Episode 6 of The Bear's new season is a condensed masterpiece, encapsulating the wildest, most compassionate, and deeply unsettling portrayal of family dynamics ever witnessed. This episode will surprise you with its unexpected depth and breadth, leaving you in awe of the remarkable talent of everyone involved. Given the intricate nature of "Fishes," this recap aims to provide a basic outline of the episode's events, avoiding excessive detail to maintain its captivating essence. It's best to experience the episode firsthand and then return here for a deeper understanding.
Episode 6 of The Bear opens with a glimpse into the past, approximately five years before the present-day drama unfolds. It's Christmas in the Berzatto household, unlike any other you've ever imagined. Carmy returns from Copenhagen for the holidays, and the episode begins with a pivotal moment: Sugar inquiring about Donna Berzatto's well-being. Mike attempts to dissuade her, but Sugar's intentions are genuine, and her concern is heartfelt.
Stepping into the Berzatto home, chaos reigns supreme, surpassing anything previously seen on The Bear. This chaos swirls in multiple directions, with Donna, played by the recently crowned Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, at its undeniable center. She's in the midst of preparing the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a deeply rooted Italian tradition that demands a Herculean effort from Donna, who often feels overwhelmed. She stubbornly refuses to ask for help.
Uncle Lee (Bob Odenkirk), Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs), now pregnant with Richie's child, Cousin Michelle (Sarah Paulson), and her partner Steven (Jacob Mulaney) add to the episode's uncertainty. Tiffany, Richie's ex-wife, carries Eva within her womb, while Theodore, Neil Fak's brother, joins the family for dinner.
Carmy's position is tenuous at best. Donna labels him as "too fancy," criticizing his infrequent visits. Michael and Richie berate him about Claire, the woman he still holds a torch for. And Michael refuses to let him work at The Beef, which Carmy desires above all else.
Carmy attempts to lend a helping hand in the kitchen, and Donna briefly entertains the idea. But something within her snaps, making it impossible for her to accept his assistance. Amid the cacophony of buzzing appliances and frantic activity, Tiffany and Richie withdraw to Donna's bedroom upstairs, engaging in a heartfelt conversation about becoming parents and their hopes for their unborn child.
Richie finds himself at ease, enveloped in a sense of warmth and uncommon tranquility in her presence. As they engage in conversation, he reveals to Tiffany that Uncle Jimmy, who is also present at the dinner, has offered him a job opportunity. This prospect brings a welcome sigh of relief to Tiffany, knowing that they desperately need a stable source of income to support the child.
However, it turns out that Uncle Jimmy hasn't made any definite commitments about the job offer yet. Richie finds himself torn, despite running a successful business.
Meanwhile, Michelle, who resides in the bustling city of New York, can't help but regale the Fak brothers with tales of her extravagant lifestyle. She exudes a certain coolness that is unmistakable, adorned with a stylish haircut and expensive, form-fitting clothes.
Mike appears troubled and struggles to hold back his emotions when Carmy mentions his intention to work with him. Deep down, Mike knows that the restaurant environment will be toxic for Carmy, filled with the same stress, disappointment, and constant nagging that he had to endure. It's why he hesitated to hand over the reins of the restaurant to Carmy before taking his own life. Michelle had hinted at the same thing when she invited Carmy to stay with her in New York for a while.
Donna's mental state is rapidly deteriorating, teetering dangerously on the brink of collapse. In a moment of vulnerability, she breaks down and confesses to Sugar that she feels unnoticed and unloved. She laments the fact that she has been chained to the kitchen for the entire day, with no one offering to lend a helping hand - even though she herself had sent everyone away.
Pete arrives just in time for dinner, but his arrival is accompanied by an unexpected dish - tuna casserole. Instantly recognizing the potential emotional minefield this could create, Sugar promptly disposes of it, fearing that if Donna sees it, her fragile equilibrium will be shattered.
The Fak brothers persisted in pitching their baseball card idea to various family members. Initially, Uncle Jimmy, a man of keen intelligence, was not fooled by their scheme. Then, Steven, who lacked Jimmy's business savvy, fell prey to their pitch and agreed to the plan. Many anticipated a shift for the better at the dinner table, yet things only escalated.
The table was laden with untouched food, and all had taken their seats except for Donna. As Carmy went to check on her, Tiffany expressed gratitude to Jimmy for the job he had bestowed upon Richie. Jimmy's lie almost came undone as he hesitated, but he saved the day when he realized Richie had deceived Tiff. Donna lashed out at Carmy when he inquired about her well-being, refusing to be treated like a child and sending him away.
The tension between Lee and Mike was palpable. It was evident that Lee, unlike Michelle, was not related to them by blood, and this fact fueled Mike's disdain for him. More context was needed to firmly place this dynamic within the Berzatto family tree, but the episode fell short in providing it.
As Lee attempted to explain the Seven Fishes, Mike retaliated by throwing forks at him, seeking revenge for Lee's previous rebuke. It escalated into a standoff as Lee unleashed a tirade accusing Mike of accomplishing nothing independently and constantly draining the family's resources. Lee dared Mike to throw another fork, while everyone at the table tried to broker peace.
Donna's emergence finally brought some semblance of normality. Steven, awkwardly yet sincerely, raised a toast to the family dinner, calming the tense atmosphere. Donna broke into tears, prompting Sugar to ask again if she was okay. This was the final straw for Donna, who erupted in an outburst. She lost her composure completely, smashing a plate to the floor and berating everyone for not loving and respecting her. She stormed out, and Lee commented that this wasn't even the worst Donna had behaved.
Mike's patience snapped, and he threw another knife at Lee. They almost came to blows before Donna drove her car through the front door, crashing it up the staircase. Mike pounded on the car window, demanding to know what she had done, while Sugar and Carmy stood in disbelief, unable to comprehend the drama unfolding before them.
