As the curtains draw open for the second episode of The Bear, we find Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (portrayed by Jeremy Allen White) laboring in a glitzy restaurant in Manhattan, a year ago. The atmosphere is tense as his supervisor (Joel McHale) strides in, tersely dismissing a female employee before turning his steely gaze on Carmy.
The boss's voice is sharp as he interrogates Carmy about the broken sauces, accusing it of being a result of his so-called "short man's complex." He berates Carmy, calling him incompetent and lambasting him for his sluggish pace. The insults continue, with the boss declaring Carmy talentless and even questioning his existence.
In the present, the intensity persists as Carmy shouts orders, but his words seem to fall on deaf ears. Sydney (played by Ayo Edebiri) offers to assist with straining the oil, but Carmy insists he has it handled. Marcus (Lionel Boyce) queries his unusual choice of a toothbrush for cleaning, to which Carmy replies that consistency is key; you can't operate at a higher level without it. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) appears to appreciate this mindset.
Carmy shares his insights about the esteemed restaurants French Laundry and Noma, where chefs are taught to operate at unprecedented levels. He reveals his desire to work there but laments that Mike wouldn't allow it. Richie counters with accusations that Carmy traveled the world to learn fluff while he learned valuable lessons at West Lawrence Avenue. Marcus chuckles, making a jest about DeVry, but Richie seriously points out the crucial database management skills he learned there.
Sydney expresses her aspiration to work at Noma and be inspired, hinting at her dissatisfaction with her current role. Suddenly, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) interrupts, announcing that the ice cream machine is malfunctioning. Richie boasts that even though he never graduated, DeVry taught him how to fix it. Sydney wonders aloud if anyone ever orders ice cream here.
Later, Richie and Carmy step outside for a smoke break, while the others clock out for the night. Carmy returns to finish cleaning, exhausted but determined. He heads home, eats a hasty meal, and falls asleep on the couch, a cooking show playing in the background. His slumber is interrupted by a nightmare, in which his old boss mocks him while he tries to cook. The dream turns into a nightmare as he accidentally starts a fire on the stove, frantically extinguishing it with a fire extinguisher.
The next day at work, Sydney thanks Carmy for his guidance over the past week but confesses her desire for more responsibility and compensation. She's eager to contribute more and be recognized for her efforts. Carmy listens, nodding thoughtfully, aware that change is inevitable in this kitchen where passions and dreams collide.
Sydney pulls him aside, revealing the additional homework she's completed, highlighting the dire situation with labor costs. Despite his extravagant spending habits, she proposes a solution: by diverting just 20% of his savings, he could comfortably cover her salary. However, when Sydney mentions sleeping on takeout containers to save money, Carmy balks, citing concerns about packaging waste. She assures him she has a plan for that too.
Suddenly, Richie's voice booms, and Carmy hastily returns the binder to Sydney before scurrying away. Richie has news: Ron is gone, and a new face, Nancy Chore from the Chicago Board of Health, has taken over his routes. Carmy introduces himself, and Richie demands to see her credentials. Nancy promptly produces her badge, and her inspection begins.
Meanwhile, Sydney whispers to Carmy about the soaring cost of flour shipping. He decides Marcus is the only option to pick it up since Sweeps, Tina, and Ebra don't drive, and Richie's license is suspended—despite her seeing him drive earlier.
Outside, Tina warns Ebra to be wary of women with notebooks, hinting at Sydney's newfound influence. Neil Fak, ever the informer, alerts Marcus and Sweeps to the incoming health inspector, emphasizing that she's not their ally.
Carmy confides in Sydney that the mounting responsibilities are weighing heavy. He dreams of a sleek, adult-run business, but the reality is far from that. Richie's curses echo nearby, and he sighs, admitting he wants to achieve that someday.
Nancy returns with a list of violations. She's found a gaping hole in the tiles next to the stovetops, a former gas line that's been crudely patched with napkins and plastic. The hand station lacks hot water, a critical safety hazard. But the most egregious offense is a pack of cigarettes left perilously close to the burners. Nancy declares they're getting a C grade. Richie rushes to fix the hole with caulking, but Nancy explains it's a 30-day wait for a retest.
As Nancy departs, Carmy's temper flares. After a brief but intense outburst, he calms down and instructs Richie to get the necessary supplies to fix the issues. The restaurant's future hangs in the balance, and they have no choice but to rise to the challenge.
