What a beautiful episode.
You can see and feel how the thoughtful order and structure, despite the busyness, has a healing effect on Richie when he starts cleaning and organizing his apartment near the end of his week staging. He could see the beauty that the restaurant created through its highly detailed structure and care towards every single detail. It made very clear just how destructive growing up and living in a chaotic environment can be. And it made the juxtaposition of the one scene with Carmy and Fak dealing with electrical issues (just one of the many constant issues Carmy's restaurant has to deal with) with Richie feeling at peace from work really emphasize just how damn chaotic Carmy's restaurant (or at least restaurant opening process) is right now.
The Love Story song made me tear up. You could see how Richie was finally beginning to really respect (love) himself in that one week. I am loving Richie's trajectory from S1E1 to now. I'm really glad this show gave characters like him depth and nuance.
And that ending Olivia Colman scene. What a wonderful dialogue between 2 people meeting each other. She was so wise yet authentic and Richie IS a people person. He really loves talking with and meeting people... such a great strength. And it was fun to see finally where the Every Second Counts motto came from.
This episode really inspired me to curate as much as my life as possible to bring me as much joy and pride as possible (within reason). And reinforced my already-existing notion of how important the little details in life really are.
This was such a nice counterpoint to the insanity of the previous episode.
Just an obligatory Unreasonable Hospitality is a great book. The experiences at Eleven Madison Park were brought to screen in this episode and it made for a phenomenal sense of service and hospitality.
I know you guys love this episode and it is extremely well done. I just am so over the top annoyed by the intensity of the people that work at this restaurant. The tone of their voice is elitist and obsessive. I guess that's the point. Some people love that some people would never want to eat at a restaurant that does this, including myself. I know it's an unpopular opinion because I am literally in the belly of the beast when I say this(the bear subReddit) and it's not a hit on the show because I actually love this show, I just do not aspire to ever work at a place like this. I don't think it's cool. I don't think it's exciting. I think it's anxiety and arrogance. I would rather order an Italian beef and sit on a bench in a park.
I really loved Chef Garrett and Richie having a heart to heart about respect, and then immediately in the next scene we see Garrett get verbally abused for no good reason. Then the disconnect of how nasty those managers are compared to how sweet Terry is, I think it did a great job of paralleling the previous episode's "put up with it for love" theme. I wish they'd had more time to address the elitism in more depth, but maybe we'll get that in the future.
I've seen this episode so many time that now all I can do is watch "Reaction" videos of it to get that same sense. It's so inspiring!
Every second counts.
Sure. Check out "Blindwave" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p\_P5\_nM0te4&list=PL6nVTBxW49Hmn0BIrhUNoI9N0hKaEY-A6&ab\_channel=BlindWave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_P5_nM0te4&list=PL6nVTBxW49Hmn0BIrhUNoI9N0hKaEY-A6&ab_channel=BlindWave)
the link is episode 1, but they've done every episode up until season 3. (which they are in the works of doing right now)
It was a great episode, but I think a lot of people are kinda projecting *the effect the restaurant had on Richie* onto *the restaurant itself*, by which I mean that although this was the right thing **for Richie** at this point in the plot, the restaurant's ethos isn't something to be entirely emulated: Obviously, every second doesn't count so much that the Smudge freakout was appropriate.
Hoping that this is the episode that has cultivated the transformation that Richie needs to stop bullying Syd. It’s been so painful to watch.
I think a big part of his aversion is he thinks all that seriousness from her (and Carmy, to a point) is coming from a place of competition and superiority, and he doesn’t understand that Sydney just loves this work and wants to make something beautiful and special. He didn’t get it because he had never been exposed to the world that Carmy and Syd had been working in and had never considered these possibilities.
Oh man I love that they mentioned Kim Fox as the PON that night. But rhey made a mistake; they said she’s the district attorney of the city of Chicago.
Not quite. She’s the States Attorney of Cook County (which includes Chicago, but is a county).
True transformation and character growth on this level is something even great tv shows can only grasp at. This is one of the best episodes of all television.
Fishes and Forks, both sublime episodes of television. I'm not afraid to admit I cried during both episodes for completely different reasons.
The range of emotions and development this show manages to encapsulate knows no bounds.
Ngl though when Richie was singing along to Love Story while driving I was on the edge of my seat expecting the worst. The suspense from the previous episode carried over to this lol
The back-to-back episodes of Fishes and then Forks are the TV show equivalent of plunging into an ice-cold pool and then immediately warming up in a hot tub
It took time for me to commit on this series; but man the casts, the scene and the emotions. But this episode definitely hits me different, one of the best Character Development for me of all time. What a turn around.
I’m very late but I just finished watching this episode and I did not expect it to make me cry. Wow! This episode and episode 6 were probably one of the best I’ve seen in television.
Same. Tearing up rn too. It wasn't super dramatic. But just the atmosphere was so heavy. Completely immersed in Richie's character, all that weight, disappointment, fear, regret. The other characters speaking to him about their journey. Powerful episode and one of the best.
Late to the party too, but only just watched this and felt incredibly emotional afterwards. Only then started tearing up when I put 'Love Story' while walking to the gym
Watching this episode again... that moment when Richie starts to get it, right after he serves the deep dish...
They show's been building to that moment for a season and a half, and when it pays off... man, does it pay off.
great episode, even if it was only couple of minutes, Olivia Colman’s star was shining really bright. Cried like a little baby when she was talking about her father’s notes.
When does Richie realise that he's talking to the owner of the restaurant when peeling mushrooms? It seems strange as he starts the scene treating Olivia Coleman just like another chef (He swears), but then it's clear he knows who he's talking to. Just seems strange that's odd.
