I felt so bad for Nat. She seemed so shell-shocked. It kinda makes sense that she would gravitate towards Pete, probably the chillest, kindest person in that house.
I'm not sure about it making sense that she would gravitate toward someone like Pete. Most people in her position would seek someone like Donna or a likewise co-dependent relationship. From the outside a person would tell Nat she needs a Pete in her life but it rarely happens. But I'm so happy she does have someone like him!!!
@@soxxel12 I think that's true because most people don't do the mental work of undertanding what's fucked up about their relationships with their parents, so they just mimic it. But if you know that your situation is fucked up, you look for people who don't remind you of them at all. Speaking from experience.
@@soxxel12 Given Nat's experience of constantly being the "giver" in her relationship with her mother, it makes sense that she would probably seek out similar relationships. However, if Pete was the one who first came onto her, perhaps the feeling of receiving pure effort/attention for the first time made her latch onto him as an escape from her past experiences.
My grandma isn't as extreme as Carmy's mom, but the things she says, especially on holidays is very similar. My grandma is the Head of household and this episode is eerily similar to what I experienced as a child. I love my grandma but she tends to say "No one cares about me. No one cares if I died" every time emotions are high. I figure it definitely has something to do with her family moving on. Creating their own little families, living new lives, and her feeling like she's no longer needed making her angry and frustrated. Being emotionally vulnerable is just not an option, so pain turns into anger.
One incredible detail that stands out on subsequent watches is Natalie's lower lip getting progressively more chewed and bloody. I mean look at it during the ending shot compared to the beginning.
It was a gut punch when it was revieled that what seemed like a cute family nickname for Nat is actually a reminder of a mistake she made years ago every time someone calls her that.🥺
And it's related to cooking too, which was a very important thing for the Berzattos. It's not only a reminder of her mistake, it's almost like Donna is telling her she's not one of them
I don't think it's as big of a deal as people are making it out to be, that can be said for most nicknames. I know someone who goes by Pepper, and she has pretty much the same story but it was a stew at Christmas. That's just what friends and family do; make fun of each other's mistakes.
@@Ჽum I don't think it applies here because we saw how vicious Donna can be, and cooking is very important for the Berzattos, so it doesn't feel like it's in good fun, it feels like she brings it up specifically to hurt Nat
Natalie is "parentified" - Yes!! Perfect way to put it. Great discussion! This episode really put together a lot of the pieces of Sugar for me - how she is a caretaker, how she wants Carmy to call her, to ask her how she's doing, etc. She NEEDS that. she never GOT that. until Pete, that is! This episode, too, really shows why Pete is so important, and the VALUE of what he provides for Natalie. He's stable, he never calls her Sugar, he thinks she's amazing and beautiful, he's just THERE for her. I always loved Natalie but I don't think I fully GOT her until this episode.
I just love how all the Berzatto kids react differently to their mothers insanity. Mike placates her, almost relates to her. Sugar shrinks away from her and tries in her way to calm her (it doesn't work but its almost a trauma response to ask if she’s okay) and Carmy disassociates. Which he does a lot to any intense situation. So interesting.
I can see a lot of similarity between how I handle things in my family with Carmy, and how my older sister handles it. I tend to dissociate and focus my attention elsewhere unless it’s absolutely necessary, and my sister tends to go the extra mile to peace keep. I think my sister sometimes resents me for not putting in the ‘effort’ to keep things okay, but honestly it’s emotionally draining. I think they nailed that whole dynamic with the siblings, the caring older sister and the kind of distant younger brother. It definitely fits from my experience.
