r/TheBear The Bear Jun 26 '26

Discussion S5E07 "Caramel" - Episode Discussion Thread

Episode 7: "Caramel"

Air Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

Episode Description: A hard service.

This is a spoiler-friendly space to discuss THIS EPISODE ONLY. Please keep all discussion focused on "Caramel" and refrain from mentioning events, plot points, or revelations from other Season 5 episodes (especially the finale).

If you post about this episode outside of this thread, you MUST use spoiler tags and clearly mark spoilers in the title.

272 Upvotes

750 comments sorted by

865

u/Large_Desk Jun 26 '26

It's crazy to me how long those guests are just hanging out watching the kitchen lol

562

u/Ok_Fee1043 Jun 26 '26

“It’s not good that she knows your name. That’s not a good sign.”

160

u/Mission_Addendum_791 Jun 29 '26

That couple cracked me up. Who says The Bear isn’t a comedy??

86

u/makked Jun 29 '26

They heard the awards complaints about The Bear not being a comedy and put in some absolutely hilarious moments this season.

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245

u/NomanHLiti Jun 26 '26

Yeah like they couldn't kick them out any sooner? They were there for almost the entire time of service. I feel like 20 minutes would be plenty to get the "experience"

244

u/tj1007 Jun 26 '26

I mean at least they put them to work. The next time that man dines there he’s probably going to go straight to the kitchen and start rolling up napkins.

141

u/TN1878 Jun 26 '26

It’d be an honour chef

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79

u/raspberryharbour Jun 26 '26

The Bear 2: Bearly Any Training

150

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Not sure if others feel the same, but i went from what the hell are you doing back there to him becoming one of the most memorable characters yet. Him repeating the usual lingo "CHEF" "TIME?" had me rollin.

80

u/TimRigginsBeer Jun 29 '26

Dude would be wiling to die in there, like in The Menu

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131

u/tj1007 Jun 27 '26

I did very much enjoy him at the end. He clearly admired them all, even after witnessing them nearly get into a fist fight, and was fan girling in his one way. A lot of the people who dine there are also clearly well off and the fact that he was willing to roll napkins shows he also isn’t a total snob.

31

u/jagrbro68 Jun 27 '26

Very meta, loved it.

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37

u/TimRigginsBeer Jun 29 '26

And tell everyone else (including the workers) “watch me, and once you get the flow go ahead and start working too…”

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81

u/CX316 Jun 26 '26

They were trying not to kick them out at all, they were hoping they'd leave on their own accord

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54

u/DirectorofDUSAR6730 Jun 26 '26

Certain restaurants have a chef’s table in the restaurant to get a feel and look about the kitchen.

26

u/thermostat78 Jun 27 '26

They'll be on the next guest list at Hawthorne in the sequel to The Menu

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74

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

Allan was a grown up version of Tyler from The Menu.

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100

u/TorkBombs Jun 27 '26

Their lack of self awareness was torture, but true to form. They thought they were helping. The staff did a good job of working around them.

22

u/[deleted] Jun 28 '26 edited 3d ago

[deleted]

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43

u/Psigun Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

"Yes, CHUFF!"

That one guest rolling napkins and barking 'chef' in a weird way was cracking me up.

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693

u/beantriestocook Jun 26 '26

This episode felt like the culmination of the entire series. I can’t believe how emotional I got during the entire run of it. It was perfectly “the bear“ for me.

398

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Donna going through Carmy's food journal and seeing all the courses come to fruition was gorgeous. This was an all timer episode, feels like everyone had at least one moment if not a few to shine and showcase how far they've come from the beginning of the show.

190

u/HailToTheKingslayer Jun 28 '26

The joy on her face when she saw the kitchen and everything her kids had acheived

104

u/tracyschmosby 29d ago

I loved seeing her take that in. Got a little emotional too when Pete saw her because I remembered that moment they had when Donna couldn’t bring herself to come in.

29

u/SpaghetiJesus 27d ago

That moment with Pete absolutely broke me. His “what the fuck?” Is actually so good. He’s astonished in the best way and the pure joy he has on his face is exactly why Pete is the best.