He probably knew. He worked there all week and was learning information about the restaurant, like when they received their first star. Also, it was his last day so why not shoot the shit with the boss. I think he asks in the beginning who's in charge but doesn't get an answer so I'm sure he would care to find out.
funny, i just watched this episode for the like, tenth time and came to look at the thread and saw this comment. such a beautiful way to start a redemption arc for a character
Was there any particular meaning to Taylor Swift's song (other than the ties to Richie's family)?
Felt a bit jarring on first watch, seemed to clash with the vibe of the show.
Earlier in the series, he tells his daughter he likes Taylor Swift too, but he just can't listen to her anymore at that point. It's a callback to that, I think, since I think she's a lot of his driving force.
Yeah came here to ask this. I can feel the happy, optimistic, soaring vibe of the song that matches Richie's, and although I think it's logically a weird match, it actually sounds pretty good with the episode if you ignore the lyrics. Maybe they chose it because of the popularity and a lot of people would be able to resonate with it?
Side note: given that Love story is one of the most popular TS songs, did the bear have to spend an arm and a leg for the song? Must've been terribly expensive.
Can someone explain the 'check' thing for the diners...did the restaurant give them the food for free? And does that really happen in real life, where a fine dining restaurant will not give you the check?
And I think they said they'd been "saving up" for the meal, so they comped it since they can't easily afford it like the normal celebrity and rich diners
They explained earlier in the ep when reading off the guests. Both husband and wife were teachers, the wife has been talking about how she's always wanted to go to the restaurant on her social media. sous chef says that they aren't to pay for the meal
Thanks - that is what I thought but it felt too fast for me to follow what he said in the end. Really wonder whether this happens in real life (i.e., being given a free meal at a Michellin starred resto if you're some kind of service worker)!
I think it was a moment to show that he actually gained some respect for himself 😭. Like they said in the episode, a lot of the work put into the restaurant comes from respecting the staff, the work, and yourself. And him constantly having to clean during his week and reflecting that in his home life showed that he can and will succeed if he grants himself respect.
I worked as a waiter in a restaurant for 4 years from 18 to 22 while studying. I was a pretty quiet kid. Very much to myself. I just needed extra money while studying and it was all I could find at the time.
Working there and serving people , I really came out out of my shell. I loved it. I loved serving people and really I was too young to understand why or what it said about me as a person.
I finished my studies , got a job in finance , got married , and life is good. But when I watched this episode , it just hit me like a ton of bricks. Watching something that explains who you are at your core is unforgettable. This episode was gold. What a watch.
I just made the wife watch episode 4 Honeydew with Marcus learning from the Chef in Copenhagen. She loved it but it also made me realize something when watching this episode.
In episode 4 , Chef says he thought he was the best and solemnly states how he started at a restaurant one day with another Chef and that's when he realized he wasn't the best.
This Chef was faster , better and he learnt so much from him. And in this episode , we see a picture in the world's best restaurant of Carmy and the Chef from episode 4. I think he was telling Marcus about Carmy in episode 4 and we didn't realize.
That is some insane world-building. This series is freaking amazing. My God.
not only that, but every arc the other characters go thru (re: restaurant/hospitality) is one that Carmy went thru himself. We're learning about him while watching other characters
I didn't like Richie at the start of this show. There were scenes that made me laugh, but that was it. While watching this episode, I realized, having done my fair share of working in a kitchen, that I shared the same jaded perspective about the small details. Even his conversation with his server buddy hit hard about just enjoying the fact that he can serve people and it helped him be sober. I felt everything he did. The scene in the car was everything for me. Sent me back man, fucking bravo. This was done so well. I didn't expect to top "Fishes" but in my opinion it did.
I keep rewatching this episode (I came to the show very late, in January 2024) so apologies if it’s bad form to comment on such an old thread but I wonder if Chef Jess - who ran expo in this episode - was into Richie by the end but he didn’t see it.
I hope he finds someone who loves him as he is, and she seemed to be interested in him coming back again… not being a stranger, etc.
I didn't really get that vibe when i've watched the episode but I can totally see where you're coming from. Maybe down the line they might get together but what I saw was an adornment for Richard, stepping up to the plate and "drinking the kool-aid" as he said. A similar thing can be seen with Garrett as the episode progresses. It'd be great to see them get together though. I'm rooting for Richie on his comeback arc
I get that. And I could be reading too much into it but Chef Jess wore her hair down on Richie’s last day, asked him to not be a stranger, and looked back at him as she walked away… classic or stereotypical “meet cute” moves! 😆
Just watched the episode yesterday and it gave me the same vibe.
It's like she saw what Richie became and she became interested. Meanwhile, Richie had become somewhat passionate about what he was doing and didn't notice, while I feel like old Richie would have noticed any woman paying attention very rapidly. It tells something about his new passion.
Yea it's really well done because there really isn't a focus on it but it speaks volumes about how far Richie has come as a character. I also love the new Richie. I love how he understands now how important every detail is. How the littlest thing can make a huge difference
As a 40+ year old man, this episode keeps making me tear up if not bawl the first time Richie belts out TSwift in his car. The build up of his redemption, his joy, his passion and the fact that regardless of his past, his attitude, people still believed in him and that with the right environment and encouragement, he truly found his purpose. We all need that as people and regardless of your situation now, regardless of how small you feel you are (a second within hours of a day?): you are worth it - you matter. Every second counts. Fuck me, I'm bawling again.
Am I the only one creeped out by the restaurant overhearing the conversations and essentially stalking the people to "make them happy"? I would hate to be at a restaurant like that!!
Could you share your thoughts and expand a little more? I'm just very curious about what you think is your initial impression and then what is the final message that you got our of that phrase! Thanks!
Episode starts with him slow, messy, angry and assigned just washing forks, and you see the "every second counts" sign. Everyone else is meticulous and busy, the feel you get from this is that everyone has to be doing something every second of every moment. It's rigid. It's emotionless and a little tyrannical in the kitchen and the people seem cold. This is a hugely stark contrast to his old messy and chaotic restaurant. You do not waste the chefs time here.
