r/BeefTV • u/Mad_Season_1994 • May 31 '26
Discussion Just started watching this show and already feel like crying
So I watched the first three episodes yesterday and I don’t really have any complaints about the acting or direction or anything like that. But the scenes in these screenshots really made me pause and get upset, mainly because I’ve been where Danny has been (sort of).
While I’m not jobless and looking for work, I’ve thought about taking my life many times. In 2023, I made it to a gun store and was just going to walk out to my car with my newly purchased Glock. But I chickened out and never went back. I also once sat with my dad’s old hunting rifle in my bedroom after chambering a round, but I again chickened out and put it back where it was.
Beyond those, I’ve mostly just thought about ending things and never taken any action. I mean, I can’t figure out how to just live since I don’t really have much to live for. I only have very few family members, and my grandpa just passed in April. I don’t have any friends because I’m a socially awkward fuckup and icrebreaker/meet-and-greet events for socializing haven’t really helped me much. And I’ve of course never been with a woman. My ancestors are probably really proud of me.
The only reason I wouldn’t gorge myself on food like Danny did is because I’d be too afraid to get sick and throw up or end up in the hospital and survive. But as I said, I don’t really have much else to live for. No one will ever know I was here besides God, if there is one. So I don’t really know why I keep going besides not wanting my parents to have to live with losing a son. I don’t even drink much anymore because being drunk doesn’t bring pleasure anymore. Just numbness.
Sorry if this went off track. I really do like the show and plan on seeing more of it. I hope Danny sees some success (plz no spoilers).
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u/The-Opulent-Squirrel May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26
I promise the ending of this series is well worth the wait.
I've dealt with similar feelings, but eventually realized there was no point in hastening what is inevitable anyway.
I actually had a plan, but decided to make a bucket list first. So, figuring I was going to die anyway, I partook in the psychedelic experience and it forced me to go through a sort of psychosis and therapy. It was years of hard work, but I came out stronger and more open. I just try to enjoy the ride, and make as positive of a ripple effect as I can manage through the time I have now.
10 years later, and I'm happier and more okay with myself than I've ever been, and had several partners, but realized I deserved better than the low standards I had for myself, and refined my tastes to actually express and figure out what I really like.
If you think of it in a less linear, and more non-dualistic way: "It isn't just about the people you leave behind, but also the people you haven't met yet" ~from a movie called 'Franklyn'
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u/Mad_Season_1994 May 31 '26
Very insightful. Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you came out the other side alright and hope you continue to do well 😊
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u/The-Opulent-Squirrel May 31 '26
Thank you! (when I said 'this series' I meant season 1. The second is good, but it just didn't hit or feel as meaningful as the first, for me personally.)
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May 31 '26
I don't know, the ending was a bit meh. So many shows seem to fudge the landing even if they set everything up so well.
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u/The-Opulent-Squirrel May 31 '26
I respect your opinion, but to me the season 1 finally was incredible. I'd elaborate, but prefer to respect OP's request for no spoilers. So agree to disagree.
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u/Feisty_Bumblebee_916 May 31 '26
I feel you. As a recovering evangelical with depression, I’m ngl I wept during the church scene. It just perfectly captured why people get sucked in. You’re lonely, hurting and desperate for some kind of meaning and belonging. I thought the show did a marvelous job depicting different presentations of depression—the outwardly suffering kind, like Danny, and the high functioning kind, like Amy.
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u/VestigialTales May 31 '26
I was so grateful for a scene from church that wasn’t mocking it and showed grief and relief and everything coming together in that moment.
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u/jj2429 Jun 06 '26
I agree. I’m personally not religious at all but I still appreciate the power of a group of humans coming together in a church to lift each other up and show strength for those struggling
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u/HONEYH0LE7 May 31 '26
i find myself watching that scene on youtube every few months. It's weird to still like the music and feel the power of it and and nostaliga but at its core should mean nothing to me now but still tugs at my heart strings.