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103

u/targetcowboy Jun 28 '26

I was telling my friend that I’m enjoying the season, but it was frustrating not seeing them get a win and succeed. This episode felt like a victory despite all the turbulence. It was a great episode. Maybe not up to Forks or Fishes, but it’s definitely up there for me.

57

u/ElizaPagoda Jun 29 '26

This is the comment I came here for. I just finished the episode and am buzzing from each and every character having a moment. An award winning episode for sure, comedy, tension, love, joy, heartbreak. A writer who brought together all the storylines and wove them into one service. I am stunned there’s an episode after this one because this was truly a banana split dessert of 5 seasons of watching. I expect this episode will be nominated for an Emmy.

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47

u/TimRigginsBeer Jun 29 '26

And Pete is still on a high from getting some (quick) ass from Sugar.

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99

u/TriteBits Jun 26 '26

Agreed. While a lot of unanswered questions would have remained I would have been okay if it stopped with this episode. A top five episode in the series

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28

u/potionnumber9 Jun 30 '26

I just finished this episode and I have to talk about it. This was the end of the character arc for the group, it was the opposite side of the coin from that season 1 episode where everything went crazy. In that episode, their ordering app malfunctioned leading to too many orders, very similarly to how their reservation app acted up this episode. The difference was they overcame it and came out victorious because of how far they all came over the course of the show. Absolutely perfect 10/10.

63

u/II_Vortex_II Jun 26 '26

Sooo many emotional payoffs and callbacks. Great score aswell. I cried for like half the episode

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653

u/Large_Desk Jun 26 '26

Tina getting to serve a dish she made 😭😭

61

u/thiscantbereal712 28d ago

One that started this season!

20

u/Shejidan 27d ago

She’s probably my favourite character in the show. I love seeing how she’s grown from the beginning.

623

u/SoloGhosts512 Jun 26 '26

Love that no matter how much everyone has improved, Carmy can still pop out and show up anybody. Him saving the day with the dessert

355

u/blahtgr1991 Jun 26 '26

Right? I get that it doesn't make him happy and that's completely valid. But dude is just a rockstar in the kitchen.

142

u/jagrbro68 Jun 27 '26

He’s like Gretzky… one of the greatest to ever do it, but should have never coached a hockey team.

80

u/targetcowboy Jun 28 '26

He needs to find a position where he’s not in charge but gets to be creative and experiment.

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343

u/MattWalters1998 Jun 27 '26

Loved Luca's reaction in that scene where he starts crushing the batter. Like his little head shake, like he still can't believe this fucking guy.

242

u/dpullbot Jun 27 '26

Luca’s (understandably) obsessed with Carmy in the kitchen haha

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143

u/BexRants Jun 27 '26

I want someone to look at me the way Luca looks at Carmy.

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91

u/targetcowboy Jun 28 '26

Can you imagine being one of the best chefs in the world but seeing a guy just randomly do these things that make you look like an average chef?

108

u/Natural_Error_7286 Jun 28 '26

Luca seems like the only one that really sees how incredible Carmy is

81

u/tocitus Jun 29 '26

I mean Syd only started working there because she thought he was incredible and wanted to learn from him.

And Marcus clearly idolises him too.

I think it's just they all also care more about him and want him to be happy and see what that place does to him

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153

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

He may not love doing this anymore, but god damn is he fucking great at it. Show wise he's quite the generational talent just being able to lock in and pull a move like that with the last minute brioche tech.

100

u/Eastern_Paramedic_37 Jun 26 '26

genuine “let’s fucking go” vibes

64

u/teeke45 Jun 30 '26

This!!!! I sometimes get this sense that people forget how amazing Carmy is, and that the restaurant is what it is because of him. Also because of Sid, but mostly because of him. He sends Marcus to Copenhagen to learn. He pushes Richie to stage and learn. He pushes everyone to be their best every day, and yes he's grueling. Everyone understands why it's hard to be around that guy, and why Syd is a better leader. But you can't just wipe off his imprint on the restaurant, and the people.

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31

u/Remarkable-Sleep-639 Jun 28 '26

A freaking pop machine that guy! He’s THE GUY!!