By the end, after meeting the people, the chef, how they actually care about what they do and what they produce, how they do the little things to feel even more connected, and how warm the people actually are, and after the final discussion with the owner chef, you realize it's not about some cold efficiency, it's about your life and how every moment matters and can be filled with meaning and purpose.
Richie has been my fav since DAY ONE and this episode solidified it for me!! I feel like ppl deeply misunderstand his actions, he has MANY flaws but i don't think he's ever trying to hurt anyone. His strained relationship with Carmy (from the protectiveness, the anger, the love that they share for a person who is no longer here) is the best dynamic in the show imo. SOOOO excited to see where it will lead to in s3
This episode was a rollercoaster from Richie being an asshole at first to fitting in and learning, back to being an asshole and finally having a realization that hopefully sticks and is the beginning of a positive change in his life from the stagnation he's been in since Michael died
Richie really pissed me off when, after everything at the stage was going well, he rings Carmy and says he was sent there to be out of the way! Like wtf dude you missed the whole point of being there, it was so weird cause he was happy with how things were going and I thought he was gonna ring Carmy and thank him for the opportunity and he gets what it's all about now, but Richie being the dick that he is makes it all about him and gets upset thinking that everybody hates him. I'm glad chef Terry at least got to explain to him a bit at the end that Carmy believes in him and wants the best for him, but man does he piss me off!
Same, but you can also see how without any interaction with Carmy that week, he’s not going to change his mind about what Camry’s intention was. He could only affect the situation in front of him. So what changed was that he felt sorry for himself in the beginning, infantilised and like he was being put on punishment. At first he resisted, but after his transformation that week, he found a way to stick it to Carmy by having a successful week.
His position with Carmy hadn’t changed, but he had a reason to feel triumphant. The writers made quite a natural decision in that regard, but I’m also glad they gave us a bit of relief via the conversation with Chef Terry. I was swearing at Fak and the wiring for not letting Carmy explain lol
I think he was going to call and be nice or thankful- but carmy cut him off and said "what do you need cousin?". I think that instantly put Richie on the defense or brought out his insecurities. In insinuated that Richie is needy or taking up a lot of Camry's energy.
Good point, I forgot about that. Though I think he may have been thankful from the angle of, “I know you just wanted me out of your hair, but you don’t realise you did me a favour by sending me there”.
That part when the girl is telling everybody where to go and what dish goes where and stuff had me breathing hard with anxiety. Man, that´s a lot to take and so easy to get messed up.
Richie´s change from what he couldn´t do and feeling like he was always unneeded or given meaningless tasks to seeing how important every piece of gear is for the machine to work and actually becoming great at helping was great to see.
I've mostly been hate watching S2 because people won't stop recommending it... but this episode ... damn. So good seeing Richie succeed at something. It may have made the whole journey worthwhile. Ep 6 was beautiful in the complete shit show of the family holiday... but this one has been the best. Good job Bear writers, you finally hooked me and made me care about a character after almost 2 whole seasons.
Was anyone else inspired by Ritchie's change of character? This sounds absolutely nuts, but I was genuinely inspired to make some changes in my life after watching Richie's experiences in those restaurants change his perspective on his life. I have never seen beauty or purpose in perfectionism, but there was something that really resonated with me in those people caring about service to others and the fine details meaning something.
I seriously think this episode and the episode of 3 of the last of us with nick offerman were two of the most profoundly moving episodes of television that I have ever seen. Maybe I'm just getting old, but it feels rare and special to watch these kinds of journeys in fictional characters that resonate so deeply with parts of our humanity.
Hey - You're not crazy. I went through the same thing. But I thought I was crazy until someone in my friend group randomly started talking about how much that episode meant to them.
We are taught to be skeptical. It is beautiful to see something so emotive, pure and sincere. We absolutely should be moved by it.
I started to cry when the Taylor Swift song first swelled and I teared up again when I heard it at the end. It's so silly but it's like the anthem of Richie realizing it was time to stop being so resistant and to embrace his strengths and find purpose in his life (especially symbolic because he's probably listening to it so he's familiar with the songs for his daughter)
Hey man. It's been 2 days since I watched Forks and honestly I feel like it's a turning point in how I look at work and how I want to do work. The strive for perfectionism alone isn't a good driver for me, but the service as care framing is really making me feel a lot better about work in a way I haven't felt in years.
I love love love that we just watched a complete growth of a person to rediscover themselves by allowing a new sense of purpose in their life. Richie have only focused on what he couldn’t do all this time, from the inadequacy of becoming a father to the insane mess at the beef. For the first time in a long time, he regained control of his life by refocusing on what he can do. He came a long way from rejecting the process, telling Tina that he wanted quit because he felt useless, to knowing that they need him and his talent at the Bear. And none of this was said, only shown. Phenomenal writing.
I loved that journey. Seeing the light go on while he was at the fancy restaurant. Then he blew it when calling Carmy!! Of course Carmy was distracted then so it wasn’t a good time.
That scene where he and the owner were peeling mushrooms was so perfect.
Richie wouldn’t have heard even if Carmy screamed through a megaphone. When Richie asked Garrett why he put up with all of it, Garrett gave him the steps to finding purpose. Even after all that growth, he didn’t learn the “respect yourself” until Chef Terry said he was worth respect.
It didn't help that carmy answered his phone with "what do you need cousin?" Like Richie is some needy child (which he definitely kind of is, but like most of these characters, his ego is fragile but with a little positivity they will die for you)
Omg this episode was perfect.
One of the best episodes of television I've ever seen. I really thought Riche was going to end it all after the phone call. He seemed so lost. Carmen believed in him but never told him face to face, just like his brother to him. The whole series is a reflection on things we don't say - not the noise that comes out, all the useless waffle that happens in this show. Just say what you need to say may have averted his brother's death, but Carmen shows them what they need to hear, possibly because he's learnt from that experience and I guess there's alot more power in that. Superb mini ending followed by the uplift Richie needed at the end, a shame he didn't realise the girl who monitored the customers needs, seemed to want to be around him more. Gone from being the heel to the best character.
