The Bear (The Bear episode)

The Bear (season 2, episode 10)
Company type	Television episode
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	June 22, 2023; 3 years ago
Founder	Christopher Storer (director), Kelly Galuska (writer)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Television episode

The Bear serves as the tenth and concluding installment of the second season and the 18th episode overall in the American comedy-drama series The Bear. It premiered on June 22, 2023, via Hulu, with direction by the show's creator Christopher Storer and a script penned by Kelly Galuska.

Plot

During an evening dedicated to family and friends, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) oversees front-of-house operations while Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) manages the kitchen. Several complications arise: a line cook vanishes, the restaurant runs short on forks, Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Sydney clash due to past conflicts, the restroom malfunctions once again, and Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) interrupts service by personally attending to Claire (Molly Gordon) but then critiques dishes from the kitchen. When the handle of the walk-in refrigerator breaks, Carmy becomes trapped inside. With orders accumulating and their head chef confined, Richie steps in to expedite while Sydney takes over line duties. Although initially struggling, Richie and Sydney collaborate effectively to bring order back to service.

Natalie (Abby Elliott) supports kitchen operations while Pete (Chris Witaske) invites Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) inside; she declines, feeling unfit to witness her children's progress. Before Donna departs, Pete inadvertently reveals Natalie's pregnancy to her. He keeps Donna's visit confidential and encourages Natalie to reconcile with her mother. The service ends on a high note, but Carmy wrestles with feelings of helplessness managing from inside the fridge, haunted by memories of his abusive former boss. Marcus discovers the absent line cook Josh outside smoking methamphetamine and dismisses him with Sydney’s consent. Richie surprises Cicero (Oliver Platt) with a chocolate banana dessert—a meaningful nod to earlier events.

Tina offers support to Carmy through the refrigerator door as he vents his frustrations about failing the restaurant. Claire overhears Carmy's harsh remarks about their relationship and leaves in tears. Richie confronts Carmy angrily through the door, sparking a heated exchange during which Richie insults Carmy by calling him "Donna."

Sydney experiences a panic attack envisioning endless orders and vomits outside. Her father (Robert Townsend) finds her and expresses pride in her efforts, bolstering her determination. Marcus receives an opening-night gift from Luca (Will Poulter): a sign stating "Every Second Counts." While Marcus hangs it, he misses urgent calls from his mother’s nurse. Most of the staff celebrate their successful service, but Richie remains emotionally drained following his argument with Carmy. As they wait for the refrigerator door to be opened, Carmy listens to a missed voicemail from Claire confessing her love, leaving him devastated.

Development

This episode was directed by series creator Christopher Storer and written by Kelly Galuska, marking Galuska’s debut writing credit and Storer’s twelfth time directing an episode.

Writing

Marcus suspects Syd is ignoring him because she never replies to his requests for an "all day" count of cannoli or bread orders. An "all day" refers to tracking the total number of current orders for a dish, including those still in preparation and those being served.

Casting

Steve Hull, serving as the construction coordinator for The Bear, makes a cameo as the individual who extracts Carmy from the refrigerator.

Production design

Merje Veski, the production designer, took cues for the Bear restaurant's aesthetic from Napa Valley’s The French Laundry and Chicago’s Ever. The kitchen is operational rather than merely decorative, equipped with practical lighting developed in partnership with the lighting team to reduce the need for extra fixtures. Interior designers lauded the dining room’s asymmetrical globe-light chandelier for fostering a sense of secure intimacy by casting broad yet subdued illumination that minimizes shadows and glare on both tables and dishes.

A restaurant construction expert highlighted several effective design elements: white-painted brick walls, exposed ceiling beams, a Scandinavian-inspired color palette, streamlined forms, and natural wood furnishings—all intended to emphasize service, cuisine, and presentation. Materials such as painted plywood and maple were selected for their unpretentious, cost-effective qualities, aligning with the "Danish design" concept Syd introduced in "Braciole." Veski pointed out that a horizontal window positioned between the kitchen and dining area enables visual interaction while acoustically separating the spaces, striking a balance between openness and privacy.

Jon de la Cruz, a restaurant designer, emphasized the frosted glass window facing outside as a deliberate choice tailored to the neighborhood’s character. It generates an aura of intrigue and exclusivity while communicating a high standard inside despite the gritty environment.

