Sydney’s Choice

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Spoilers follow for the fourth season of The Bear.

In recent weeks, Chef Adam, a former colleague from Ever, has been attempting to convince Sydney’s sous-chef to collaborate with him at his new restaurant. Despite his casual demeanor and playing M.O.P.’s “Ante Up” loud during their tours of the construction site, he is promising Syd significant influence in his business. However, she remains hesitant to sign Carmy’s partnership agreement. Although her work has been receiving praise from him, and the Bear restaurant is showing signs of profitability, she understands that Carmy can be unpredictable. Faced with a choice between two men and professional opportunities, neither of which is entirely appealing, Syd finds herself in a difficult position. However, she’s unsure who to seek advice from in this predicament.

In the episode titled after their mutual fondness for gummy worms, creator Chris Storer decided to delve into Ayo Edebiri’s character’s predicament when he noticed there was space in season four for a story set in Sydney. She and co-star Lionel Boyce collaborated on a script that took Sydney on an unforeseen babysitting escapade, enabling her to discuss her ideas with her introverted young cousin TJ, share some of her insights, and serve up a fancy Hamburger Helper meal, all while showcasing the historically Black Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville. Janicza Bravo directed this episode, and Danielle Deadwyler and Arion King were brought in to portray a day in Sydney’s life that allowed both her family and the viewers to understand her better. Edebiri explains, “I knew she would eventually stay at The Bear, but when we discussed creating tension and making a choice, we thought, ‘She should decide to leave.’ Let’s see what that does, not only for this season, but for Sydney internally.

The Pizza House vs. the Stinky House

In late 2024, Edebiri and Boyce sat down at Edebiri’s LA home to draft the script for their upcoming project, “Worms”. As a seasoned writer, they aimed to portray Syd’s professional turmoil, evident in her candid interactions with TJ. Notably, Syd likens chefs Adam and Carmy to a father with a pizzeria and a brother with a smelly house respectively. Edebiri describes The Bear as a flawed environment populated by imperfect individuals, and Syd’s internal struggle lies at its core. On a personal level, they sought to depict the richness of Black life in Chicago. They collaborated with cast member Corey Hendrix, a native of Chicago who plays sommelier Gary, along with other Black cast and crew members, to authentically portray Syd’s world beyond The Bear, encompassing her family and their activities. Edebiri emphasized that this wasn’t about tokenism or creating a “Black episode”. Instead, they wanted to ensure the representation was genuine and consistent with the show’s overall authenticity. Boyce added that accuracy and honesty were their only concerns.

In envisioning Syd’s daily life, Edebiri found creative inspiration from personal experiences at the salon, and how Syd’s unwavering commitment to her box braids reflects her character’s yearning for continuity. “I pondered over the fact that her hairstyle remains constant, and how that ties into her as a character. That’s no accident,” Edebiri notes. They, along with Boyce, delved into the Atlanta episode “Barbershop,” where Paper Boi accompanies his barber on various errands rather than getting his hair cut. This scene served as a guide as they brainstormed how Syd would engage with her family and how the unpredictability of her day would influence her choice of workplace.

From my perspective as a film aficionado, the plot unfolds: “Worms” finds me at my cousin Chantel’s doorstep, a hairdresser who unexpectedly agrees to style my box braids. However, when Chantel realizes she’s out of extensions, I find myself babysitting her 11-year-old daughter TJ, who initially snubs me and later casually belittles my financial standing. Yet, during a grocery store excursion together, we confide in each other about our personal predicaments – TJ pondering a sleepover invitation, me grappling with a choice between Adam and Carmy. In the process, I recognize aspects of myself in TJ, and gradually connect with her, as Boyce explains. “Sydney finds common ground with TJ,” he says, “even though it starts off awkwardly, she manages to bond with this young girl.

Welcome to Bronzeville

In January 2025, Edebiri and Boyce reached out to their long-term friend, director Janicza Bravo, to help bring their creative ideas to fruition for an upcoming episode. Delighted by the proposition, as a fan of The Bear, she agreed. As production kicked off, they faced challenges in deciding where to film “Worms” and casting the characters Chantel and TJ. Finding Chantol’s house was particularly tricky; initially, they considered using different houses for the exterior and interior shots. However, location scout John Roxas suggested an alternative residence that could potentially fit their needs. This discovery led them to Bronzeville, a location Bravo felt was perfect for filming. “Let’s tell our story authentically,” she emphasized, “rather than piecing together various locations.” Production then adorned the house with family photos and used the nearby streets as the backdrop for TJ and Syd’s trip to buy groceries. The episode concluded with Curtis Mayfield’s “So in Love” playing over the final moments and credits, as a tribute to Chicago, where the soul singer originated. Bravo also ensured that the episode had a strong Black musical influence, explaining, “It was crucial to me that the sonic landscape of the episode is deeply rooted in Black culture.

After this, they moved on to casting. For Edebiri, it was crucial that the actresses portraying Chantel and TJ closely resembled her physically. “We really aimed to have brown-skinned women, darker-skinned girls,” she stated. She added that people often don’t consider this aspect, so reminders are necessary. Bravo, who had worked with Deadwyler on a Vogue photoshoot, quickly thought of her for the role of Chantel. Deadwyler shared an amusing tale about discovering she and Rebecca Hall were cousins and questioning why such a lively individual always played somber roles. This character would perfectly reflect what the filmmaker saw in Deadwyler: Chantel is a fast-talker, stirring up trouble; a vivacious gossip; a no-nonsense, code-switching businesswoman; and a stern yet loving mother to TJ – traits that Deadwyler instantly identified with the character in the script. “It felt like being at home,” she said. “I know the woman, the Black mother, who is doing everything she can and making it work the best way possible. And she’s fun. She’s delightful.