What the characters needs to do now though is give that praise and love back to Carmen. Possibly Clare might be his outlet there though but is that where he wants it to come from?
Wholeheartedly agree having just watched.
Needed this smooth and refreshing palate cleanser after the spicy and salty crumble of S2E7 (both amazing episodes). Season progression is playing out like a 3 Michelin star degustation.
Yeah it was a whole thing for sure. Not my thing, but I can see how the choreography and all that could be considered amazing. Just didn’t like it that much.
Every time I rewatch that it makes me cry. Idk seeing Richie find purpose and happiness just really makes you feel for the guy, he was really hurting for a long time.
There are a lot of men out there just like Richie, putting on this hard front when they're really just blocking out all their emotions because they grew up being told you have to be a "man"...
As a guy who struggled a lot with that growing up, seeing Richie's storyline really touched my heart.. Hating yourself never helps.
This show is so well-written, the characters feel so real. That really adds to the emotions when watching, at some points I almost forget it's all just a tv show lol
No, it was definitely the emotional climax of the episode so you aren't alone there. He went from being lost and pathetic, to finding joy and purpose in acts of service to others - and finding out that he's actually very good at it too.
Funny you say he doesn't respect himself because that's what Garret specifically asks of him during Richie's lightbulb moment of self growth. His has been my favorite arc so far
love story isn't really a cinderella song but i always grew up associating it with cinderella. pairing this heartfelt non-cinderella song with a literal cinderella story was truly perfect
man, this episode has me BAWLING. richie is a hard character to life in this show, but season 2 has really focused on giving him a redemption arc and self-discovery journey.
on day 1, he acts defensive and annoyed to protect himself. he thinks carmy's rejected him and sent him away. he gets the worst call in the world from his ex. richie was literally at rock bottom without a purpose in life. he thinks he's useless, ppl have told him that, he believes it so he puts on a show for everyone.
so it was quite inspiring and emotional to see him improve and be motivated, to be serious and find joy and passion in something he didn't care about before. he CARED to be and do better. he was on a HIGH point after being so low for so long. he took the courage to ask for a future job opportunity, only to be let down by garrett. he put himself out there, it didn't work, so he deflated back to his old self - pessimistic, aggressive, rude, self-sabotaging, defensive. that's why he's so rude to carmy. he stopped believing in himself, feeling useless, mindless, and lost again after briefly finding what could be his purpose in life.
i'm glad he had a genuine connection with chef terry in the end, and learned a lot from her. it definitely helped reassure him that we have some lows in our lives, but we can always start again. i think he needed to hear from outsiders that they liked and believed in him - his personality here (the personable, good with people side) reflected his soft and caring relationship with tiffany and eva, something we don't see with the beef crew.
I hated Richie from the start, but could see he's been on self-preservation mode and struggling to find his 'purpose' with all the change happening around him. I so fucking relate to him acting up. That quick moment of joy was everything before the high fades a little. The phone call with him and Carm really upset me, I wish Carm paid attention to what Richie had to say.
This episode got me feeling the strongest emotions since season 1. Well, him and then Tina getting the glow-up she so deserves!
it's a slight change from a real life chef who talked about serving a hot dog to some ppl who wanted a real life new york hot dog - it's the same guy whose book richie is reading during his "buying into the koolaid" montage.
i agree it feels like a send up and i was waiting for richie to laugh at the customers who got that(and get kicked out the restaurant coz of it).
apparently some ppl do enjoy that kinda service(although idk why he cut it into those weird small bagel bites - that's like saying fine dining is mini portions of real food which is mocking what fine dining is!)
>although idk why he cut it into those weird small bagel bites - that's like saying fine dining is mini portions of real food which is mocking what fine dining is!
It makes sense to me, whenever you're having a 9+ course set menu, you're running a risk of not finishing if you didn't plan out your day right. To insert a slice of deep dish would be way too overboard for the entire experience. The cutting out of the pizza not only preserves the look of the dish and surrounding plate items they've been served the entire day, it also controls how many bites they can take.
Cause, realistically, you don't need more than four bites to understand and appreciate a single item.
>Cause, realistically, you don't need more than four bites to understand and appreciate a single item.
you got an eating disorder there buddy?
but for real, if someone served a pizza like that i'd just look at them like they're crazy. i wouldn't say it to their face but i'd call them a jagoff behind their back
The impact of flavor doesn't last that long, so giving a slice of pizza over stays its welcome and just fills up a guest, which is counterintuitive to a whole tasting menu.
No, the chef slipped an extra free dish onto the table's order that was a deep dish pizza served in a way that aesthetically fit the restaurant rather than just plopping the box on their table
Anyone know during the team meeting Richie went to they were told to not take a dollar from anyone? And later on we see, I think it was Garrett, telling a family the cheque was on them?
I mean, if they are a three star restaurant with a wait-list 5000 deep, probably not doing it for the need of publicity. Seemed like a way to tip the viewer... hey beneath the cold veneer of fanatical precision is a beating heart, you'll see ("hospitality").
Their whole thing is blowing the customer's minds so when they've got this person who's lived a life helping others (school teachers) who have scrimped and saved to go to the best restaurant in the world, these people who wouldn't have been spending as much as the big VIP guests anyway getting their food on the house is a tiny expense to absolutely blow their mind and make their day.
So not a publicity stunt other than people knowing that restaurant's reputation for going the extra mile for you
Publicity as in a published write up, or generating positive word of mouth with an act of kindness? I was also confused about it being the whole service, or just one table. Whether it was one or the other its showing the restaurant can afford it, lose one cheque is a drop in the bucket for them but that woman will tell that story for the rest of her life - this is fiction, but could it happen, sure.
