Watch List – July 15-21: Give Me The Faks

Television

That Girl (Peacock)

Look, I wrote a lot of words about The Bear this week, so I’m going light on everything else.

I have a LOT to say about That Girl, though. We are near the end of season 2 and the storyline that keeps popping up most often is:

”Ann Marie calls the cops for something scary and the cop ends up hitting on her”

”Ann Marie gets a concussion and the doctor follows her home and hits on her”

Those were back-to-back episodes, y’all!!!

So, yeah, this show will need more of my focus and it’s all on Carmy and the gang this week.

The Bear (Hulu)

I have finished the full third season and I loved it.

I thought it was more challenging for the viewer than the previous seasons. The third season of The Bear demanded the viewer pay attention… and the payoff was worth it for me.

And it’s hard for me to fully focus on a show when I am watching it alone, y’all. I get easily distracted.

But from the first episode of the third season, I was all in. Each episode was filled with nuance and callbacks and there was really only one guest star that felt “Look at me” this season.

Here is a quick rundown of my thoughts on each episode (i took notes while I was watching):

Episode 1:

I found this to be a gorgeous visual depiction of inspiration and support. The episode showed, in a lovely way, just how much goes into every single dish at a restaurant of “The Bear”’s caliber. Years of learning from people more experienced than you, then taking what you learn and turning it into something brand new of your own.

And we kind of got to watch the inspiration seeds (the “why we do this”) for a lot of the characters that we have fallen in love with over these past three seasons.

This episode was the first time I wrote this note: “Abby Elliott needs to win an Emmy for this season”. That was not the last time I wrote that note. She was the highlight of the season for me.

I got teary-eyed when Syd was noshing on Carmy’s meal at the end. A really lovely moment.

Episode 2:

First thing I wrote? “I’m gonna need a million dollars for food when I go to Chicago.”

I also didn’t take very many notes this episode so don’t have much other to say than to share those. Here we go:

Carmy is stressing me out in this episode.

Crazy and genius are so close to each other.

I love Marcus.

Episode 3:

Marcus’ funeral speech was gorgeous and perfect and made me love him more.

The music choices in this episode were curious to me – a lot of classical instrumentals, if I remember correctly.

I know this show utilizes quick cuts a good deal, but they really seemed to lean on them heavier than ever this season. Like I said, to get the full benefit of this season, you have to be giving it your full attention.

I think Carmy is doing this for the wrong reasons – he’s not opening the restaurant to share incredible food or make people feel special – he’s doing it for himself, and a star and to prove the chef who traumatized him wrong.

Being traumatized by a co-worker or boss is something we’ve all been through in one way or another. We don’t ever really let ourselves heal from it though. We keep the words they speak that shatter our self-esteem or joy stuffed up in our brains, ready to come out whenever we’re feeling unsure of ourselves.

Someone told me once, loudly and in all caps for a full year, that I was a terrible writer. Their words caused me to question every single word I wrote for far too many years. It feels embarrassing to give that person so much power, now.

I still hear/feel/believe them every now and then though. And this show feels all about how Carmy does too.

Watching Richie center himself was magical. He has grown so much. I didn’t know it was possible to be this proud of a fictional character. I love Richie with my whole being.

Also, some of the dining scenes in this episode felt very American Psycho-y.

Episode 4

My favorite part of this episode was Tina at the Farmer’s Market.

Hooray for Syd moving out on her own. I appreciate her relationship with her father so much in this series. It’s supportive but real – not saccharine or fake at all.

I was hoping this episode would give Carmy some perspective, but nah. He’s too in his head.

Make sure you’re not too in your head too. I have to catch myself a lot.

Episode 5

Richie interacting with the fancy restaurant folks still brings me so much happiness. I feel like now that he knows those sorts of people exist, that’s the sort of person he aspires to be. I also know that I think way too deeply about the characters on TV shows.

They may not be popular, but I adore the Faks. They make me laugh. The whole “haunting” storyline this season delighted me in a weird way. BUT I NEVER WANT TO BE HAUNTED. DON’T GET ANY IDEAS. DO NOT HAUNT ME.

I don’t think John Cena added anything to the proceedings, though. I’d rather his character have been just another non-descript Fak.

One last thing about the Faks – their patter reminds me a bit of Riley and Jonsie on Letterkenny.

I want to eat both Marcus’ dessert and Tina’s cauliflower and sprouts dish.

And in conclusion, I also noted down that Abby Elliot requires an Emmy.

Episode 6

This was my second favorite episode of the season, but just barely. It was so good.

I felt every inch of what Tina felt in this episode. Breaking down at The Beef was something I felt like doing many times, but I never let myself. It was cathartic for me to go through it with her.

This episode felt personal. Richie was a good-hearted person even then. Mikey was a good person.

I think a lot of time people we know to be rough or rowdy have a difficult time letting their goodness shine through. People expect them to act a certain way and so they get used to doing it so much that it becomes a way of life. They get wrapped up instead of who they are supposed to be instead of who they actually are.

Tina’s hubby was so supportive in this episode. God, that’s so important.

