'The Bear' Character Recap Before Season 4
The Bear Season 4 is almost here! I have to say, I really enjoy the *three* shows that actually film and debut a new season every year, instead of making us wait multiple years for like seven episodes (yes, I'm looking at you The Last of Us).
The Bear will continue to follow Carmy and crew as they find success or failure after the opening of their new restaurant.
It's been a year since we last witnessed these characters on screen, so here's a little recap of where we saw them last.
Carmy
Ah, good 'ol Carmy. What a whirlwind Season 3 was for him. Our leading man was last seen reading the highly anticipated review of his new restaurant, The Bear. The financier for the upscale restaurant, Uncle Jimmy, warned Carmy that if the review was bad, he'd have to pull funding. We briefly see Carmy reading the review before loudly cursing... which could be interpreted as anything. My guess? The review was good, but it will further strain Carmy's friendship with Sydney.Outside of his work life, Carmy still hasn't patched things up with Claire, his love interest, whom he accidentally spilled his guts to while being locked in a freezer in Season 2. His relationship with Sydney is also flailing, as he's becoming the same source of anger and anxiety for her that his old boss (David Fields) was for him.
Sydney
I love you Syd. The last time we saw my favorite character on the series, she was experiencing a panic attack. Syd was offered the career of her dreams by Chef Adam, but she would have to leave The Bear to accept this offer. The position would make Syd the true creative food director she yearns to be, as she feels overshadowed and overlooked by Carmy at The Bear. She was silently weighing her options, and how to tell Carmy about the offer, which led her to finally breaking down outside of a house party she was hosting at her new apartment.
Richie
Richie, Richie, Richie. Carmy's arch-fremisis (yes, I made that word up) was last seen at Syd's party, after attending the closing bash for Ever, the classy restaurant that Carmy sent him to work at for experience in Season 2. Richie was also having a hard time accepting the invitation to his ex's upcoming wedding, and balancing his emotions about seeing Chef Terry (Ever's top chef) hang up her apron.
Tina
What would this show be without Tina?! She had a beautiful flashback episode in Season 3 that showed viewers how she ended up working at The Original Beef (The Bear's precursor). However, the last time we saw Tina, she was attending Syd's house party and having a fun time with the guests.
Natalie
I depended on Natalie deeply for bringing a more calm and grounded essence to the series, and then they went and gave her one of the most chaotic episodes of Season 3 (which was also my favorite!). Nat was last seen giving birth to a beautiful baby, and then sending her mother Donna (who was with her in the delivery room while her husband Pete was rushing back from a trip) a picture of the infant. Hopefully, that means Nat's tumultuous relationship with her mother is on the mend.
Marcus
Can we start a petition for more Marcus episodes, please? After Carmy teaches Marcus about 'sleight of hand,' the attentive baker attempts to work magic into this cooking routine (which I thought was really cool). Arguably the heart of The Bear's crew, Marcus was last seen getting down at Syd's party. He lost his mother in Season 3 and also clears the air on his ill-fated attempt to date Syd, and it appears their bond has gotten even stronger.
Claire
Claire Bear, you better not forgive Carmy until he comes correct with an apology. After Carmy destroys their relationship with an accidental freezer room confession in Season 2, Claire kind of fades to the background in Season 3. However, we last saw her working at the hospital and being visited by Neil and Theo Fak, who try to convince her to get back with Carmy. Give it a rest guys!
Neil and Theo Fak
The Faks: The comedic relief. These two gentlemen were last seen at Syd's party as well, singing, dancing, and having a blast. Probably a good stress reliever after bombarding Claire at her job and trying to convince her to get back with Carmy. These guys, smh.
Uncle Jimmy
Uncle Jimmy, aka Mr. Money Bags, was last seen struggling with the realization that he couldn't afford to keep financing The Bear and having that very difficult conversation with Carmy. His continued financial support all hinges on a very important review of The Bear.
Ebraheim
The last time we saw Ebraheim, he was holding down the daytime half of The Bear, which is still The Original Beef sandwich shop. And doing a damn fine job too, if I might add.
Pete
It's hard not to love Pete. The affable husband of Natalie was last seen trying to figure out which meals to cook that wouldn't wake up the baby, after Syd dropped by with some grub for the fam.
Sweeps
A minor character who still shines with his minimal screen time, we last saw Sweeps explaining why he gave up his baseball career. After a short stint trying performance-enhancing drugs, which he felt didn't even help, he was caught and banned from playing. However, he once again found purpose and meaning in his work at The Bear.
Donna
Momma Berzatto, the bringer of chaos. The last time we saw Momma Donna, she was in the delivery room with Natalie coaching her through contractions. Honestly, this was my favorite episode of Season 3, and the full-circle moment of parenthood hit me right in the dad feels.
Tiffany
Richie's ex and the mother of his daughter was last seen trying to convince Richie to attend her wedding. Pretty excited for the wedding episode that is teased in the trailer for Season 4.
Chef Terry
Does Olivia Colman ever NOT deliver? Chef Terry was last seen at Syd's house party, after the Ever closer, taking shots and making some type of delicious-looking waffle dessert concoction.
Chef Adam
Chef Adam was last seen reminding Syd that his offer to make her the boss of his new restaurant had a time limit. Tick tick, Syd.
Chef Luca
Chef Luca was last seen at, you guessed it, Syd's after-party. He also attended the Ever closing bash and absolutely embarrassed himself by asking some very strange questions to other veteran chefs in the building.
Chef Jessica
Chef Jessica, who is Richie's low-key love interest, also attended Syd's party (the more I write about Syd's party, the more I wish it was a real thing I could attend). She is now out of a job, since Ever closed, and I expect we may see more of her around The Bear.
StreamThe Bear on Hulu.
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Sometimes I'd rent a car on the weekends and just drive to different suburbs. I went to Milwaukee for the first time this year. I had some time off, and I thought, 'Oh, this is a cool drive.' Q: Any restaurants, bakeries that you love? A: I'm trying to remember right now — there's so many — Doma is one I go to a lot. Shaw's Crab House. I love the buffalo shrimp. There's Kasama, the breakfast sandwich and they have great pastries. They have that crazy line, but sometimes it's worth it. Yeah, I'm racking my brain. As soon as we hang up, I know I'm going to be like, 'oh, there's all the places that I wish I would have said.' TV for summer 2025: 15 shows coming up, including the return of 'The Bear'
