Sundae – The episode opens with Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) taking part in a self-help group. He admits his restaurant endeavor provides not “amusement” or “enjoyment.” Struggling with his words, he says his objective is to find a positive, healthy starting point. He explains how his parents unintentionally destroyed whatever brought him joy and excitement as a child. He tells them that he makes it a habit to remind himself to be aware and optimistic. He suggests providing himself amusement would entice him to do the same for others.

11 Weeks Till Open – Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) reads a Chomp Chicago article about Funkenhausen permanently shuttering its doors. She later suggests sending Marcus (Lionel Boyce) to Copenhagen since his mother is stable. Carmy tells her it is a good idea. Taking a bite of a new recipe, they immediately spit it out. He complains that it is too salty which he contributes to overdoing the marinade. She reminds him of it happening before. He says they should search for “inspiration, starting at Kasama. She reluctantly agrees.

Tina (Liza Colon-Zayas) puts on her chef uniform. Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) looks at a Kendall College National Louis University poster before walking away. “The Beef” posts open positions for an Executive Sous Chef in River North. Restoration of the restaurant continues. Tina scrubs down a countertop. Helping Eva (Annabelle Toomey) out of her car seat, Richard “Richie” Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) asks about her mother. Eva boasts of her mother’s promotion and raise. He describes her mother as a “hard worker.” She reminds him of child support which he is still responsible for. He assures her that he will always take care of her.

Claire (Molly Gordon) confronts Carmy about his giving her a fake phone number. He claims it was a mistake before apologizing. She asks if he would help relocate some boxes from her mother’s house to a storage locker. He agrees to help. They briefly discuss his and Neil Fak’s (Matty Matheson) friendship.

Kasama – Carmy texts Sydney to inform her that Fak will meet her. She questions Fak’s tools. He reminds her that they are talking about Fak. The Kasama waiter (Angelo Dolojan) serves her food. Looking at her text messages, nothing from Carmy. She takes a bit bite of her sandwich when an incoming text alert grabs her attention. Carmy tells her that he has to cancel without providing an explanation. She continues from restaurant to restaurant trying new dishes, observing, and collecting information. Donna Madia (self) gives her a few pointers. A butcher claims a fraudulent business partner led to the closure of their restaurant in Bucktown. He warns it is all too common in the hospitality industry.

Sydney reaches out to Carmy with no luck. Marcus (Lionel Boyce) informs her of a visitor inquiring about permits. She stops to ask a couple of workers if they are happy with their employer when an angry chef (Joe Getman) runs her off. As her venture continues, she has flashbacks of being a young girl.

Margie’s Candies – Sydney orders an ice cream sundae. Returning to the location, she discovers Carmy and the others working. Updating her on their wood rot and termites, Fak says the restoration is no more. Carmy asks if she expected him to notify her of the decaying wood. She says he should have included her in the decision. He agrees to keep her in the loop from now on. She calls someone to ask if she can borrow their kitchen.

While preparing a recipe, a guy tells her that their restaurant is hiring. Discovering her pasta recipe is a failure, she breaks down as the episode ends.

 

The Bear Review

Carmy suggests he and Sydney set out across Chicago in search of inspiration. He promises to meet her as Kasama in an hour. Claire calls to ask for his help in relocating some boxes into a storage facility. Agreeing to lend his van and manpower, he fails to notify Sydney. She continues her venture as they planned. Returning to what will soon be a newly renovated “The Beef,” she discovers the walls have been knocked down. Fak fills her in on the devastating find – termites and softwood – ruling out the possibility of a renovation.

Frustrated, she asks Carmy why he never included her in the decision. He explains tearing down the walls was necessary but agrees to keep here in the loop from her on out.

Stories picked up and dropped without explanation. Too much going on for such a short episode. The oversaturated cast leaves little screen time for 90% of the characters. Screen time is absorbed by a series of slides, in this case, recipe stock and scenery images.

The scene in which Carmy talks about his personal demons was the highlight of the episode. Excluding the restoration scene, the episode adds nothing to the story.

The cooking demonstrations seem inauthentic.

The episode deserves a 5. Get more The Bear recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask how our onsite advertising can build your brand by speaking to a customer service rep.