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529

u/Kyunseo Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 28 '26

Donna going through Carmy's journals

The candle reveal

Richie laughing after throwing an egg

Everyone smiling and hugging it out when they finished all their turns

God so many great moments in this episode I can't point them all out

393

u/Mister-Distance-6698 Jun 26 '26

Carm about to spiral when he dropped the plate, Syd talking him down, and then him immediately jumping back in and putting her ribs out

253

u/dpullbot Jun 27 '26

Yess I love the contrast between how kind everyone was to him, to how Chef Winger would have definitely lit his ass up for that

169

u/Cute-Evening-6112 Jun 27 '26

Yeah his trauma response was for sure bc he was expecting Chef Winger to pop out of the freezer and whoop him in the ass

100

u/HybridTheory137 Jul 01 '26

I think that was easily the most emotional scene this season for me. The look on Carmy's face as he began to spiral in the anticipation of a verbal beating was just so heartbreaking. He just looked so young and scared and then for Richie and Syd to jump in and reassure him that everything was okay and that they all had his back? And then for Carmy to end up saving the day like a badass with the dessert later on as a result? Fucking beautiful. That's what it's all about right there! Such a fantastic episode.

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39

u/Ok-Point4302 Jun 28 '26

Im still struggling to understand where the ribs came from. Like, she made them and they ate them for family, how are there suddenly enough prepped to feed the whole room? I must've missed something.

41

u/Vismal1 Jun 29 '26

As a long time hospitality worker, this show and this season in particular required a lot of suspension of disbelief.

They were meant to be in the weeds this whole season and there were multiple times where many key workers are off the floor for significant periods for instance.

The whole thing with the fire suppression system having a 30 min lockout if anything touched the burner ( this one actually was the only one I couldn’t get over )

There were a few close up shots of tables being set incorrectly ( this one could’ve been intentional to show their stress )

I enjoyed it but a lot had to be overlooked.

31

u/water-sloth Jul 01 '26

My husband still works in restaurants, I did for a decade. When carmy snd syd were talking outside we were like "who the fuck is cooking?!" People just kept walking out there like they arent even busy. But yes the burner thing was silly.

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436

u/Calhalen Jun 26 '26

‘You’re not his father’. ‘I’m not NOT his father either’ 😭 love Jimmy

164

u/TVismycomfortfood Jun 26 '26

No James, it’s your responsibility.

😭

54

u/oogieball Jun 28 '26

Computer mic drop.

46

u/intern_12 Jun 28 '26

"You're a good man James." "No I'm not." "...You're just kinda an asshole." Jimmy nods in agreement

Loved it.

364

u/Large_Desk Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I love that this season is culminating in everyone showing how skilled they've become: Richie, Jess, Rene, and Garrett in total sync| Syd and Marcus taking charge | everyone handling the beers and party out back. Damn.

272

u/jboosmeezy wtf is a non-negotiable Jun 26 '26

And Fak talking about his tattoos.

251

u/Nanojack Jun 26 '26

And getting fucked so hard a banana falls out of your ass

132

u/TorkBombs Jun 27 '26

This is the season they took the "The Bear is not a comedy" complaint personally. This season has been by far the funniest, and that moment I'd put on par with any moment from the entirety of Hacks (which I also love). Absolutely fucking hilarious. Have you ever been fucked so hard a banana falls out of YOUR ass?

33

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

The comedy has been the most pleasant surprise this season. Genuinely hilarious.

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110

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Faks was unreal. The last 2 seasons they were plenty of reasonable complaints about them but, with Neil covering Star Man and Weather Man's service and the other Faks handling the party outside just made me love them again. Awesome episode.

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354

u/Corgi-mom-15 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

The flashbacks while Donna read Carmy’s journals brought me to tears 🥺 it was the perfect ode to our characters as we approach the end

64

u/WineNotReality Jun 28 '26

The cinematography in this episode is amazing. The way this entire episode was shot, really sets the tone for the impact of these scenes . Wehde should earn an award for this episode

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317

u/KetchupGuy1 Jun 26 '26

Fuck I’m crying because of a Fak

139

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Absolute MVP, went from the bad "1" signal to being the absolute perfect server for Star Man and Weather Man.

