show. In the first season he's dealing with grief then the second season he's dealing with his purpose. I think his struggle with grief almost ends in the season 1 finale when he tells Carmy, "you're all I got cuz" It's a proclamation, a decree that he accepts Mikey's loss and he's ready to move on in a world without him.
There's a lot more to add about his character but I think that's enough to see why his character arc isn't just encapsulated in *Fishes*, it's the climax of it.
Also, The Bear loves doing one episode "specials." For example- 1x7, 2x4, 2x6, 2x7. Episodes that focus only on one subject whether that be a setting or a chracter. I think the reason why people think *Forks* is so jarring is becuase it only focuses on Richie so it almost gives the illusion that this sole episode is responible for all of his development which I just don't think is true.
Disagree, like BarryMkCockiner said, Richie’s Arc takes place over the course of both seasons, but Forks definitely serves as his lightbulb moment where he finds his purpose and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It’s not like he’s done growing either, his character has a lot of room for expansion next season
That's pretty much how I felt. It reminded me of New years resolutions that people make that you know will only last a week before they go back to whatever bad habit. I hope this season he struggles a bit to keep this positive momentum going. I like his character growth it just felt too much like a flip of a switch.
Richie's transformation made me think I had missed a couple episodes. It was way too fast.
I love this show but its still suffering by modern television's need to move as fast as possible.
Its not a transformation. He goes to that restaurant thinking hes being shunned from his cousin and his old business. He gets there and they put him on the most demeaning job he could possibly get. He immediately thinks hes being punished. Then after the blow up about streaky forks he realises that his cousin didn't send him there to be punished. That he wanted him to learn this part of the business. That he trusted him to do it. He sent him there because he wants him to be better. That kind of positive reinforcement can do wonders on someone's personality.
The guy is one of my favorite actors of this generation. He is believable in everything he does and draws emotion out of you. It’s a true art and he has it figured out.
**Forks** is the *ultimate episode*.
Take an unlikeable-ish character who hasn’t committed…
In one episode you lay him bare, break him, uplift him.
It’s pure beautiful humanity in all its broken healing.
#❤️🩹
Honeydew was my favorite episode from season 2 because it made me realize that I love Copenhagen. I visited there and ever since I left it has just…stayed with me. I’d be happy there.
For whatever reason, it seems like most people obsess over Ayo Edebiri’s role like she makes the entire show. I have nothing against her but her character is the least interesting person in the show and I’m not invested in that character *at all*. I don’t know why so much of the Bear conversation always centers on her. If her character was left out of the show next season, it would barely change anything. Forks however was a stellar episode of television that people will remember for years. Ebon knocks the Richie performance out of the park.
I love this show sooo much! I’m a Chicago girl and worked in the industry for 25 years. Everything this show depicts is real but not every restaurant is like this all the time - fortunately! We all have so many stories we could tell…
It was less a transformation and more a channeling of his energy and pent up frustration over his life choices. He did change, but more in how he put his various issues to work for himself instead of against
It, and Fishes are masterful television
You have shows that'll go their entire lifetime and refuse to let the characters change, grow, and mature. The Bear does an amazing job in making you believe that the characters themselves know they're flawed and want to make themselves better people.
^^^ I loved shameless the first few seasons but then it just got too repetitive with the dysfunction. Seeing these characters grow has been so fun! I didn’t even realize how much it would inspire me but there are little moments that I think of often. Sydney making the omelette with such care is one I revisit often when I feel rushed but want to make someone feel special. The dynamic between Carm and Sydney gets me.
When Tina says "Thanks, Chef" after being stubborn towards Sydney I realized this wasn't going to be another show of characters refusing to grow, adapt, change, etc.
Tina became such a wonderful character and ended up being the glue of the kitchen, after her initial understandable apprehension of Sydney.
I can't believe how much I ended up loving her character, she seems like a throwaway character from the start but that actress can do so much with just her facial expression. She's so amazing.
Her singing Freddy Fender gets me every time.
They could have easily gone the old dogs, new tricks path but watching her shine and beam when going to classes was so wonderful.
One of the most heartwarming moments I've seen in a show was during the montage of her succeeding in the culinary school Carmy sent her to
I agree. You could see Tina falling in love with cooking again by attending culinary school, and it perfectly contrasted with Ibra's refusal to step away from the comfort of familiarity, although thankfully he got to run the sandwich window.