Filming

The episode begins with an uninterrupted long take, reminiscent of season one’s "Review", which also featured Wilco's "Spiders (Kidsmoke)." ScreenRant commended this 12-minute continuous shot as "remarkably choreographed," delivering an impressive effect akin to that earlier episode. Jeremy Allen White mentioned that most scenes were filmed in one continuous session except for those set in the dining area, reflecting Storer’s approach to conveying the show’s frenetic energy. The episode frequently employs split screen during Carmy’s entrapment inside the malfunctioning walk-in refrigerator—a central storyline throughout season two.

Molly Gordon disclosed that certain script elements were adjusted during shooting; notably, a voicemail played by Carmy was incorporated at her suggestion. Storer chose to have White’s character hear this voicemail exclusively during the solitary refrigerator scene.

Costuming

Carmy wears Birkenstock Tokio Super Grip shoes in the kitchen. Sydney sports a red mushroom-patterned headscarf produced by Japanese label One Ear. Natalie dons a silk dress from Hatch’s Riviera collection.

Set decoration

Franklin’s dining room and bar chairs were custom-made by Navillus Woodworks based in Chicago. The restaurant utilizes earthenware plates and bowls crafted by American ceramic artist Jono Pandolfi in a "toasted clay" finish. Pandolfi, who co-produced season three alongside hospitality entrepreneur Will Guidara, previously designed ceramics for Guidara’s NoMad and Eleven Madison Park. His objective is to create tableware that enhances rather than competes with the culinary presentation.

Food

Under the guidance of culinary producer Coco Storer, the seven fishes dish was crafted by Tim Flores and Genie Kwon from Chicago's Kasama. They refined the traditional feast into a more focused presentation featuring "one prawn and mussels with a beautifully saffron-infused sauce." Storer also created a savory take on the cannoli, as a tribute to Mikey Berzatto, consisting of a Parmesan shell filled with mostarda and onion jam, then coated in pistachios. Richie advises to "add the mostarda" specifically for Syd's father, Emmanuel, who does not consume cherries. Mostarda is a condiment characterized by its spicy, sweet-and-sour profile, made from assorted fruits, mustard seeds, and grape must.

When Chester critiques the wine selection, Richie responds by clarifying, "That's a Cru Beaujolais!" For Emmanuel Adamu, who refrains from alcohol, a unique "Bear Pop Service" is provided, reflecting the Midwestern and Chicago tradition of referring to soft drinks as "pop."

Richie sends Jimmy a dessert of chocolate-covered bananas, evoking memories from Seven Fishes when Tiff could only tolerate bananas due to morning sickness, while Jimmy recalled enjoying chocolate-covered bananas with his father. A suggestion from The Globe and Mail recommends incorporating peanut butter or coconut oil into melted chocolate to achieve a crisper coating on frozen bananas.

Reception

The finale of season two garnered largely favorable feedback, noted for its trademark intensity and high-stakes atmosphere. Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone remarked, "The Bear ... has already reached an artistic level that few shows can match. It continues to make every moment impactful." Marah Eakin from Vulture also praised the series for maintaining its relentless tension throughout. Salon.com critic Melanie McFarland emphasized the episode’s compelling direction, writing quality, and acting that collectively generate an urgent and essential tone.

Josh Rosenberg of Esquire observed that this season expanded character depth and emotional complexity beyond what was seen in the first season. James Poniewozik of The New York Times noted the show’s evolution from a kitchen-centric drama into a narrative resembling a sports story set within a culinary environment.

Vanity Fair's Rebecca Ford and David Canfield applauded Jamie Lee Curtis's recurring guest role as Donna throughout the season and finale, suggesting her performance merits Emmy consideration.

Retrospective reviews

In 2024, Variety ranked "The Bear" ninth among top episodes, highlighting its blend of hopeful prospects for the restaurant alongside clear repercussions stemming from Carmy’s decisions. ScreenRant placed it sixth out of 28 episodes spanning three seasons.

That same year, The Hollywood Reporter positioned it 17th on their list, noting how effectively music was employed to heighten narrative tension, with tracks like Wilco's "Spiders" and Pearl Jam's "Animal" accentuating pivotal scenes.

By 2025, Vulture rated "The Bear" as the fourth-best episode among 38 evaluated, commending White’s portrayal of Carmy’s intense emotional turmoil and praising the ensemble cast’s strong performances. Collider also ranked it tenth in their top ten episodes list, describing it as an outstanding season finale that powerfully resolves Carmy’s internal struggles.

Sources

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