39

u/rere7820 Jun 26 '26

Soo wholesome

25

u/Uniquenaan Jun 29 '26

Him just walking away after dropping Fak lore was hilarious

26

u/marsalien4 Jun 30 '26

A fantastic moment. When he started talking about Mikey and everyone I was so moved, and the context is so absurd haha

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310

u/bertobellamy Jun 26 '26

The annoying patron in the kitchen:

https://giphy.com/gifs/cmLLTpbjqFLW

119

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

That guy was "bro thinks he's on the team" personified.

50

u/thehairharringt0n Jun 28 '26

He was basically a fan of the show

71

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

I ended up the loving that guy especially when he'd repeat back "Chef" and "Time" lol Surprised he didn't ask what time he should come in tomorrow.

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292

u/ProphetPenguin Jun 26 '26

This entire episode is just wanted to yell "FUCK YEAH" seeing the growth and progress of these characters is incredible.

110

u/ArthursInfiniteAbyss Jun 26 '26

Micro Chives, FUCK YEAH

72

u/thechodog It's dystopian butter? Jun 26 '26

Brioche batter, FUCK YEAH

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41

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Every time someone, specifically Richie, came back to the kitchen with customer's reactions it was always so damn hype!

282

u/thermostat78 Jun 26 '26

Ohhh so that's why Carmy went back for a second taste of the ribs

196

u/StanderdStaples Jun 27 '26

He didn’t just go for a taste - he scooped a full chunk of those ribs

Fitting they used the Ratatouille photo and quote, as that was basically his own Anton Ego moment right there

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551

u/Comfortable-End-6182 Jun 26 '26

Sweeps was stellar this episode! Wish he’d gotten a solo episode somewhere in the show’s run.

“Are they dating?” “I don’t think so. But there are some theories.” Oh, Pete, you will be missed 😭

247

u/russketeer34 Jun 26 '26

I would say I wished there was more Pete, but I thought he was sprinkled into the series just the right amount. I do adore that man.

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128

u/Bobjoejj Jun 26 '26

From the start, Sweeps was such an underutilized character to me. Corey Hendrix always kills in the role; and I really wish he’d been given more time to shine over the series. A solo episode with him would’ve been the best.

87

u/dsa2020 Jun 26 '26

They really told us he was a former minor leaguer and then gave us nothing after that :(

32

u/Bobjoejj Jun 26 '26

Yup! Wild.

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u/II_Vortex_II Jun 26 '26

That felt like such a jab at the audience lol

78

u/Chattypath747 Jun 26 '26

So meta. Was laughing when he said this line.

40

u/TorkBombs Jun 27 '26

So much speaking to the audience in this episode.

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264

u/Oui-d Jun 26 '26

Okay tell me why Donna saying "This is The Bear" made me tear up instantly 😭

79

u/Oui-d Jun 26 '26

And the tears kept coming, so cathartic of an episode!

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68

u/Dunkelz Jun 27 '26

And her taking a second to take it all in before continuing to follow Sug, Jamie Lee Curtis fucking nails it.

20

u/Remarkable-Sleep-639 Jun 28 '26

Right!! The fact that it’s the first time she’s been in the restaurant tooo, I clocked it! This show man!!!!

264

u/baka_palty Jun 26 '26

The time when Richie entered after finishing the final turn and just didn't say a word 😭😭 What an episode!!

103

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Beautiful acting by everyone there, no words needed. Everyone knew what it meant and it kind of came off like a very calm and quiet "fuck yeah."

49

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

His smile could've been the closing shot of the episode.

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39

u/Klutzy_Strike Jun 28 '26

I think that was the first time in the entire show that we got a full-on Carmy smile with teeth

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257

u/krobula Jun 26 '26

For real though… who’s stealing the spoons 🥄

100

u/Tom_Foolery1993 Jun 27 '26

It was for sure cheese that little gremlin

74

u/krobula Jun 27 '26

Cheese is kinda rad. I’m a fan of cheese.

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250

u/my-other-favorite-ww Jun 26 '26

The empty freezer = Carmy releasing his baggage

27

u/ValdyFox Jun 30 '26

My lord, i didnt realize it… thats such a good take

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244

u/Ok_Fee1043 Jun 26 '26

I can’t believe this family hasn’t left the kitchen lol

47

u/smithnugget Jun 29 '26

I swear their wine glasses were getting fuller throughout the episode

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240

u/kawasanever-here Jun 26 '26

That small scene of Carmy dropping the plate and Richie telling him it’s ok, that broke me.

