Prepared for another round of 'The Bear'? Here's a recap of the season finale.
Title: "The Bear" - Back for a Sizzling Season 3
Get ready, folks! The kitchen-set dramedy "The Bear" on FX-Hulu returns on Wednesday for its electrifying third season. Expect the same mix of turmoil, volume, and mouthwatering dishes that never fails to impress.
At the conclusion of the previous season, a year ago, The Bear's family-and-friends night marked the rebirth of the restaurant following the demise of the sandwich joint inherited by Carmy from his late brother. The kitchen, however, is never peaceful for long. In the last ten minutes of the finale, Carmy engaged in a scream-fight with his "cousin" Richie, inadvertently ended things with his childhood crush Claire, and ended up trapped in the walk-in refrigerator.
A lot of unresolved threads are left dangling, like Marcus' sick mother and Sydney's pursuit of a Michelin star. Can The Bear thrive amidst the ruthless world of fine dining? Will anyone ever grasp the essence of "inside voice"?
Before you dive into Season 3 of this Emmy-winning series, let's recap where our beloved chaos-engulfed Chicagoans left off in Season 2.
The Bear is close to breaking through
Following weeks of failing inspections, demolishing walls, and endless debates about each restaurant detail, the staff of the late The Beef are on the verge of opening The Bear, their fine dining oasis in Chicago's River North neighbourhood.
Sydney yearns for a Michelin star, Carmy aims to prove to himself, his scathing former boss, and his deceased brother Mikey that he can run a successful restaurant, and Uncle Jimmy Cicero just wants to see some returns on the $800,000 they owe him. At least The Bear looks fantastic, and the staff is in top form during the family-and-friends night finale. Sydney serves as the executive chef with Carmy, Tina is her sous, and the rest of the team, from Ebra and Marcus to Richie and Fak, exude newfound confidence in their abilities.
Their inaugural menu features a stunning "seven fishes" dish, perfectly cooked bucatini, and Marcus' doughnut, which Carm angrily smashed last season. (Remember, the hilarious accident where Syd accidentally stabbed Richie? The perfect Emmy-worthy comedy moment.)
Despite some hitches - running out of cutlery and firing a chef after discovering drugs in the alley - the team seems to be operating smoothly, albeit with their characteristic explosive temperaments. Until...
Carmy loses control amidst chaos
Carmy Berzatto should have felt a wave of excitement during The Bear's family-and-friends night, but his life is dominated by paralyzing anxiety and anger. Throughout Season 2, Carmy handed the planning of The Bear over to Sydney while he pursued a relationship with Claire, the young doctor he's long admired.
His happiness, however, proves fleeting. Carm eventually realizes that he's the least prepared chef in the kitchen. If The Bear fails, he fears, it will be his fault. And then, while reaching for something from the walk-in cooler, he gets trapped inside - a mistake he himself made by not fixing the handle.
Carmy spirals in the cooler, ranting about his perceived inadequacies and lashing out at Claire. He states that their relationship is all "bullshit," and she hears it all while standing outside the walk-in. "I'm sorry you feel that way," she says stoically and walks away in tears. Richie and Carmy then exchange a series of harsh words through the door. We leave Carmy alone in the cooler to grapple with his actions. An Emmy-winning comedy at its finest, indeed!
Richie finds his groove again
In a memorable episode nearing the season's end, Richie stages at a Michelin-starred restaurant run by Carmy's former mentor (portrayed by Oscar winner Olivia Colman). Initially resistant to the prospect, Richie assumes Carmy wanted to get rid of him for the week. However, the experience turns out to be rejuvenating.
He perfects the presentation of cutlery, learns the role of an expediter, and even embarks on a run to a Chicago deep-dish joint to fetch a guest's favorite pizza - only for the chef to deconstruct it, a move that could be considered blasphemous depending on your pizza loyalty.
The experience revitalizes Richie, culminating in an emotional rendition of Taylor Swift's "Love Story." This act of release is particularly significant, considering earlier in the season, Richie asked his daughter to listen to someone other than Swift. Returning to The Bear, Richie struts with renewed confidence, handling both hosting and expediting duties with ease.
Chef Syd dedicated the entire season to crafting a brand-new menu, aiming for a Michelin star. However, her partner Carmy often overlooked her, preferring to hang out with his current gf. Luckily, Syd could rely on the rest of the kitchen crew, particularly Tina, to keep the kitchen running smoothly - except perhaps Marcus, who subtly propositioned her. Syd handled it awkwardly, and things turned frosty between them in the season finale.
Syd struggled with anxiety, vomiting backstage on the family-and-friends night. But she quickly pulled herself together to prove to her anxious dad that she was indeed destined for this line of work. Though Syd had no need for additional validation, it felt great that her dad finally understood her passion for cooking.
Marcus' mom seems to be in trouble ...
The final episode was preoccupied with Marcus' cell phone, flooded with unanswered calls from his mom's nurse. Marcus' mom suffered serious health issues throughout season two, and it was a notable event when Carmy sent Marcus to Copenhagen for pastry training earlier in the season. Marcus was reluctant to leave his mom, but the experience rejuvenated his creative spirit. Shouldn't "The Bear" let him keep his happiness? Marcus receiving multiple messages from his mom's nurse is certainly a worrying sign for The Bear's most laid-back employee.
... while Carmy's mom continues to cause drama
Relations between the surviving Berzatto siblings and their mother, portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, remain strained. The previous season's Christmas flashback showed us Donna Berzatto as the alcohol-dependent, emotionally manipulative, and profoundly depressed mother who broke down during the traditional Italian "feast of the seven fishes" dinner and wrecked her own house. Merry Freakin' Christmas!
In the present day, Donna is found lurking outside the restaurant, too nervous to enter and spoil the nice gathering her kids put together. Maybe she'll decide to join them at The Bear later in the season.
What's on the menu for season 3
The tense chemistry in The Bear's kitchen is more precarious than the dodgy electrical wiring Mikey messed up to burn down the restaurant.
Will Syd and Carmy forge a professional relationship that works? Will Carmy try to win back Claire, or even attempt it? What will become of Marcus' mom, and how will that impact him in the kitchen? Will The Bear earn that Michelin star and continue in the competitive Chicago dining scene? Will Curtis, Colman, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, and Sarah Paulson return as guest stars, or will new celebrities make their cameos? And which Taylor Swift tune will Richie blast in this season?
We'll find out (hopefully) when "The Bear" returns.
Read also:
After the thrilling season finale, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of "The Bear" for its Emmy-winning third season. The kitchen chaos and mouthwatering dishes will continue, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. With numerous unresolved conflicts, such as Marcus' sick mother and Sydney's pursuit of a Michelin star, will the team at The Bear be able to thrive in the ruthless world of fine dining?
Despite the entertainment value and critical acclaim of the series, viewers cannot ignore the real-life challenges faced by kitchen staff, including the impact of demanding work environments on their mental health and personal relationships. As season 3 premieres, the spotlight will shine on the dramatic lives of these Chicagoan chefs, prompting discussions about the intersection of entertainment and the struggles faced by the hospitality industry.
