The Bear is a remarkable show. The FX/Hulu offering has just dropped its’ second season. By the way, I will not spoil any plot elements here, but the Christmas episode is one of the most incredible works of TV ever created. The writing and acting in that episode are astonishing.
Why are we talking about some binge-worthy show? We are talking about The Bear because somehow - against all odds - a show featuring a set of diverse and complex characters focuses on one very simple notion - the value of hard work, and the importance of actually producing results.
The show is the story of a dysfunctional Chicago family that owns a greasy-spoon restaurant in the Loop. The protagonist returns to his hometown to try to save the restaurant, fresh off experiences as a chef at some of the finest restaurants in the world. His bosses in the world of haute cuisine were cruel. His mother was unstable. His brother was unreliable, forcing the family into a desperate situation. And his team is counting on him to lead them to a better place.
Drama has a tried and true recipe - introduce characters, put them in conflict, and resolve the conflict. All of the characters in The Bear present a complex mixture of strengths and weaknesses. All are forced to contend with the burdens their previous life experiences have bestowed on them. The conflict they face in season 2 is how can they all get along and work together to rebuild the restaurant under strict time and financial pressure.
The ending of that story is not the point of The Bear. How we write our stories is the point of The Bear. How each of us is responsible for our own outcomes. Each character asks themselves if they are up to the task and if they are living up to what their team members rightfully expect.
A reformed alcoholic working at one of Chicago’s best establishments points out the irony that the word hospitality that so often is associated with hotels and restaurants is a reference to taking care of hospital patients. We all understand the solemn responsibility of caring for the sick, but I had never made the connection to understand why restaurant and hotel professionals feel such a profound sense of obligation in service to their customers.
In our current culture, personal responsibility is no longer top of mind. Instead, we are often viewed as victims of circumstance and larger forces. The quaint notion of wanting to serve others and having a sense that the opportunity to do so is a privilege is dying. The characters in The Bear showed me how beautiful outcomes can emerge from the apparent drudgery of a commercial kitchen and how the smallest unexpected gestures can make the greatest impact.
There is a sign on the wall in a high-end restaurant on the show: Every Second Counts. In the fight for the soul of our society, let’s not forget that lesson.