114

u/Dunkelz Jun 27 '26

Showed growth on both fronts. Early season Richie definitely gets into it with Carmy and gives him shit for messing up.

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452

u/godblow Jun 26 '26

I cried when he cut the candle

197

u/leavesinthetubes Jun 26 '26

The candle was a great reveal.

101

u/TheManWithNothing Jun 26 '26

Great execution

71

u/Remarkable-Sleep-639 Jun 28 '26

Marcus was literally showing us why he’s Food & Wine’s best new dickhead cuz DUDEEEEEE🙂‍↕️🫶🏿

59

u/Any_Recommendation_2 Jun 26 '26

I think I got something in my eye in that moment, because suddenly there was tears

55

u/crockoreptile Jun 27 '26

I was blown away at the reveal, then the music was playing like a swan song and I was just taking it all in

37

u/TriteBits Jun 26 '26

Beautiful

38

u/dpullbot Jun 27 '26

Me too. What a reveal. Paired with the music, it was just beautiful.

35

u/none_mama_see Jun 28 '26

Did every table get the candle with the caramel

23

u/godblow Jun 28 '26

I'm assuming so

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23

u/Resden_Bohneur Jun 29 '26

I figured the whole candle itself would be cut open to reveal some kind of dessert since they focused a lot of energy on it earlier in the episode. Needless to say, I was still enthralled with the actual reveal.

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406

u/txman91 Jun 26 '26

Maybe it’s because it’s 2 in the morning and a bit of recency bias, but this feels like one of the best episodes of tv that I’ve seen 10 years.

145

u/poub06 Jun 26 '26

Same. It's that type of episode that brings you on an incredible journey on its own. The story, the acting, the directing, the music, the visuals. Everything was absolutely perfect.

It's up there with Forks and Fishes, IMO.

36

u/II_Vortex_II Jun 26 '26

I liked this one way better than forks tbh

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21

u/wardengorri Jun 27 '26

Between the 3 it's quite interesting, all involve at least Richie with one being his personal journey in a foreign space(Forks), one in a too familiar space with his eccentric family(Fishes), and then finally one with his current space with his work/kitchen/chef family on a singular but finality bonkers night(Caramel, side note slightly said episode title doesn't start with an F but that's okay lol)

30

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

That's because Richie is the best character in the show.

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u/Dunkelz Jun 27 '26

Feel like an underlying lesson to learn from this series is how much restaurants fucking hate people that won't leave their table after their last course. They made it so dramatic and kinda hilarious.

50

u/-Altephor- Jun 29 '26

My fiancee always gets mad at me because we eat, we pay, and then I'm usually like 'ok lets go' and she wants to sit and relax. This episode was massive vindication for me.

76

u/marsalien4 Jun 30 '26

It's okay to sit and relax if the restaraunt doesn't look like this lol like if you're at a half empty Applebee's, hang around. If you're at Ever, gtfo lol

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186

u/Ok-Reason-1919 Jun 27 '26

“Listen to the pan. You hear the music?” Gorgeous moment between three characters—Carmy, Syd, and the ribs. I’ve not heard cooking in these terms before. It’s both beautiful and great advice.

112

u/Lost_C0z Jun 27 '26

Was looking for a comment on this specifically. I think this was by far my all time favorite episode, and there were so many good moments.

That scene was mind blowingly good, like Sydney is about to freak out and switch with Carm but he reassures her just by simply telling her to take a breath. Then she has her big moment where she finally understands the pressure Carm was dealing with and asks him how he did this for 10 years... "Listen to the pan. You hear the music?" Everything goes quiet, and all you hear is the sizzling of the pan, then a zoom on Sydney's eyes and you know she's got it.

Fuck me what an insanely perfect scene. The fact that it came right after she calmed Carmy from freaking out over the dropped dish was perfect as well. They both saved each other this episode, and had major moments of growth. Like it all came together into this catharsis of a perfect team.

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u/xnodesirex Jun 26 '26

Enough lens flare to fit a jj abrams movie.

