Claire should not be blamed for the hatred from The Bear fans
The second season of The Bear has become an even greater sensation than its first, with glowing reviews and over one billion minutes watched, as reported by Nielsen (via The Hollywood Reporter). Beloved characters have returned, and the various cameos have been warmly embraced by viewers. However, there is one aspect that seems to be universally disliked by fans: Carmy’s love interest, Claire, portrayed by Molly Gordon from Theater Camp.
Within the show’s world, Claire Bear is generally well-liked, supported by Carmy’s family and closest friends as a good match for him. Yet, among fans on social media, she has been labeled a “manic pixie dream girl” and compared to TikToker Delaney Rowe’s character who embodies an “absolutely insufferable female lead of an indie movie.” Some argue that Claire’s character fits the definition of a manic pixie dream girl, a trope popularized by The A.V. Club’s Nathan Rabin.
Despite the negative reception, the article makes a case for understanding Claire’s perspective. She’s attracted to her high school crush, Carmy, who is now a hot chef. She tries to engage with him, hoping for a chance at a meaningful connection. However, Carmy’s interests lie elsewhere, and he ultimately ends their relationship to focus on his restaurant and partnership with Syd. The portrayal of Claire as a manic pixie dream girl serves a narrative purpose, showing how Carmy used her to fit into his family’s expectations but failed to truly see her.
The article suggests that Claire’s character might have been more well-rounded if explored further, but her limited portrayal aligns with how Carmy views her. Whether Claire returns in the third season or remains an idea that Carmy had to let go of remains to be seen.
I cannottttt stand Claire in the Bear. She’s literally this pic.twitter.com/pFAwqnzHU3
— juuIa Iipa (@sofiekfrn) July 24, 2023
