7 Of The Best Episodes Of ‘The Bear’ Fans Will Never Forget

Jeremy Allen White at the premiere of "The Bear" in 2022 (Photo by Eugene Powers on Shutterstock)

If you haven’t watched “The Bear” yet, you’re in for what the media is deeming one of the “most stressful shows on TV.” “The Bear” centers around a young chef named Carmy who comes home to run his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago after his brother’s suicide. The show is an intense look into his struggles as he navigates managing the business along with his interpersonal relationships and emotions. Viewers also gain a first-hand look into the gritty reality of what goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant. The best episodes of “The Bear” capture a tight balance of emotion and intensity with performances that won the cast both Golden Globes and Emmys.

Particularly after the show’s Emmy wins, the question posed was whether or not “The Bear” was really a comedy and deserved to win for Best Comedy Series. Even though the show contains a fair share of laughs, its most memorable moments certainly weren’t funny. The cast and producers argue that while the show isn’t always funny, “The Bear” is accurately meant to depict the human experience, which in itself contains laughter, tears, and everything in between. Most viewers have found that they are drawn in by the intensity and stay for the authenticity.

“The Bear” is certainly a binge-worthy experience, with each episode creating a unique experience that somehow feels like its own story but never takes the viewer out of the tumultuous universe that is “The Bear”. Some of the more intense episodes are filmed or edited as one take, so by watching the POV you feel as if you are within the environment the characters are experiencing. Other episodes are smaller, more intimate snapshots that give you a glimpse into a character’s development or internal monologue.

If you’re ready to laugh, shed a few tears, and be kept at the edge of your seat the entire time, try watching an episode or two of the best episodes of “The Bear”. StudyFinds has put together a list of the seven best episodes that are most recommended across eleven critical reviews. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

The Bear's Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards

“Forks” is consistently rated as the most popular episode to watch, as audiences get to follow Richie as he arrives at a three-star Michelin restaurant to stage, which is a kind of internship in the restaurant world where he will work alongside professional chefs. When he gets there, he is instructed to polish forks for an entire week. Series with Sophie says that this episode is the one that captured the hearts of fans as we follow Richie on his journey of hope and redemption.

Through his experience, Richie starts to respect the energy and attention that is put into every aspect of the restaurant. According to MovieWeb, originally viewers might have found Richie the most unappealing character of the first season due to his attitude, but in the end, we cheer him on as he finds his path.

In this episode, Richie tears down his tough-guy exterior and finally learns respect and how he can showcase his skills in the restaurant. The attention to detail is exceptional in this episode, and The Messenger mentions that “Forks” was a great showcase of everything that makes “The Bear” a great show – great food and stories filled with emotion, all served on a delightfully artful platter of well-paced cinematography.

According to ScreenRant, “Fishes” is not only one of the best episodes of the show but ranks as one of the most stressful. The entire episode is full of disasters, outbursts, and chaotic closeup shots. “Fishes” is set five years before Season 2, and details the events of a family Christmas that involves an intense family feud and lots of laughter and tears.

We also are first introduced to Jamie Lee Curtis in this episode. She plays Carmy and Natalie’s mom, Donna Berzatto. This episode highlights the parallels Carmy must find between his home life and the high-stress environment of restaurants. Mashable marvels that the screenplay for “Fishes” must be a mess, with how much snappy dialogue and fast-paced remarks are thrown around during the episode. We are given insight into Carmy’s relationship with his family and how it influences his mental health and tendency toward outbursts of anger.

Esquire comments that the acting in “Fishes” is superb, as each of them depicts the characters well enough in each of their own storylines for us to understand why they act the way they do throughout the whole series. We also get a glimpse into the ins and outs of each character’s current relationship with Carmy and why it is the way it is in the present day. We see him still desperate for some sort of expression of love from his family, even if he’s moved far away.

“Review” is another episode of “The Bear” that is rife with turmoil, even though it is one of the shortest at around 20 minutes. Wealth of Geeks writes that they cannot imagine living vicariously through the characters any longer than that, with how mentally taxing the experience is. The episode embodies the first-person experience “The Bear” is known for creating.

