#the Bear is 90s tv that’s why it’s good😊

[freedelusionshere]

Now let’s do similarities between some of the themes of The Bear and Twin Peaks and other things from the 90s.

Mikey the “life of the party” was everyone’s best friend like Laura Palmer but was harboring dark secrets.

Generational abuse and mental illness “haunting” families is a frequent topic with characters like Laura and Audrey Horne wanting to run away from home/escape. Many of the young characters in the show feel this way.

A dark underbelly present under the veneer of All-Americanism and a very present class structure that is hinted to be driven by capitalism and colonialism with the lumber mill (run by a matriarch) and the Black Lodge (being stuck/dopplegangers and alter egos - Logan, Claire, the walk-in, “prisons of your own design”, etc.).

Wealthy family members involved in illicit activities who are looked at as benefactors and respectable citizens of the town but really pull the strings like Ben Horne (Cicero).

The Log Lady who seems absurd on the surface but appears periodically to drop truths like an oracle (Faks).

The absurdist humor/tragicomedy, because Twin Peaks in the 90s was a satire of soap operas, but talking about lots of other things. Similarly The Bear could be viewed as a satire, which was hinted in S3 (fictional character played by Bradley Cooper’s image from Burnt shown at the Ever’s funeral dinner) among other things.

Characters in Twin Peaks break the Fourth Wall in the Black Lodge, similar to Richie in S3 when he’s on the playground bench with Tiff and they appear to talk about knowing their real audience. Also the presence of many real-life chefs who point out inherent problems with fine dining while still participating in it and being celebrated. Restaurant reviewers mentioned include a real-life critic/influencer and major newspapers.

Twin Peak’s creator, David Lynch, is also very influenced by Shakespeare in his works, just like Jane Austin was (my previous comparisons of The Bear to Pride and Prejudice).

Lynch has said that he uses his art to broadcast his subconscious conjurings, similar to how Hamlet transmits his bad dreams outwards. He also loves Oedipal shit.

The Bear is, in some ways, part Carmy’s waking big bad dream (S3 for sure) about family legacy.

Twin Peaks came out in the 90s aligning with many of Storer’s influential musical choices like REM (very popular before they broke up in the 90s), Pearl Jam, and Trent Reznor (NIN) @whenmemorydies did a dive into this. The very popular BBC tv adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth came out in 1995.

Syd and Carmy could also be described as similar to The X-Files’ Mulder and Scully where they are both professionally dedicated which is the cause of their introduction with Scully being more academic in nature. Both are haunted in different ways related to their childhood/families; Mulder has a missing sibling that drives him. Scully is very connected to her father. They appear to be in opposition at times but are completely dedicated to one another and fall in love despite all attempts from outward opposition and even other love interests.

I’m sure there are others that I’m missing so anyone feel free to jump in.