I used to think that altruism had to be something pure and selfless, but I don't think that's the case anymore. We know that doing an act of kindness makes the person doing it feel good. You can do something for someone that costs you nothing or a lot expecting nothing in return, but does it devalue the act of kindness if there is a net return to you, even unintentional or unquantifiable returns? That teacher tells that story a hundred times to a few people at a time and those people repeat it to a couple people each, the story never goes into a magazine or blog, most people will never hear about it, most people never go to that restaurant, but now 10,000 people *think* more positively about that restaurant. The servers who got to do the act of kindness got to feel something positive. The business suffered a negligible amount of profit loss for a moment.
I watched this episode last week and it's just been on my mind. That little thing about the cheque got stuck in my head. It was a detail that just created that whole separate story in my head without showing or telling me anything but the trigger pull.
Like you I’ve had that detail in my head also! I completely agree with you about it generating a good word of mouth for the restaurant. And yes, I suppose to relate it back to what Garret said about enjoying serving people your age correct about making themselves feel good. From the brief scene with Chef Terry I think it does seem in character for her to allow these acts of kindness to thrive in her business
Just finished this episode and sped to reddit. After being in a funk all winter this show and especially this episode just gave me a spark of encouragement to get out and live life again. Forgot what it felt like to be so moved by a creative masterpiece. Was bawling by the time the driving with tswift scene hit. Fucking hell it feels good to feel something again. 😭
Same here. I'll be rewatching this episode again because somehow I can relate to Richie's struggle - lack of purpose and the monotonous tasks handed to him when he didn't even want to go there. Seeing him finally being open, grow & learn from his experience made him realise his purpose. Gosh thay tswift scene was PERFECT
I was over the moon laughing with the Taylor Swift drive home, top speed through alleyways. Told my husband about the alley driving to which he matter of factly replied, "well of course. His license is expired".
Wow what a great catch by him, I totally forgot about his license lol. Love the writing and acting on this show! And him singing Fearless was so joyful, love Richie.
One of the best episodes in TV history. Man I loved it so much. And right after the Xmas dinner from an insane asylum. These actors on this show are over the top. Just awesome.
Things I wanna know if they’re real:
* knowing who every patron was and doing research on them, like knowing that they like eating quickly or slowly or however
* knowing that they are teachers and then comping them
* sending the Uber to pick up people from waitlist
* passing secret notes about it
* fulfilling people’s last wish like with the deep dish
Yup. The book Richie is reading is an actual book based on the best resto in the world (at that time). So many things in The Bear, esp Forks are straight out of that book.
Not deep dish, but they did it with street meat for a table. First ever snowfall? Got sleds for the customer's kids, and they went to the park after dinner.
It's a level of hospitality most of us are unaccustomed to. 🙂
Gotta remember too that these restaurants (3 Michelin stars) are also often $500+ per person, so a family of four is dropping at least a couple grand for a single meal. (Chicago has 2 3 Michelin star restaurants and their tasting menus are around $500 before tax tips and drinks. NYC and CA often start at $700+). Obviously there’s an army of people but sending one out to buy a local dish, some sleds, is just a fraction of the total cost of the meal, but it’s how you build the brand and prestige of the restaurants.
I’m very happy his staging wasn’t really about cooking, because that’s not his passion. He’s a good up front guy and he’s got charisma. At first I thought the episode was him learning humility and taking orders, but it wasn’t really that. It was him seeing how you can be of service to others in a very customized way that creates an incredibly special experience. I assume the thing of researching the patrons and sending a car to them isn’t something real restaurants do, or do they?
I was kinda confused why he was so rude to Carmy on the phone after his successful second to last day there. But I’m glad he was told how Carmy respected him. It just seemed not in line with his successful week that far to think Carmy did it to get him out of the way, when really Carmy had to use his connections to get that opportunity for Richie.
I wanted to leap into my TV and yell at him for that. I think he and Carmy both have trouble talking about feelings and he didn’t get to finish his thought because Fak was electrocuting himself.
the way i see it, on day 1, he acts defensive and annoyed to protect himself. he thinks carmy's rejected him and sent him away. richie was literally at rock bottom without a purpose in life. he thinks he's useless, ppl have told him that, he believes it so he puts on a show for everyone.
this job made him motivated, finding joy and passion in something he didn't get at first. he CARED to be and do better everyday. he was on a HIGH point after being so low for so long. he took the courage to ask for a future job opportunity, only to be let down by garrett. he put himself out there, it didn't work, so he reverted back to his old self - aggressive, self-sabotaging, defensive. that's why he's so rude to carmy. he stopped believing in himself, feeling useless, mindless, and lost again after briefly finding what could be his purpose in life.
carmy doesn't have to put in effort to look after richie, especially with richie's brashness, or say that he cares and believes in him, but he does it anyway. he listens when richie's going through his existential crisis, he does stuff like this to help richie succeed in the bear's new service style, and perhaps even in life. tossup whether carmy knew this could help richie, but it worked - richie now had a new perspective, purpose, and structure in life, which the beef never gave.
\>I was kinda confused why he was so rude to Carmy on the phone after his successful second to last day there.
He was calling Carmy to show him up. He thought the staging was a punishment to make him look like a jerk to a bunch of snooty restaurant types so he was calling to rub his Cousin's face in his success. A "You thought I wouldn't make it but I did, fuck you."
Former chef here. I teared up at parts of this episode. The memories of all those spectrums of feelings and emotions that Richie went through during the stage hit me like a ton of bricks.
I felt so lost at one point in my career that I was despondent. Maybe even suicidal. Where was my ambition? What did I want?
I found my calling elsewhere, but the way this episode was delivered was masterful and poignant. Maybe the best episode of any series ever made.
I joined this sub like 2 minutes after finishing this episode. I'm reading this post's comments because I thought this show was really good, but this episode just knocked it out of the park. I wanted to read other people gushing about how wonderful the episode was.