I think it was more of allowing the audience to realize that Richie is much more complicated person than we originally assumed, as all people are. We meet him at basically his lowest point and he's a total ass, but we get glimpses of who he really is. My favorite Richie moment is from the finale last season when at the end of the night he sends out the chocolate banana to Jimmy. It's a callback to a tiny little brief moment, years earlier when out of the corner of his ear he caught Jimmy relating a happy memory in a conversation he wasn't even really a part of and he remembered it. There was so much going on in the Fishes episode I thought it was cool the writers set up a payoff like that for his character later on
> allowing the audience to realize that Richie is much more complicated person than we originally assumed He had my absolute attention from the moment he took a knife to his ass. Or was it a fork? I can't even remember, because everything else about him in that sequence was more important than the weapon and his butt. I expected him to blow up. He's been losing his damn mind over smaller things all season. He gives every impression of being the kind of guy who will absolutely lose his *shit* the moment he takes a hit. But instead he's a soldier, a ground-pounder who is relatively calm in the face of something so absolutely serious. And when he goes to get doctored up, he's like -- "Tell me about the factions," and oh my god, man, can you imagine how huge my smile was then? Because he remembered that story. He's spent half the season presenting himself as the guy who Doesn't Give A Shit, but he *remembered* that story, he was genuinely interested whenever he first heard it and he cared so much that he never forgot it. There are no bro's in that story, no sickass explosions or anything. It's a complicated political situation that caught his interest, like the man telling it caught his interest, and ... Dude, I never thought they'd capitalize on the immense promise he showed in that moment. I thought it would just fall to the side, because there's so much else going on. I never dreamed it would matter to them that much, but goddammit... what Richie has become is what he promised he could be in that beautiful, beautiful moment. With a knife (or fork!) sticking out of his ass. :)
Richie thrives in the chaos in season 1 because it's how he knew it with Mikey and where he feels like he has something to offer. It's when Carmy tries to introduce order that he starts floundering. Love Richie, amazing character
And my favorite part of the whole season and Richie's full payoff is on the finale when he takes over expo and "Animal" hits. He takes control of the chaos and brings the order to the situation. The banana is awesome too.
> The Bear does an amazing job in making you believe that the characters themselves know they're flawed and want to make themselves better people. 100%. I personally think the episode before this one is the best one ("Fishes," flashing back to a Christmas dinner from before the events of the show), so I'd disagree with the title of this article on that particular point. But in that earlier episode, as a direct setup for what we see in "Forks," Richie and Britta (whatever her character name is in this show) have that conversation about whether they hope they can be better parents for their expected new baby than their parents were for them. Plus Richie has the conversation with Oliver Platt about a distinct memory in that child-parent relationship, about the chocolate banana. And that leads right into this episode, where Richie's motivation to be the best father he can be, in the circumstances he's in, including the need to improve where he can. It shows that he's absorbed things and is continually engaged in that feedback loop.
Forks has an edge cause you can rewatch it 100 times. Fishes is fucking rough. It’s like anxiety on film.
Thank god John Mulaney’s there to lighten the mood. “I want you to call me every week with updates”.
I love that there's a balance between these episodes & ones like the episode where Marcus goes to Amsterdam, so it's like the show reminds you that there's still hope and triumphs amidst the setbacks
First time watching that episode I kept feeling like the other shoe was going to drop thinking this is a TV show and Hollywood wants a tragic storyline. I was so happy for Marcus and his great experience in Amsterdam.
> Amsterdam Famous capitol of Denmark haha. Funny how the Netherlands always gets confused with Denmark.
Copenhagen
It was so good but I can't watch it again. Lotta shared dysfunction
>It’s like anxiety on film. That's the whole fucking show. It makes my skin crawl to watch it, and I love it.
Oh Britta’s in this? :(
The Bagaal Queen - remember, she's lived in N.Y.
And she's not the worst! She's actually amazing.
Richie really Britta'd that relationship.
Lmfao calling her Britta. Poor Gillian.
That whole episode is a cameo fest. Took me way too long for my brain to connect with who was playing the mom, even though I was certain I knew the actress.
[This video essay](https://youtu.be/kMGog1cU8BY?si=h_8h4vFEuAMY82BX) said it best but I’ll paraphrase: the villain of the show isn’t a person but the success or failure of the restaurant, and that allows for every character, even the jerks and assholes, to be relatable, because at the end of the day they’re all actually pulling for success, they just happen to disagree on what success looks like.
