Mad props to Olivia Coleman coming on and brining such depth to such a quiet scene with a character we have never met before.

Several episodes of this series have brought me to tears, but none more so than Forks. I'm a professional chef, I've been working in kitchens since I was 15. Washing dishes and bussing tables in little pizzerias and neighborhood places, looking up to the cooks who were flirting with waitresses and drinking on the job, and could pull a 14 hour shift in front of an open flame without a bite of food or a 15 minute break (because cocaine). Needless to say, it's a forgone conclusion that I became a drug addict and alcoholic. By 23 I was working in bars and gastropubs, places with a real sense of family that pulled people in and locked them in place with free drinks and easy access to drugs, so they could get away with not paying the staff for 3 weeks at a time, pushing insane shifts, and taking away days off the evening before. Anyway, eventually I got ahold of copies of The French Laundry and Bouchon, 2 of Thomas Keller's cookbooks. They totally blew my mind and I became obsessed with this concept of finesse, elegance, and precision, but I really had no way of accessing those kitchens with no education or connections besides small town chefs. I bought a sous vide and made pasta by hand and duck confit in my own time, but it was all self guided, and I really had no concept of how to execute this stuff in a restaurant. Eventually, a guy my girlfriend went to school with got a job at this new restaurant opening, from a chef who was a sous at Bouchon and then Per Se (another Thomas Keller restaurant). I texted the friend to see if I could set up a stage, and I got in because they had just opened and really needed an extra pair of hands. The way the kitchen sparkled and everybody moved as a single unit, the lack of any sound besides the necessary communication and the gentle taps of metal tools, and most of all, the way every single amazing thing this kitchen was putting out was ready in 5 minutes, no more, no less. I didn't end up getting the job at the time, though I tried again a year later and got a for almost no pay, and ended up working my way up to sous chef before it closed shortly after covid. I got sober, lost 30 pounds, and took back my life, and even though I'm no longer in fine dining, I'm able to set standards for myself, a 50 hour work week, shifts no longer than 12 hours, benefits and paid time off, and I'm able to pass that on to my cooks and try to make their lives a tiny bit better. It really felt like this episode was about my life when Richie said the suit makes him feel better about himself, because I insist on wearing a bright white coat and blue bragard apron no matter where I'm working. The black coats that a lot of places wear nowadays remind me of the heavy drinking, sexually harassing small town line cooks I used to work with, but the French white and blue makes me feel like I'm in control. The filmmaking across this series is amazing, but what's really special is the emotional core of the writing. I don't know how they got these stories, but every single episode feels like it was taken from an actual cook, and not the usual Kitchen Confidential, self-aggrandizing chefbro nonsense.

I also love how in the beginning of the episode they shot it like a horror movie, and the more Richie learns the lighter the restaurant looks

Loved the whole season, but this was the only episode I rewatched. Just good for the soul.

I love how this episode made Richie like suits. And we get the line I wear suits now

There were a few moments this season where The Bear actually stopped piling on the anxiety and stress and gave the audience something nice as a treat. This episode was definitely the biggest, most satisfying of those moments.

I'm turning 33years old and decided to go back to school in order to change my future, and not gonna lie, that "I need you to respect yourself." line from Garett just embedded itself to my brain. It flipped a switch that I can no longer turn off. For example, whenever I'm tempted to procrastinate, half-ass some task or bullshit myself out of doing something difficult, I immediately think to myself "You're disrespecting yourself. Do better." What also struck me(I might be reaching) is that "EVERY SECOND COUNTS" quote.. Aside from the literal meaning, I interpreted on the word "Second" as in 2nd chance. Doesn't matter how badly dropped the ball on the first one, the second chance youre getting matters just as much. It's never too late.

Just when I thought Richie was getting annoying, they gave this man the mother of all training arcs in just under 30 minutes. It really was something to behold.

"Feels like armor" Hell yeah, Richie. I love how you highlight how rather than finding his purpose, he more specifically finds the confidence and willpower to go forth, to win or lose. What a great episode and fantastic video!

