In season two of The Bear, the storyline expands beyond the confines of the kitchen and explores the lives of the ensemble cast members in a deeper and more dedicated way. Sydney, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, ventures into Chicago’s bustling restaurant scene to expand her culinary palate. Marcus, portrayed by Will Poulter, travels to Copenhagen to learn about desserts under the guidance of experienced chefs. Tina and Ebraheim decide to attend culinary school, while Richie finds self-respect during his time staging at a prestigious dining room inspired by Alinea.
The second season received critical acclaim and garnered a perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, amidst the positive reception, Ebon Moss-Bachrach felt a slight melancholy. He expressed his fondness for the dynamic kitchen scenes and the camaraderie of the ensemble cast, stating that he mourned the reduction of everyone being together in the restaurant. Moss-Bachrach cherished the energy and liveliness of the group scenes and enjoyed spending the day with his co-stars.
During a phone call with the Hollywood Reporter from his European vacation, Moss-Bachrach discussed the most significant moments of the show and shared his thoughts on the emotionally charged season finale. He mentioned that he had a personal discomfort with watching himself onscreen, but the experience of watching himself in a big movie premiere, such as his film “No Hard Feelings,” differed due to the amount of screen time he had. Moss-Bachrach emphasized that his uneasiness stemmed from a personal perspective rather than external circumstances.
When asked about his knowledge of the season’s arc before working on it, Moss-Bachrach revealed that Chris, the creator of the show, had outlined the entire trajectory of the series during season one. This gave him a general sense of what future seasons might entail. Moss-Bachrach noted that he knew ahead of time that the second season would delve deeper into the personal lives of the characters. He specifically mentioned episode seven, titled “Forks,” where he shot scenes in a quiet Michelin-starred kitchen. Moss-Bachrach described the experience as lonely and embraced it, as it mirrored Richie’s emotions within the storyline.
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Reflecting on the scripts for all ten episodes, Moss-Bachrach observed that the characters spoke about their feelings more in the second season compared to the first. He found it intriguing and memorable. When asked about his hopes and expectations for Richie’s storyline, Moss-Bachrach expressed a desire for his character to experience some form of victory, whether personal or professional. He believed that Richie’s victories were usually scarce, making the celebration moments even more impactful.
Regarding Richie’s journey in season two, Moss-Bachrach felt that Richie achieved a significant victory by finding his place at The Bear and demonstrating leadership during Carmy’s absence. However, he acknowledged that the fight at the end of the season could be seen as a setback. Moss-Bachrach highlighted the transient nature of life, victories, and losses, emphasizing that things can change in an instant, and old patterns can resurface.
Asked about the irreparable fight between Richie and Carmy, Moss-Bachrach suggested that to Richie, Carmy remained an enigma. Their long history together and the lack of understanding and trust made reconciling challenging. However, Moss-Bachrach acknowledged that a version of irreparable conflict was possible between the two characters.
Moss-Bachrach expressed sympathy for Carmy and his failed relationship with Claire, noting that he believed Carmy despised himself. Regarding the Christmas episode, Moss-Bachrach shared that the cameos of various actors were revealed gradually rather than all at once. He also discussed his approach to developing Richie’s backstory, stating that he preferred to do most of the work himself and occasionally consult with Chris. Moss-Bachrach appreciated the potential differences in interpretation between his own ideas and Chris’s vision for the character.
In conclusion, season two of The Bear expands the storyline beyond the kitchen, exploring the personal lives and aspirations of the ensemble cast. While receiving critical acclaim, the show’s shift away from the dynamic kitchen scenes saddened Ebon Moss-Bachrach. However, he appreciated the opportunity to spend time with his family during his European vacation and discussed his personal discomfort with watching himself onscreen. Moss-Bachrach knew the general arc of the season before filming and expressed hopes for Richie’s storyline, wanting to see his character experience moments of victory. He reflected on the transience of life, victories, and losses and acknowledged the complexities of Richie and Carmy’s relationship. Finally, Moss-Bachrach shared his sympathy for Carmy’s struggles and discussed his approach to developing Richie’s backstory.