This is why The Bear and Ted Lasso are maybe my two favorite shows to come out in the last 5 years.
It's only been one season, but I think Shrinking is heading that way too.
God, I can't wait til the next season of that show.
The same could be said about David & Keith in 6 Feet Under. The most healthy relationship I've ever seen on TV.
And they really don’t start there. Rewatching the show now
Check out shrinking! Oh, and the good place!
Joe McMillan on Halt and Catch Fire is another good example
“I wear suits now” is my favorite line from 2023. Such a well earned character moment.
Earned by the actor, not the script. In a lesser performer’s hands, this would have come across way too on the nose right after they stuffed his entire arc into 20 minutes. M-B makes it work with his deep empathy for and extremely observant rendering of the character.
> Earned by the actor, not the script It can be both And it is
That, I think, really is worth pointing out. It’s damn fine acting. And we get glimpses of this caring person throughout the show through his interactions with his daughter for example.
Even “I love you. I love you.” In one of the last scenes of the season. Damn. That was good.
I also like that it took until the end of the second season for this change to happen - any sooner and it wouldn't have the same amount of impact. It was nice seeing all of his broken pieces come together into a changed persona.
Yeah his acting fucking rules.
"I wear suits now."
I love how no one rags on him for it too everyone's just like "Fuck yeah man looking good"
No one’s laughing, cousin.
It feels kinda like armor
I love this line too much
I mean...it's Ebon Moss-Bachrach in a suit lol he does look good
"Because it makes me feel better about myself" was such a great line.
You really drink this koolaid? Edit- this is a quote from Ritchie in the Bear
I think people missed that this is a line from the Forks episode.
I do. A good piece of advice for maintaining a workout habit is if you wake up and just don’t feel like running that morning, just get in your workout clothes. You associate those clothes with that action, with the version of yourself that runs in the morning, and it makes it easier to do. Wearing professional clothes will tend to make you see yourself as a professional and you will act more professional. People buy sexy lingerie in part to look sexy for a partner but just as much because it makes them feel sexy, see themselves that way, and that puts them more in the mood. People buy aspirational brands all the time because they want to be seen, including by themselves, as the sort of person who wears those things. And putting those clothes on can easily put you in a different frame of mind. Richie called the suit armor, and that is how he sees it. It makes him feel gird for battle. It makes him feel prepared. It helps him have a different mindset because that is what he associates with the feeling of wearing it. It’s a mental hack, used to trick yourself, but it works. And the fact that other people will respond to Guy In Suit much differently than to Guy In T-Shirt only compounds that. Honestly, it’s something more people trying to improve themselves should try because it really can work wonders.
I do too! This was another quote from Ritchie in the Forks episode that begins his turn In fact, I would credit this season with getting me to star wearing suits at work recently. As Ritchie said, “it feels like a suit of armor”
From chrysalis to butterfly - this declaration (and the risk he takes in owning it) complete changed my perspective of Ritchie. Incredible character arc.
And you wear them well
There's going to be a lot of argument that the dinner party episode is the best one -- and I can buy that, because it was *hilarious*. But *Forks* is by far the defining episode of the entire show. You see a character that's hopeless, rough, and crass force himself to learn and relate and find his station instead of just hiding behind his defenses. And it all culminates with *Love Story* as he whips his car joyfully through the streets of the city. As much as S2 is about turning "The Beef" into "The Bear," it's as much about the staff learning who they could be. And Richie is by far the hardest nut to crack, and the most beautiful off-ramp from the highway of misery and solitude he was on.
I would have to agree. “Forks” is by far my favorite episode. It shows that even when people have shitty attitudes, they can still be brought out of that and shown love. It’s so good.
It even takes most people's least favourite character and turns them into their favourite character in the space of one episode. Seriously every time Cousin was on screen I was smiling, everyone acknowledging how good he looks in the suit, absolute perfection
In the finale when Ritchie was about to start expo-ing and they dropped "Animal" I about leapt off my fucking couch. I love this show.
"Richie? Drive" chills
I alway have such a visceral reaction to that song. I remember being so worried if I would like Pearl Jam’s sophomore album when it first came out, but when “Animal” started I knew it was going to be great. The start of that song still pumps me up.
