FX’s The Bear is a dramedy that explores family relationships (given and chosen), human flaws, suicide, ambition, and love in the pressure cooking environment of the restaurant business. The narrative follows the life of Carmy Berzatto, a young chef returning to Chicago after the death of his brother to run the family sandwich shop, The Original Beef of Chicagoland. The show explores Carmy’s struggles to manage the chaotic restaurant environment while dealing with grief and family dynamics. The series has been praised for its writing, character development, and realistic portrayal of the restaurant industry. The Bear stars Jeremy Allen White (Carmy Berzatto), Ayo Edebiri(Sydney Adamu), Lionel Boyce (Marcus Brooks), Liza Colón-Zayas (Tina Tina Marrero), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie Jeramovich). You may be familiar with these actors through their previous work: Jeremy Allen White (Shameless), Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms and Inside Out 2), Lionel Boyce (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, and Loiter Squad), Liza Colón-Zayas (Allswell in New York and If), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Girls and Punisher, where he worked on with fellow cast member Jon Bernthal). 

The Beauty of Season Three’s First Episode  

The first episode “Tomorrow” is virtually wordless which is a first for the series. The brief dialogue provides context for Carmen’s life prior to working at The Beef and transforming it into The Bear. We learn about his time at various ultra-high-end restaurants: Noma, Ever with Luca (played by Will Poulter) and Chef Terry (played by Olivia Coleman), and The French Laundry.  

These flashbacks provide insight into how exacting and particular the culinary world is. We witness when Carmy first learns of his brother Michael’s suicide through a frantic phone call between him and his sister Nat (Abby Elliott). 

Jon Bernthal’s Recurring Role Throughout the Season

Flashbacks of Carmy’s older brother Michael Berzatto (Jon Bernthal)  illustrate how crippling the looming figure of an older and idolized brother lost to suicide can be and how guilt and questions remain for their survivors. His legacy and the impact of his death profoundly affect Carmy and the other characters, which drives many of the show’s themes, including grief, family responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence in the culinary world. Through flashbacks and discussions, Michael’s influence on Carmy and the restaurant is explored, revealing the complexities of their relationship.

The Cameos of Both Chefs and Actors. 

Throughout Season 3 of The Bear, there are several notable cameos and guest stars. Celebrity chefs like René Redzepi, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Dave Beran, and Paulie James make appearances, enhancing the show’s authenticity and appeal. Noteworthy actors also featured in the season include:

• John Mulaney returns as Steven, appearing in the first episode in a flashback scene.
• Joel McHale reprises his role as the critical head chef from Carmy’s past, appearing in the first and final episodes.
• Gillian Jacobs plays Tiffany Jerimovich, Richie’s ex-wife, in two episodes.
• David Zayas appears as Tina’s husband in episodes one and six.
• Josh Hartnett joins as Frank, the fiancé of Richie’s ex-wife Tiff, appearing in episode four.
• Olivia Colman returns as Chef Terry in episodes one and ten.
• John Cena makes a cameo as Sammy Fak, a relative of Neil Fak, in the fifth episode.
• Bradley Cooper is featured in a photo as his character from the movie “Burnt” in the season finale.​

The Episode Devoted to Tina  

Throughout the second and third seasons, episodes are devoted to specific characters in order for the audience to witness their character development. This enables the viewers to become invested in specific characters and learn about them

The fourth episode of the second season, “Honeydew,” focuses on Marcus, the pastry chef, and his brief time in Copenhagen. The sixth episode entitled “Forks” tells the story of Richie, Mikey’s best friend and someone referred to as “cousin” and his time at the restaurant Ever. These episodes are related as they illustrate the life-changing restaurant experiences of these two characters. 

Similarly, in Season 3 there are episodes that develop the characters of Tina Marrero and Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto (episodes “Napkins” and “Ice Chips,” respectively).

In the episode “Napkins,” we delve into Tina’s backstory and see how she came to work at The Original Beef of Chicagoland. The episode begins with Tina losing her job due to layoffs, adding to the financial strain on her family. As she struggles to find new employment in Chicago, she faces repeated rejections. Desperate and disheartened, she visits The Beef for a coffee, where Richie gives her a free sandwich, moving her to tears. Mikey Berzatto notices her distress and approaches her. They have an emotional conversation about their struggles and purpose in life. Mikey’s kindness and understanding lead him to offer Tina a job at The Beef. This episode not only explains Tina’s deep connection to The Beef and the Berzatto family but also highlights the community and support the restaurant provides to its employees.

The Bear provides an emotionally charged narrative centered on Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a young chef trying to save his family’s struggling sandwich shop while dealing with his brother’s death and his personal demons. I recommend the show because the story is a blend of drama and comedy, offering a realistic depiction of life in a high-pressure kitchen environment.

Sophomore Jonah Schumeister is a Staff Writer. His email is jschumei@fandm.edu.