Probably the roughest part was when Carmy was talking to Mikey about his restaurant idea and what he wanted to build with him. You could see how much it meant to Carmy and Mikey knew that between his addiction and the state of the restaurant that it couldn't happen and how much that tore him up inside.
such a powerful way to show us something without mikey ever explaining what he's thinking. everyone still gets it simply cause of facial acting and context clues. incredible
Late response but I feel like that convo ties so much into what mike does for Carmy later IE leaving him that money and leaving the restaurant for him. Like when carmy keeps saying “we could do this,” as someone who’s had some issues w self esteem, I feel like I could sense Mikey thinking to himself “you can do this carmy, but I’d just fk it up, you can do this if I wasn’t a part of it.” Which is just heartbreaking bc didn’t care so much abt making The Bear, he cared so much more abt doing it with Mikey. That’s just my opinion on it, could be wrong.
i always felt that he was already commited to end his life, that why it hurts so much to him that carmy is doing future plans with him, my younger brother killed himself and this scene feels just like a dejabu
The Fak family learned many years ago to tone down The Fak energy to become docile and less of a target. Too many Faks were lost before they learned this skill.
Man that moment of mikey staring off, breaking the mask, hitting himself in the face as if to say "nope gotta pull it together if you cant keep it together this shits going to fall apart" really tells so much, it absolutely seems like mikey was the strong personality, the peacekeeper that carmy looked up to, and when he reached his emotional limit he finds ways to push beyond his limit, how many dinners, outings, holidays has something like this happened? We see mikey hanging by his last threads and props to jon bernthal for a great performance
It happens right after Carmy shows him their dream restaurant too. Makes you wonder if Mikey was already contemplating suicide at the time and thought about how much he'd be letting his brother down
@@pabloc8808for sure. I read a lot of guilt in that scene. Like, he knows Carmy looks up to him a lot, but he probably doesn’t think he’s worth that, and he knows he’s not going to live up to Carmy’s idealized view of him?
@@pohia I think you're right, because he knows Carmy has been working at some of the best restaurants in the world and wants to bring that to their restaurant. It probably makes him feel even more worthless, that while his brother has become so competent and accomplished and has so much to bring to the table, Mikey himself doesn't have anything, The Beef is a dumpster fire deep in debt. That's why, imo, Lee's "you're nothing" latter in the episode cuts Mikey so deep
@@pabloc8808 yeah that close up on Mikey is so gut wrenching. It’s not just that he internalizes those words, you can absolutely tell that he already believed that about himself. When Lee tells him he’s nothing and a nobody, it’s like he can’t even argue that. So freaking sad but what an amazing performance from Jon Bernthal
Damn, I read it totally opposite. For me he was already thinking about killing himself but seeing his baby brother showing this passion made him think like "fuck dude, you're gonna destroy Carmy if you kill yourself". Love your perspective
Mikey is such a momma’s boy. Set aside him being protective of his mom from Lee, he copies her mannerisms too. Donna threw a spoon at Stevie just like how Mikey threw forks later in the episode. And I bet that Donna threatening to shoot her self with a gun was a common occurrence in the household, which Mikey imprinted upon himself…
The beef between Ritchie and Uncle Jimmy is because he does give him that job, seemingly to manage a property and in season 1x4 Dogs, at the birthday party they argue about the incident that likely lead to Unc firing him. He was called about a plumbing issue, but they called Mikey not Ritchie.
I think Maple misunderstood what cousin Michelle was saying. She doesn't 'have' a couple of restaurants in the sense that she owns them and is trying to get Carmy to work at them, she just has a couple of restaurants she thinks are really good thart he should check out.
This episode really gave me the impression Mikey was the glue for the family as chaotic as he was, and being that person is very tiresome. Luckily my extended family doesn't throw forks but the older members arguing every holiday, drinking too much, and slamming tables while the young cousins/siblings try to keep it together? Been there many times lol Also finding out Sugar's sweet-seeming nickname was actually a way to put her down and mock her for a mistake her whole life? ouch.. That hurt me. Family members holding things you did as a child over you head as an adult is so messed up to me.
Yeah I'm 6'4" and leg tall, so when I meet people while sitting down I often give them a start when I stand up and they usually comment on it instantly. Fascinating how that works.
I know everyone loves mulaney and Jamie Lee Curtis, but my favorite guest star in this episode is Sarah Paulson. She makes me think of the people I know who are in a terrible situation but feel like they just can’t get out. You can offer them all the help you want, and even if it’d be good for them, they just won’t take it. It sucks to be on the outside knowing you can help but being powerless at the same time.
