Television series love to give viewers the gift of a good Christmas episode, but there’s never been one quite like “Fishes,” the sixth episode of the Emmy-nominated second season of “The Bear.” It begins with the wafting sound of Andy Williams singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and ends with the family matriarch crashing her car through the house. In between, we’re thrust into a chaotic family gathering, five years back in time, in which three adult children navigate their way through awkward conversations with relatives (blood and honorary) while managing their alcoholic mother, who’s teetering on collapse while trying to prepare the Feast of the Seven Fishes .
Even for a show known for its tense, emotionally exhausting storytelling, “Fishes” put its audience through the wringer, not that anyone seemed to mind. Of the 23 Emmy nominations “The Bear” received this year, nine were specifically for “Fishes.” This is the story of how it all came together.
CHAPTER 1: ‘I’m going to play her’ Jamie Lee Curtis (Donna Berzatto): I was in Idaho, where I live part-time. My husband was fishing. I had heard about this show, and I turn on the first episode.
You don’t know what the f— is going on. You see this guy. He’s frantic.
He needs money for the restaurant. He calls his sister to bring a jacket so he can sell it. She brings the jacket.
They hug and it’s awkward. There’s this weird tension. At some point, she asks, “Have.