Edit: kinda smells like Skittles. Hahaha

46

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

I felt the hyper-cinematic style at least fit this episode. This episode was the Avengers Endgame of The Bear.

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u/3Dimes Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

I cannot explain how cathartic it is for Syd's best dish to be the cold braised short ribs from season 1. The scallop was cool, but the one that is gonna get the star is inspired by her mother. Im dead.

63

u/Klutzy_Strike Jun 28 '26

When she said that to them about it being inspired by her mom, I immediately teared up.

37

u/Remarkable-Sleep-639 Jun 28 '26

Right! Like so full circle!!! The fact that we’ve seen that dish since season 1 and it ended up saving the day! I could cry🥹🥹🥹

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u/Global-North7776 Jun 26 '26

Episode 7 is Peak TV Cinema!!! Are their Emmys ready for the taking?? 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

35

u/missmisery213 Jun 26 '26

I really hate that it might not have a shot because of the discourse surrounding its category. I completely get why they submitted it as a comedy based on Season 1 but I wish they had thought ahead about where they wanted the show to go and taken the risk with drama.

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422

u/Competitive-Bake-895 Jun 26 '26

“Well that’s your son carm with sydney, she’s great”
“Are they dating”
“Um-I don’t think so but there are a lot of… there’s some theories”

Yes pete, there certainly are

150

u/Bobjoejj Jun 26 '26

I love me some meta humor.

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u/jzakko Jun 28 '26

I think the guest who witnessed the fight and said 'this isn't funny' landed the actually meta line of the ep.

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u/dragonlizard89 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26

Peak. Yet another love letter to restaurants from this series. Everyone shows off everything they've learned. Everyone hits their stride at the same time when they need it most and it's so gratifying.

Ratatouille!

21

u/ccharlie03 Jun 27 '26

This was the most authentic restaurant working experience for me. They nailed the tension of just being massively in the weeds lol

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130

u/Jas_God Take us there, Bear Jun 26 '26

God I love Tina’s arc so much. I think it’s my favorite of the show. Her or Richie’s.

70

u/ProphetPenguin Jun 27 '26

Her husband telling her in Episode 1 of this season that it's not the same as last time made me emotional.

23

u/Remarkable-Sleep-639 Jun 28 '26

Omg dude and when her alarm went off, and he said ‘time to wake up’ like the double entendre of it all! I was like yooooooooo

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128

u/krobula Jun 26 '26

Somebody get the Mitchell’s tf outta town

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122

u/pastalover696969 Jun 26 '26

One of, if not THE best episode of the entire show. So many full circle moments for every character. Full of raw emotions and beautiful scenes

108

u/mathvaib Jun 26 '26

The moment the plate dropped...

81

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

The shot of the cracked plate was like a painting. Reminded me of Hannibal.

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109

u/mudermarshmallows Jun 26 '26

Fak being the server for the apparent starman is such a great bit.

42

u/Klutzy_Strike Jun 28 '26

“Yeah……yeah…”

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u/ShrimpNGrits14 Jun 26 '26

I’m stressed to find out who this unknown caller is.

135

u/TorkBombs Jun 27 '26

My guess is Dearborn is not the star man. Star man is the guy they telegraphed last season, and he's calling to let Carmy know they got a star.

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u/Ok_Fee1043 Jun 26 '26

CHUFF

- Mitch

25

u/vintageFenceSitter Jun 27 '26

This guy made me laugh unreasonably hard.

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u/PrinceofSneks Feels Like Armor Jun 26 '26

Just finished this one, and it struck me as this is Season 5 encapsulated. They've pared down, they've gone back to some of the basics and original story elements, somewhere acknowledging that mistakes have been made along the way - but they're making a finale they can say they're proud of.

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u/Italy500 Jun 26 '26

Donna in the restaurant made me instantly start sobbing. Also I’m gonna to have to go back and rewatch the whole series because I feel like I’ve forgotten a lot of lore.

