I also LOVE the "Forks" episode, and for the very same reason. Richie's character is one of my favorite TV show characters, ever. His transformation is just 🤌🏻.
I too love that episode (but then, I love them all), and Richie's journey. You can see all the raw materials in all of them in the first episodes--his reading, his telling Carmy at the insane birthday party that his meds are for his symptoms of "DREAD"... you know he can figure out, and you root for him. His relationship with his daughter makes me cry a little.
Yes! There were moments in both seasons when I was really worried for him (spoiler alert for anyone reading this thread—which I now realize I should probably have said up top, sorry). Worried that he would follow the same course as Michael, someone whose life Richie valued waaaay more than his own.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach's performance is extraordinary. The way you see him listening and processing, especially in the scenes with Garrett and Terry. It hits him hard when Garrett ends his speech with "And you need to respect *yourself*." The way several thoughts move across Richie's face—a quick flickering impulse to reject that notion, that he is worthy of self-respect. And then a tiny beat of something inching toward acceptance.
It happens again, with slower beats, each emotion/thought sitting with him just a hair longer, in the Chef Terry scene. I'm so grateful that the direction gave Richie and Terry space for long silences in that scene. It feels utterly real. You talk, you fall silent, turning the words over while you work. The potency of parallel activity that allows for vulnerability because your hands are busy and you don't have to look at each other. The generosity of vulnerability.
When I need to calm my mind, I pull out the ironing board and iron napkins. I don’t iron anything else. Just these square pieces of cloth. The satisfaction of this simple task aligns my brain and rests any anxiety
Sylvia, I love this. I can see it. It's why I love mending and hand-hemming. I hardly ever do just the one thing—I'm always listening to a book or podcast while cleaning/gardening/etc—even brushing my teeth!—but I can reach for a piece of stitching and find myself sitting in the company of my own thoughts. There's something profoundly restful in the image of you ironing your napkins. The hot fabric, the good smell of warm cloth. The only thing I ever iron is linen I'm about to stitch. It's good medicine.
This is a lovely piece of writing and contemplation. I'm going to go about my day more thoughtfully. I love Richie almost as much as Marcus -- his time in Copenhagen is another joyful meditation on life.
I loved that episode too! I so appreciate those spacious episodes of quiet growth given to us in between the frenzied, fraught activity in Carmy's restaurant.
I have not read the book, or watched the show, but I was thinking of the act of being fully present in the moment, No outside things to distract from what is in that moment- mushrooms, gardening, prayer, reading to my kids. It sometimes take intent to make that happen for me. . But at the end, I wanted to see the back side of your stitching. :)
I just discovered and binge watched The Bear last month and am now watching it again with Dom. I'm loving every bit of it. And every bit of insight you're sharing here. It's so good.
I also LOVE the "Forks" episode, and for the very same reason. Richie's character is one of my favorite TV show characters, ever. His transformation is just 🤌🏻.
That moment in the car near the end of the episode. Incredible catharsis. Chills every time!
Taylor Swift and all! 😭
I too love that episode (but then, I love them all), and Richie's journey. You can see all the raw materials in all of them in the first episodes--his reading, his telling Carmy at the insane birthday party that his meds are for his symptoms of "DREAD"... you know he can figure out, and you root for him. His relationship with his daughter makes me cry a little.
Yes! There were moments in both seasons when I was really worried for him (spoiler alert for anyone reading this thread—which I now realize I should probably have said up top, sorry). Worried that he would follow the same course as Michael, someone whose life Richie valued waaaay more than his own.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach's performance is extraordinary. The way you see him listening and processing, especially in the scenes with Garrett and Terry. It hits him hard when Garrett ends his speech with "And you need to respect *yourself*." The way several thoughts move across Richie's face—a quick flickering impulse to reject that notion, that he is worthy of self-respect. And then a tiny beat of something inching toward acceptance.
It happens again, with slower beats, each emotion/thought sitting with him just a hair longer, in the Chef Terry scene. I'm so grateful that the direction gave Richie and Terry space for long silences in that scene. It feels utterly real. You talk, you fall silent, turning the words over while you work. The potency of parallel activity that allows for vulnerability because your hands are busy and you don't have to look at each other. The generosity of vulnerability.
Love.
When I need to calm my mind, I pull out the ironing board and iron napkins. I don’t iron anything else. Just these square pieces of cloth. The satisfaction of this simple task aligns my brain and rests any anxiety
Sylvia, I love this. I can see it. It's why I love mending and hand-hemming. I hardly ever do just the one thing—I'm always listening to a book or podcast while cleaning/gardening/etc—even brushing my teeth!—but I can reach for a piece of stitching and find myself sitting in the company of my own thoughts. There's something profoundly restful in the image of you ironing your napkins. The hot fabric, the good smell of warm cloth. The only thing I ever iron is linen I'm about to stitch. It's good medicine.
I haven’t watched The Bear but I’ll give it a go after watching this scene. So much to take away from it!
This is a lovely piece of writing and contemplation. I'm going to go about my day more thoughtfully. I love Richie almost as much as Marcus -- his time in Copenhagen is another joyful meditation on life.
I loved that episode too! I so appreciate those spacious episodes of quiet growth given to us in between the frenzied, fraught activity in Carmy's restaurant.
I have not read the book, or watched the show, but I was thinking of the act of being fully present in the moment, No outside things to distract from what is in that moment- mushrooms, gardening, prayer, reading to my kids. It sometimes take intent to make that happen for me. . But at the end, I wanted to see the back side of your stitching. :)
Agreed about wanting to see the backside of Lissa’s stitching.
I just discovered and binge watched The Bear last month and am now watching it again with Dom. I'm loving every bit of it. And every bit of insight you're sharing here. It's so good.