Overview of The Watch
In this episode of The Watch, Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald break down the first three episodes of The Bear season 5, the season 2 premiere of The Agency, and the current state of comic book movies — especially the backlash around Supergirl and the broader DCU reboot. They also spend time on the streaming release model, arguing that both The Bear and The Agency are better suited to binge viewing, while also questioning whether that strategy reflects confidence in the shows or just corporate convenience.
The Bear: Season 5, Episodes 1–3
What they thought
- Chris was notably frustrated by the first three episodes, saying the season feels overly insular, repetitive, and emotionally stuck.
- He felt the show has increasingly abandoned traditional TV storytelling, recycling the same conflicts and conversations without enough forward momentum.
- Andy was more positive overall, but agreed the season seems designed to be consumed as one long, almost four-hour experience.
Main critique
- The show’s core problem, in Chris’s view, is that the characters have been locked in the same emotional and professional stasis for too long.
- He argued that the series now feels like it’s “for itself,” with too little engagement with the outside world or with viewers.
- He also said the new season benefits from a clearer framing than it got, since the structure would make more sense if the audience knew it was essentially one long night/day in the restaurant.
Still working for them
- Despite the frustration, both hosts remain invested in the characters, especially Marcus, Richie, and Sydney.
- Chris acknowledged that the show still has moments of real craft and emotional specificity, even if he feels the overall trajectory has become frustrating.
- They both suggested later episodes may improve or change the picture.
The Agency: Season 2 Premiere
Why it works better as a binge
- The hosts discussed how The Agency is a dense, character-heavy spy drama that benefits from immediate follow-through.
- Because it has a large cast and complex plot mechanics, weekly viewing could make it harder to track relationships and storylines.
- Chris argued the show’s Sunday dump release on Paramount+ felt like a lack of confidence, especially given how expensive and ambitious it appears to be.
Episode 1 highlights
- The premiere introduces a new character, Viking, a former U.S. Marine now working as a mercenary for a Russian paramilitary group.
- Chris and Andy felt this gave the show a needed curveball and made it feel more rooted in the current geopolitical moment.
- They especially liked a scene between Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere, where the characters reflect on the CIA’s lost power and relevance.
Overall reaction
- Chris said he would probably be more enthusiastic if this were the first time he was seeing the story.
- He praised the production values, the cast, and the show’s willingness to be cold, intricate, and serious.
- He also noted that some parts of the adaptation feel stilted because it’s such a close remake of Le Bureau, but the best moments come when it expands into its own geopolitical territory.
The Binge Model Debate
Their broader argument
- The hosts used The Bear and The Agency to debate whether binge releases are good for television.
- They agreed binge drops can work for dense shows, but Chris argued they often flatten anticipation and reduce the cultural life of a series.
- Andy added that modern audiences, especially younger viewers, are increasingly fed content algorithmically rather than discovering it organically.
Bigger takeaway
- Chris sees binge culture as part of a broader shift toward overstuffed, oversupplied entertainment.
- Andy was more open to the idea that streamers are simply servicing the audience in the way they now prefer.
Comic Book Movies and the DCU
The Supergirl backlash
- The conversation turns to the current state of superhero movies, triggered by early negative reactions to Supergirl.
- Chris and Andy both expressed sympathy for James Gunn’s attempt to build a more idiosyncratic, comic-book-specific DC universe.
- They liked the idea that Gunn is leaning into comic book weirdness instead of chasing bland realism.
Why the genre feels exhausted
- They argued that many superhero movies have become visually dull, despite being about inherently colorful, imaginative material.
- Chris suggested that audiences may be tired of shiny, overproduced CGI blockbusters that don’t look distinctive enough.
- They also noted a larger cultural turn toward more original, varied stories and away from franchise homework.
What might still work
- They remain hopeful for projects like Clayface, which is rumored to be a hard-R horror movie.
- They discussed how Gunn’s long-term plan may be under pressure already, especially if the audience doesn’t respond to the early wave of DCU projects.
Zendaya and the Bourne Rumor
Why it mattered to them
- They briefly discussed the rumor that Zendaya may be in talks for a new Bourne project.
- Andy was enthusiastic, joking that it would help his children connect with his own “Bourne dad” canon.
- Both agreed Zendaya has built a nearly ideal modern movie-star career: blockbuster visibility, prestige projects, and carefully chosen collaborations.
Why she’s a smart fit
- They noted that she rarely disappears from the poster and has been strategic about balancing big franchises with auteur-driven work.
- If true, they saw the casting as another strong move in an already impressive run.
Key Takeaways
- The Bear season 5 is intentionally structured like a bingeable, near-continuous piece of television, but Chris found the first three episodes emotionally repetitive and creatively frustrating.
- The Agency season 2 premiere impressed them more, especially because it adds contemporary geopolitical texture and a strong new character in Viking.
- They see binge releases as a mixed bag: good for dense storytelling, but bad for cultural momentum and weekly conversation.
- Their comic book movie discussion centered on genre fatigue, visual sameness, and the need for bold, distinct creative choices.
- Despite their criticisms, both hosts remain invested in all three conversations and expect to keep following these shows and this broader industry shift.