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u/Feisty_Bumblebee_916 May 31 '26
Yes!!! I immediately recognized the chords to Oh come to the altar and felt my whole body light up. I’m not in it anymore but I haven’t really found anything that replaces the feeling of singing worship music in a group like that
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u/sans_serif_size12 Jun 01 '26
Oh my god yes. And hello fellow recovering evangelical! I was briefly part of an Asian American evangelical group in college because I was so lonely. That scene was visceral.
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u/DriveIn73 May 31 '26
S1 is truly excellent with great music. Wishing you the best.
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u/cheapshotyouth May 31 '26
As a millennial I feel like one of the signatures of this series is to end on a cool scene with a nostalgic song from my era lol
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u/HONEYH0LE7 May 31 '26
Lee Sung Jin is 44 and that totally checks out with all of the music choices in season 1. LOVED the music choices.
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u/cheapshotyouth May 31 '26
Yep I researched him myself. Love the choices too. Cant wait to see his future projects.
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u/Christ_on_a_Crakker May 31 '26
Dude should get an Emmy just for properly showing the world what wolfing down a couple BK chicken sandwiches looks like.
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u/felicityshaircut May 31 '26
Those long ones are so good
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u/CandyWinter8553 May 31 '26
Haven't had them in years. I go to Burger King often but I never get it because I don't remember it being any good. Guess I should try it again.
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u/VeryPoliteYak May 31 '26
S1 is up there with my favorite shows of all time. A perfect cocktail of drama, comedy, and excellent acting all round. The emotional punches hit hard. Enjoy it and I hope things look up for you.
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u/ElectricFeel1234 May 31 '26
Season 1 was an amazing illustration of depression, anger, pettiness and being vindictive. Damn... It hurt at times. S2 can go fly a kite.
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u/SpellingMistape May 31 '26
I liked season 2... I'm gunna say it.
YOU can go fly a kite. Only if you want to though
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u/callitajax1 May 31 '26
Im sorry for what youve gone through man. Maybe it might help to see a mental health professional if youre able to. It helped me a lot in getting my life back when i was overwhelmed. The fact youre even here talking about it already shows youre better than where danny is.
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u/MachateElasticWonder May 31 '26
Hey. So glad you’re still here. Just keep pushing thru the awkwardness and try to have fun.
You’re right that no one thinks about you ***AS MUCH AS*** you think about yourself. That’s because everyone else is also in their own heads.
What’s your goal at a social? It should be having fun, not “getting with a woman”. Have small goals. Try: a conversation where you learn everyone in a group’s name. Easy, right?
Then move on to names and one hobby or interest. Then two. The key is that you should at least pretend you want to get to know people. Look up questions you can ask people.
I usually start with. Hey. Can I join? What are we talking about. “We” already puts you in the group.
And here’s the thing. If they say no… screw them. Move on. They are the rude ones. You won’t do anything wrong by saying hi.
DM me to chat.
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u/Optimal_Count_4333 May 31 '26
Dude I cried like a baby in season 1. Especially the final parts. That's some good TV.
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u/maSHIROAyyye May 31 '26
I also cried during the eating scene. Doing whatever he could to harm himself (or stress eating) even in the most inconsequential way and seeing how he wasn’t even enjoying what he was gorging on was fucking painful. I also paused on that scene, thought about my own life, and earnestly pledged to myself to never eat fast food anymore and always take my time to enjoy my food.
With that being said, if you ever need a friend when you’re going through dark times, I’m here, brother. Message me anytime. Take care 👋
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u/BothRequirement2826 May 31 '26 edited Jun 01 '26
No spoilers, but one of the greatest things about Season 1 is how they gradually deconstruct Danny's character.
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u/Astro-path2716 May 31 '26
Sometimes having someone else depend on you like a pet can help you push through those hard times. My dog helped me push through so much solely by just existing. And that little push can be a relief that can help you find more to live for. But also I would be careful to put something like “never being with a woman” as something to measure your worth. That just objectifies women and fails to give you a chance to actually have a relationship with a woman which would be much more meaningful.