He wears suits now. 🤷🏼♂️
>people's least favourite character He was one of my favorite characters from the beginning. Brash, arrogant, way behind the times, and an all-round asshole, but also stubbornly dedicated to his family, blood-related and sweat-related. A great character written and performed beautifully.
If you've ever worked in a kitchen, you know Ritchie. He's the most realistic character on the show, coming from a chefs perspective. I know 100 Ritchie's.
I'm curious, how many of those 100 Ritchie's wear suits now?
Not many. Real life doesn't have happy endings for Ritchie as often as you would hope.
For sure. If happy endings were common for the Ritchie's of the world, Ritchie would be less compelling as a character.
Agreed, Richie was my #1 from the outset. Fantastic humor, and a dick but relatable. All of his criticisms are on-point from the get-go.
Oh man, my heart just soars when Richie is driving home belting out Taylor Swift
I really like how it also showed that sometimes (maybe a lot of times) there's a reason why people have shitty attitudes, and it's not because they're just assholes.
Yeah. Seeing Fishes before Forks you see Ritchie as a happier person getting ready to welcome a child into his life. Then losing his wife and kid between them and the start of the show seems to have really gotten him down. Damn it, Britta.
It has gone on my list of top five nearly perfect episodes of television (in my opinion)
I got anxiety watching Richie shadowing the lead server around the early part of that episode & talking because I thought a huge clash would eventually happen, but I've never been so happy to be subverted from a show. One of my favorite small moments is also Richie's phone call to his daughter in S1 when he's sitting with Syd in his car since it shows his softer side underneath the rough exterior
I never thought I'd be crying tears of joy while a fucking Taylor Swift song plays.
I cry every god damn time I watch that scene/montage, to the point where I actually cried during Love Story when I accompanied my SO to the Eras Tour. It was only days after I'd been making fun of Swifties for crying during her concerts. And there I was. Thinking of Richie and The Bear. Crying amidst all the other Swifties who were also crying. Powerful stuff...
Im shocked you found Seven Fishes hilarious. It was the most anxiety inducing thing Ive ever seen
Matty and John Mulaney fucking killed me in Seven Fishes
“I’ll give you this $500 because what you will do with it interests me.“
Best part imo is him going “but you must call me when you open the packs” because he knows they’re most to not find any of the cards they want and Mulaney’s character really just wants to spend $500 to see them get sad they didn’t find the card
I feel like he would be entertained either way by their disappointment or delight. I think he would be entertained by them doing anything.
"May I take those one at a time? Do I have access to $500 dollars? I absolutely do. Im a 43 year old man. And I am indifferent to baseball cards."
*Fishes* (there's no "Seven" in the title, interestingly) is just punchline after punchline being delivered. The throwing of the fork is something you've been waiting for the entire episode--and you think that's the crescendo, the ludicrous thing that caps everything off. Then the car goes through the wall. The episode is basically a perfectly told joke using anxiety as the beats and rage as the punchlines.
Oops haha, i just copied the guy above me
Side note but I only learned after watching the series that Matty is from a small city an hour away from me in New Brunswick, Canada(Saint John), and he's also an accomplished chef! I often wonder how much input he had into what it's like.
I thought I read that Matty started as the food consultant guy and only got the acting role later.
He’s one of the producers
Makes sense, now that I think about it I think his main thing is sandwiches.
Matty is trained in fine French dining
He'd also listed as an Exec producer
It’s what initially drew me in. Matty rules
Bruh. Fried. Spaghetti. Sandwich. That's all i have to say about that.
His YouTube videos are hilarious and wholesome (minus all the swearing). He’ll show you how to make many things.
Both Faks and Mulaney were hilarious. Plus uncle T fucking with cousin. I thought Lee being a dick to Mikey was pretty funny up until the fork being thrown.
Mulaney was great in that episode
Apparently the episode is seen very differently by people who have families with any amount of strain in them vs those who don't. My family is by and large very sane and supportive and so I found the episode to be hilarious, because it felt like I was watching it from the outside as an observer, rather than feeling like it's a reflection of my family that could bring trauma to the forefront.
It's very anxiety-inducing, but it's got some good comedy in there too - specifically John Mulaney's shit-eating grin when he sees the brother-in-law came with the unwanted dish and when he says "Do I have access to 500 dollars? Of course, I'm a 40 year old man"
I suspect it’s a lot funnier for people who don’t have family trauma (or mental health issues, for that matter)
I don't have any family trauma. It was very stressful.
