In each season of "The Bear," there arrives a pivotal moment when the Beef gang appears on the cusp of achieving their collective aspirations, be it transforming their establishment into a sandwich shop devoid of grotesque offerings or hosting a triumphant launch surrounded by cherished friends and family. At the halfway mark of the fourth season, the first genuine harbingers of better days dawn upon the gang—that is, assuming Syd's world doesn't implode in the blink of an eye.
The episode kicks off with Carmy returning to an Al-Anon meeting, where he finds himself entranced by Georgie (portrayed by Kate Berlant), who recounts a tale of her tumultuous family. Her addictive brother, endearing yet erratic, left her plants miraculously alive but returned her living room scene to chaos: four nude individuals lounging on her couch, charred foil bits scattered everywhere, and her bed buried under ketchup packets. Her affection for him is evident as she croons a Doris Day melody they both cherish, yet it's equally apparent how arduous it is to extend love and support to someone so untrustworthy. Upon Georgie's conclusion, Carmy's face lights up, as though he's glimpsed a fragment of himself within her narrative. He feels validated, a rare occurrence indeed.
Throughout this episode, Carmy exudes a palpable sense of lightness. He embarks on a solo journey through Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois, a place that resonates deeply with his appreciation for beauty crafted for the masses. Having personally toured the premises, I harbor doubts about the plausibility of Carmy's unaccompanied stroll, casually caressing Wright's furniture, stove, and myriad other artifacts. Nevertheless, it's an enchanting locale, and it's heartening to see Carmy indulge in a morning as a tourist in his hometown.
Elsewhere in an alternate reality, the Bear team rises at the crack of dawn, experimenting with culinary delights amidst expensive teddy bears and "White Squall" posters, delving into boxes in search of vintage knives. Marcus's best friend Chester hastily sells Marcus's mother's house to the first bidders who cross the threshold, while Sweeps indulges in his red wine knowledge, concurrently acknowledging that even the most seasoned sommeliers find the intricacies of wine culture somewhat bewildering.
At The Bear, Ebra proudly showcases his world through the window to Rob Reiner's character, Albert, who suggests that the team consider micro-expansion by opening additional Bear beef shops around town. Albert is astounded by how just three individuals manage to handle the workload of six shifts at the shop, albeit perplexed by the unique personalities of those three. Believing that with astute management and vigilant quality control, The Bear could thrive in another small locale elsewhere in the city while keeping costs low, Albert presents an intriguing prospect. One can only hope that he truly is the benevolent business genius he appears to be and not some bizarre fiscal fanatic leading Ebra astray. The idea, however, seems promising, despite Chicago not exactly being devoid of spots for Italian Beef. If the city can support the plethora of smashburger joints and artisanal donut shops that emerged in recent years, it stands to reason that it could accommodate at least one more exceptional sandwich haven.
The tension within the Bear gang in this episode stems from two primary sources. Firstly, Richie, who seemingly has yet to fully grapple with the aftermath of his divorce or the loss of his best friend, Mikey. Witnessing him suffer a panic attack in an alley, interspersed with flashbacks of him and Mikey embarking on adventures, hints at a deeper exploration of their relationship in future episodes—a prospect that could prove immensely rewarding.
Richie's bond with Sarah Ramos' character, Chef Jess, is equally fulfilling. While she is as reserved as he is expressive, she matches his humor. Intrigued, Richie finally inquires about her checkered flag pin, which she reveals was her father's from the Detroit Indy Car race in 1992. Though she claims her dad wasn't a driver, her skill set and broad perspective suggest he might have been involved in a pivotal role, perhaps as a pit crew boss. Clearly, timing runs in her veins.
Should an episode delve into the relationship between Mikey and Richie, I earnestly hope it also serves as a reconciliation between Richie and Carmy. It's evident, even when Richie holds baby Sophie, that he harbors immense resentment towards Carmy. ("Don't use the baby as a conduit for your crap.") This animosity stems partly from a lack of trust but also reflects Richie's struggle to engage in mature conversations with a male relative. His interactions often devolve into syllabic grenades, hurling comments about Carmy's supposed fridge phobia or the Fak family's ineptitude in childcare. While amusing to an extent, Richie's past instances of personal growth have transpired during quieter, less confrontational moments.
The bombshell revelation of this episode strikes hard: Sydney's dad suffers a heart attack, a plot twist that any TV veteran could have predicted—when an adult character claims they're "just home sick for a day," beware!—yet it hits with equal devastating force. Syd's dad stands out as a paragon of fatherly virtue in a season dominated by lackluster or absent paternal figures. He may not comprehend Sydney's world, but he stands firmly by her side, filling us with hope for his recovery.
My heart also yearns for Carmy and Sydney to finally sit down and hash out their agreement. I find myself increasingly skeptical about how much longer the show can tease this monumental revelation. In season one, the money stashed in cans served as a stunning uncovering, subtly hinted at yet unexpected for those not actively seeking clues. Yet, the agreement now feels like a tightly wound spring, so intricately danced around that I fear its unveiling might disappoint. Here's to hoping that "The Bear" defies my expectations and delivers a punch that resonates deeply.
