On the FX series "The Bear," Richard Jerimovich, known affectionately (or not) as "Richie," "Cousin," or other, unprintable names, is introduced as a man without purpose. But he seems unaware of this when we meet him in the first episode, seemingly happy working at The Beef, an Italian beef restaurant in Chicago owned by his best friend Michael Berzatto—until Michael took his own life. Before doing so, he left the restaurant to his little brother Carmie, who tries to adapt the techniques of elite, Michelin-star kitchens to the scrappy little neighborhood spot. Richie finds himself out of place in the new "system," realizing he has no skills apart from being everybody's pal, joking with the other employees and customers, but usually making things worse whenever he tries to fix anything in the restaurant.
The second season opens with Carmie and the rest of the crew, including his sister Natalie and fellow chef Sydney, remodeling The Beef into The Bear, the fine-dining establishment that Carmie and Michael had long envisioned. This only........