When a show unexpectedly takes off, keeping up with your own momentum can be difficult.
So many times it’s been done, where a show shoots into prominence, only to disappoint when shunted into the bright lights of being one of the premiere watches on television.
Game Of Thrones’ last few seasons, the final season of Ted Lasso, we’ve seen this before.
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This trend unfortunately appears to be repeating itself with a show that many called the best TV of 2023, which has released its third season today to middling reviews and angry fans. Check out the trailer:
That’s right, the bad news we have for you is that The Bear season three is simply not hitting with fans, with some even saying it has been ‘ruined’.
The Jeremy Allen White-led show shot into prominence after its first season, sweeping up awards with ten Emmys, including acting wins for three members of the main cast.
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Despite many questioning why the thoroughly depressing and tense show was sweeping up in the comedy categories, the show kicked off with a bang amongst critics.
This was then matched with season two becoming a huge hit with viewers, with multiple scenes going viral with huge cameos from actors such as Bob Odenkirk and Jamie Lee Curtis.
With season three’s release though, the response so far has been mixed at best.
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Variety’s review was titled ‘Takes a Step Down in an Aimless Season 3 That Leans Too Heavily on Star Power’, with critic Alison Herman saying: “Without a fixed destination, the main narrative itself can get bogged down with repetition and stunt casting before the season ends with most storylines unresolved.”
Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian said in their review: “In The Bear, everyone is either screaming at one another to 'shut the f*ck up' (nobody does) or insisting how much they love each other.
“These extremes provide an apt summary of season three, which wobbles between the two states.
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“This is the kind of show that elicits a deep fondness and, even in its flaws, I feel very fond of The Bear. But in truth, this is not The Bear at its best.”
Whilst those not paid to watch have for the most part not finished binging the show’s ten episodes just yet – those who blitzed through have been similarly unimpressed.
One fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) to say: “This new season of 'The Bear' feels like it's so ruined by the 'prestige' factor.
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“Like, any comedy that was there is fully gone. The whole premiere is incoherent due to overindulgent time jumps. Every interesting storyline is incomprehensibly stunted and drawn out forever”.
Fear not though, as this isn’t a unanimous opinion.
One fan posted: "The Bear elevating its craft yet again in Season 3. Just a few episodes in but this is some beautiful television," while Empire called it ‘still the best table in town’.
Topics: Film and TV
Michael Slavin