Ice Chips – The episode opens with Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto (Abby Elliott) having contractions while stuck in traffic. Having contracts Sugar calls Pete (Chris Witaske). When he doesn’t answer, she tries Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri) but she doesn’t answer. Unable to reach her contacts, she haphazardly changes lanes and veers to the roadside. Taking a minute to pull herself together, she calls her mother, Donna Berzatto (Jamie Lee Curtis). A short time later, she arrives at the hospital where she meets an overexcited Donna. Sugar expresses her desire for her baby to be born in a calm environment. She pleads with Donna to chill out. Donna’s insistence makes Sugar more anxious.
Sugar is lying in a hospital bed. Donna rants about how badly she wanted a baby before she had Michael. Sugar asks her to try Pete’s phone again. Donna claims to have left him a voicemail explaining everything. She tells a nurse (BrittneyLove Smith) about walking to the hospital. Sugar explains her desired natural birth plan that excludes an enema or excessive shaving of her pubic hair. Donna cracks up laughing. Sugar requests dim lighting and music. The nurse (Miriam Lee) asks if she wants an epidural. When Sugar says no, Donna believes she has lost it and warns her that labor is painful. Sugar says she wants to remain in control of her body and avoid a C-section. Donna wets her thumb with saliva and wipes a smudge off of Sugar’s face. When Sugar has a contraction, Donna grabs her and repeatedly says “hee.” With the contraction behind her, Sugar relaxes. Donna recalls severe contractions and when she entered the hospital, she requested drugs. She believes Michael didn’t want to leave her body because he twisted at the last minute. Donna assures Sugar that her birth will be different but it hurts.
Donna urges Sugar to breathe slowly during another contraction. While rubbing her back, she compares her butt to her father’s. Sugar becomes agitated and orders Donna to get off of her and call Pete. When the contraction stops, Donna leaves to get Sugar some “Ice Chips.” Sugar has another contraction as Donna reenters the room. They are eating ice chips when Dr. Levin (Keith Kupferer) arrives to check her cervix. He says she is about six centimeters and it is a waiting game. She asks what medicines can speed up the labor. He recommends oxytocin or Pitocin when he is called to a complicated birth. A woman can be heard screaming in the background. Sugar tells Donna that she wants to take Pitocin and an epidural. Donna suggests Sugar didn’t want her around. Sugar claims to have wanted her, not the stuff she brings with her. Donna assures her she is trying to put it behind her but it is difficult. Sugar explains how she feels the need to put Donna’s feelings over her own. Donna comforts her through another contraction and holds her when it stops. Sugar claims to be happy Donna is there.
Donna explains her dream about a giant fish tank before going into labor with Sugar. She says Aunt Gail stayed with her and played “Baby, I Love You” by the Ramones. She plays the song for Sugar. Pete bursts into the room and gives Sugar a hug and kiss. In the hallway, he embraces Donna. She thanks him before walking to the lobby. Neil Fak (Matty Matheson) and Theodore Fak (Ricky Staffieri) join her a short time later. Ted tells her that she is a grandma. The episode ends.
The Bear Review
Sugar goes into labor. Unable to reach Pete, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), Marcus (Lionel Boyce), or Sydney, she reaches out to Donna. She arrives at the hospital to find Donna already there. Sugar tells Donna that she didn’t want her there because of her baggage. Donna assures her that she is trying to put it all behind her but it isn’t easy.
It’s initially awkward between mother and daughter but over time, they begin to mesh well together. Donna tells her about her birth. She plays the song that Aunt Gail played for her when she was in labor.
The episode was a mixture of sorrow and joy. It doesn’t seem quite fair to skimp on the birth after forcing viewers to sit through 30 minutes of mere dialogue. Jamie Lee Curtis overacted for most of the episode. There were times when I felt embarrassed for her. A decent episode, nothing remarkable. It deserves a 6.2 out of 10.
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Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
I don’t think you should call yourself a series critique if you can’t understand the emotions in this episode require, given all the baggage that each character brings to the situation. Yes, I know, everybody has their opinions and I respect yours but I just don’t think you can say that you feel embarassed for Jamie Lee Curtis. She was absolutely amazing!
That’s your opinion. I do appreciate you being honest and not overly judgmental though. Everyone has opinions about different shows likely based on their own personal experiences. This is a good discussion instead of juvenile name calling. The season was actually better than the second for me although it appears fewer people are watching it. Could’ve achieved so much more in the long run instead of just kicking the can down the road.
I do think Curtis was trying too hard here and in season two, especially the Christmas episode which was a mess. Just my opinion of course and that shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoyed it, but there are likely viewers agreeing with both of us. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion!