36 Comments
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Saloni's avatar

This is one very beautiful essay, thank you for your words and your courage to be so honest 🌺

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you, Saloni! I appreciate you making time to sit with these words 🙏🏽

rose june's avatar

“study” and “research” are among the words I hope to bring warmth back to in my own writing. You’ve done it here, so beautifully. 🙏🏾

Alex Lewis's avatar

Me too. I’m right there with you. Returning to this place ❤️ thank you for the love

Peter Walpole's avatar

It’s rare that an essay gives me both a greater appreciation of the everyday beauty that surrounds us and makes me want to watch Loiter Squad.

Alex Lewis's avatar

This is the highest compliment I could’ve received. Thank you 🥹

Jack Edward Burton's avatar

“As I live and become more aware of my living, essays get written before I’ve even put pen to paper. The threads are collected for tapestries that might eventually get woven, lending their material to new research for whoever might come after. In the shaping, we become.”

This is such a lovely ending and paragraph. Marcus’ character in the Bear shows such a tender side of ambition and desire in comparison to Carmy that I think you’ve really captured here

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you, Jack! And I appreciate you noting Marcus’ tenderness because that’s what draws me to his character. It makes you want to protect him and root for him. Grateful you made time to sit with this one!

Jessica Alice, DipCouns.'s avatar

I call it ‘the science of showing up’!

Alex Lewis's avatar

I like that!

Shad N's avatar

This is my favorite episode of the Bear so far. It was nice to see Marcus out and about in the wider world. He is a character that I can relate to.

Alex Lewis's avatar

Same! Reminds me I need to go back and rewatch it soon

Gigi Nadeau's avatar

'In the shaping, we become.' So, so beautiful. As writers and creatives, this is something so many of us often forget and/or neglect. Thank you for the reminder. <3

Alex Lewis's avatar

I’m glad this could be a gentle nudge for you today. I’m honored you made time for these words, Gigi. Thank you 🙏🏽

Laney Lenox's avatar

I love this connection between how being open to really just being present with people gives us so much (not just in writing, but also in life, and how those two things are interconnected). Thank you for this!

Alex Lewis's avatar

Absolutely, thank you for making the time to read this one!

CASSIDY JEAN's avatar

My friend walked in on me crying to this show and was so confused as to how anyone could possibly be that moved by a series as chaotic as this one 😂 For me it's just so real and I see myself and those I love in the characters. I actually wrote about that episode after I watched it as well. Sounds like you see what I see. & it just feels right that Marcus gets a personal tribute like this! Much to reflect on from his character.

Alex Lewis's avatar

LOL literally me yesterday when my wife walked downstairs while I was watching the Forks episode. I like how they take time with the characters. We get to grow with them and learn new things as we go. I’d love to read your piece if you don’t mind sending a link!

CASSIDY JEAN's avatar

Hahah the Forks episode will do it. I actually never published it but you've inspired me to take it out of the drafts:) Will link here if I do!

Alex Lewis's avatar

Please and thank you, looking forward to hopefully reading!

rojeen rahman's avatar

This is the perfect reflection of Marcus’ character. 🥹 I’m on season 2 and looking forward to watching more!

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you, Rojeen! I want to go back and watch S2 especially before S3 drops

Ayesha A.'s avatar

Well crafted!

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you so much 🥲

Billie Shafran's avatar

The Bear treats Craft with so much love, from the cinematography to the dialogue and subtle moments between characters. Deeply moving and inspiring series. Loved reading through your connection with it to your writing -- thought about writing an essay like this when i first finished S2 a few months ago, but I'm happy to see you beat me to the punch hehe. Beautifully done.

Alex Lewis's avatar

Would love to read more of your thoughts. There’s more than enough room. Thank you for the love, I truly appreciate you making the time!

Bethany Nicole's avatar

Loved this show. Loved your take on it. I resonate a lot with the way we research as writers. Fabulous. Time to go watch the Bear again

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you, excited for S3 to drop soon!

Noha Beshir's avatar

Gorgeous. So much of this resonated for me.

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you for reading, Noha! This is one of those ones I didn’t expect to resonate as much as it did

Onyi Ozoma's avatar

Really good point on the growth we see in terms of how they end up side by side but also being so explicit that Luca is never cruel. Watching it, I was worried he was about to be traumatized like Carmy. Being delicate is such a consistent thing for Marcus, like you described with the hand holding and cooking but also his non verbal as he gets engaged in making the cakes and donuts. Thank you for writing on this

Alex Lewis's avatar

I’ve been showing the show to a few people lately, and it’s been cool seeing in the first-ever episode how Marcus is more antagonistic and stubborn. He’s less receptive to change. And then when he sees Carmy’s accomplishments, he sees what he could be and what Carmy is trying to build. He softens. I love that word you used: delicate. He learns to be more delicate. Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Onyi. I appreciate you.

Onyi Ozoma's avatar

Really good point with that too, I appreciate you as well, Alex!! Such a good show man!

Chef’s Wife's avatar

We want to care but are surrounded by many who don’t care one iota about the everyday ness of life and their own part in it. So disheartening. Can’t wait to watch that moment you described here. I seek awe and this piece on that show does it. Thank you.

Alex Lewis's avatar

Thank you so much for reading. Excited for you to watch. It’s a fantastic show and a beautiful episode.