When the talented actress Deadwyler joined our project, it fell upon us to find an actress for TJ who could embody the same tough-yet-tender energy. At ten years old during the audition process, King stood out. She went through four rounds, starting with a virtual meeting with me and casting director Jeanie Bacharach, culminating in a final chemistry read with Edebiri. “She has a tough exterior,” King explains, “but watching her and Sydney get to know each other, you can see her soft, vulnerable core.” Both Edebiri and Boyce were captivated by King’s eagerness to share insights about TJ’s dialogue and character development. “She’s incredibly soulful,” Bravo adds, “and she exudes a ‘wise-kid’ vibe that complements Danielle wonderfully. These three ladies seem like they belong to the same lineage.

As Syd and TJ spend time together, they start to notice the parallels in their situations. They’re both wrestling with who to rely on and which direction to take that will bring them the most satisfaction, all while understanding that they are both introverted individuals who might not openly express their emotions. Bravo suggests that they seek a mutual growth experience where one can gain insights from the other and see themselves more clearly.

The Chicago Way of Being

Prior to starting filming in March, everyone involved – the actors and Bravo – had a gathering to develop camaraderie. As Deadwyler explains, “This was our chance to share a slice of the same pie.” During one-on-one virtual meetings with King, Deadwyler got acquainted with the young actress. Subsequently, Bravo, Edebiri, and King sat down for another meal to discuss the script again (with King getting her first taste of Chicago pizza). The filming lasted approximately five days; Deadwyler worked only one day with King, but she fine-tuned Chantel’s maternal essence after watching their on-set bond. King’s apprehension subsided after shooting the farewell scene between TJ and Syd, and Boyce dropped by to admire the smooth progress. “It’s exactly what we hoped for,” says Boyce, “that it would all come together like this.

Bravo aimed to give the episode an enduring, almost nostalgic aesthetic and make it feel like immersing in a collection of memories involving Syd, Chantel, and TJ. Photographer Deanna Lawson’s intimately personal portraits of Black men, women, and children in their homes served as inspiration for Bravo, who wanted to maintain a light-hearted tone while infusing the episode with “authentic Blackness,” along with “dignity, charm, and humor.” Bravo stated that these spaces are not defined by tragedy, even though our perceptions might suggest otherwise. Chantel’s home is welcoming and well-lived in, with coats near the door, cereal boxes piled on the fridge, and TJ’s room adorned with vibrant artwork. Before filming, Deadwyler felt drawn to “the Chicago way of living: the city’s fast pace and the rhythmic flow of its language.” She collaborated in selecting Chantel’s bright-blue Adidas tracksuit to convey “I have things to do, with a touch of style” and improvised her line about checking Chantel’s outfit before she left for errands. Deadwyler explained that this scene was intended to hint at Chantel’s plan to get Syd to babysit all along, and agreeing to do Syd’s hair was a “setup” to bring her to the house.

The most humorous part in the series “Worms” occurs when Chantel prepares to leave. While she’s braiding Sydney’s extensions, she requests more hair from TJ downstairs. In response, Sydney shouts, “There ain’t none!” followed by a softer “Damn.” Deadwyler skillfully portrays Chantel’s reaction to her daughter’s disrespect with wide-eyed astonishment, an open mouth, and frozen stance, resembling a statue of a victim frozen in fear. This expression was “choreography born out of intuition,” according to Deadwyler. “A Black mom is about to give you those eyes,” she explains. It’s a comical turn from the playful banter between Chantel and Syd just moments before. Director Bravo considers it her “favorite moment of comedy to capture” and recalls instructing Deadwyler and Edebiri to move slowly and maintain their shocked expressions as long as possible to emphasize TJ’s misbehavior. “Both of those women had experienced that,” Bravo says. “They had both grown up in a house where they had talked back to their mother and immediately regretted it. We’ve all been there.” Filming this scene was one of King’s favorites because she got to swear, and Edebiri laughs remembering it. “Drew [Wehde], our DP, was like, ‘What the hell is going on?’ He’s one of the whitest men to come out of Chicago, surrounded by this Black female energy, and was like, “This is great!,” with a big smile on his face, oblivious to what we were talking about at all times.

The episode delves into various facets of Syd’s character. Her eccentric appearance with a huge multi-colored knit beanie earns her Edebiri’s label as “the most insane hat ever.” This physical humor is not common for her character. When TJ and Syd cook Hamburger Helper together (a first for King), Syd exhibits patience, teaching TJ how to shred cheese and stir the pan, hinting at her nurturing side towards the child. The affection and yearning between Chantel and Syd at the end of the episode suggests that Syd might focus more on family time and self-care. TJ’s query about if Syd could ever clean the “smelly house” owned by the Bear, even though it’s not hers, sparks a thought in Syd to contact chef Adam and accept his job offer, which happens at the end of the episode.

As the story unfolds, Syd’s choice to work for chef Adam no longer applies, and she remains at The Bear, where Carmy eventually grants her a share of ownership. Consequently, the run-down house becomes hers, and “Worms” persists as an authentic, unique portrayal of Black womanhood, crafted by a team who are shaping their own on-screen image. Edebiri comments, “Sometimes when you’re seeking references or representation, you realize Oh, that particular scene of life isn’t as prevalent as you thought. It felt like we were truly creating something together. We delve deeper into these characters, uncovering their worlds.

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2025-07-24 15:57