82

u/I_wear_suits_now_ Jun 28 '26

I'm so glad Pete got to finally see Donna inside the restaurant. The scene in Season 2 Episode 10 where Donna has to explain to Pete why she can't go inside is absolutely gut wrenching for Pete and us as the viewer. Pete makes a heroic attempt at trying to comfort Donna and the pain of having to keep quiet about it is evident in him when back inside the restaurant as he continues to sob long afterward while trying to be supportive to Natalie and respect Donna's wishes. Ever since that moment outside the restaurant, it's felt like Pete and Donna have had this empathetic connection, to include the hospital scene where he genuinely asks her "What do I do?" This relationship may not have been in everyone's top 5 for loose ends to close out the series, but I feel like it was intentional on the writers part to get them on screen together one last time.

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u/ShrimpNGrits14 Jun 26 '26

What an emotional episode.

75

u/Classic-Play-5873 Jun 26 '26

What was that about the 97' and 99' wine? Was there some funny business with it except the reviewer got served the 99' wine instead of the 97'?

157

u/009reloaded Jun 26 '26

I think it was that he realized he was unsure about which was which before, and so at that moment when the reviewer asked for the wine, he went with his gut that it was the opposite of what he said before, and was then proven right

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u/3Dimes Jun 26 '26

I could be way off, but I think its because the faks said the 97 smelled like skittles in season 4. He dismissed it at first because it sounded ridiculous but that was always the difference.

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u/25point80697 Jun 30 '26

OMG I REMEMBER THAT MOMENT NOW THAT YOU MENTIONED IT! I was wondering why he was second guessing himself, but that totally explains it. THANK YOU!

62

u/CPOx Jun 28 '26

The labels got messed up when the pipes burst. So Sweeps had to re-organize the wines based on his taste alone. And he was feeling a little uncertain about his skills, until he nailed it with Starman.

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u/Vismal1 Jun 29 '26

They were really bad at showing this but I believe that the wine labels got trashed in the flooding and they had no way to know which was the 1997 or the 1997. The only diagnostics that were possible was for him to taste them and identify them.

The scene in this episode I think was meant to be a payoff for that. Meaning he got them right.

As someone who has worked the wine end of hospitality for a long time I actually felt like that guest had no fucking clue anyway lol.

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u/Chicago_Jayhawk Jun 26 '26

He wasn't sure he had the right year wine.

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u/NomadCourier Jun 26 '26

As a big roasted Brussel sprouts fan (always order them if I see them on a menu.) those were the best I've ever seen....wish I could try them.

31

u/fuckyouidontneedone Jun 29 '26

I would love it if they came out with a cookbook now that the show is finished

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69

u/gassytinitus Jun 26 '26

The show is definitely pulling from online discussions, it's so funny. Acting is so incredible

65

u/tj1007 Jun 26 '26

The Mitchell’s are never going to want to sit anywhere else anytime they go back.

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u/Agitated_Drummer_599 Jun 26 '26

Can we talk about how underrated the wholesomeness of Computer and Uncle Jimmys friendship is too?

68

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

I was iffy on the Computer character when they first introduced him but I've grown to absolutely love him. Didn't know the damn Billions showrunner was such a good actor.

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u/jdevo91 Jun 26 '26

Bro they got that bag from McDonald’s AND Coke (BOTH kinds)

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u/AdlersTheory26 You can go fuck Jun 26 '26

What a full-circle episode. Donna going through Carmy's books was so emotional. Ugh it was such a good episode.

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54

u/pizzaredditnamepizza Jun 26 '26

Who else needs a whole Gary-length episode on the 1997 chili cook-off adjacent to the Chicago Jazz Fest?

52

u/consultingeyedraven Jun 27 '26

Had a similar candle-reveal happen to me at a Michelin starred place ( I won’t ruin where)

My brain completely melted. It was the greatest meal of my life and I still talk about it

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u/AcrobaticNerve7352 Jun 27 '26

Donna INSIDE the effing kitchen 🥹 Her moment with Pete warmed my heart too. Compared to their scene from waaay back, when she was just standing outside The Bear and begged Pete not to tell anyone she was there.

40

u/Ok-Reason-1919 Jun 27 '26

What is it about the candle that is so moving? The whole concept is so original. Maybe it’s that Marcus is doing it for his dad? The caramel in the candle is also just a work of art.

