The Bear Recap: When You Need a Helping Hand

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This fourth episode of “The Bear” offers a Sydney-centric tale, penned by Ayo Edebiri and Lionel Boyce, with direction by Janicza Bravo. The storyline introduces Danielle Deadwyler as Syd’s cousin and hairdresser, Chantel, in a farewell episode that serves both as a stopgap and a spark for events to come. In the closing moments of the previous installment, Carmy was seen making significant last-minute alterations to the restaurant’s partnership contract. Although a brief text message reference to this agreement appears from Pete within this episode, we, like Syd, are still left in the dark about the specifics of these changes.

It’s clear that Syd would likely consider other factors if she knew about this change. Given Carmy’s disorganized and loud nature, it’s possible that he might seem less appealing compared to Shapiro, even though he has his flaws. While Shapiro’s restaurant may be grand and expensive, with hidden compartments in the kitchen for unexplained reasons, what he’s proposing – a fair kitchen with diversity, education, and potential healthcare benefits – is already being implemented at The Bear. Syd played a significant role in transforming Tina, a bookkeeper with no culinary experience, into a top-tier sous-chef there. Ebra has been granted freedom to expand his window as he wishes, and both Sweeps and Marcus managed to rise through the ranks at The Bear, becoming important figures despite lacking much training when they started.

Chef Shapiro appears to be quite self-righteous, isn’t he? According to Syd, he means well, but it seems presumptuous of him to think she shares his opinions on hip-hop and Afro-Caribbean cuisine. It’s questionable when he claims to understand the significance of Syd getting her hair done, only to boast about watching the film “Good Hair.” At its best, this is performative; at its worst, it’s patronizing. One can’t help but suspect that working with someone like him—as inspiring as he may strive to be—could drain the energy out of someone like Syd. Shapiro seems to be one of those individuals who wants you to recognize his virtues and so showcases all his good deeds, whether through social media or the kitchen window. It’s off-putting, man, and even watching Syd humor him is making me quite sad.

Despite understanding her perspective, it’s clear that when Syd takes on the babysitting duty for Chantel’s daughter TJ, she presents a convincing argument about The Bear being both cozy and mysterious. She describes it as “energetically musty” and “a little bit too much, but still exciting.” While The Bear offers the possibility of an incredible experience all the time, Shapiro’s house provides endless pizza, video games, and a blank check. As someone who has watched The Bear develop over the years, I naturally prefer Syd to stay there – it seems like a dreamland, albeit one that could turn out to be Pinocchio’s Pleasure Island. Initially fun, but instead of becoming a skilled chef, Syd might end up as a donkey.

The Bear might not be the best option for Syd, it seems. TJ points out that The Bear isn’t Syd’s home – or is it? You should read the agreement, Sydney! – so there’s a risk they may not let you make changes. I believe that if Sydney openly discussed her desires with Natalie and Carmy in a clear and self-assured manner, she could get more than what she asked for. However, if Syd views Carmy as a mentor, an older brother, or something else, then it’s understandable why that might be intimidating. Additionally, with Natalie on Sophie leave, Syd might perceive her as being less involved.

In simpler terms, it’s possible that at times, very close friends may unintentionally act in ways that can seem hurtful or neglectful. This might happen because they assume their friendship is strong enough to withstand such actions, even though they recognize it’s not ideal. They might provide constructive criticism to loved ones because they trust the recipient will understand the intention behind it. However, I believe most people strive to treat their friends kindly and avoid intentionally being cruel or uncaring towards them. To put it another way, while there’s some truth in Syd’s perspective, I feel she could have offered a more thoughtful explanation to help an 11-year-old understand the complexities of friendship.

As a devoted fan, I’d be amiss not to acknowledge the outstanding performances of Deadwyler and Arion King, particularly in their roles as Chantel and TJ respectively. Deadwyler, a seasoned veteran, brings a captivating energy to the series with her code-switching that speaks volumes. However, it’s King who seems fresh on the screen scene, yet delivers an exceptional portrayal of a grumpy tween. Her mastery of the artful eye-roll is unparalleled, and I tip my hat to her for bringing such authenticity to her character.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that Sydney seems to view herself as a solitary figure in this series. This perception might stem from her past experiences, whether they were challenging social environments at school or feeling out of sync at home, in the kitchen, or elsewhere. Whatever energy she’s sensing at The Bear, intentional or not, only serves to amplify these feelings.

However, it’s not just Sydney who needs to understand that she is valued and desired; The Bear itself needs a collective effort for it to thrive and bring out the best in Sydney. It’s time we, as viewers, recognize that her growth and success are not solely dependent on her own realization of her worth but also on our understanding and cooperation as a team.

Small Bites

Could you give Syd’s Hamburger Helper recipe adjustments a shot, and then share your experience with me? I’m quite curious about the results.

It’s possible that TJ was either criticizing Chantel’s potato salad as being ‘garbage’, or he might have been mentioning the term ‘garbage salad’, which is a type of Chicago dish. Perhaps, he was implying both at the same time!

In the start of the episode, Syd is watching the movie “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” featuring Whoopi Goldberg. This aligns with the information I received from Letterboxd that Edebiri watched it in September 2023. Some bloggers have suggested that if a remake ever occurs, she would be an excellent choice for the lead role, which is an intriguing notion.

• Darnell sounds like a real piece of shit. A second family in Texas? Fuck off, Darnell.

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2025-06-26 15:55