Forever (The Bear)
| Industry | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Forever serves as the tenth installment and season finale of the third season of the American comedy-drama series The Bear. It is the 28th episode in total, both penned and directed by the show’s creator Christopher Storer. The episode premiered on Hulu on June 26, 2024, simultaneously with the release of the entire season.
The narrative centers on Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, an acclaimed chef from New York City who returns to Chicago to take over his late brother Michael's struggling Italian beef sandwich establishment. In this chapter, Carmy, along with Sydney and Richie, attends a commemorative event for the restaurant Ever, reconnecting with fellow culinary professionals.
Plot
The episode opens with a flashback depicting Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) on his inaugural day at the renowned French Laundry, where Chef Thomas Keller imparts wisdom not only on culinary skills but also on fostering a supportive team atmosphere to cultivate a strong workplace.
In the present timeline, Carmy, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) participate in Ever’s farewell dinner held in Chicago’s West Loop. They engage with various chefs, including Chef Luca (Will Poulter) and Chef David Fields (Joel McHale). During service, Richie lends a hand to kitchen staff Garrett (Andrew Lopez) and Jessica (Sarah Ramos).
As discussions about creating safe work environments unfold, Carmy challenges Fields regarding his history of abusive conduct. Fields dismisses these accusations, claiming that Carmy’s career benefitted under his guidance. Meanwhile, Sydney and Luca converse about Luca’s intention to remain in Chicago for a limited period, while Adam (Adam Shapiro) reiterates his proposal to Sydney.
Chef Terry (Olivia Colman) delivers a keynote address underscoring that a restaurant’s true worth is measured by its customer service rather than solely by its cuisine. She reveals that her choice to close Ever was driven by stress and a wish to conclude her career on her own terms. Subsequently, Sydney organizes a celebration for both The Bear and Ever staff but abruptly departs after discovering a four-star critique of The Beef, which triggers a panic attack. Carmy notices missed calls from Cicero and Computer as the Chicago Tribune review is published; uncertain about its nature yet frustrated, he reacts accordingly.
Development
In May 2024, Hulu announced that the tenth and concluding episode of the season, titled "Forever," would be written and directed by series creator Christopher Storer. This episode represents Storer’s 14th writing credit and 19th time directing.
Casting
This episode features guest appearances from prominent chefs such as Christina Tosi and Grant Achatz. Tosi’s involvement arose through her friendship with showrunner Storer and her husband Will Guidara, who also serves as a producer appearing in the episode. Achatz, an admirer of the series, joined after initial plans to shoot at Alinea were cancelled. Storer orchestrated a scene capturing Achatz’s authentic irritated reaction when actor Will Poulter posed scripted, repetitive questions.
Filming
In late May 2024, Jeremy Allen White shot scenes at the French Laundry located in Yountville, California. Renowned chef Thomas Keller, known for his expertise in roast chicken, provided guidance during the filming. Cinematographer Andrew Wehde emphasized the use of handheld camera techniques by operator Gary Malouf to achieve fluid and engaging motion without depending on sophisticated gear.
Gillian Jacobs commended Joel McHale’s subtle approach in a crucial confrontation scene, highlighting its emotional resonance. McHale explained that his character’s hardened demeanor mirrors the realities of the culinary industry, where success often hinges on luck as much as talent, and many diligent chefs remain unrecognized.
Costuming and props
InStyle draws attention to Syd's "funeral" ensemble, describing it as a "sleek satin shell top paired with a matching skirt, complemented by a distinctive silver necklace, pearl drop earrings, and a black Ganni Bou bag featuring a braided handle," symbolizing her shifting public chef image. The top was crafted from Warehouse satin twill. Luca sports an Omega SA Seamaster Aqua Terra watch, while Chef Terry wears a men’s Rolex Submariner tailored for Olivia Colman. Terry’s choice of Rolex is inspired by chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, who wear comparable models on screen.
Music
This episode includes an eclectic soundtrack featuring "Together" by Nine Inch Nails, "In the Garage" by Weezer, "The Big Country" by Talking Heads, "Joy" by The Sundays, "Within Your Reach" by The Replacements, "Can You Hear Me?" by David Bowie, "Diamond Diary" by Tangerine Dream, "Just One More Day" by Otis Redding, "Big White Cloud" by John Cale, "Laid" by James, and "Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins.
Food
At Sydney’s afterparty, they elevate heated toaster waffles and frozen pizza with luxurious caviar, likely sourced from the now-closed Michelin-starred restaurant Ever.
Critical reviews
Jenna Scherer from The A.V. Club assigned the episode a "B," characterizing the season finale of The Bear as a self-congratulatory yet unresolved ending that frustrates viewers, criticizing Storer’s script for rehashing previously explored themes.
Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone noted that despite the finale’s overindulgences, it ultimately returns focus to Carmy and Sydney’s narrative, underscoring that achievement often entails sacrifice. He speculated that Carmy might have reached greater heights had he chosen to return to Ever instead of New York.
Marah Eakin from Vulture rated the episode 3 out of 5 stars, acknowledging that although season three was not the strongest installment, it maintained a consistent quality akin to dependable frozen pizza—solid even at its weakest moments.
A.J. Daulerio of Decider criticized the season for being largely uneventful and aimless, with excessive flashbacks and improvisation serving to obscure weak writing. He expressed hope that future seasons would offer more meaningful content with less filler.
Brady Langmann of Esquire pointed out Carmy’s anxiety sequences as indicators of his unreliable perspective, jokingly hoping this critique wouldn’t affect funding from key supporters such as Uncle Jimmy.
A columnist from Food & Wine remarked that the genuine chef cameos in the finale added more substance than those in previous episodes, with unscripted dialogue enhancing authenticity. However, they felt the extended dinner sequence was overly drawn out, dominating much of the episode’s runtime.
Retrospective reviews
In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter positioned "Forever" at number 19 out of 28 episodes, recognizing it as a compelling homage to the culinary world, featuring both authentic chefs like Thomas Keller and fictional characters such as Olivia Colman’s Andrea Terry. The episode received acclaim for its development of significant plotlines, including Carmy’s confrontation with Chef David Fields from McHale and Sydney’s intense emotional breakdown. ScreenRant ranked "Forever" 12th, emphasizing Carmy’s heartfelt clash with Fields as a highlight within an otherwise low-key season finale.
By 2025, Vulture placed "Forever" 35th among 38 episodes, expressing criticism over the episode’s repeated emphasis on Fields’ abusive treatment of Carmy, which was described as emotionally draining for the audience.
See also
- Food of The Bear (TV series)
- Characters of The Bear (TV series)
- List of The Bear episodes
- The Bear season three
- Previous episode: "Apologies"
- Next episode: "Groundhogs"