Forks (The Bear)

Ever
Company type	Restaurant
Industry	Fine dining
Headquarters	Chicago, United States

Forks represents the seventh installment of the second season of the American comedy-drama series The Bear. As the 15th episode in total, it was penned by Alex Russell and directed by the show's creator Christopher Storer. The full season, including this episode, debuted on Hulu on June 22, 2023. This chapter focuses on significant character progression and the intricacies of running a culinary business within the narrative.

The storyline follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a celebrated chef from New York City who returns to Chicago to take over his late brother Michael’s struggling Italian beef sandwich shop. In this episode, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) embarks on a one-week apprenticeship at a high-end fine dining establishment, marking a crucial turning point in his career mindset.

Praised for its acting, script, direction, and uplifting atmosphere, "Forks" was acknowledged as one of the most notable episodes of 2023. At the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, it received four nominations, including one for guest star Olivia Colman. For his performance in this episode, Moss-Bachrach submitted it for consideration in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category.

Plot

Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) arranges for Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) to undergo a week-long training at Ever, an elite fine dining restaurant. Initially exasperated with tasks such as polishing forks, Richie is corrected by supervisor Garrett (Andrew Lopez), who underscores the restaurant’s dedication to excellence and self-worth. This motivates Richie to adopt Ever’s rigorous standards.

Richie's former wife Tiff (Gillian Jacobs) reveals her upcoming marriage, leaving him emotionally shaken. The following day, Garrett assigns Richie to observe front-of-house operations, where he gains insight into the meticulous system managing orders and delivering customized guest experiences. Richie even serves deep dish pizza from Chicago’s renowned Pequod's pizzeria to enthusiastic tourists.

Motivated by Ever’s ethos, Richie realizes how fine dining encourages personal development. Garrett shares that working there helped him overcome alcoholism and embrace a service-oriented mindset. When Richie inquires about permanent employment, Garrett postpones making a decision.

Richie confronts Carmy, accusing him of sending him away to push him out, but Carmy denies this. On Richie’s final day, he explores the kitchen and meets owner Chef Terry (Olivia Colman), who recounts her journey of establishing Ever after her initial restaurant failed. Inspired by her late father’s detailed journals, she founded Ever with the philosophy of cherishing time well spent. Before Richie departs, Terry tells him that Carmy has faith in his abilities and acknowledges his strong interpersonal skills. Richie contemplates Ever’s motto, "Every second counts," grasping its profound significance.

Context

Ashok Selvam, editor at Eater Chicago, criticized the fictional character Chef Adam Shapiro for modifying Pequod's iconic deep-dish pizza recipe, emphasizing that its signature caramelized crust is indispensable. Richie is shown reading Will Guidara’s 2022 book Unreasonable Hospitality, which connects Ever’s approach to hospitality with Guidara’s work at Eleven Madison Park. One chef speculated that serving Pequod’s pizza at Ever alludes to a story about Eleven Madison Park staff fetching local favorites for guests. A comparable anecdote reported by The New York Times describes Guidara purchasing hot dogs to enhance diners’ New York experience.

It is implied that Richie borrowed Unreasonable Hospitality from Carmy’s office and replaced it with a book about Ridley Scott films.

Development

In May 2023, Hulu announced the episode titled "Forks," which was directed by the series creator Christopher Storer and penned by Alex Russell. This episode marked Russell’s debut as a writer and represented Storer’s ninth time directing for the series.

Writing

Ebon Moss-Bachrach expressed that he was profoundly affected by the line "Carmy says you're good with people," emphasizing Richie's desire for affirmation. Regarding his scene with Colman, he explained it was designed to evoke frustration while maintaining character integrity, providing a counterpoint to the scene’s underlying theme of solidarity.

The mid-episode dialogue between Adam Shapiro and Andrew Lopez’s character Garrett ("Fuck you Garrett!" "Yes chef. Fuck me.") was celebrated as one of the most humorous moments in The Bear, effectively revealing the personality of Terry’s right-hand man.

Costuming

Richie elevates his wardrobe at Ever by wearing a Pronto Uomo blazer. Olivia Colman’s Chef Terry sports Blake Chicago attire paired with Calzuro clogs.

Filming

Filming took place on-site at Chicago’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Ever, which is portrayed within the show as a fictional three-star venue. The establishment closed for one week and suspended online reservations during production, with head chef Curtis Duffy preparing all meals showcased on screen.

Moss-Bachrach pointed out Richie’s admiration for Ridley Scott, reflected through the art department’s inclusion of posters for Alien and White Squall, as well as a copy of the novelization of Black Rain displayed in Richie’s apartment.

Music

Taylor Swift’s "Love Story (Taylor's Version)" features prominently in this episode, connected to Richie's daughter’s favorite musician. Executive producer Josh Senior noted Swift’s generosity in granting music rights, making it among the easiest songs to license. Additional musical selections include David Byrne’s "Glass, Concrete and Stone," Tangerine Dream's "Diamond Diary" from the 1981 movie Thief, and pieces from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score for Waves.

Critical reviews

"Forks" garnered widespread acclaim from critics. Daniel D'Addario of Variety praised its genuine portrayal of culinary relationships and character complexity. Alan Sepinwall from Rolling Stone selected it as his favorite episode of the season, underscoring Richie’s evolution into a professional leader within The Bear, symbolized by his adoption of tailored suits and meticulous attention to detail.

Marah Eakin of Vulture awarded a flawless 5-star rating, highlighting Richie’s renewed sense of direction. A.J. Daulerio from Decider remarked on Richie’s crucial role in The Bear’s overall success.

Alec Smith of Collider observed that Richie’s updated professional appearance mirrors his growing self-respect and enhanced leadership skills developed through his staging experience. Steve Greene of IndieWire praised the episode’s orchestration of kitchen dynamics alongside urban life elements, calling it emblematic of what makes the series compelling.

Max Covill from Paste emphasized the gratifying exploration of chefs’ motivations, crediting Richie’s development as central to the episode’s resonance. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence noted how the episode balances standalone storytelling with ongoing season arcs, its emotional impact heightened by an effective soundtrack.

"Forks" was listed among 2023’s top television episodes by leading outlets such as Rolling Stone, Polygon, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and The A.V. Club.

Retrospective reviews

In 2024, Variety honored "Forks" as the premier episode of The Bear. That same year, Rolling Stone ranked it 38th among the greatest television episodes ever produced. The Hollywood Reporter placed "Fishes" fourth out of 28 episodes, emphasizing its emotional resonance and standout scenes, particularly those featuring Richie. ScreenRant identified "Forks" as the second-best episode across the first three seasons.

By 2025, Vulture selected "Forks" as the top episode out of 38, commending its combination of perseverance and hopeful spirit. Collider also positioned it at number one in their top 10 episodes list, highlighting sharp writing and a victorious arc for Richie. Meanwhile, Esquire ranked "Forks" fifth among the finest episodes from seasons one through three.

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