I think The Bear is a perfect example of what happens when a show is sooo praised that its writers fall in love with their own profundity.
Way too much navel gazing.

I thought the recap show was pretty unique. One long musical video almost.

once the initial concept of the show has been played out, they start adding more peripheral characters and new story lines. Also, the behind the scenes folks, like writers, can move on,,,, We've learned to just quit watching when it no longer pleases us Sometimes that initial concept is great and should just be a season or two.

But, overall not a great season.

Utterly bleak. Relentlessly grim.

A show that originally was classified as a comedy.

I think it has reached the critical mass of self parody.

Couldn’t make it through the 1st episode of Season 3.

Utterly bleak. Relentlessly grim.

A show that originally was classified as a comedy.

I think it has reached the critical mass of self parody.

Couldn’t make it through the 1st episode of Season 3.

Exciting premise about (insert theme here) is flushed-out after two or three seasons or 24-34 episodes. The best ideas have all been explored. After that, the series turns to individual character stories related to (insert theme here) to continue.

So in the case of The Bear, after the challenges of running a failing restaurant and then establishing a new one have been covered, the series must turn to the individual stories of its characters for inspiration: Carm's haunted past and failed relationships, a mother and daughter finding common ground over the birth of baby, an employee who struggles with leaving. That kind of thing. The one story idea still connected to the original premise of running a restaurant is the quest for perfection: a good review and a Michelin star. But that idea alone isn't big enough for 10 episodes.

All serial shows do this. A few handle it so well you never really notice.

That stays fresh right until the end. "Kim's Convenience" and "Ugly Betty" come to mind.

And this is why I watch more movies than tv shows. Everything wraps up in an hour and a half or so.

I've never seen Kims Convenience or Ugly Betty, but I know what you mean. I think Seinfeld and The Sopranos handled it pretty well too.

As far as The Bear goes, I thought all the season three episodes were done exceptionally well. I don't mind character-driven stories when they're done with originality and shun the trite and cliche. The Bear is exceptionally written and produced IMO.

the third wasn't very good.

A one hour episode could have covered all the ground of season 1 and been less painful.
Way too much shouting and pointless angst.

Season 2 could have been shortened as well.

Season 3, for me, is when it finally started to pay off.