@@powertrip25 No he didn't. Her offer was for him to spend the rest of his break with her, not for him to move in with her full time. She says "a couple of days." He went to New York after his apprenticeship was over.
At first I didn't recognize Sarah Paulson because I am not accustomed to seeing her with shorter hair. Agree with you though. It was standout performance by her.
The mom pins all her expectations guilt on Carmy. She pins all her derision on Sugar. She pins herself on Michael. What a freaking masterpiece of acting and cinematography and writing. I've never seen something so realistically dysfunctional. Now take that family group. Double it for the number of adults, double again the number of kids (I have over 20 great nieces and nephews), and that's a holiday for my family.
After this episode I could never call Natalie "Sugar" again, knowing the origin of it. It sounds like an insult and were it me, I would hate to be called that. I think Pete never calls her that and I'm glad.
there was a Roberto Clemente rookie baseball card that sold for $500,000 in 2016 (around the time this Christmas took place). i enjoy that dialogue much more now knowing that not only did Stevie potentially toss away half a million bucks, but the Faks would've also tossed it away for just $125.
@@DiegesisBut also he just played himself (if you’ve seen much of him in interviews), so it could be just perfect casting. I’m not sure we have any idea Mulaney could play something different (maybe he can, but can’t tell from this).
I love this show so much, but it still drives me nuts how shitty they are to Pete. He's a giant fucking doofus, but he's a good dude who means well in every situation. But, it's a nice contrast to the high dysfunction of that family.
I think the cousin mentioned the restaurants as yet another way to make it EASY for him to leave. And I don't think they were her restaurants - or who knows. She says she's an idiot about that stuff - so maybe she just meant I know some good places you could work, or she's an accountant or something. Either way: all she's trying to do is make it easy for him to make the jump and leave - she knows it will be hard for him so she's trying to grease the wheels. Totally selfless.
Clicked this after just watching episode 6 about thirty minutes ago. I knew the episode's reputation and was expecting it to be good, but damn. I wasn't expecting it to be perfect. That symphony of familial chaos was of my favorite episodes of television EVER. I can't believe I want to get back to the restaurant so that i can feel LESS stressed out. i'm blown away by this show.
ive been telling people for the last month that it's maybe the best episode of television ive ever seen. Plus i think John mulaney should consider full time acting
This is my favorite episode of the season. I know that there's nothing to do with the restaurant but you can see so much of where all of the turmoil has come from and....Jami Lee Curtis is unbelievable. So good so good so good.
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Jamie Lee Curtis's character, the IRS agent, says when she was served papers, she drove her car through her neighbors house. Here her character does that to her own house.
I’ve seen a few people catch it because they were paying attention when Uncle Jimmy was telling Tiff the story. It was a good call back and very thoughtful and classy of Richie. I teared up when I first saw it.
As someone with...difficult parents, I FELT Arianna's involuntary laughter at 24:20 lmaoo, I remember having a similar reaction. This whole episode hit waayy too close to home but it's sooo good. Also, John Mulaney was the perfect choice to bring a few laughs during those brief moments of levity.
im so excited to see how you react to this episode it's literally my favorite episodes of television, and im usually only watching movies. i don't get sucked into shows but this one just scratches an itch ive had for so long
I THINK YES HAS ANPROBLEM WOTH ALCOHOL. BUT I’VE ALWAYS SEEN IT AS THERE IS ANOTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. AND SHE SELF MEDICATES WITH ALCOHOL. I DON’T THINK ITS AS SIMPLE AS OH SHES AN ALCOHOLIC.
this is one of the best things i've ever watched. even though I was horribly uncomfortable and feeling anxious throughout the episode. awful goosebumps.. heheh
Lee’s “we all knew that was going to happen” was belittling and what set Michael off. Their mom has issues and I’m sure they’re beyond tired of her meltdowns but for a presumed outsider “Lee” to say that about his mom was too much.
i wouldnt have reacted the same way but i agree. lee could have lead the chill out and move on vibe by just chilling out and moving on. calling it out like he did was awkward and triggered michael. even if i did want to accomplish the same goal, it woulda been better to say something like "how about them yankees" then everyone (but michael) would nervous chuckle and we could move on.