Richie’s kitchen got cleaner throughout the episode; by the last day he had his daughter’s plate sitting on a placemat.

this episode inspired me to believe in myself when i was ready to give up, i ended up going for a promotion at work a couple days after i watched this and have just been killing it ever since.

Coleman's casting is perfect. As the "final boss" on the quest, the actress had to be instantly impressive to the audience. That her appearance and manner are 180 degrees from the imposing image of the perfectionist built through out the episode and her "auntie" dropping of truth bombs of "every second counts" and believing in yourself is a great head fake. That she vaguely resembles and sounds like Sally Schmitt is an added bonus.

"Forks" gives me chills just thinking about it. I always tear up a little bit when I watch it, during the scene where Richie sees the staff member approach the table of the two teachers (previously established as PONs) and say "no check tonight. thank you SO much for dining with us." The actors who played the teachers are the unsung heroes of the episode because the look of surprise and awe on their faces gets me every. single. time. I work front of house and those moments of magic are why I love what I do. Watching it click for Richie, seeing him help create that magic with the pizza later in the episode, and THEN when he creates a magical moment with the chocolate covered banana at the opening night of his very own restaurant-- UGH. SO MANY EMOTIONS.

Richie's complete turn-around is such a great aspect of the series. He became my favourite character.

Forks, for me, is simply one of the greatest TV episodes of the last decade or so. It could really be a life changing experience for the viewer also.

As someone who's been forced to learn "Love Story" by Taylor Swift on guitar because a daughter wanted to sing it at heri birthday sleepover with friends.... The last minute of "Forks" is the first time i've ever been moved to immediate tears as a song began. And I'm a grown man, I don't do the tears thing lightly if ever. But the juxtaposition of that love of my own daughter and that memory .....with the shred of hope that song gives Richie and the defiant will to keep fighting the good fight... man it just really sends jolts of electricity to your soul. And you are right, its small victories and quiet moments for a normally very loud Richie.. And its so understated and impactful. And its phenomenal television that is so deservedly celebrated.

I just saw this episode (and most of Season 2) yesterday, and Forks definitely stuck out to me as the best episode, not just of this season but of the entire show. It gets to the point of the story of the show and fleshes out the best character and the entire show growing because he does as well. Like you said, perfection.

I completely agree with your conclusion on the purpose of this episode. Richie was used to giving up before he started because he always thought he would fail. I think this episode taught him that if he has the courage to try, there’s at least a chance he won’t fail as opposed to doing nothing and guaranteeing that failure.

This whole series was incredible, but Forks and Fishes were incredible episodes. The growth of Ritchy in Forks, and just the simmering tension in Fishes were hard to beat.

The sequencing of the episodes was also fantastic, with this treat coming after the anxiety inducing family Christmas episode.

This was my favourite episode of the series. I thought Richie was meh before this, but the character development here was 10/10. The simplicity of how open he was about "I wear suits now" / "it makes me feel good about myself" is quite literally amazing. It's just a show but straight up at any given time, any one of us can do this with anything.

I've seen this episode multiple times and I still can't watch it without crying. It is so beautiful. I went from absolutely hating Richie to loving him in this one episode. I put Richie's character arc on the same tier as Prince Zuko's

"I wear suits now." Hell yeah, Richie.

14:50 - That makes so much sense upon re-watch, because in season 1 you saw glimpses of Richie showing his purpose as front of the house guy, whether it was the crowd for the tournament, or him opening the store and greeting regulars, he always had that role in him. The arc in Forks just showed him he needed to pursue it.

I went from hating Ritchie to loving him, that’s such beautiful and strong storytelling achieved with his character arch. Not to mention incredible acting.

I told my mom and her husband to watch this show and they just called me flabbergasted after watching episode 6 “fishes”. The actors and level of acting in that balled up fist of anxiety of an episode is intense. I told them they have to watch episode 7 “forks” right now because it’s the best 1-2 punch of television maybe ever.

this possibly the best 30 mins of tv we'll ever see.

