The Bear Recap: We Have the Beefs

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In every season of The Bear, there’s a moment when it seems like the Beef gang might succeed in their endeavors, whether they’re opening a palatable sandwich shop or having a successful friends and family launch. At the halfway mark of the fourth season, we see the first indications that things are looking up for the gang – as long as Syd doesn’t experience an all-out collapse.

The story unfolds as the initial scene shows Carmy attending an Al-Anon meeting. Here, a woman named Georgie (portrayed by Kate Berlant) shares a troubling tale about her disorganized family, which appears to strike a chord with Carmy. Georgie’s problematic brother is alluring yet unpredictable; when she left him to take care of her plants, she came back home to find the plants still thriving but also four naked strangers on her couch, her living room littered with pieces of burned-up foil, and a bed filled with ketchup packets. It’s evident that she holds affection for him as she sings a familiar Doris Day tune they both know, yet it’s equally clear that offering love and assistance to someone who can’t always be relied upon is challenging. Upon concluding her narrative, Carmy seems to find recognition in her words, illuminating something within himself. This understanding brings validation, a feeling he encounters infrequently.

In this episode, Carmy appears noticeably less heavy overall. He embarks on a solo tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s residence and workshop in Oak Park, Illinois, which seems perfectly suited to his “beautiful items designed for the masses” niche. Although I harbor doubts about whether he would be permitted to freely roam and gently explore Wright’s tables, stove, and other items during such a tour, it’s captivating and delightful that Carmy can act as a local tourist, even if just for a short time in the morning.

In another possible reality, all members of Team Bear are rising at 6 a.m., dabbling with various recipes, gazing at costly teddy bear figurines and White Squall artwork, and rummaging through cartons in search of antique knives. Marcus’s close friend Chester swiftly sells Marcus’s mother’s house to the earliest buyers, while Sweeps brushes up on his knowledge of red wines and acknowledges that even connoisseurs may find the intricacies of wine culture somewhat bewildering.

At The Bear establishment, Ebra is displaying his domain to Albert, a character from Rob Reiner, who suggests they should experiment with micro-expansion by opening additional Bear beef shops across the city. Albert is amazed that just three individuals manage the workload of six shifts at the store, although he finds their characters somewhat perplexing. He believes that if The Bear prioritizes quality control and expands to a smaller location elsewhere in the city, they could potentially boost profits while maintaining low costs. Hopefully, Albert is indeed the insightful businessman he appears to be and not a cunning financier looking to exploit Ebra. Despite Chicago seemingly being saturated with Italian Beef locations, if the city can accommodate numerous smashburger outlets and artisanal donut shops that emerged in recent years, perhaps it could also accommodate another exceptional sandwich shop.

In this episode, tension seems to arise with The Bear gang in two key areas. Firstly, it’s evident that Richie is still grappling with the aftermath of his divorce and the loss of his friend. His panic attack in the alley suggests unresolved issues, and I can see potential for exploring his relationship with Mikey more extensively in future episodes, which could offer some interesting insights.

I too find Richie’s connection with Jess, the chef of Sarah Ramos, to be fulfilling. Despite being as reserved as he is outspoken, they both share a great sense of humor. I believe he finds himself drawn to and admiring her. Intrigued by her checkered flag pin, he inquires about it, to which she reveals it belonged to her father from the Detroit Indy Car 1992. She speculates that he might have just been a fan, but considering her abilities and strategic mindset, I suspect her dad could have held a position like a pit crew boss. There’s no denying that timing runs in her veins.

If a future episode explores Mikey and Richie’s bond, I’d like it if that scene also resolves the tension between Richie and Carmy. Despite holding baby Sophie, Richie clearly harbors anger towards Carmy, as evident by his sharp words such as “Don’t talk shit to me through the baby.” This resentment stems from a lack of trust, but it also seems that Richie struggles with having mature, meaningful conversations with male relatives. Instead, he tends to hurl verbal projectiles, like joking about Carmy’s supposed fear of refrigerators or the Faks’ inability to raise children effectively. While these quips can be amusing, Richie’s periods of personal growth have typically occurred during more subdued moments with less bravado.

The surprising development in this episode is that Sydney’s father suffered a heart attack. Anyone who watches TV regularly would have anticipated this, as it’s often a sign when an adult character claims to be merely sick at home for a day – but it’s still distressing all the same. Sydney’s father is a wonderful person, and in a season that explores problematic or absent fathers, he has stood out as a model of strong paternal behavior. Although he may not fully comprehend Sydney, he supports her wholeheartedly, so I truly hope he recovers.

Additionally, I’m eager for Carmy and Sydney to discuss the agreement promptly, as I’m growing curious about how much longer the series can sustain this suspenseful build-up. The mystery money in the cans from season one worked due to its subtle hints while still maintaining an air of surprise. However, the ongoing ambiguity surrounding this agreement has become so pronounced that I fear the eventual revelation might not live up to expectations. Fingers crossed that The Bear surprises me with a satisfying resolution.

Small Bites

Although I’m quite fond of Kate Berlant overall, I must admit that I wasn’t particularly enamored with her portrayal of Georgie. This might be because I gravitate more towards her quirky comedy style. As a result, I found it challenging to relate to this characterization; I was anticipating a dramatic shift or an eccentric performance that never materialized. I believe I would have preferred to see her in the role of Francie Fak instead.

• Carmy’s tourist adventure is set to Paul Simon’s “Something So Right.”

Chester markets Marcus’s mother’s property to potential buyers, emphasizing that the area is on the rise and attracting many young residents wearing loose-fitting trousers. He mentions this trend, adding, “unfortunately for some, it might turn out well.

• Sweeps is repping Chicago’s Lush wine shop in his apartment.

• Luca’s back and everyone (including Chester) loves him. That Chicago accent, though? Awful.

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2025-06-26 17:55