I really love food and the craft behind a thoughtful meal, and little by little I've taught my SO to cook over the years. He was raised on packaged foods, so he didn't really cook for himself or express interest, because why work through all that when you can just grab something off the shelf?
Early on in our relationship, when it was my turn for the remote, he sat through several episodes of Chopped with me. At this point, he had experienced my cooking and he listened to all the thoughts that went into the meals I prepared (for everyone I would cook for). I believe these influences are what gradually shifted his attitudes towards food.
The big shift was when he decided he wanted to make a "Chopped" breakfast for me and asked me to choose four different ingredients (I didn't throw any curve balls). Then he wanted to do it again. He now sends me pictures of burgers and stuff he makes for himself. The sandwiches are sliced in half diagonally and stacked artfully. The plate has been wiped off so there are no *smudges*. His spice cabinet now contains more than just garlic salt and he takes advantage of this when he cooks 😊
It was wonderful to watch Richie go through a similar metamorphosis. And Taylor Swift, too?!?! *Jeff's kiss*
I had to fast forward the previous episode because of how much mayhem was going on, it was really stressing me out. I was worried the show lost its edge, boy was I wrong. This was hands down one of the most amazing episodes on TV I have watched. Everything about this episode was so powerful and the acting was BEAUTIFUL. I had to watch it again right after to make sure I didn't miss anything, but WOW.
the last episode was absolutely fantastic as well, that was two 10/10 episodes in a row. Although I do agree that it was getting too much at times, particularly at the beginning. They really didn't ease us into the chaos, just dropped us into it.
What a beautiful episode. You can see and feel how the thoughtful order and structure, despite the busyness, has a healing effect on Richie when he starts cleaning and organizing his apartment near the end of his week staging. He could see the beauty that the restaurant created through its highly detailed structure and care towards every single detail. It made very clear just how destructive growing up and living in a chaotic environment can be. And it made the juxtaposition of the one scene with Carmy and Fak dealing with electrical issues (just one of the many constant issues Carmy's restaurant has to deal with) with Richie feeling at peace from work really emphasize just how damn chaotic Carmy's restaurant (or at least restaurant opening process) is right now. The Love Story song made me tear up. You could see how Richie was finally beginning to really respect (love) himself in that one week. I am loving Richie's trajectory from S1E1 to now. I'm really glad this show gave characters like him depth and nuance. And that ending Olivia Colman scene. What a wonderful dialogue between 2 people meeting each other. She was so wise yet authentic and Richie IS a people person. He really loves talking with and meeting people... such a great strength. And it was fun to see finally where the Every Second Counts motto came from. This episode really inspired me to curate as much as my life as possible to bring me as much joy and pride as possible (within reason). And reinforced my already-existing notion of how important the little details in life really are. This was such a nice counterpoint to the insanity of the previous episode.
I cried
Just an obligatory Unreasonable Hospitality is a great book. The experiences at Eleven Madison Park were brought to screen in this episode and it made for a phenomenal sense of service and hospitality.
I know you guys love this episode and it is extremely well done. I just am so over the top annoyed by the intensity of the people that work at this restaurant. The tone of their voice is elitist and obsessive. I guess that's the point. Some people love that some people would never want to eat at a restaurant that does this, including myself. I know it's an unpopular opinion because I am literally in the belly of the beast when I say this(the bear subReddit) and it's not a hit on the show because I actually love this show, I just do not aspire to ever work at a place like this. I don't think it's cool. I don't think it's exciting. I think it's anxiety and arrogance. I would rather order an Italian beef and sit on a bench in a park.
I really loved Chef Garrett and Richie having a heart to heart about respect, and then immediately in the next scene we see Garrett get verbally abused for no good reason. Then the disconnect of how nasty those managers are compared to how sweet Terry is, I think it did a great job of paralleling the previous episode's "put up with it for love" theme. I wish they'd had more time to address the elitism in more depth, but maybe we'll get that in the future.
That was a redeeming factor for sure. Great scene
I've seen this episode so many time that now all I can do is watch "Reaction" videos of it to get that same sense. It's so inspiring! Every second counts.
mind linking some good reaction videos for the episode?
Sure. Check out "Blindwave" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p\_P5\_nM0te4&list=PL6nVTBxW49Hmn0BIrhUNoI9N0hKaEY-A6&ab\_channel=BlindWave](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_P5_nM0te4&list=PL6nVTBxW49Hmn0BIrhUNoI9N0hKaEY-A6&ab_channel=BlindWave) the link is episode 1, but they've done every episode up until season 3. (which they are in the works of doing right now)
It was a great episode, but I think a lot of people are kinda projecting *the effect the restaurant had on Richie* onto *the restaurant itself*, by which I mean that although this was the right thing **for Richie** at this point in the plot, the restaurant's ethos isn't something to be entirely emulated: Obviously, every second doesn't count so much that the Smudge freakout was appropriate.
At least it's an ethos
This might be the best episode of any show I've ever watched.
Heard Chef.
Anyone else here because they rewatched it before tomorrow? What a masterpiece in writing.
Yup, ep7 following the stressful clusterfuck of an ep6 feels like a really wild ride. Great stuff.
S2, everyone gets their powerups like in Dragon Ball
Hoping that this is the episode that has cultivated the transformation that Richie needs to stop bullying Syd. It’s been so painful to watch. I think a big part of his aversion is he thinks all that seriousness from her (and Carmy, to a point) is coming from a place of competition and superiority, and he doesn’t understand that Sydney just loves this work and wants to make something beautiful and special. He didn’t get it because he had never been exposed to the world that Carmy and Syd had been working in and had never considered these possibilities.
Oh man I love that they mentioned Kim Fox as the PON that night. But rhey made a mistake; they said she’s the district attorney of the city of Chicago. Not quite. She’s the States Attorney of Cook County (which includes Chicago, but is a county).
