The Bear Recap: Tougher Than the Rest

by

Claire has a fear of bees and Richie has a fear of artificial intelligence. Frank feels uneasy when he’s at great heights and Neil gets anxious around large dogs. Ted becomes uncomfortable in confined spaces and Kelly frets over the potential collapse of the planet. Stevie is afraid of falling ill, Syd dreads failure, Chester dislikes spiders intensely, and Carm is fearful of tranquility.

Indeed, everyone harbors fears, not excluding the formidable Berzatto clan, who intrude upon Tiffany and Frank’s wedding in what appears to be a pivotal episode for the fourth season, aptly named “The Bear” event. Although the vows remained unseen, the gathering was filled with excitement, as Sarah Paulson’s cousin Michelle and her spouse, Stevie, portrayed by John Mulaney, made their return. Uncle Lee, played by Bob Odenkirk, was accompanied by Jamie Lee Curtis’s Donna, while Josh Hartnett reprised his role as Frank. Brie Larson donned a sharp yellow peasant dress and headband to embody Francie Fak, whose deeds remain a mystery.

Similar to any real-life family wedding, Frank and Tiffany’s union serves as a gathering point for diverse individuals, who may find themselves engaging in awkward conversations, dancing, or strategically avoiding eye contact. This event marks the first time Carmy meets his mother since the incidents of season two’s “Fishes.” Despite its oddity, their encounter is brief. Donna acknowledges Carmy’s maturity and mentions his new role as an uncle, followed by a series of stuttered statements. Amidst the crowd, Carmy notes the presence of many familiar faces, just as Richie and Syd step in to provide him with a graceful exit option.

In “Fishes,” Uncle Lee was a rather domineering character, often overshadowing Mikey’s stories and stirring up drama. Despite Mikey’s occasional aggressive responses, such as hurling forks at him, their relationship seemed to improve in the time leading up to Mikey’s demise. This is what Uncle Lee shared with me when I found myself hiding in what appeared to be a butler’s pantry or an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). He told me that Mikey and he had been spending more quality time together, chatting about my antics like the time I cooked something with ants or made fish inside potatoes. Lee mentioned that he could always sense Mikey’s pride in my accomplishments, even if I myself might not have felt it or acknowledged it. Although I may have given him no indication and he certainly knows I was avoiding his funeral, Lee revealed that Mikey held a deep affection for me. It’s comforting to know that he took the time to express this sentiment to me.

By observing Lee, we can gather that he and Donna are striving for self-improvement. Lee attends meetings three times a week to discuss matters of importance, faith, and personal issues. Donna, on the other hand, is filled with pain but is now opening up about it instead of letting it accumulate. Despite leaving the wedding early, it appears that Donna is making efforts towards self-betterment. She seems healthier than at Christmas and although she continues to smoke heavily, she has stopped drinking, which is definitely a positive change.

At a wedding filled with vibrant and intense Berzattos, things appear quite peaceful overall, except for the Francie Fak incident. The main drama revolves around little Eva Jerimovich, who is so against dancing that she conceals herself under the largest banquet table imaginable until almost every adult around her is called to help persuade her to come out. What a spunky little soul she is!

Natalie and Francie eventually reconcile, but not until they’ve had a heated argument, one that echoed beautifully yet chaotically amongst numerous wedding attendees. Brie Larson delivers an unexpectedly captivating performance as Francie, who shares the same genetically appealing traits within the Fak family as John Cena. Sugar’s point is well-taken – Francie appears to be somewhat difficult, bullying Neil and Ted’s girlfriend for no apparent reason, even though Kelly seems entirely acceptable. However, it seems someone in that family needed to inherit the type-A genes. Despite this, Neil receives a large hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows regardless, perhaps signifying enough affection for him.

When Carmy departs to hang out with Uncle Lee, Syd remains with his mom, forming an intriguing duo. In the series, we haven’t seen Jamie Lee Curtis and Ayo Edebiri share scenes together, yet both characters are crucial, and I appreciated the dynamic as Donna inquisitively quizzes Syd about her family, the restaurant, and how her son is faring. Throughout, Syd remains endearing, reciprocating Donna’s affectionate gestures like hugs and sharing concerns about the noise level at The Bear. Donna mentions that, although she had a short stint at the Beef when her spouse bought it, she appreciated the familiarity of daily interactions among staff or customers, calling it “very alive.” They discuss how work families can evolve into genuine family units, and Syd seems deeply touched by this concept. It leaves one pondering if she’s considering a permanent stay at The Bear, especially since we learn that she’s been avoiding Shapiro’s calls for several days.

As a movie buff, I must say the most captivating moment in this episode unfolded around Richie’s character. Stricken with anxiety in the alleyway, he lit up cigarette after cigarette while quoting Philip K. Dick to Sydney. Yet, once inside the wedding, an unexpected bond formed between him and Frank. It appears that Frank harbors a profound jealousy towards Richie’s relationship with his daughter, Eva, and fears becoming a less-than-ideal stepfather. Remarkably, instead of exploiting this opportunity to win Eva’s affection himself, Richie extends a helping hand to Frank, offering guidance on maintaining a strong parenting demeanor when he could have easily succumbed to his own selfish desires. This act of kindness underscores Richie’s growth as a person since the beginning of The Bear.

In an intriguing reference to season three’s “Violet,” Richie shares a conversation with Cicero about filmmaker William Friedkin’s perspective on the rock garden in Kyoto. Friedkin saw the rocks as families or individuals, suggesting that the gardens symbolize isolation and distance between them, connected only by the sand. This idea is thought-provoking yet slightly melancholic. However, Richie shares that he’s begun to view both the garden and himself differently. He feels “immensely relieved” and “incredibly grateful” because he now sees himself not as a rock, but as the connecting sand. If he can use this newfound perspective to reconnect with Carmy, The Bear might return to its former level of success.

Small Bites

It appears that Claire and Carmy are reconciling and seem to be heading towards reunion, an outcome many of us anticipated. I can’t help but ponder if Claire completing her residency might mean she receives a job offer elsewhere, potentially causing Carmy to depart from the town with her. Just speculation, mind you!

It’s intriguing to know what caused fear in Cicero, but he remained hidden under the table instead of revealing it. The same can be said for Donna and Lee; they too seemed to be hiding their fears.

• Francie and Natalie hooked up! Big reveal!

• Ted says Cousin Stevie looks gorgeous, “like Chelios.”

As a movie enthusiast, I must say, there’s something charmingly endearing about how every Berzatto woman seems to treat Neil like a cherished little toddler angel. They may not allow him to handle their babies, but the tender care they bestow upon him is heartwarming. Matty Matheson truly shines as Neil, his gestures such as burying his head in flowers and casually commenting on Claire’s attractiveness add authenticity to the character. I simply can’t get enough of it!

• Cousin Stevie describes Lee as “a man I’ve met nine times and I still don’t know who he is.”

Read More

2025-06-26 20:55