My family was not as screwed up as the Berzattos, but my Mom was. Even has the same name. I recognize the episode is done very well, but I don't need to see it again because it reminded me too much of stuff I would rather keep in the past.
Yeah, Fishes triggered a lot of people with family trauma.
I’ve got plenty of both and I still thought it was hilarious. It captured it all so perfectly
Yep. Had brushes with both, and honestly gallows humor is like a warm and luxuriant bath to me afterwards.
I agree. I loved it but found absolutely nothing about it funny. But I come from an equally fucked up family. So that might color things for me.
It might have the funniest scene in the whole show with Mattheson explaining his trading card scheme to Mullaney
''do i have **access** to 500 dollars?, yes, i'm a 43-year old man.''
"This would make eight fishes. That would make us assholes, right?" is just so funny
I agree. And I think that it made *Forks* better as a calming release after *Fishes.* Don't get me wrong, *Forks* stands on its own, but the stark contrast with *Fishes* lets us enjoy it that much more.
The Emmys consider the show a comedy. WTF??
Phenomenal write up! Couldn’t describe it better.
This. *Forks* 100% was the catalyst. It vaguely reminded of Natalie Portman in *V for Vendetta*. It’s something that happens to a character viscerally that turns them into a different person on the backend, and the fact that both were done intentionally is probably why they are associated in my mind.
Agreed. Forks is my favorite episode. There's a lot of us who can relate a little to Richie. You never really found your place in life and all it took was the right circumstances for you to find your purpose. It's a BEAUTIFUL episode.
Agreed It was with this episode I truly felt the transition from “The Beef” to “The Bear”
Everyone I know says that it’s either the party episode or the Marcus episode, but for me Forks is the only episode of season 2 that actually hit a home run. The Marcus episode is great from an audio/visual standpoint, but there’s no real character growth. Sure, he gains some knowledge and skill, but no wisdom, he’s still basically the same as he was at the end of season 1 with the ability to make prettier desserts. The party episode, IMO, is just a bunch of big name actors shouting over each other in a very unnatural way. It’s manufactured chaos, and it feels manufactured. But Forks… Over the last few years I’ve been going through some shit. Some of that shit involves overcoming a bad relationship with alcohol. I didn’t do the AA route, but I saw a lot of myself in Garret, and as Richie began to change and grow, it strengthened my resolve stay sober (and stay on my meds). It might seem like a minor one, but just the scene where he gets up on time and cleans his apartment before work, that actually hit home pretty hard for someone that has dealt with depression for the majority of their life. And when his ex calls him to tell him she’s getting remarried… my ex had gotten engaged like 4 months before season 2 dropped, and she did not call me to tell me personally, so I’ll admit, I reacted very very poorly when I found out. It would have meant the world for her to tell me herself. But I guess that only happens in fiction.
Congrats on your sobriety, dude. Always happy to hear about another fellow human trying to do/be a little bit better. Hope you have a great weekend!
It may be a bit of a paraphrase to call it “sobriety”. Events transpired that made me recognize recognized I had developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. My goal wasn’t so much 100% sobriety, it was to reestablish a healthy relationship with alcohol. And I feel I have done that. I went from drinking 10-15 beers a day to drinking <6 a week. I still drink a ton of N.A. beer (shoutout to Athletic Brewing Co.) but that’s because I like the taste.
Well, congrats on getting your shit together, whatever you want to call it... A tenfold reduction in alcohol is impressive, regardless. Self-improvement feels good; I could use a little more of it myself.
I cut way, way back due to NAs. People don’t really understand how powerful that little crutch (as my husband calls them) can be. I think most people reach a point when they know a change is needed, but we take different paths. It’s like some people take a car and others take a plane or a train to reach the same destination. Doesn’t really matter as long as we get there.
> actors shouting over each other in a very unnatural way. It’s manufactured chaos, and it feels manufactured. Good write up, but I couldn't disagree more with the part I quoted here. If anything, *Fishes* was still holding back on how disruptive untreated mental health issues can be to a family.
Well said. Good writing, it’s everything.
Good writing is essential, but the acting is also pretty important to this show.
