Replicants (The Bear)

The Bear

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2022 (2022)
Founder	Christopher Storer
Headquarters	Chicago , United States
Parent	Hulu

Replicants represents the fifth installment in the fourth season of the American comedy-drama series The Bear. Marking the 33rd episode in total, it was directed by the show's creator, Christopher Storer. The episode debuted on Hulu on June 25, 2025, coinciding with the release of the entire season.

The narrative follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a celebrated New York City chef who returns to his hometown, Chicago, to take over his late brother Michael's struggling Italian beef sandwich establishment. Supported financially by his uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) and aided by cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), sister Sugar (Abby Elliott), and chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Carmy endeavors to elevate the dilapidated Beef into an upscale dining experience named the Bear.

Plot

At an Al-Anon meeting, Carmy is deeply affected by a fellow attendee’s account of her brother’s addiction. Sydney receives a revised partnership agreement from Carmy. Meanwhile, Marcus, with assistance from his roommate Chester, finalizes the sale of his late mother’s home. Carmy brings Luca onboard as a stage cook to support Marcus. Tina advises Carmy to decelerate the menu’s pace amid his challenges with ingredient limitations. Carmy confides in Sydney that adopting a fixed menu was essential, acknowledging that his previous habit of daily menu alterations was self-centered and detrimental to the restaurant’s operation. Natalie brings her baby daughter Sophie to the restaurant. Later, Sydney discovers that her father has experienced a heart attack.

Writing

The episode’s title alludes to a semi-autonomous, lifelike android known as a replicant, a concept popularized by Blade Runner. Richie harbors a keen interest in science fiction and the works of Philip K. Dick. In season three, Richie described Carmy as a "baby replicant who's not self-actualized."

Within this episode, Carmy makes two attempts to discuss modifications to the partnership agreement with Sydney—an event that triggers the "Goodbye" crisis—but both attempts are interrupted by the arrival of baby Sophie and news regarding Sydney’s father’s cardiac emergency.

Richie remarks that the former Beef was "rocking," contrasting it with the current atmosphere at the Bear. Carmy modeled the Bear after Thomas Keller’s restaurants, which New York Times food editor Melissa Clark highlighted in 2024 for their emphasis on patrons photographing themselves rather than their meals.

Filming

The scene featuring Sydney on a basketball court was shot at Margaret Hie Ding Lin Park, located in Chicago’s near south side.

Carmy’s visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois was captured during a single morning in early 2025. Christine Trevino, the site’s digital communications manager, escorted Jeremy Allen White and the production team through significant architectural elements. The crew obtained special authorization to handle typically restricted items and film in usually off-limits areas such as the kitchen and drafting room balcony. During this tour, Carmy observes distinctive features including the barrel-vaulted ceiling, stained-glass skylights, and an antique stove in the kitchen.

Additional footage was recorded at Wright’s Arthur and Grace Heurtley House, an example of Prairie School architecture, as well as at the Nathan G. Moore House, noted for its distinctive combination of "half-timbered Tudor" style with Mayan- and Gothic-inspired decorative elements added after a 1922 fire. Both residences are situated near Wright Studio on Forest Avenue in Oak Park. A significant moment for Carmy unfolds while he stands outside the Heurtley House.

Costuming

Natalie is seen carrying Sophie in an ErgoBaby baby carrier. Carmy appears at the Al-Anon meeting wearing Nike Cortez sneakers.

Casting

Kate Berlant guest stars as Georgie, a member of Carmy's Al-Anon group who discusses her experience with an alocasia houseplant and coping with her brother's addiction. Her narrative mirrors the intricate dynamics characters endure involving fractured trust and self-sabotage. Christopher Storer, creator of The Bear, also served as executive producer on Berlant's FX comedy special Cinnamon on the Wind.

Set decoration

An office sign displays the restaurant’s WiFi network named TheBEAR Private, with the password gofastnoatsmojito, a nod to Mikey’s security alarm code. Carmy’s core principles are prominently posted, underscoring dedication to focus, teamwork, speed, quality, and continuous innovation:

• Every element must embody the establishment’s spirit.
• Simplify and concentrate efforts; minimalism is key.
• Encourage dynamic collaboration among staff.
• Avoid repeating ingredients in dishes.
• Emphasize efficiency and rapid execution.
• Exhibit assurance and skillfulness.
• Take pride in delivering prompt service.
• Strive for uncompromising excellence.
• Attention to detail is essential; master your craft.
• Manage time meticulously.
• Prioritize guest experience over personal concerns.
• Perfect execution is mandatory; no exceptions.
• Honor tradition while embracing innovation.
• Maintain cleanliness continuously; uniforms impeccably pressed.
• Eliminate surprises by mastering technique.
• Refresh the menu daily; adapt with enthusiasm.
• Always ensure an ample supply of teaspoons.

Music

Songs featured include "Let Me Live In Your City (Work In Progress)" by Paul Simon, "Slip Away (A Warning)" by Lou Reed and John Cale, "Hope the High Road" by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, "Looking Into You" by Jackson Browne, and "Pull the Cup" by Shellac.

The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the track "Let Me Live in Your City" during a quiet scene featuring Carmy, noting how Paul Simon’s voice establishes an intimate mood as Carmy explores Chicago without any dialogue.

Critical reviews

The Daily Beast praised Berlant’s four-minute monologue as one of the season’s standout moments.

The A.V. Club found Richie’s line "Who wants to melt some provolone on a fuckin' baby right now?" particularly unforgettable. Vulture observed that despite Richie’s humor, he carries persistent resentment: "...Richie struggles to engage in mature conversations with a male he is somewhat related to, resorting instead to verbal attacks, including remarks about Carmy's alleged fear of refrigerators..."

The combination of Rob Reiner and Edwin Lee Gibson was described as a "comedy dream team."

Substream magazine’s Murjani Rawls identified the dialogue between Carmy and Tina as the episode’s pinnacle:

Retrospective reviews

In 2025, Vulture positioned "Replicants" at 29th place among 38 episodes of The Bear. The publication commended the introduction of Sophie and Luca but remarked that the serious nature of the Berlant monologue "causes the episode to start on a somewhat uneven note from which it never fully recovers."

See also

• Complete list of The Bear episodes
• Season four of The Bear
• Previous episode: "Worms"
• Following episode: "Sophie"