Spoilers for “Beef” Season 2 observe.
The streaming TV period has introduced on a surplus of miniseries, however generally one makes a slam dunk. In 2023, that miniseries was Lee Sung Jin’s Netflix present “Beef.” An typically jaw-dropping darkish comedy that turns into surprisingly introspective, “Beef” follows, effectively, a beef between struggling contractor Danny (Steven Yeun) and profitable plant retailer entrepreneur Amy (Ali Wong).
They arrive from two totally totally different social circles, however their worlds collide throughout a highway rage incident (in truth, “Beef” was impressed by some actual highway rage). Each Danny and Amy are going by way of private struggles with their households and careers, in order that they channel their rage into vengeful assaults on one another. The unique run of “Beef” ended completely (whereas refreshingly resisting the temptation to have Danny and Amy hook up), so I used to be relieved by the information that “Beef” would proceed as an anthology collection with a brand new forged for Season 2. The inaugural entry of “Beef” excelled as a miniseries as a result of the timeline added to the story; Danny and Amy’s feud was drawn out in episodic escalations.
“Beef” 2.0 succeeds the identical means. Nevertheless, does it connect with the primary season? In the event you had been anticipating Easter eggs, you may be dissatisfied. Though each seasons are set primarily in southern California, not one of the Season 1 predominant forged returns for cameos or supporting roles. It might be simple to have somebody this season, say, stroll right into a Kōyōhaus (Amy’s plant retailer model) to gesture to Season 1, however nothing like that occurs.
But there’s nothing precluding the seasons from being in the identical universe. Until a “Beef” Season 3 (which Lee Sung Jin has stated he has deliberate) connects these threads, the canon will keep an open query. Name it Schrodinger’s Beef.
How Beef season 2 continues the primary theme of season 1
“Beef” changing into an anthology of messy drama has earned comparisons to HBO’s “White Lotus,” the black comedy about issues going fallacious at luxurious resorts. It is undoubtedly a great comparability, as a result of each reveals share a theme: class. In “Beef” Season 1, Danny and Amy’s feud was egged on by their totally different socioeconomic standings. Danny is really struggling financially and his enterprise is failing. When he first sees Amy’s dwelling, he angrily manufacturers her as nothing greater than a “wealthy woman.” Amy, likewise, seems down on Danny; one in every of her strikes of their beef is portray “I AM POOR” on his truck.
“Beef” Season 2 is about on the unique Monte Vista Level Nation Membership, and the meat this time is between totally different workers. Younger couple Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin (Charles Melton) are struggling grunt employees on the membership, till they witness (and movie) a near-violent argument between the membership’s normal supervisor Josh Martín (Oscar Isaac) and his spouse Lindsay (Carey Mulligan).
Once more, the totally different sides of the meat are on totally different sides of the financial aisle. What motivates Ashley and Austin to begin blackmailing the Martíns? Ashley has an ovarian cyst that might grow to be deadly, and so they haven’t got medical health insurance. Even then, all they initially ask for is a greater job for Ashley on the membership. When Josh offers an administrative place with $45k, insurance coverage, and 10 paid trip days? Ashley unironically claims she’s “set for all times.” Earnings inequality in America retains rising, and Ashley’s angle displays how what a compassionate society would name “the naked minimal” can seem to be luxurious.
If all of this rings acquainted bells, that is as a result of it echoes (however does not copy) the primary season of “Beef.” To reply the query proposed by this headline, no, there is no clear proof of this being the identical universe. However thematically? This is similar hellish place yet again.