Richie firmly declared that he couldn't accompany Sydney due to his suspended license. However, when Sydney offered to chauffeur him, Richie insisted on hailing an Uber. Eventually, Richie relented and consented to Sydney's offer to take his car. Meanwhile, Carmy tersely ordered Fak to rectify the repeating sound.
Inside the car, Richie shared his quirky tidbits with Sydney, such as wiggling the gearstick and explaining that the Arby's cups hailed from different visits. As Carmy hung the letter "C" in the window, he received an unexpected visitor. Richie stubbornly refused assistance at the hardware store, grousing about taking orders from a mere toddler. Richie revealed his disdain for not being allowed to work at the restaurant, blaming it on Mickey, much to Sydney's bewilderment. Richie snidely added that it was probably because he was a bit of a bitch or something.
Sydney inquired about Richie's relationship with Michael and learned that he had fatally shot himself four months prior. Richie confessed that they were once best friends, only to stumble upon the missing caulk. Sydney suggested finding someone who worked there to procure the right type, but Richie assured her he had it.
Elsewhere, Carmy engaged in a candid conversation with Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) about the restaurant's dire financial situation. Even if the place were packed to the brim, it would only yield a week's worth of survival cash. Jimmy bluntly stated that the business had a lower success rate than the Chicago Bears. He further revealed that Michael had borrowed a significant amount of money from him, which he had never repaid. Jimmy threatened to hold Carmy responsible for the 300 grand debt, claiming that Michael hadn't even invested it in the restaurant. He described Michael as an animal surrounded by incompetents, leaving Carmy in a precarious position.
Jimmy joked about breaking Carmy's legs but attributed his leniency to forgetfulness. When Carmy inquired about why Jimmy had loaned money to Michael, Jimmy admitted it was a questionable decision. He claimed that Michael had promised to franchise the restaurant, though Jimmy knew it was a farce. He suggested the easier option of selling the restaurant to him, but Carmy resolutely promised to repay the debt.
Back in the car, Richie couldn't fathom why Sydney wanted to work for Carmy. She passionately defended Carmy's talent and prowess, recalling that he had been named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs at just 21. She firmly believed that Richie recognized the restaurant's potential for greatness. Richie, amused by her fervor, gently reminded her to calm down before driving, emphasizing the dangers of being hysterical behind the wheel. Finally, Richie relented and answered his phone, perplexed as to why Sydney persisted in calling him.
He inquiries the caller, his tone revealing concern, wondering if she has begun to weep again. The mere thought of her sobbing in a strange school, surrounded by unfamiliar faces who might mock her, brings tears to his eyes as well. Richie speaks gently to her over the phone, sensing her fear. He assures her that she will excel, yet offers a small incentive - $500 - if she finds the courage to persevere. He eagerly anticipates seeing her on Friday, and leaves no room for doubt in expressing his enduring affection.
Before hanging up, Richie requests that she call him later to share how her day has unfolded. He turns to Sydney and remarks that she is now five years old, a fact that brings a smile to his face. After confessing his folly with the cigarettes, Sydney offers her condolences for Michael's situation. She explains that while he may have chosen the wrong caulk, she did not.
Elsewhere, Carmy dials Pete's number, feeling the need to apologize for their last encounter. Pete reveals that he visited urgent care and was given medication to soothe his injury. He passes the phone to Natalie, who is busily preparing dinner. She hears Carmy's apology and learns that Cicero had visited. Carmy shares a humorous anecdote about waking up in the middle of the night, cooking frozen food, and nearly igniting his apartment. Natalie suggests that he take a closer look at the object, believing it may benefit both her and Pete.
Back at the restaurant, Richie bends over a hole in the wall, attempting to repair it. As he drops his ruler, he kneels to retrieve it and spots a piece of paper with Mickey's name on it. It is a letter addressed to Carmy from Mickey, and Richie hesitates, tossing it onto Carmy's desk before snatching it back and concealing it in its original hiding place.
Later, as they cook together, Carmy expresses gratitude to Sydney for accompanying Richie to the hardware store. He extends an invitation for her to join them tomorrow, officially welcoming her as a new team member. Carmy steps outdoors, where Richie informs him that the hole is now fixed. They discuss the impending visit from the health department, and Carmy confesses a desire to smoke, realizing with a pang of regret that he left his pack of cigarettes on the stove. As the episode draws to a close, he glances at the message Natalie has sent, a reminder of the complexities and warmth of their shared world.