Working at a restaurant can be stressful beyond compare, with every process requiring teamwork and collaboration. Collider explains that all the characters in this episode are pushed to their breaking points, as the restaurant tries to implement a new pre-ordering system but isn’t equipped for the chaos that ensues.

“Review” is an episode that is made to look like it was filmed in one take, a technique that often looks awkward or forced. In this case, Digital Trends says that the filmmaking is as bold as the choices made for the characters and dialogue in the show. In this case the viewers are left as stressed as the characters, as is typical of this series.

The show’s title episode and season finale brings everything to a head, as it is friends and family night at the restaurant, where everyone will get to see what they’ve been working on. Besides the restaurant’s first night of service being stressful, Carmy gets locked in the walk-in freezer. The Mary Sue explains that the night culminates in Carmy having an epiphany. He realizes he cannot have everything and must choose between love and work.

Viewers aren’t used to seeing the restaurant run without Carmy. Wealth of Geeks writes that there are hints throughout the episode that he may have sabotaged his big day. The suggestion makes one wonder just how bad his mental health might be and what awaits us in season three.

According to MovieWeb, the sad ending allows us to see the main protagonist at his worst. He ruins things with Claire, and is devastated, but forced to face the fact that maybe love makes him bad at his job, and what is happening are consequences of his own actions.

“Braciole” is the perfect summary of the entire season before it, as Carmy is faced with a difficult decision. It is a deeply introspective episode, even showing us a moment of vulnerability when Carmy expresses his need for validation from his brother. Series with Sophie says that the episode is a collection of small moments that carry significant meaning and illustrate the impact of emotion.

Every emotional moment is still perfectly incorporated into the show’s usual stressful atmosphere. Besides the seven-minute monologue in the beginning, Digital Trends says that “Braciole” delivers the perfect conclusion to the show’s first season as it reveals truths about the characters and delivers frustration and tears.

Screen Rant comments on Jeremy Allen White’s acting, noting that his monologue in the season one finale likely influenced his Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He manages to convey some of the deepest parts of Carmy’s psychology as he reflects how influential Michael was for his career.

“Honeydew” is a welcome refuge from the chaos and tension of the rest of the series, with TV Fanatic describing it as “one of the most underrated episodes of the season.” In this episode Marcus the dessert chef gets the recognition he deserves with a trip to Copenhagen and private tutoring. The pacing suits Marcus’ laid-back personality, and we are introduced to new characters who have an influence on his growth.

The Messenger describes how the episode is similar to a gourmet dessert, as it is decadent to watch and a welcome reprieve from Chicago‘s hustle and bustle. This, however, is only after the beginning when Natalie reveals to Carmy that she is pregnant, and we see shots of bills and permits that represent the problems “The Bear” must conquer in under two months.

Most notable about this episode is the attention to visual detail as we follow Marcus in his learning. Series with Sophie argues that “Honeydew” is an accurate depiction of how “The Bear” is good at giving space to let its characters grow and “continues to captivate audiences with its unique storytelling and cinematic visuals.”

In “Omelette” the opening of the restaurant is fast approaching and Carmy and Sydney are starting to feel the stress. Carmy is still stressed from the emotional roller coaster that is his family and Sydney is feeling the pressure of trying to fulfill her dreams of being a chef. Screen Rant explains that Carmy is in a rare state of vulnerability because of his relationship with Claire.

The main moment of the episode is Carmy and Sydney’s five-minute heartfelt conversation under a table, where they both reveal their deepest fears. MovieWeb comments on how emotionally open and genuine this talk is for two people who work together, and how they come to the realization that they are an unshakeable team.

Collider explains that both Sydney and Carmy are very similar and the connection between the two indicates that perhaps the two were destined to meet and make the same journey together. The authenticity in this episode gives the viewer more hope that the opening of “The Bear” will succeed after all the turmoil they’ve endured.