This is the one episode where you actually have fun watching it. Such a stark contrast to the one before it.

The deeper meaning behind every second counts in this episode is actually beautiful

The switch in the end of the second act to the start and ending of the third is done brilliantly, because its also in the same tone as the rest of the season, personal growth threw chats in the kitchen, just two people/chefs talking about their past, their relation to the kitchen and how to get better. just like Marcos in Copenhagen, and Carmy and Sydney, they are all gaining tools for preparing for success but being okay with a failure, they can definitely say they gave it their all and beyond.

I binged the show, and this episode single handedly made me feel entirely different about Richie. The show doesn’t have a lot of feel good episodes, but I’ve never felt happier at the end of an episode

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL analysis of a BEAUTIFUL episode of a BEAUTIFUL series. Just as in the episode itself, I was sobbing all the way through your analysis.

as soon as Richie shot his gun in the air to scare the crowd away, I right away knew he was a "good guy". he wanted nothing but betterment for The Beef though his thinking and methods may have differed from Carmen's. always rooted for him.

It seems like we can all identify with Richie, and to see how he was able to transform himself gives all of us hope.

Idk if i just hadnt cried in awhile or watched a more serious show in a bit, but this episode literally made me cry for like and hour or so. During the episode and a for a bit after. And for the rest of the season if ritchie ever failed at anything or got put down or even succeeded at something it made me tear up.

I love it when the villain at the beginning of the story is redeemed and becomes your favorite.

I love the way he presents his thoughts clearly & just. (I have not finished the video)

I cant ever remember a series that made my blood boil in such a satisfying way. I couldnt watch more than an episode or two at a time cuz the chaos of the show and the charecters just made me feel so anxious in the best way possible. I felt their stress and loss of direction. So to see things coming together towards the end of season two was so damn satisfying. This episode in particular, was the culmination of a charecter who was the source of so much of that early chaos. For him to be put in a completely opposite situation and thug it out, figure it out and learn was so damn satisfying. I mean he went from a place that was constantly a mess to a place where there was no room for mess. Not a fork out of place, not even a microstain left on a utensil. The way they convey the fact that he didnt need chaos to be useful, that the polar opposite of what he knew was also a place he could thrive. I cant say how satisfying it all was enough. For both the show and charecter, for those early emotions the show made you feel to the triumphant "things are finally coming together into a cohesive, functional, and thriving enviroment". I started the show a long while ago, watched 2 episodes and Im pretty sure my blood pressure increased just watching them. I genuinely stopped watching because of the second hand stress lol, it was weird feeling so much anxiety for charecters on a show. Never has happened before. I got bored about a month ago and figured Id try it again and pushed through hoping for some kind of pay off. Needless to say Im extremely glad I did, because the show is damn good. This episode was the one for me that really sealed the pay off of all that early emotion the show generated. Given the context of the show and the peripherals of the charecter and story up to this point, I have to agree this was the perfect episode.

this is my favorite episode in the whole series, its a brilliant character study too and its so well done and written

Good defining "perfect" as being the absence of flaws rather than overriding greatness. I see a lot of people conflate the usage and it's one of those pet peeves--like the difference between something being the best show you've ever seen and your favorite, or misusing the word "moot" (it means to discuss things, like the Entmoot from Lord of the Rings, people! aghhhh)

I think something that is worthwhile bringing up is the theme of control. I think it's really really palpable and at the forefront with Carmy, but it shows up differently with Richie. We see in 'Fishes' that he has been meaning to get out for years, he can't control his relationships or things moving him by. He has SOME control over the Beef, but even that is not real control, but hollow since he doesn't really even want to be there. In this episode I think he gains control over himself and his circumstances. The suit is control, knowledge gained is control. If he can control these aspects of work ( I think the suit is a huge part of this), he can control himself and his life better. Where Carmy needs to let go of control, Richie needs to seize it

Finally got around to watching this show. Binge both seasons and I can say this is my favorite episode. Richie instantly became one of my favorite characters, insane character development. Can't wait for the next season and hope for more seasons going forward.

