Feed the Beast

Feed the Beast, a drama series from the AMC network in 2016, takes its viewers into a fascinating world of food, friendship, and the mafia - a combination that proves to be as invigorating as it is dangerous.

This intense drama navigates the interconnected lives of two best friends, Tommy Moran (played by David Schwimmer) and Dion Patras (played by Jim Sturgess), who decide to follow their dream of running a gourmet restaurant in their Bronx neighborhood. But, as the title suggests, they find themselves feeding more than just their culinary passion, as they become deeply embroiled in the underbelly of organized crime, adding layers of complexity and danger to their dream.

Tommy Moran is a wine aficionado and sommelier who is reeling from the loss of his wife, Rie (played by Christine Adams). He's now a single father trying to raise his ten-year-old son, TJ (portrayed by Elijah Jacob), who hasn't spoken a word since his mother’s tragic death. Tommy's dream of opening a restaurant with his late wife gets a new lease of life when Dion presents him with the same proposition.

Dion Patras, on the other hand, is an ex-convict, fresh out of prison. He is also a prodigious chef whose charisma and flair for culinary artistry fuel the duo's restaurant dream. Dion's ambitions, however, aren't entirely pure. He's deeply in-debt to the Polish Mob, specifically a ruthless mobster named 'The Tooth Fairy' drawn convincingly by Michael Gladis. Dion believes the restaurant could be his ticket out of this sticky predicament.

The drama series captivates audiences as it blends narrative threads of redemption, fatherhood, loss, and the sheer grits required when chasing lofty dreams. It uses food as a pervasive metaphor to deepen its characters and their relationships, presenting viewers with intense, emotionally engrossing scenes that enrich the show's narrative fabric. The underlying pulse of danger and threat lurking within the Bronx locales, coupled with the intense emotional turmoil suffered by the characters, makes for a gripping watch.

A foodie or culinary buff would deeply appreciate the delectable food preparation sequences, where food becomes more than just sustenance. It metamorphoses into an art form, psalm of hope, or a symbol for emotional healing, depending on the trajectory of the narrative. These scenes are fascinating not just for their visual appeal, but also for how they contribute to our understanding of the characters and their stories.

The main characters’ contrasting personalities complement each other, creating dynamic on-screen chemistry. Dion's reckless optimism is a fitting counter to Tommy’s somber, pessimistic outlook. Each has their flaws and vulnerabilities, making them deeply human and relatable. This is particularly evident in how they navigate their shared responsibility toward TJ, Tommy's son, who is also among the show's central characters. His selective muteness serves as an emblem of their shared grief and the adverse circumstances they must overcome.

Feed the Beast offers captivating performances, notably from its leads Schwimmer and Sturgess. Schwimmer's nuanced portrayal of a melancholic single father longing for emotional solace and Sturgess's charismatic presence as the flamboyant chef with an edge adds depth and intensity to this multi-layered drama.

The show also has an exceptional supporting cast propelling the narrative forward. Mad Men's Michael Gladis, as the ruthless mobster Tooth Fairy, offers an impeccable balance between charm and menace, whereas John Doman, playing Tommy's racist and unforgiving father Aidan, adds another dimension to the show’s exploration of complex familial relationships.

With its unique blend of culinary artistry, organized crime, and poignant human drama, Feed the Beast is a compelling watch. While the show revolves around the restaurant world, its main course remains the struggle and redemption of its characters. Much like the fine wines the series often celebrates, Feed the Beast reveals its notes gradually, maturing into a complex and flavorful tale of dreams, survival, and the constant struggle between the need to feed one's passions and the beast that lurks within us and society.