Its a literal shame that no one won an EMMY for this episode. To me Jamie Lee Curtis performance here was more deserving of an EMMY than her deserving an OSCAR for EEAO. Episode was really devastating.
I genuinely think this episode is so good that they could release it as a shortfilm and people who have never seen a single episode of The Bear would totally understand the characters and the dynamics. Amazing writing and acting.
It’s crazy cause usually the first born catches the hell and is left to care for other siblings. Mike situation may be different due to him being a boy. Moms are softer on the boys anyway and hard on their girls. Usually mom likes this have some weird bond with their boys but despite their daughters
😂How many thumbnails for this episode show at one reactor grabbing their head? It really stood out for me when Donna mentioned the gun in her drawer. It was quick, but Carmy sent Sugar to get paper towels when she walked into the kitchen. It was kind of like trying to redirect her.
Arianna from the get go was giving off the energy of been there a lot of times. I know the feeling, I have a mom that can go crazy when there are a lot of things going on at the same time.
I have really enjoyed your reactions to this amazing show and I'll keep watching, but please, why splash a logo over the footage? Maybe it's a compliance thing but this is the first time seeing this, would appreciate understanding why this happens. Still much love
I don't normally pay any mind to reaction videos but I enjoyed watching this. You both are really perceptive and appreciate the show's details, and don't talk over the dialogue like 90% of these channels do.
Stevie that was beautiful, i appreciate you, you did a wonderful Job…….and here we go…… I’m sorry, i feel all of this…..i have this, i have dealt with this, its an emotional roller coaster with multiple siblings……how can you not root for the older brother, he wants his brother to thrive….
To me it feels like Micheal would emulate his mom, the one scene where he and their mom are badgering Carmen and kinda mocking him in the kitchen is a good example of
I can't remember an episode of television that so clearly and painfully delivered so much background/depth on characters I had been watching for almost two full seasons.
This epsiode was both SO amazing but also SO fucking stressful and anxiety inducing by proxy 😂 And where my opinions on a lot of people were either made or cemented, and although I'm still not 100% on Pete just the him bringing a Tuna casserole and saying he "didn't know" and that "it wasn't communicated properly to me" then Sugar says she made it absolutely clear to him not to do it was a proper dick thing to do - UNLESS he hadn't met the whole family especially Mama Bear during the holidays or a special occasions where he could/would see just how categorically and justifiably insane the majority are 🤣😂
we got a good picture of donna back in the first season and we didn’t even know. it was during a conversation between carmy and tina: “when’d she make that for you?” “last christmas” “… she full psycho?” “😬… she wasn’t calm but the food was GREAT.” the setup and payoff in this show is immaculate 🤌🏾
this episode separates the show from whats already on tv everyone can relate to this level of brokenness in the family lol. i can tell you two just processing it differently
I've watched several reactions of this episode. As a child of a similar family, I can spot the reactors that had similar upbringing and the ones that are like "WTH is happening"
Sarah Paulson's character is the most profound, godsend-like yet with the least amount of lines that I hold at the dearest deep in my heart. Like I just need one person to see right through me, someone that I didn't need to explain, ask and beg to for them to see the person that I am. Everyone else, I mean I appreciate the noble intention of helping and supporting. However, can we not do that without judging me?
Just watched the previous upload and had to laugh at myself when they were talking about how much anxiety they had during that one. This is THE anxiety episode
Mikey is the most like his father and assumes that role. Whenever Sugar says are you ok reminds the mother that she isn't and the dynamic that Sugar be the better mother. Carmi is the young one that mom never had a grasp on and that he turned away and was somewhat successful. In actuality each child carries these burdens equally at different levels.
easily the best episode of tv from the last few years, if not the last decade. perfectly chaotic, extremely claustrophobic, and is perfectly paced while still feeling completely all over the place. definitely this show’s opus and it’s gonna sweep all the awards next year. can’t wait to see how they top it this summer with season 3 !!!