Nice video, I definitely agree with the Chicanery and College point. They are without a doubt some of the greatest examples of storytelling to this date.

Yes! Watched The Bear off your recommendation and I (not surprisingly) loved it!

That was a beautiful episode and a perfect contrast to the chaos of the Christmas episode. Those two episodes are the best episodes of tv I have seen since Breaking Bad. Excellent analysis! Thank you!

I’m so glad cousin won an Emmy for this

This episode hasn’t left my mind since it aired. It left a significant impression on me

“I wear suits now.”

ended up marathoning all of the bear thanks to this episode, you got me good here man.

Great video! I enjoyed the total breakdown, angles and perspective.

This episode man…. Richie was my fave character cos of how flawed, deep down , you knew he was just broken and lost and then this episode just…. I’m tearing up even writing this. Inspirational especially for where I am in my life at the moment, I totally relate to Richie.

I would have never thought of avatar but like you said “zuko alone” was powerful too. Another good show that had fantastic character arcs.

Just seeing this, and the ad is effing BRILLIANT. Thanks for putting everybody down so hilariously.

Macabre posting a video randomly out of nowhere. Like a wise man once said “A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.”

Simply beautiful Chef. That episode was inspiring and definitely my favourite along with Fishes. I couldn't help but sing along with Richie to Taylor Swift's Love Story. Had no idea I still knew the lyrics. I don't understand why but my heart soared when I saw Richie singing and so full of joy. This may be bad but I kept thinking that he was going to hurt himself at the end. I was so relieved it didn't turn out to be another sad show because I didn't know The Bear was a comedy/drama series... well not until I heard they'd won the Emmy for Best Comedy. I thought it would turn out to be a depressing drama with brilliant comedic moments mixed in. Also this type of video is exactly what I want when I look up, "movie explained/analysis," on KZfaq. It's frustrating when it's a play by play of the whole movie I just watched. Although it is handy when I don't want to sit through a certain movie but... I just really want to know whether or not somebody else cried when I cried and why it made that person sad, happy, scared or mad.

I saw that clip of the climax with Olivia Coleman on YT and that one scene made me want to watch the show. It was riveting. Two days later I binged both seasons in 36 hours. When I got to this episode, the scene with Chef Terry, now in context was exhilarating to me. I was so rooting for Richie at this point (as I’m sure we all were). I do think this is a perfect episode. It’s certainly the most satisfying one for me (after all that Richie struggled with before it) and the one I think about the most. Great video. Thx.

Brilliant show, fantastic episode, and wow, this is some break down. Great job, thank you

I tend to think of "Forks" & "Bolognese" as one long episode. The result of everything that happened in Forks is seen in Bolognese.

The only other time I'd seen Richie's actor was a single one scene near the end of The Lake House, which starred Kenau Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Never thought I'd see him again, and DEFINITELY not in one of the best TV shows I've seen in a decade. What an amazing actor. 😊👌

Great Video! I love how the alarm clock shows 5:38 at the same time in the video! :)

My wife and i have been watching this. I work in surgery, and the entire time I've been saying it reminds me of when I was in school and working kitchen jobs. Then the episode just flat out says the same thing, and it blew my freaking mind.

Spectacular analysis and conclusion

Another great video and totally unexpected! I am looking forward to your avatar the last airbender review. There is plenty of character in that as well.

This is a great episode, from a great show. Glad you analyzed the episode I enjoyed the most Macabre!

