Napkins (The Bear)

The Bear
Industry	Television production
Headquarters	Chicago, United States

Plot

In 2018, Tina Marrero (Liza Colón-Zayas) resides with her husband David (David Zayas) and their son Louie while employed in an office setting. Following an announcement of layoffs at her workplace, Tina is let go and encounters difficulties securing new employment amid mounting financial strain.

She visits several sites around Chicago but is consistently turned down, as employers tend to favor applicants holding a Bachelor of Arts degree or younger candidates. Submitting a handwritten résumé proves ineffective since many companies request applications through LinkedIn. Feeling discouraged, Tina stops at the Beef for coffee. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) offers her a complimentary cup along with an Italian Beef sandwich. While eating in a nearby room, Tina becomes emotional and begins to weep.

Mikey (Jon Bernthal) notices her distress and sits beside her, expressing his own frustrations about the restaurant's limited resources and his admiration for Carmy's success in managing the establishment. Tina confesses her envy toward younger job seekers but also acknowledges their greater freedom. Mikey then extends an offer for a line cook position at the restaurant, giving her a Beef T-shirt she later finds at home.

Development

In May 2024, Hulu revealed details about the sixth episode of the season titled "Napkins," scripted by Catherine Schetina and directed by cast member Ayo Edebiri. This episode represents Schetina’s third writing credit and marks Edebiri’s debut as a director. Edebiri’s first directing role was publicly confirmed in March 2024.

Writing

A 2025 BuzzFeed article highlighted Mikey’s shouted line, "Dude, I fucking heard you! Shut the fuck up!" followed by the softer remark, "See? That. It's basically that all the time," as a concise and humorous encapsulation of life at the Original Beef of Chicagoland.

Filming

During production of the second season, creator Christopher Storer offered Edebiri the opportunity to direct an episode for season three. Both agreed that "Napkins" was the perfect choice, with Edebiri expressing great enthusiasm: "'I would chew off my right arm if I could direct it. Because that would be a dream.'" To prepare, she joined the Directors Guild of America and completed relevant training courses. She described the directing experience as "a blast and an honor," allowing her to explore her character Liza’s depth.

Co-star Liza Colón-Zayas commended Edebiri’s confidence and thorough preparation, noting their established rapport made the directing process smooth. Cinematographer Andrew Wehde remarked that "[Ayo] wanted to move the camera a lot" to create a unique atmosphere for the episode. He emphasized sequences reminiscent of season one’s energetic style through dynamic camera movements and zooms that amplify the episode’s effect.

Editing

Editor Joanna Naugle explained that in "Napkins," the editing style mirrors Tina’s efficiency and awareness of time, employing rhythmic cuts interrupted to reflect her unraveling mindset. Collaboration with sound editor Steve 'Major' Giammaria further intensifies this effect through diverse sound layers that echo her psychological state.

Music

The episode features a soundtrack including notable songs such as "Get Down on It" by Kool & the Gang, "The Start of Things" by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, "The Morning Fog" by Kate Bush, "Let It Whip" by Dazz Band, "Sabotage" by Beastie Boys, and "Got This Happy Feeling" by Ghetto Brothers.

Critical reviews

Jenna Scherer from The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A–," commending it as a well-deserved platform for Liza Colón-Zayas and recognizing Ayo Edebiri’s impressive debut as director. Scherer highlighted the authentic portrayal of a middle-aged woman of color striving for acknowledgment amid challenges.

Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone pointed out that “Napkins” offers Colón-Zayas her first solo feature and includes the standout scene of the entire third season. Marah Eakin from Vulture awarded the episode 4 out of 5 stars, noting how it uncovers Tina’s personal background and enriches viewers’ insight into her character arc.

Fletcher Peters at The Daily Beast characterized the episode as a powerful depiction of the draining job hunt, culminating in a touching moment that symbolizes Tina’s entry into the demanding restaurant world. A.J. Daulerio of Decider described it as a subtle and refreshing shift away from Season 3’s more hectic storylines, granting Tina her deserved spotlight as a central figure.

Josh Rosenberg from Esquire remarked that “Napkins” elevates the narrative beyond everyday hardships to present a broader thematic vision within the show.

Retrospective reviews

In 2024, Variety placed "Napkins" sixth among the top ten episodes of The Bear, applauding debut director Edebiri for strengthening the emotional connection to Tina and enriching the series overall. That same year, The Hollywood Reporter ranked it seventh out of 28 episodes, identifying it as one of the finest flashback installments in the series. ScreenRant positioned it fifth on their list, citing its complex character exploration and poignant backstory as reasons for its prominence in season three.

By 2025, Vulture ranked "Next" 31st among 38 episodes, commenting that it contributed little new information and stirred more frustration over social inequities than pride in Tina’s achievements. Collider placed "Napkins" fourth on its top ten list, praising its novel depiction of Bernthal’s Mikeybear and his compassionate treatment of Tina. Meanwhile, Esquire ranked "Napkins" third among the best episodes across the first three seasons, emphasizing how it effectively broadens focus beyond main characters Carmy and Sydney.

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