Many people will tell you that The Bear is one of the most stressful shows they’ve ever seen. Chefs have said the show can be triggering to watch, due to its painfully realistic depictions of their industry. Some of the main plotlines of the show revolve around tragedy. All of this is true. But yes, The Bear really is a comedy.
One of the most popular episodes of The Bear is “Review,” Episode 7 of Season 1. The episode depends on tension. As the ticket machine rattles on and on, the cast are thrown into an wild and unthinkable situation: being forced to make an impossible number of to go orders in a ridiculously short amount of time. As Sydney’s knife stabs Richie, or Carmy yells yet another expletive, the situation feels like a comedy of errors—one with a fast pace, high energy, and tight comedic timing.
An episode like “Fishes” in Season 2 or “Doors” in Season 3 tells a similar story—one of exaggerated arguments, over-the-top stakes, and tense energy, meant to act as a parody of the restaurant industry, of family difficulties, and of life. In “Fishes,” this might be the shock of Carmy’s mother driving the car through the house, or the time when Mikey finally does throw the final fork. In “Doors,” it might be the montage of shattered plates, dropped dishes, and frustrated oubursts.
