Next – The episode begins with Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) and her father, Emmanuel Adamu (Robert Townsend) butting over the allocated bathroom time.
At The Bear, Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) is in intense concentration mode when Christopher ‘Chi-Chi’ erupts in the door with a box of micro-radishes. On his way to the freezer, Carmy reminds him to break down the box. Returning within just seconds, it’s clear that he didn’t have time to complete the task. After the update that Carmy is quitting smoking and the locals are in a fit about the continued closure of the beef window, they reminisce for a few seconds about growing up in the restaurant.
Christopher leaves just as Natalie ‘Sugar’ Berzatto (Abby Elliott) enters and the conversation immediately shifts to her concern about Carmy’s early arrival. He assures her that he is fine and more focused than ever before she briefly mentions Richard ‘Richie’ Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Claire (Molly Gordon). Carmy deflects this question by asking how she’s doing. She initially claims to be fine, but then says that she isn’t doing so well.
Sugar finds Carmy’s ‘Non-Negotiable’ list just as Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) shows up. Carmy claims the list is what will set them apart and asks her to print a bunch of them up. It’s mere seconds after this that Uncle “Cicero’ Jimmy (Oliver Platt) arrives. He appears to take it personally and quickly points out that he owns the restaurant when Carmy asks what he’s doing there. Cicero also isn’t too pleased with the new cryovac.
Sugar continues to evaluate what now appears to be Carmy’s list of impossibilities when Sydney arrives. It’s clear she is not only stunned by the amount of work he’s already done but the fact that he’s changed the menu. He assures her that her dishes were great but these are only minor changes and it is what will set them apart. Things immediately become more strained with the mention of the everyday menu change and partnership agreement. It doesn’t help matters when Sugar returns with copies of the ‘Non-Negotiable’ list.
Despite Richie’s gregarious greeting, the room immediately becomes silent with his arrival. The situation only degrades when Carmy and Richie begin arguing about the redecoration of the dining area, using Sydney as the mediator to convey their messages. It doesn’t take long before it becomes personal and Sydney is pleading for Sugar’s help. Although there is a lull, Richie’s sudden discovery of the ‘Non-Negotiable’ list restarts the bickering.
Although the arrival of Neil (Matty Matheson) and Theodore ‘Ted’ Fak (Ricky Staffieri) provide another brief reprieve, Sydney finds herself on the verge of a panic attack when Richie begins teasing Carmy about his earlier apology. The argument takes a much different direction when Richie says something about Claire. Shortly after Tina Marrero (Liza Colon-Zayas) arrives, the argument takes a much darker turn when Richie says something about Claire. He immediately realizes that he’s gone too far and tries to retract his statement, but the damage appears to have cut too deep.
Ted only makes things even more awkward when he mentions recently seeing Claire at a friend’s party. By the time Cicero returns and Gary ‘Sweeps’ Wood (Corey Hendrix) joins the party, Carmy breaking up with Claire has become the topic of discussion. Much to Carmy’s surprise, it is Richie who offers him a way out of the discussion by declaring that they all get back to work. Camy agrees but before doing so there is a quick discussion about several servers quitting and tipping procedures.
Carmy and Richie agree on the tipping percentage but Richie appears to abhor the tipping process as a whole. This nearly leads to another argument but is ended with the arrival of Marcus (Lionel Boyce). The room goes silent and all eyes go to Marcus. He tells everyone that he doesn’t want to talk about it and simply wants to work. When the group finally splits, Carmy approaches Marcus with the offer to be available if he ever wants to talk. Carmy apologizes when Marcus mentions how he was at work when his mother died. Despite Carmy’s apology, Marcus tells him that it was a good thing.
The episode ends with Marcus making Carmy promise to, ‘take them there.’ Carmy assures Marcus that he will.
The Bear Review
Despite the entire episode taking place at the prep station, I wouldn’t say it was horrible. For me, it wasn’t that great, but anyone who watches the show for the hysteria/arguing should like the episode. I do have to admit that it had the feeling of a season 1 episode. I do think the episode set the precedent with Carmy’s promise to Marcus. I’d give the episode a 5.5 out of 10.
Above all, the thing I appreciated most about the episode was Carmy’s taking the lead. I can’t deny he is a bit of a whiner at times and there are times when he takes a backseat to Sydney, but he practically sets the terms and conditions in this episode. Whether or not he continues this leadership role is yet to be determined.
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