As the seventh installment of "The Bear" unfolds, the ethereal melodies of Sufjan Stevens' "Chicago" fill the air, accompanying chefs' journey to The Beef. Archival footage captivates with glimpses of past events, adding a layer of depth to the narrative.
Carmen (played by Jeremy Allen White) strides confidently to work, his stride steady beneath the weight of expectation. Meanwhile, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) is engrossed in a review of the restaurant, his brow furrowed in concentration. Marcus (Lionel Boyce) is a flurry of activity, his hands busy shaping donuts with practiced ease.
The writer's words paint a picture of The Beef, now elevated and elegant, with a slightly updated menu that promises new culinary delights. Carmen's voice cuts through the buzz, declaring that they have only 20 minutes before service begins. He urges Ebraheim to put down the review and focus on the task at hand, emphasizing the importance of their imminent opening.
Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) steps into the fray, explaining that she's covering Tina's prep duties since she's absent. The writer's praise for the risotto with braised beef hangs in the air, a testament to Sydney's culinary prowess. She brushes off Ebraheim's chatter, her focus firmly on the task at hand.
Carmen's voice is stern as he reminds Sydney of the importance of avoiding waste, even if it means giving a dish to a customer. Sydney insists she didn't know who the recipient was, her tone a mix of nervousness and determination. She wants to ensure that everything is running smoothly, with no awkwardness or misunderstandings.
Carmy's reassurance is a balm to Sydney's concerns, even as he acknowledges the writer's less-than-stellar reputation. Tina's arrival brings a new wrinkle to the story, as she reveals that Louie has been suspended. She pleads with Carmy to teach Louie the ways of the kitchen, despite the restaurant's upcoming program.
Richie's (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) voice cuts through the tension, his mockery of the writer a sharp contrast to the kitchen's hustle and bustle. He's surprised to learn about Sydney's accidental culinary feat, his tone a mix of disbelief and admiration. His jesting about Sydney's supposed Telegraph connection is quickly quashed by Carmen's authoritative voice.
As the clock ticks down to the start of to-go orders.Richie pulls Sydney aside, his congratulatory tone masking a hint of envy as he praises her for her dish's mention in the paper and the to-go tablet. The scene ends with a snapshot of the kitchen in motion, each chef a cog in the well-oiled machine of The Beef.
He tentatively suggested that things seemed to be progressing smoothly, despite Sydney's apparent lack of a coherent plan. Richie accused her of sidelining the diligent workers and replacing them with her own cronies. Sydney, unfazed, retorted that she had been hired to bring fresh ideas and expand the business horizons. She conceded that Richie didn't have to engage with her, but the tension was palpable.
Suddenly, Carmen interrupted, pointing out that the to-go tablet had been activated. Sydney confessed her worry that they were not on the same page. It then transpired that she had left the pre-order option active, resulting in a flood of unexpected orders. They were faced with the daunting task of fulfilling 78 slices of chocolate cake, 99 French fries, 54 chickens, 38 salads, and a staggering 255 beef sandwiches in a mere eight minutes.
Richie shook his head, reminding Sydney that he had warned her, but she claimed ignorance. Carmen, exasperated, ordered them to silence and informed Sydney that neither they nor the dishes were ready. He barked orders for the chefs to scramble and get the food cooking immediately. Richie jumped into action, frying fries, while Neil Fak frantically searched for a way to contribute.
Sydney's temper flared when she discovered that Marcus was still fiddling with his donuts instead of focusing on the cakes. Carmen lost his patience and berated Sydney, demanding she leave his exposition immediately. In a flurry of panic, Sydney collided with Richie while carrying the cakes, sending them crashing to the floor. Richie scolded her, accusing her of being the source of their problems, not him.
Tina came to Sydney's side, assuring her that screaming wasn't her true nature, but Sydney responded harshly, venting her frustration about the dismal conditions of the workplace. Carmen shouted for a functional Sharpie, while Tina informed him they were out of giardiniera. Carmen ordered Sydney to prepare it, and Richie attempted to assist her, but she bristled, insisting the vegetables were her responsibility.
The argument escalated, with Richie accusing Sydney of harboring a dark side, her behavior becoming increasingly mean and ugly. They traded insults, with Sydney taunting Richie about his failures and even suggesting that his daughter might be ashamed of him. When Sydney brandished a knife, Richie flinched, fearing she might lash out. Marcus interjected.
The kitchen erupted into a chaos of shouted orders, clanging pots, and flying tempers, as the frantic race against time continued.
Richie urges him to calm down before boldly approaching the knife Sydney brandishes. As Richie sustains the stab wound, he frantically calls for Ebra to attend to the bleeding. Carmy remarks coldly that Richie probably deserved it. While Ebra meticulously attends to Richie's injury, he regales him with tales of a bygone Civil War.
Meanwhile, Marcus strides confidently into the lobby, depositing his donuts onto the table before shedding his apron with a flick of his wrist. Carmen's shrill voice echoes through the kitchen as she screams at Tina to scrounge for more chickens. Sydney, seated near the lockers, slides off her shoes with a sigh, resigned to her decision to quit. Despite acknowledging Carmen's prowess as a chef, she labels her a "piece of shit" with unwavering contempt.
Carmy, enraged, throws an object across the room as Sydney calmly eats scraps from the floor. Richie, perplexed, inquiries if they are even open for business at this point. Carmen, in a fit of anger, slams the printer off the shelf and strides away, leaving the scene in a tense, chaotic mess as the episode draws to a close.
