First time watch, just finished season 2 thoughts
To start on a positive note, I enjoyed watching the different characters train and learn their new roles for the restaurant, and the way it ties back to Carmy’s time in New York is cool. I’ve seen some people call season 2 a downgrade, and I don’t understand why when the episode like Marcus in Copenhagen and Richie Forks are some of the best so far. The scene with Marcus saving the man stuck under the fence was a little random though, maybe someone could explain if it was a metaphor or anything.
The Christmas episode was insane in a great way too. Even though the Berzatto situation is very extreme, I think a lot of people with big families can relate to the chaos of a family holidays. It’s good seeing more of Mikey and how he was already little unhinged and not as perfect as people said in season 1. And the guest stars in the family were fun to see. Seeing Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, a streets ahead reference later on made me realize the creator has some connection to Community.
But why is everyone so mean to Carmy, I know the dude has a bad habit of awfully lashing out during these high stress situations, but I don’t think he’s an asshole when unprovoked. And no one else is good at diffusing the situations either. I like all the characters for the most part, but when shit hits the fan, everyone is equally making things worse but when it’s all over only Carmy apologizes. In the finale, bro is locked in the fridge on the opening night of his restaurant for hours, and he’s venting to Tina about trauma. Then Tina just disappears and Claire is listening instead. Why would Tina not say she’s stepping away or that Claire was coming, or anyone else say anything, or even allow Claire back there, since so much of the season was about permits and not just anyone can be in a kitchen. And Carmy only said the stuff about Claire not being worth the distraction because Sydney is putting a bunch of pressure on him due to her own insecurities. I understand Sydney is smart, gives Carmy a lot of good ideas, and is second in charge of the kitchen, but the way I see it she needs Carmy way more than he needs her. I mean she decided on her own to join this Berzatto mess, and it’s Carmy and his family’s dream restaurant and money. She’s lucky Carmy is cursed by the plot and the restaurant if always falling apart or else he wouldn’t need help running things. Plus even though for him this was an idea that started with his brother, and he’s a super food genius that’s already been to the top, he lets Sydney add her own ideas and influences to the restaurant, but she seems more entitled than grateful about it. I don’t even dislike Sydney as a character but if Carmy wants to focus on Claire a little extra because he’s trying to have a relationship and be happy for the first time then just back off a little bit.
All that being said, I understand the true meta reason all the characters act so frustrating is so the show keeps its high stress atmosphere and drama. But maybe add in a true antagonist to the show that shakes things up so the characters aren’t always fighting each other just due to acts of god.