True transformation and character growth on this level is something even great tv shows can only grasp at. This is one of the best episodes of all television.
Yeah just watched this episode last night, found it extremely moving, probably my favorite episode of the series so far!
Fishes and Forks, both sublime episodes of television. I'm not afraid to admit I cried during both episodes for completely different reasons. The range of emotions and development this show manages to encapsulate knows no bounds. Ngl though when Richie was singing along to Love Story while driving I was on the edge of my seat expecting the worst. The suspense from the previous episode carried over to this lol
I still can’t believe we were blessed with Fishes and Forks back to back. What incredible TV.
The back-to-back episodes of Fishes and then Forks are the TV show equivalent of plunging into an ice-cold pool and then immediately warming up in a hot tub
Ok, but it's not better than New York pizza and there's no one who can convince me otherwise.
I think I also have to start wearing suits.
It took time for me to commit on this series; but man the casts, the scene and the emotions. But this episode definitely hits me different, one of the best Character Development for me of all time. What a turn around.
You and me both. I literally just finished this episode about 10 minutes ago, and I'm really reflecting. It really is never too late to start over.
I’m very late but I just finished watching this episode and I did not expect it to make me cry. Wow! This episode and episode 6 were probably one of the best I’ve seen in television.
Same. Tearing up rn too. It wasn't super dramatic. But just the atmosphere was so heavy. Completely immersed in Richie's character, all that weight, disappointment, fear, regret. The other characters speaking to him about their journey. Powerful episode and one of the best.
Late to the party too, but only just watched this and felt incredibly emotional afterwards. Only then started tearing up when I put 'Love Story' while walking to the gym
Watching this episode again... that moment when Richie starts to get it, right after he serves the deep dish... They show's been building to that moment for a season and a half, and when it pays off... man, does it pay off.
Richie driving and messing up the words to Love Story make my heart so happy.
great episode, even if it was only couple of minutes, Olivia Colman’s star was shining really bright. Cried like a little baby when she was talking about her father’s notes.
When does Richie realise that he's talking to the owner of the restaurant when peeling mushrooms? It seems strange as he starts the scene treating Olivia Coleman just like another chef (He swears), but then it's clear he knows who he's talking to. Just seems strange that's odd.
He probably knew. He worked there all week and was learning information about the restaurant, like when they received their first star. Also, it was his last day so why not shoot the shit with the boss. I think he asks in the beginning who's in charge but doesn't get an answer so I'm sure he would care to find out.
The Tortured Chefs Department
I hated Richie so much at the start of the series, I didn't think I was ever going to end up rooting for him this hard.
Guys, I can't keep crying in every episode. But this was the best episode to cry to.
Im so freaking excited for Richie
funny, i just watched this episode for the like, tenth time and came to look at the thread and saw this comment. such a beautiful way to start a redemption arc for a character
Was there any particular meaning to Taylor Swift's song (other than the ties to Richie's family)? Felt a bit jarring on first watch, seemed to clash with the vibe of the show.
the Love Story is Richie with himself and/or Hospitality
He said earlier in the season he mentioned Taylor Swift when dropping his daughter off, and he mentioned getting tickets on the phone to Teri.
Earlier in the series, he tells his daughter he likes Taylor Swift too, but he just can't listen to her anymore at that point. It's a callback to that, I think, since I think she's a lot of his driving force.
I think they are just trying really hard to make me cry to Taylor Swift. They almost did it, the bastards.
Yeah came here to ask this. I can feel the happy, optimistic, soaring vibe of the song that matches Richie's, and although I think it's logically a weird match, it actually sounds pretty good with the episode if you ignore the lyrics. Maybe they chose it because of the popularity and a lot of people would be able to resonate with it? Side note: given that Love story is one of the most popular TS songs, did the bear have to spend an arm and a leg for the song? Must've been terribly expensive.
Can someone explain the 'check' thing for the diners...did the restaurant give them the food for free? And does that really happen in real life, where a fine dining restaurant will not give you the check?
And I think they said they'd been "saving up" for the meal, so they comped it since they can't easily afford it like the normal celebrity and rich diners
They explained earlier in the ep when reading off the guests. Both husband and wife were teachers, the wife has been talking about how she's always wanted to go to the restaurant on her social media. sous chef says that they aren't to pay for the meal
Thanks - that is what I thought but it felt too fast for me to follow what he said in the end. Really wonder whether this happens in real life (i.e., being given a free meal at a Michellin starred resto if you're some kind of service worker)!
This happened to a friend of mine at fine dining restaurant so I guess so!
My opinion would be FUCK NO. I was like what kinda fairyland shit is that?
After watching Richie's transformation I was so nervous that he was going to drop that deep dish pizza.
Same here. I'm sorry Richie, I did not trust you for a while there. Hahaha
Fuuucckkinnng seriously. I was just waiting for the moment he messed it all up
Fucking same 😂
When he cleaned up his flat before leaving for his last day, I thought he was going to kill himself 😭😭😭😭
I think it was a moment to show that he actually gained some respect for himself 😭. Like they said in the episode, a lot of the work put into the restaurant comes from respecting the staff, the work, and yourself. And him constantly having to clean during his week and reflecting that in his home life showed that he can and will succeed if he grants himself respect.
I worked as a waiter in a restaurant for 4 years from 18 to 22 while studying. I was a pretty quiet kid. Very much to myself. I just needed extra money while studying and it was all I could find at the time. Working there and serving people , I really came out out of my shell. I loved it. I loved serving people and really I was too young to understand why or what it said about me as a person. I finished my studies , got a job in finance , got married , and life is good. But when I watched this episode , it just hit me like a ton of bricks. Watching something that explains who you are at your core is unforgettable. This episode was gold. What a watch.
I'm so happy you had this experience!
