The Bear Recap: Snow and Scallops

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Can anyone at The Bear just let themselves be happy already?

From the very beginning of the series, the question arises as to whether anyone associated with the current and past Beefshack could genuinely experience happiness in their lives. Could Carmy reconnect with Claire, find peace, and live in a state of perpetual bliss? Might Syd discover if Shapiro’s side of the street truly has greener grass? Can Richie find solace through helping others, or will Cicero miraculously amass enough wealth to satisfy both him and his imaginary 13-year-old son who isn’t a “jagoff”? Yet, is authentic happiness achievable in the universe of ‘The Bear’? Will our television characters ever find contentment that extends beyond mere smiles, or are they all so damaged that their happiness will never fully manifest in their eyes?

Sydney’s scallop dish leaves Carmy spellbound, appearing surprisingly simple yet incredibly refined under a layer of bisexual lighting. Despite Carmy calling it ‘perfect’ multiple times and Mr. Clark (also known as Mr. Michelin) declaring it phenomenal, ordering an additional Italian Beef course, Sydney remains skeptical about her dish’s greatness. Either she’s still nervous from her Sheridan Road Catering days or unsure of Carmy’s sincerity in praising her work, fearing that he might manipulate or betray her the following day.

Perhaps there’s some truth in her words. As the secondary partner and the less recognized face of the restaurant, even if The Bear receives a Michelin star, it will essentially be Carmy’s achievement in the public eye. It is Carmy’s success and vision that have propelled them forward, despite his erratic tendencies and her unwavering focus. Syd, a relatively unknown Black woman working in a predominantly white kitchen, may find it challenging to believe in her own success, even as Carmy, Richie, and others frequently praise her efforts. Given her circumstances and the evidence of her hard work, it’s not surprising that she struggles to accept good fortune coming her way.

Just like Richie has become an expert at managing people, he’s now skillfully combining all his knowledge to bring tranquility and enchantment to others in various situations, such as Tiffany dealing with her mother’s absence during wedding-dress shopping or the California family exploring Chicago in winter. His ability to create a dream-like environment for those around him is evident. However, Richie himself seems to be in a state of stagnation, still harboring feelings for Tiff and possibly developing feelings for Sarah Ramos’s Chef Jess, though this could just be wishful thinking on the reviewer’s part. The sentiment expressed by Chef Terry in “Forks” that it’s never too late to start over remains true, but the challenge of actually making that change is undeniably difficult.

It seems selling an elegant house in Chicago’s suburbs isn’t easy, not even with an exceptional real estate agent and fake Gucci cabinet handles. I hadn’t suspected that Cicero was financially strapped due to The Bear until this episode, but it does add a touch of empathy to his character. It’s evident he’s disheartened that his financial struggles are impacting not just him, but his child as well. In a heartfelt conversation peppered with “fucks” but no “jagoffs” (only “J.O.’s”), Cicero apologizes to his son for the need to move. Initially, he tries to present it as a positive, stating that it’s better his child doesn’t grow up around kids who get Ferraris at 16. However, he eventually admits that it’s his mistakes that have put the family in this predicament. This scene adds a softer, more relatable side to Cicero, providing us with a glimpse of his humanity.

Discussing his exploration: Ebra has been delving thoroughly into the accounting aspect of the Beef Window and is on the hunt for a guide. It appears he may have found one in Albert Schnurr, portrayed by Rob Reiner. At this point, given it’s Rob Reiner, one might assume he’s well-meaning, but could there be a scenario where Albert is merely trying to sell himself as a life coach and plans to deceive Ebra? And does this eventually lead to him tricking The Bear? I’m not certain about the specifics, but I hope we learn more soon because I don’t enjoy having doubts about Rob Reiner.

Following our conversation with Marcus, I’ve become even more certain that Carmy’s father is still alive and we’ll be seeing him this season. Additionally, I have a strong hunch that Carmy might either abandon the restaurant altogether or transfer all his shares to the staff, choosing instead to work as a line cook or similar role within it.

It’s likely we won’t have to wait too long to observe the outcome of his call to Pete at the end of the episode, but it seems their situation between Carmy and Claire is developing slowly. He brutally crushed her affectionate heart with the fridge speech, and she’s been simmering in anger for quite some time now. She allows him a brief conversation on her (remarkably pleasant) porch, yet it’s evident she won’t rush back into a relationship with him just because he apologized or expressed love. And rightfully so! Even though Carmy admits his mistakes, it doesn’t mean he’ll be able to open up and stop making poor decisions for himself. I’m unsure if Carmy is still attending Al-Anon meetings, but I believe he could greatly benefit from some honest counseling with someone who isn’t a colleague, relative, or potential partner.

It appears as though the team behind The Bear’s restaurant is almost hoping for its downfall now, and it’s easy to comprehend why. Such a turn of events would provide Syd someone to hold accountable, along with an opportunity to begin anew. Richie, Tina, and Marcus might all find success elsewhere, leaving Carmy room to reevaluate his life, discover what truly fulfills him, and finally take a break. This season, however, seems to be less about acquiring the long-desired goal and more about grappling with the possibility that you no longer even want that goal at all.

Small Bites

Richie expresses to Tiffany that he believes he could’ve made a great actor, using the words “absolutely outstanding” and “dignified charm”, showing a hint of humor. Indeed, it’s quite intriguing.

It’s tough to conceive of someone unrelated to Donna choosing her as their real estate agent, and truthfully, I might have doubts about her handling complex documentation effectively.

If anyone could help clarify for me, a former Chicagoan now residing in California, how exactly Richie managed to create snow despite having read an article about it, I would greatly appreciate it.

In simpler terms, Marcus communicates to Carmy that they require “strong help” or “skilled assistance” in the pastry department, which likely implies that we’ll see Will Poulter’s character, Luca, working at The Bear.

In our previous episode, it was mentioned that critics often disguise themselves by using the name of a well-known street from the city they’re currently in. Given this information, let’s ponder if Mr. Clark could be using Chicago’s prominent Clark Street as his pseudonym to keep his identity hidden.

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2025-06-26 11:54