Look, y’all. I got let go or left jobs a lot. I don’t understand all the hidden rules. I don’t understand how when I ask for something and someone says “yes, i’ll do it” and then never does it. How am I supposed to move forward.

Then I never understand why it is rude to follow up to make sure the things get done in time so that I can do my steps. I don’t know. A normal work environment doesn’t jive well with my brain.

I love working places where we’re all invested in the same goal and passionate about it. I am lucky that I have two clients like that right now (EngErotics & OnlyInYourState). I wish everyone could have exactly what they want/need at work.

Or, you know, wish we had Universal Basic Income so the simple act of surviving doesn’t force us to take jobs that make us miserable and unable to live fulfilling lives outside of work.

This episode was directed by Ayo Edibiri (the actress who plays Syd), btw, who is a stunning human being all around.

Episode 7

MORE FAKS!

Syd’s offer (she should take it, maybe?!)

Learning the pass.

Richie learned to let things go.

That is one of the most important skills to learn in a lifetime.

Proud of that fuck up.

Episode 8

Yes, Abby Elliot should win an Emmy for this. I know this is the episode they will submit to the Academy for consideration; it’s excellent, and she’s magnetic, I get it.

HOWEVER, I need it to be known that she deserves the nomination and win for the entire season – not just this episode. She’s incredible. Still can’t get over the fact that she is Chris Elliot’s kid. I also loved her when she was on SNL.

Episode 9

The “sleight of hand” opening in this episode was my favorite of the series.

At this point, I was worried that Carmy wouldn’t make it out of this season somehow. He feels really off the rails and destructive.

There was too much Claire in this episode for me, but there were some more Faks, which I’m always here for.

Pete is a good guy and Marcus is a true artist.

Episode 10

This was it. This was my favorite episode of the season.

The food. The chefs. The cinematography. The food.

Cooking is about celebration and even though this episode was a funeral, it was celebratory.

What do y’all think? Should Syd take the other job? I think yes, and her panic over telling Carm is exactly why it’s a yes. I know if I told either of my clients right now a similar story – I was offered a better job to further my journey, they’d be stoked for me. And understanding – nothing I’d be afraid of hearing.

But the fact that she is this scared to tell him lets me know that leaving them is the best decision. Or Carmy leaving. Cause honestly at this point they might be better off without him. I dunno, I feel like I am babbling now.

The singing in the apartment near the end felt so free and familiar.

I’m excited to see where season four goes.

Conclusion

There are five things that kept coming up for me while watching this season.

1. This was more like an art piece than a traditional TV show. A few episodes I felt would be home in one of those side rooms at a museum where you slip in to watch a short film and rest your legs. Particularly the first and last episodes.
2. I think to fully appreciate this season, folks had to have a solid background in chefs. Along with the ability to recognize them by face. I am terrible at that, but recognized some of the bigger names. It was kind of a name-droppy season in that way. All about inspiration. And these actual chefs were the inspiration for the characters they were interacting with throughout. I dunno, it’s just lovely. It’s so good.
3. This whole series operates similarly to a Frank Llyod Wright building. It’s all about compression and release. We get the big tense episode like “Fishes” or “Ice Chips”. That’s the compression when you get all riled up and your heart is racing and your emotions are running high. Then you’ll get the release – with episodes like “Forks”. I noticed this compression/release technique used frequently throughout my rewatch and watch of the new season.
4. Ayo Edibiri is literally a national treasure.
5. The Bear is one of the best shows on television. However, it is nowhere near the best comedy on television. It really hurts my comedy-loving heart that true comedies like Abbott Elementary and Loot will get overlooked when it comes time to win in the fall. I think The Bear is a better drama than most on TV and would fit better in that category. In all honestly, though, the Emmys need a revamp when it comes to the way the separate the show categories. I truly think if this show wasn’t being categorized as a comedy The Other Two would have gotten a lot more attention and may still be making new episodes instead of being canceled. I mean it slipped in two years in a row in the comedy writing categories. They were ripe to be the new darling. But, then, also, The Other Two does a really excellent job of exposing all the gross parts of the industry, so maybe they don’t want to award that.

I’m getting babbly now, so I will shh. And move on to something else.

Top Chef (Peacock)

My favorite person is gone, so I’m not all that hype on watching this anymore.

HOWEVER when I tuned in the other day, I watched a sausage race in a baseball stadium and I wanted to eat almost every single dish.

P-Valley (Starz or Amazon Prime)

My “book club” is going pretty well. We’ve had great guests, and fabulous conversations about important things.

We’re doing it again on Sunday with comedian Will Blaylock for a conversation about episode 5 of season 1 of this amazing show.

You can listen to our previous discussions here. Then join us here every Sunday at 8pm EST to discuss a new episode!

Australian TV (Or Dropout TV)

Game Changer: Survivor Episode

My favorite person got voted out first, but this was so much fun, I didn’t care who won anyways.

Sam Reich and his team are so good at sharing the joy they get out of things and making it translate well to screen. I can’t get enough of this wholesome BDSM content.

It is his birthday today, July 22. Happy birthday, Sam Reich!

Other

Wide World with Sam Tallent: The Fat Flaneur II. (YouTube)

This is weird and I love it and I want to adventure with these boys.