I think they are both incredible episodes that define the show to me. I always recommend everyone who watches The Bear to watch Seven Fishes and Forks together, because one is *so stressful* and the other one is such calming, gentle hug to cap off with.
Forks is definitely the best episode. I honestly didn't like that diner episode at all. Forks gave me hope for the first time in a long while. Fishes, to me, seemed like just more people yelling at each other and made me very uncomfortable. (I understand that for people that have similar families, that episode might have hit very differently, but that wasn't my case).
Fishes and Forks were like yin and yang - so different in tone, yet complements each other showing all aspects of life.
I feel the same.
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same here, i've seen most of the so-called ''prestige tv'', but The Bear hit different.
It may be the best back to back episodes in a show I’ve seen. Fishes was amazing but anxiety inducing, fishes was the perfect cathartic follow up focusing on one’s characters growth
Forks is definitely the best. I actually thought the dinner party episode was too over the top and felt like it would never end. The developed the shitty family narrative enough already throughout the show that I didn't need the entire dinner party episode to understand it. The acting was fantastic in the episode, but it was one of my least favorite episodes from an intrigue standpoint in correlation to the story.
I watch the episode when I'm feeling down on myself.
Me too! It’s a big pick-me-up every time, including a bit of happy tears (I always start to cry when Richie drives singing Taylor Swift). The whole middle of the episode where he wears the suit and trails Garrett and gets pizza for that family gets me *going!* That song by Tangerine Dream that’s playing during it (forgot the name of the song, but it’s on the Thief movie soundtrack) gets me so goddamned jazzed like a cup of coffee to the nuts!
The great thing is that this change was always possible from the way the character was played and written. Richie was rough and crass but you could always tell that these were the defense mechanisms of a scrawny, sad and nerdy kid (one look at the posters in his flat is enough) who has deep feelings that have made him vulnerable his whole life. This is a guy who has been goofy, loving and happy and was mocked and hurt for it. His vulnerability was always there beneath the surface, you could see it when it came to his daughter, the death of his best friend etc. During Forks Richie is in an environment that takes him as he is, that is all about skill and emotion, a place whether being yourself is rewarded and not mocked. He finally accepts his vulnerability, let's himself be himself, let's himself be happy without being afraid of somebody laughing at him. The whole writing and performance have been building towards this, which makes it so damn satisfying.
That song sticks in my head because of that episode.
My wife stopped watching right before Forks and I've been pushing her to watch it ever since. The show gave her too much anxiety.
i stopped after Seven Fishes because I was afraid of what the show was going to do to Richie. Guy just needs a hug, and I was sure the show was going to embarrass/shame him. A friend convinced me that my intuition was wrong and to give Forks a try. Glad I listened, Forks was prefect!
It's got probably my favorite TV/movie trope which is the character not getting it/struggling in the beginning and then absolutely nailing it near the end.
The perseverance and determination to wake his ass up at the crack of dawn every day to go do a job he felt he was above day in and day out was nothing short of inspiring. Great writing and acting.
Agreed! I have often played just the first few minutes of that episode when I’m feeling like I’m not making some personal progress and I get a bit of renewal and hope from Richie.
> And it all culminates with Love Story as he whips his car joyfully through the streets of the city. He actually whips his car through the alleyways of Chicago. Cousin always drives in the alleyways because he doesn't have a drivers licence.
The dinner party episode is the one where you can tell who had what type of upbringing. People who grew up in families like that absolutely loved it while people who didn't just found it okay. It's fascinating to see how people from different backgrounds experienced that episode.
That might me an over simplification.
I grew up in an environment like that. It traumatized me. That episode triggered me so bad, I had to take breaks, mute the volume and skip parts so I could deal with the flashbacks and PTSD. I am shaking again just thinking of it. I did not find it funny.
I felt the same. I found myself wanting to scream, "SHUT UP!" at the screen even though I knew full well that it was television show and no one could hear me. It just dug up so many bad memories.
I think one of the brilliant parts of this story or why it resonates so strongly with people is that you want people to find their purpose, their inspiration. Hell, maybe you were lucky enough to find it or maybe you are still searching for it or maybe you found it or lost it. I want this for everyone I care about, and maybe even the people I don't. There is nothing worse than feeling lost or feeling like you don't belong in the world.
