If you’ve seen The Bear, you definitely remember how you felt watching “Fishes” for the first time — the way it made you grind your teeth with each escalating moment of family dysfunction. “Forks,” afterward, was beautiful and necessary. We finally saw Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) take control and find hope in the demanding world of high-end kitchens. The contrast between the two episodes highlights the show’s ability to blend raw emotional energy with highly uplifting character development that showcases the growth and resilience of its characters.
Both episodes are excellent TV and undisputed peak points of the entire series. But when it comes to picking a favorite, things get complicated. It’s like comparing apples to oranges—or fishes to forks, as the case may be. But today, we’re going to settle this debate once and for all. Read on to find out which episode of The Bear is better: “Fishes” or “Forks”?
Fishes Is One of the Greatest Standalone Episodes on TV
Even if you haven’t seen the rest of The Bear, “Fishes” is an absolute knockout. It’s a full-course meal of sweetness, heartbreak, comedy, and of course, the signature chaos that The Bear serves up so well. The episode has an incredible ensemble cast featuring guest appearances from Bob Odenkirk, John Mulaney, and Sarah Paulson. Since “Fishes” is a flashback, you can jump right in and experience a compelling story completely independent of the series.
But here’s the magic trick “Fishes” pulls off: despite being a standalone story, it is perhaps the most important episode of the entire series. This is the episode where you finally understand why Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) dissociated himself from the family. You finally understand why Mikey (Jon Bernthal) was so hellbent on keeping Carmy away from the restaurant. It’s a masterclass in storytelling and makes for a perfect standalone episode that enriches the whole show for both newcomers and die-hard fans.
However, Fishes Is Also One of the Most Anxiety-Inducing Episodes That We’d Never Want to Watch Again
As brilliant as “Fishes” is, it’s also very emotionally draining. The episode perfectly captures the feeling of living in a broken family — the fragile peace, the foreboding sense of dread, and the panic of knowing that something will go wrong simply because nothing has gone wrong yet. Michael and Lee’s (Bob Odenkirk) fork-throwing feud at the Christmas table has to be one of the most uncomfortable TV dinner scenes ever.
It’s a difficult watch because it hits so close to home. Many of us have sat at that very same dinner table in our homes. For sheer impact, “Fishes” takes the crown, but it’s also exhausting. The intensity is so high that it can be hard to gather the courage to watch it again. The raw emotions and the palpable discomfort leave a lasting impression and make it a powerful yet daunting episode.
Ultimately, Forks is the More Enjoyable Episode
“Forks” is the palate cleanser after the gut punch of “Fishes.” It’s the Captain-America-lifting-Thor’s-hammer moment after the bleakness of Infinity War. Because ultimately, redemption feels a whole lot better than reliving family trauma. Turning what was such a traumatic item from the fork-throwing chaos dinner into a catalyst for Richie’s self-discovery was chef’s kiss.
Let’s be honest, we were all fully on board the Richie hate train. He was the type of guy we’d walk an extra five blocks just to avoid — a loud, obnoxious, sexist mansplainer. But by the end of “Forks,” we were all cheering him on. The way he celebrated his personal growth by rocking out to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”—bonus points for Taylor Swift, of course—radiated pure, unadulterated joy. It’s simply more enjoyable to watch an episode that lifts you up than one that drives a car through your metaphorical heart and leaves you feeling empty inside.
“Fishes” may be a technical masterpiece that boasts an incredible cast, top-notch acting, and some of the sharpest writing ever seen on TV. But “Forks” is the quintessential The Bear episode. It lets you appreciate the high-pressure world of fine dining while offering a satisfying, happy ending for everything “Fishes” put us through. And fans of the show seem to agree that “Forks” is undeniably the better episode. Also check out this guide on whether The Bear should explore a potential romantic relationship between Sydney and Carmy?
Rewatching S2 of The Bear and I know Fishes gets all the praise, which is deserved, but the season stealer for me is Forks. An episode about potential, purpose and how care and artistry can elevate life. Absolutely triumphant. Can't wait for S3.
Every second counts. pic.twitter.com/d5s7KpgzAf
— Metalcore Nerds (@MetalcoreNerds) June 6, 2024
Follow Us