The through thread of Every Second Counts (ESC) is fantastic. When we first see it, ESC looks threatening. It is a albatross of the status quo and the ease of familiarity. Then we see ESC as a challenge. It is a goal of the BoH with prep as it is for the FoH with the guests. But then we see it as it is. And without saying the words Olivia Coleman transforms our understanding of service. It is not a goal, a challenge or a threat. ESC is a deceleration of life and love.

its tough to choose because they are all so perfect in their own way, but this is my favorite episode. his character development was awesome

One of the best episodes in history, Imo. From broken and depressed, to inspired, to unafraid. Every detail, from his eyes, demeanor, word choice, how he stands, how people react around him, unbelievable acting, directing, screen writing, music, all of it. Just perfect, dare i say, chef's kiss

I cried twice in this episode. I found it one of the most inspiring 30 minutes of a tv show.

Cousin is my favorite underdog, I will always root for him ❤

I bawled in front of my wife when he gave uncle the chocolate banana.

that was my favorte episode of the entire show, adored it

Fantastic, insightful review, thank you

My man i teared up hearing you recap this episode. I only consume TV by watching reviews so this deep dive into one episode feels like i watched it without having to have watched it

Great review! And the outro was gangsta!

Forks is the greatest episode of television I have ever seen. It is just perfect.

My favorite episode in the entire show and possibly all of television

I just watched this episode (again) and it meant so much more this time - cried a bit at the end.

I disagree with certain parts/perspective as a 20 year cook, but your spot on, on a lot of understanding of cooking perspective.

I loved Richie’s whole ark in those last episodes, it’s kinda funny tho that all he needed was to find out that front of house is a job lol

11:43 Man, I really feared he would die in a car crash right there. 😅

In season 1, Ritchie was the only one left in the crew who was still holding onto the old ways because it was the only thingthat made sense to him. In the second season, we don't see Ritchie much except for a few glimpses each episode. That's where Ritchie feels his role in the kitchen becoming irrelevant and that's what we see when he makes the call to Carmy. The way the episode wraps up brings back the agency in Ritchie's life, giving him the drive to make his place in the new world order. Right after this episode, we get to see Ritchie take centre stage multiple times, in many cases stepping up where previously he would have receded.

13:56 Was absolutely INSPIRING to hear. Favorite part of the video

Wonderful summation

this episode is so good, but this breakdown is so good i wanna watch the ep again

In my opinion, another example of a perfect episode of TV is the pilot episode of Derry Girls! The writer of the show has also been a playwright and I think that's really clear in how tight the writing and comedic timing is. One of the funniest examples of "the gun going off in the third act" that I've ever seen.

I love Ritchie's arc. He really got on my nerves in the first season (I think he was supposed to), but I sympathize with his stubbornness. I loved when he put on the suit; look good, feel good.

This episode made my cry a lot

Amazing episode, amazing video

this episode was some of the most inspiring television i've ever seen

i love the definition you apply for 'perfect' episodes; forks isn't my favorite either, that's 'Fishes' but operating according to your definition, it is the epitome of a perfect episode

I watched the episode three times, because I loved it so much. I even enjoyed it more the second time, because I was always expecting a major setback in every scene 😅

Gotta remember to come back to this one once I'm caught up on The Bear

Gratz on the sponsor!

I started watching season 2 while on a trip to the UK and when I got back home to Spain I realized it's not out here yet. Fml. I'll come back and watch the video in a couple weeks.

I really want to know why Fishes is not a perfect episode? I think it delivered the message perfectly

I started to like Richie more but still thought he was annoying but I was surprised on how in one episode they made him go through this arc and it felt natural

My favourite episode. It's beautiful and life affirming and it's message to never give up trying to improve yourself is so important. It helped to encourage me to get my ADHD diagnosis and begin to work on my shortcomings so I can be a better person for my baby daughter.

best episode of the season, rewatched it multiple times

Is difficult to describe how good this episode is. It is really sublime. My favorite episode on this show for sure.

While I love this episode a lot, my favorite is the Christmas episode because of the masterful way it balances family drama and tension. Though Richie was actually one of my favorite characters on this show even before Forks. I just love how chaotic he was. And his last scene with Carmie in the freezer still shows that while he respects him more, he also isn't afraid to tell him what he needs to hear.