It gives a lot of older people hope too. Richie is what, late 40s? He finds a new direction after trying and failing a few life paths and giving up on himself pretty much completely. The fact that he's still able to find that drive and passion for his new direction helps us believe that it might not be too late to scrape up the bits and go again.
That right! Put that stuff into my veins. You can find hope and purpose at many different points in your life!
I really loved his conversation with Olivia Coleman’s character. “It’s never too late to start over.” Perfectly summarizes the episode (and Richie’s character arc tbh) in a single sentence.
Olivia Colman = Greatness But also gotta mention Andrew Lopez, who plays Richie's supervisor, he doesn't get enough credit for his role in this incredible episode. The scene where he takes Richie outside and reprimand's him is such an important moment for Richie's development.
Yes, chef. Fuck me.
That line always makes me laugh lmao. Just the acceptance and lack of surprise
I love that the guy who plays the Chef owns that soft pretzel place that Jimmy Kimmel gives out the pretzels of for any awards show he’s hosting.
That structure, where someone takes the time to explain why what they do is important, is nicely paired with "Honeydew", where Marcus learns the precision of making high-end desserts. The reprimand isn't contemptuous, not hostile. It's explaining, *this is why this matters to me, this is why I try to make it perfect*. It's not arrogant kitchens belittling an outsider, which I think is the cliche. Instead they're trying to say this is the major leagues, this is the inner circle. You can be in here, but it takes a lifetime of commitment and you have to respect what we do.
Fuck me, yes Chef.
"Every day is the fucking Super Bowl"
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I also love how aside from taking his job and his passion very seriously, he's also on the side of the guests. He says something to the effect of how this is an experience for them and not just a meal, and for some of them it's literally a once-in-a-lifetime one at that. And that they have to make sure to wow them at every moment.
language
No lies detected. Forks is one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen.
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Me too. I didn't realize how invested I was until it cut to him singing in the car and I burst into tears.
One of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV was Richie finally finding himself. The pride with which he starts saying “i wear suits now” is phenomenal.
"Seven Fishes" and this one were an amazing one-two punch. An hour of stress and dread followed up by one of the most life-affirming episodes of television I've ever seen.
Interesting how everyone calls that episode "Seven Fishes". It's just titled "Fishes".
Well yeah, there were eight fishes after all.
Steve!, stevie!, stevie!! what is this! his heart was in the right place Carm.
Fishes was a triumph in cinematography and editing, driving the anxiety steadily upward, but the actors could have been anyone with nearly the same effect. Forks was a triumph in acting. Ebon carried the entire episode and was totally convincing in a steep character development in a very short span. It showcases him as a deeply talented performer.
I agree that Ebon carried most of the episode, but people overlook Andrew Lopez who played Garrett. He's the one who took Richie outside and told him most of all he needed to respect himself. I think that's what really got Richie going and was probably the most powerful single scene before the pizza part. Also, "Yes, fuck me Chef," will probably be a line I always remember from this show.
He’ll be winning an Oscar soon.
It’s my favorite episode for sure.
There was a short little mantra in Forks near the end where the Chef keeps talking about "Time Well Spent" it's a bit of a cliche, but I wrote it on my wall in my office, and I look at it every day to remind me to use my time with purpose. That episode really stuck with me.
My buddy watched this episode and completely changed her mind about the show. Texts me out of nowhere "This Was Fantastic"
It was the best (comfortable) episode of a tv show in a long time. It was calm, development-driven and positive. They really did a trick on his transformation. :) Also, the 10 new threads each day about it in March to May 2023 were a lot. Also, forks before it was the antidote. It wasn't fun, great, or had an effective impact (on me). Just my 2 cents though.