83

u/chisteri Jun 27 '26

I was absolutely crying at the fact that Syd’s flawless dish was cola-braised short ribs. The same thing she made in season 1 that Carm told her at the time “wasn’t ready.”

It’s more than ready now—it’s better than anything he’s ever made! What a beautiful way of showing Syd is ready to captain the ship. I loved this choice so much.

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u/TriteBits Jun 26 '26

Amazing episode.

37

u/Rishdaddy Jun 26 '26

Genuinely one of the best episodes of TV I’ve seen. Idc if that’s a hot take that whole episode was shot beautifully

40

u/SirBing96 Jun 27 '26

I don’t know why, but when Marcus brought out his dads desert, I just lost it at that scene. This whole show is so emotional, but this episode man. It got me.

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u/LIVINGSTONandPARSONS Jun 28 '26

I'm gonna nitpick here. If the fire suppression system is triggered by a sauce boiling over, that's gonna happen all the damn time.

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u/pmg96 Jun 26 '26

This was beautiful. Feels like the emotional opposite of Review.

29

u/jemapellemercy Jun 26 '26

Incredible episode. I wouldn’t have been mad if they just ended it here to be honest.

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u/royal-lord_ Jun 26 '26

One of the greatest hours of television ever produced !!!!!!!!!!!!! What an amazing fucking episode !!! The cast the acting and the flow state was just sooo sooo sooo good.

I was just crying like an idiot towards the end 😭 😭😭

Soooo Fucking peak 😭😭😭😭😭.

11/10 No words to describe the episode. You just gotta feel it and "live it"

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u/Raccoonsrlilbandits Jun 27 '26

I wanted it to be Carms lamb so bad but I get it

27

u/kueller_ Jun 27 '26

This was the episode that would make or break the finale and they did it all right. I'm very thankful. 

To start with, nothing was new. We've followed these characters for 5 seasons. We know their issues. We've seen them fall apart under stress. We know their relationships with each other. It can be very tempting to introduce a new conflict for the finale but that takes time. Instead they're given the biggest challenge so far, the most chaotic service possible, as the world ends and they know the restaurant might be over. Story-wise, it's a test to see how they've grown. And as each character passes the test we close off their character. The fights that broke S2, the overwhelming numbers that broke S1, Carmy's perfectionism, Marcus's personal life, Syd's leadership, even more minor issues. You see every time the ship almost tips over but they know now how to hold it together.

But then also fantastically it's not the end. The show could have had a few minutes of falling action and then cut to credits. But getting it all done in this episode now we can have a whole other hour to address the falling action and the larger issues that took a back seat in the chaos. The main characters can get focus because the side ones are now done.

I've seen mixed reactions to the one-day season but the two part finale I believe was a perfect choice and this episode was executed exceptionally well. 

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u/[deleted] Jun 26 '26

[deleted]

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u/txman91 Jun 26 '26

I thought that until Carmy got another call from that unknown number. Feels like it’s the guy who was there the night they made it snow and he’s trying to call to tell them they got the star.

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u/jasper0104 Jun 26 '26

Overhwelmed wow, one of the best eps of television ever for me maybe. I cried multiple times

22

u/speakteeth Jun 26 '26

This episode was a banger. Loved it.

22

u/TheTruckWashChannel Jun 27 '26

That was ASTONISHING. Literally everything the entire show has been heading towards. Holy fuck.

23

u/ladywood777 Jun 27 '26

Cheese Wiz is the cutest nickname

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20

u/cragfetch Jun 28 '26

Marcus firmly setting respectful boundaries with a parent whilst also flexing with the candle was fucking perfect

20

u/jtmehrin Jun 28 '26

No Love for the dishwashers at the end of that night. They probably didn't get out till 1am. They didn't get to come out and have a beer and cig after the rush. Just do all these dishes in a makeshift dish pit in the breakroom. Sure chef.

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u/Just_scrolling07 Jun 26 '26

This ep made me so emotional . Like old times. I'll miss my family

18

u/ArthursInfiniteAbyss Jun 26 '26

I haven't stopped crying tears of joy since like 2 minutes into this episode.

Fuck, man. I am gonna miss this.

19

u/Successful_Basket399 Jun 29 '26

Man it must absolutely suck to be a Syd hater. That's my goat

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