That’ll be five Michelin stars for The Bear season two as Taylor Swift energy cuts through the chaos-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

The Bear is back, and it’s better than ever (Picture: Hulu)

Shouting chefs are a cliché deployed on the regular by The Bear, but there’s nothing formulaic about this twisting, heart-wrenching, desperate, and yet courageously inspiring show.

Thankfully, just like when chomping on chocolate digestives, season one ended with 99% certainty there was room for one (or two, please make it two) more.

Oh, go on then, if it means Jeremy Allen White looking all tortured and serious in a steamy kitchen, then we’re in. And damn, this season is a peppery one alright, with a hard kick – and eff and blind – of chilli, and some honey-sweet, come-back-for-more, release.

Having closed down their Chicago family business The Beef in season one, world class chef Carmy Berzatto – expertly portrayed by Jeremy – is now setting his sights on his life goal of a fine dining spot called The Bear.

You know the drill: not all goes to plan as mouldy walls, paperwork – not the paperwork! – bellicose kitchen staff, and very little time makes it, er, tricky, to put it mildly.

Expect a repeat of season one moments with ASMR-style close up vegetable chopping, popping forehead veins, shouting (so much shouting), flying pans, and tender moments in the embers of a blazing fire.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal of dysfunctional Richie is a captivating watch (Picture: Hulu/FX)

Lightning-speed tempo changes between ear-ringing, deranged chaos, and vulnerable whispers cleverly mirror the inner lives of many central characters.

Marcus (Lionel Boyce) steps into the world to face the unknown, while Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) proves she’s a top Jeff (her name for Chef) in many moving moments.

Sydney digs deep and explores the issue of trust, while Carmy finds love – but also gets locked in a walk-in fridge (which is almost certainly a metaphor for his head).

We even jump back in time to when Carmy’s brother Mickey – who died by suicide – was still alive, and discover why the characters default to volatility in what is the longest, loudest, and most unsettling episode to date.

But behind the pan-clanging drama, this season’s genius can be found in the answer to its big question: why do these frazzled individuals keep coming back for more?

Because under a veil of swearing, sweating, and dramatics, are a huddling group of lost people who think they’ve found a home.

Jeremy Allen White is back as an ever-stressed Carmy (Picture: AP)

It’s time for the team to up their game if they want a Michelin star (Picture: Hulu)

Moments of tenderness slice through the show’s intensity, making for a fascinating watch (Picture: Hulu)

Season two is about so much more than painting the kitchen red, and watching characters bleed. It is about hope, and finding joy in the miserable every day.

But let’s not get too cheesy. It’s also absolutely hilarious, and in particular the comic timing of Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays chaos-master Richie, is perfection.

The best and most fist-pumping scene of the series comes when Richie embraces his inner Taylor Swift in a moment of pure, untethered joy. We won’t spoil it for you, but his character arc is a triumph.

What becomes clear is that The Bear’s title means exactly what it says on the tin, as we see male egos erupt like angry, cornered mammals and melt into a cuddly teddy bears in a matter of seconds.

‘Bears are aggressive, but they’re also sensitive and kind,’ we are reminded, in a particularly profound moment of lull, reminding us that not all is black and white, right and wrong.

The Bear is an impassioned love and hate letter to the hospitality industry. But it’s not really about a job, a kitchen, or even food.

It’s about good souls trapped in bad places, and what it takes to break free.

The Bear is available to stream on Disney+.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Disney debuts Pixar’s first-ever non-binary character in new film Elemental

MORE : How much is Disney Plus and is there a free trial?

Entertainment – MetroRead More