The following contains spoilers for The Bear Season 2, as well as a mention of suicide.
While the first season of was filled with chaos, personal feuds and childish behavior, Season 2 of The Bear finds Carmy’s kitchen crew a bit more mature. They’re quite serious, as they’re trying to upgrade their diner to a fine dining, posh establishment. However, as is the brand of the series, trouble somehow seeps in, whether it be with industry officials, the menu or funding.
Luckily, The Bear’s Season 2 ending pulls it off, with opening night being a success. That said, it’s not fully smooth sailing after another Carmy meltdown. But what this precipitates is a new direction for the kitchen, and a Season 3 that requires the boss to do a lot of self-introspection.
The Bear Season 3 Has to Address Carmy’s Mental Health
The first season had Carmy seeking therapy for the suicide of his brother Mikey. Season 2 found Carmy on a bit more stable footing, but his attempt at another relationship with Claire backfired. Thus, a new season has to look deeper at what caused it: Carmy not being able to handle the rigors of a kitchen, or balancing the job with the pressures of being in a relationship. He’s been in denial all season long, so he has to solve his deflecting.
Carmy is still torn over Mikey’s death, while he continuously hallucinates his mean boss from New York years ago. This sets Season 3 up to have him take a break, tend to his mental health and heal these old wounds. This can help him be better for Claire, because deep down he does want a romance with the woman who considers him a soulmate. It’s something the staff will also benefit from as well since he’s just too abusive and ill-tempered.
In addition, getting to the root of Carmy’s anxiety and panic attacks can help mend bridges with his mother, Donna — something his sister, Sugar, desperately wants them to do. She knows their family bickering roots and that Carmy is in a lot of pain. As a result, Season 3 can finally have them hashing it out and settling differences, so a pregnant Sugar can get them all closure.
The Bear Season 3 Will Test Syd and the Staff
While Carmy deals with his personal issues, and how they make him a toxic, raging person, Season 3 can have Syd take up the lead. She did so in the Season 2 finale, using Richie’s help to make the launch work. Seeing as she connects and inspires everyone, and has a better eye on menu design, it would make sense while feeling organic to the plot.
That said, her father, Emmanuel, warned her of unforeseen challenges and how the step-up could be difficult. As cynical as he sounds, a potential Season 3 has elements already in play that will test Syd and the entire staff. Richie has to deal with Tiffany’s engagement in The Bear’s Taylor Swift tribute of a story, and ensure he can still run front of house. Marcus has to balance his unrequited feelings for Syd, and hopefully, keep channeling that dessert magic he learned from Luca (played by Will Poulter) in Denmark.
The entire team will also have to keep an eye on the money Cicero invested, and if the likes of Mikey and Uncle Lee (played by Bob Odenkirk) were involved in shady cash deals in the past. Ultimately, these are problems Carmy may not be equipped to deal with. This positions Syd to make executive decisions now if she’s to keep this dream kitchen running, leaving fans curious if there’ll be tension with her and Carmy.
Season 2 of The Bear is available on FX.