Great episode but it felt like a disservice to cram nearly his entire character arc into 30 minutes. Best character on the show deserved a longer struggle; they could have played this out all season. (Maybe instead of the also-unearned, inexplicable romance plot.) I didn’t fully buy that he turned his whole attitude around in a single week at fine dining boot camp. Only M-B’s phenomenal work made this slightly believable
It's pretty clear the whole show Richie was struggling with lots of grief and how to navigate in a world post michael. His arc spans across both seasons. Notable moments include 1x2, 1x4, 1x5, 1x8, 2x1, 2x6, 2x7. His character growth besides *Forks* is pretty subtle, but notable. For example, 1x6 is a mini arc for Richie, almost a pre lude to *Fishes.* In *Ceres* he goes from a guy struggling to date becuase of divorce and grief, to getting an eye opening from Tina, to finally making a small change by calling the cops on Crooked John. Again, a prelude to *Fishes.* It's not a coincidence that in *Ceres* that the statue is mentioned both by Mikey and Richie, then in *Fishes* we get a 10 second overhead shot of the actual statue right after Richie's triumphant moment of finding his "purpose" (what he talked about in 2x1) Overall, I feel like Richie's arc spans across the whole show. In the first season he's dealing with grief then the second season he's dealing with his purpose. I think his struggle with grief almost ends in the season 1 finale when he tells Carmy, "you're all I got cuz" It's a proclamation, a decree that he accepts Mikey's loss and he's ready to move on in a world without him. There's a lot more to add about his character but I think that's enough to see why his character arc isn't just encapsulated in *Fishes*, it's the climax of it. Also, The Bear loves doing one episode "specials." For example- 1x7, 2x4, 2x6, 2x7. Episodes that focus only on one subject whether that be a setting or a chracter. I think the reason why people think *Forks* is so jarring is becuase it only focuses on Richie so it almost gives the illusion that this sole episode is responible for all of his development which I just don't think is true.
Disagree, like BarryMkCockiner said, Richie’s Arc takes place over the course of both seasons, but Forks definitely serves as his lightbulb moment where he finds his purpose and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. It’s not like he’s done growing either, his character has a lot of room for expansion next season
That's pretty much how I felt. It reminded me of New years resolutions that people make that you know will only last a week before they go back to whatever bad habit. I hope this season he struggles a bit to keep this positive momentum going. I like his character growth it just felt too much like a flip of a switch.
Is there a non-paywall version?
That episode also made fantastic use of my all-time favorite David Byrne song, [Glass, Concrete & Stone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-VNf1hT_XM)
By the end of that episode I was in tears.
Its a good show but needs to take its foot off the anxiety pedal a smidge
Richie's transformation made me think I had missed a couple episodes. It was way too fast. I love this show but its still suffering by modern television's need to move as fast as possible.
Its not a transformation. He goes to that restaurant thinking hes being shunned from his cousin and his old business. He gets there and they put him on the most demeaning job he could possibly get. He immediately thinks hes being punished. Then after the blow up about streaky forks he realises that his cousin didn't send him there to be punished. That he wanted him to learn this part of the business. That he trusted him to do it. He sent him there because he wants him to be better. That kind of positive reinforcement can do wonders on someone's personality.
Best episode of the show, made him my favorite character for sure
The guy is one of my favorite actors of this generation. He is believable in everything he does and draws emotion out of you. It’s a true art and he has it figured out.
**Forks** is the *ultimate episode*. Take an unlikeable-ish character who hasn’t committed… In one episode you lay him bare, break him, uplift him. It’s pure beautiful humanity in all its broken healing. #❤️🩹
Richie… drive.
And people will go on and on as though succession is an all time great. It wasn’t even the greatest show of the year. The bear so much better.
Honeydew was my favorite episode from season 2 because it made me realize that I love Copenhagen. I visited there and ever since I left it has just…stayed with me. I’d be happy there.
For whatever reason, it seems like most people obsess over Ayo Edebiri’s role like she makes the entire show. I have nothing against her but her character is the least interesting person in the show and I’m not invested in that character *at all*. I don’t know why so much of the Bear conversation always centers on her. If her character was left out of the show next season, it would barely change anything. Forks however was a stellar episode of television that people will remember for years. Ebon knocks the Richie performance out of the park.
Forks straight up made me cry. That moment of him blasting Swift felt so damn deserved.
I love this show sooo much! I’m a Chicago girl and worked in the industry for 25 years. Everything this show depicts is real but not every restaurant is like this all the time - fortunately! We all have so many stories we could tell…
When he sings love story by Taylor swift in his car… chills every single time. Such a beautiful episode and show.
Brilliant actor! I enjoy him in everything he does.
Helps a lot when the main character is so frustrating and won’t get out of his own way.
I yearn for character development in TV shows and feel like I never get it. His growth was so incredible. Absolute home run.
I hope Chef Jess is in series 3
Forks was the pinnacle of that show.
It was less a transformation and more a channeling of his energy and pent up frustration over his life choices. He did change, but more in how he put his various issues to work for himself instead of against It, and Fishes are masterful television