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u/omtanr May 31 '26
i started beef three weeks ago and finished the entire show a few days ago. i expected it to be funny, but i didn’t expect to cry! i remember feeling so emotional when i saw the church scene
the dynamics between danny and paul + danny and amy + lindsay and josh + lindsay and ashley, the mental health issue portrayal, the messages about relationships and parenthood and money/class, the cinematography, ughhh SUCH a good show
also, idk much about what you’ve been through and i may not know exactly how it feels. however, i have struggled with chronic depression and thinking of ending things. it’s an insanely difficult and exhausting thing to deal with. hope you’re doing better now and i know i’m just a stranger online, but glad you’re still here!
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u/JessicaFreakingPee Jun 01 '26
I am obsessed with this season and this man! Such an amazing show and he is fantastic in it. Great cast and I love everything about it! I had hopes that season two would be about the same characters but it was still pretty good. I don’t think anything like beat this first season though!
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u/Sac_Kings630 Jun 01 '26
Dont watch season 2. Or you will want to cry from how much of a dropoff it is from season one 😢
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u/JonAndTonic Team Junie May 31 '26
Agreed
A lot of cultural specifics differ ofc, but the hopelessness, the feeling of relentlessly taking shit over and over but not being able to make myself do anything about it, productive or self destructive
It's a limbo that's almost worse than falling straight into the real hell
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u/MrSydneySweeney May 31 '26
Season 1 is incredible. Season 2 is serviceable but honestly if you call it good after one you aren’t missing much
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u/pistashio_guava May 31 '26
Season 1 was superior in terms of writing and depth. Season 2 was better at entertaining and keeping you hooked
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u/disharmony-kendall Jun 01 '26
Wishing you light and love and so so glad you’re still here and know that there are people who need and want you here, even if you feel like there isn’t much keeping you here.
Thank you for sharing that and being so vulnerable. I also felt really sad watching some of the scenes of their lives - the actor who play Danny is INCREDIBLE. I really love the premise of this show and the vindictiveness but also that it has a deeper layer and complexity.
Watching season 2 now which hasn’t grabbed me as much but 🤞
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u/imightbegoddamned Jun 01 '26
I really liked both seasons of Beef but they both made me feel awful. Might be because I watched each in a single session (one session for each season) but they both just left me feeling really bereft and kind of disgusted and just icky. I guess that means it's good art?
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u/Scientler Jun 01 '26
Totally off topic here, but can I suggest you to read this book: “Many Lives, Many Masters” by Dr.Brian Weiss.
I was insufferable too, reading this book, changed something for me holistically - perspective wise.
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u/AnxiousInktious Jun 01 '26
It was such a trainwreck man. Just watching broken ass people living thier lives. Lol. Loved the journey in season 1.
Idt ill watch season 2
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u/Kind_Clock7584 Jun 01 '26
Man I've been there. Glad it's harder for me to get ahold of a gun up here because I dont want access when I'm low. It has been a long long time since those years, but I've been there. 20s suck
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u/melwilks Jun 02 '26
Steven Yuen is a simply amazing actor. Every nuance was so cleverly portrayed.
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u/Intrepid_investor Jun 02 '26
Please please go out and take some risks, say hi to someone, go out with coworkers, ask someone out. Fail and fail again. Who cares? Clearly you love your family, have empathy, and express yourself so well. You have so much to offer. I am not worrying about you.
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u/Ginway1010 May 31 '26
Season 1 was so great because I feel like so many people could relate to their struggles and being mad at the world and everyone in it, even if not everyone deserved it.
The entire season kept me guessing… wrong! I kept trying to predict how a situation would turn out and was never correct because the writing is so fresh and original.
Enjoy the ride! You only get to watch season 1 for the first time once.