Welcome to my review of BEEF Season One, and you might be confused because Season Two just came out, but I am just late to the party. Unfortunately, due to rising costs, I was against having Netflix, but one thing led to another, and now I have it.
But seriously, Netflix, one more increase, and I’m going to lose it. It’s that serious. Well, if you’ve watched BEEF, then you might already know that.
I had obviously seen nothing but great things about BEEF, so I actually came into it with high expectations. Now let me just say I am in a very transitional period in my life. A lot is going on. So I felt like I needed something that could tap into my very core and stir me. Have you ever felt like that? Thankfully, BEEF did not disappoint. Also, if you’re wondering why I keep it in all capital letters, it’s because I feel the show was in all capital letters. If that makes sense.
What Is Beef?
BEEF S1 was a methodical journey through what would happen if we actually acted out on the dark, intrusive thoughts that enter our brains after any mild inconvenience. If you have no idea what I am talking about, then please email me your therapist’s number.
It also taps into how as we go through different steps of life, we start to lose sight of what we did it all for. We stop thinking about the “why” and focus too much on the “who”. “Who is seeing this?”, “What will they think of me?”, and “Do I look successful?”.
Life is complex, but that’s okay. I think part of the beauty of BEEF is that depending on where you are currently in life, you might see the show differently. Some might find their decisions ridiculous, and others might think “You know, I kind of get it.” Which makes sense. Some of us need therapy, and others just need to lay down in the sun for a bit. Actually, maybe we all need both.
BEEF Season One was special to me. To start off, the casting was stellar. Every actor portrayed their character in such an authentic and phenomenal way that it helped me be completely immersed in the story. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong delivered incredible performances. Every scene they were in was captivating, and it felt difficult to root for either one of them because I wanted them both to be right in a weird but wrong way.
Use Nice Words
Danny Cho – Beef
Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong) are two people who met each other under one of the most mundane circumstances, but due to one unfortunate event, they became tangled in a chaotic mess. Thanks to that, we are given the series of events that is BEEF. What was beautiful about the show is that every moment felt very intentional, even if it also felt completely unnecessary.
What I mean is there were plenty of moments where you could think “well, they didn’t have to go this far” or “all this instead of therapy is a stretch,” and I mean, you’re not wrong. But sometimes when you feel like nothing is going right, and taking loss after loss, all you really need is a win. A win that you are willing to do anything for, no matter how petty it is.
BEEF spends so much time showing us just how much of a life is gilded. That no matter how much that person smiles, does aesthetic things for socials, or radiates kindness. It could all be a mask that eventually comes off. It takes Danny and Amy, two people living completely different lives, and shows us both the good and bad in both of them.
Life is a journey. Sometimes that journey takes you to a Burger King to get four original chicken sandwiches.
If you take away anything from this, it’s that you should watch this show. Even if you do see it differently, I think that’s the beauty of it. People at different stages of life may see the chaos that unfolds before them in completely different ways. That’s what shows should do. They should make you think, question, and feel. So yes, just watch it.
- +Every scene felt necessary. Everything was intentional.
- +Steven Yeun and Ali Wong delivered performances for the ages.
- +The story touches something really beautiful. Just an incredible journey.
- –Nothing. It was perfect.
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