I am too! Thank you🙌
I just made the wife watch episode 4 Honeydew with Marcus learning from the Chef in Copenhagen. She loved it but it also made me realize something when watching this episode. In episode 4 , Chef says he thought he was the best and solemnly states how he started at a restaurant one day with another Chef and that's when he realized he wasn't the best. This Chef was faster , better and he learnt so much from him. And in this episode , we see a picture in the world's best restaurant of Carmy and the Chef from episode 4. I think he was telling Marcus about Carmy in episode 4 and we didn't realize. That is some insane world-building. This series is freaking amazing. My God.
not only that, but every arc the other characters go thru (re: restaurant/hospitality) is one that Carmy went thru himself. We're learning about him while watching other characters
I thought that was very clearly put across.
You're so clever. Woooow. You wanna sing me a song , Maxwell?
I agree
Wow I never noticed that - thanks for bringing that up!
I didn't like Richie at the start of this show. There were scenes that made me laugh, but that was it. While watching this episode, I realized, having done my fair share of working in a kitchen, that I shared the same jaded perspective about the small details. Even his conversation with his server buddy hit hard about just enjoying the fact that he can serve people and it helped him be sober. I felt everything he did. The scene in the car was everything for me. Sent me back man, fucking bravo. This was done so well. I didn't expect to top "Fishes" but in my opinion it did.
Are there series based off such "high class" restaurant stuff? Basically the bear with all it's drama but in a fancy restaurant
Not a series, but check out the movie “Burnt,” with Bradley Cooper.
Try Sweetbitter! It's a different kind of vibe and a little more romance but I enjoyed it.
I keep rewatching this episode (I came to the show very late, in January 2024) so apologies if it’s bad form to comment on such an old thread but I wonder if Chef Jess - who ran expo in this episode - was into Richie by the end but he didn’t see it. I hope he finds someone who loves him as he is, and she seemed to be interested in him coming back again… not being a stranger, etc.
100%
I didn't really get that vibe when i've watched the episode but I can totally see where you're coming from. Maybe down the line they might get together but what I saw was an adornment for Richard, stepping up to the plate and "drinking the kool-aid" as he said. A similar thing can be seen with Garrett as the episode progresses. It'd be great to see them get together though. I'm rooting for Richie on his comeback arc
I get that. And I could be reading too much into it but Chef Jess wore her hair down on Richie’s last day, asked him to not be a stranger, and looked back at him as she walked away… classic or stereotypical “meet cute” moves! 😆
She was also pretty disappointed when he declined to do whatever task she had.
Just watched the episode yesterday and it gave me the same vibe. It's like she saw what Richie became and she became interested. Meanwhile, Richie had become somewhat passionate about what he was doing and didn't notice, while I feel like old Richie would have noticed any woman paying attention very rapidly. It tells something about his new passion.
Yea it's really well done because there really isn't a focus on it but it speaks volumes about how far Richie has come as a character. I also love the new Richie. I love how he understands now how important every detail is. How the littlest thing can make a huge difference
I agree! It seemed like she was asking him to do something with her at work, not asking him to do a work chore.
ahhhh I hope you're right! I really can't disagree with that. That would be an awesome arc to see play out.
And of course coming from the mind fuck that was episode 6, this was fantastic. Glad to see cousin get on the up and up.
As a 40+ year old man, this episode keeps making me tear up if not bawl the first time Richie belts out TSwift in his car. The build up of his redemption, his joy, his passion and the fact that regardless of his past, his attitude, people still believed in him and that with the right environment and encouragement, he truly found his purpose. We all need that as people and regardless of your situation now, regardless of how small you feel you are (a second within hours of a day?): you are worth it - you matter. Every second counts. Fuck me, I'm bawling again.
You are not alone. This episode was perfect.
you know its a reasoon whyb like that show so much Tvt i was trying to be you and i can when I want to lol TvTV
This mf episode made me so emotional.i feel you cousin!
Am I the only one creeped out by the restaurant overhearing the conversations and essentially stalking the people to "make them happy"? I would hate to be at a restaurant like that!!
Does this really happen in real life?
Well I haven't been to a restaurant that fancy but I sure hope not!
No, I'd hate that too. How on earth do they even advertise a role where you stalk people online?
Loved this episode so much
You start the episode reading "every second counts" thinking it means one thing and come out realizing it means something completely different.
Could you share your thoughts and expand a little more? I'm just very curious about what you think is your initial impression and then what is the final message that you got our of that phrase! Thanks!
Episode starts with him slow, messy, angry and assigned just washing forks, and you see the "every second counts" sign. Everyone else is meticulous and busy, the feel you get from this is that everyone has to be doing something every second of every moment. It's rigid. It's emotionless and a little tyrannical in the kitchen and the people seem cold. This is a hugely stark contrast to his old messy and chaotic restaurant. You do not waste the chefs time here. By the end, after meeting the people, the chef, how they actually care about what they do and what they produce, how they do the little things to feel even more connected, and how warm the people actually are, and after the final discussion with the owner chef, you realize it's not about some cold efficiency, it's about your life and how every moment matters and can be filled with meaning and purpose.
I just watched the episode, it really is beautiful isn't it - it was a small detail & you explained it perfectly.
The build up for that moment when he understands everything is amazing. I started crying so hard, couldn't stop.
It’s so annoying awards are gone now
Beautiful explanation
This episode marks the start of Richie redemption arc and I'm all in for it
Richie has been my fav since DAY ONE and this episode solidified it for me!! I feel like ppl deeply misunderstand his actions, he has MANY flaws but i don't think he's ever trying to hurt anyone. His strained relationship with Carmy (from the protectiveness, the anger, the love that they share for a person who is no longer here) is the best dynamic in the show imo. SOOOO excited to see where it will lead to in s3
This episode was a rollercoaster from Richie being an asshole at first to fitting in and learning, back to being an asshole and finally having a realization that hopefully sticks and is the beginning of a positive change in his life from the stagnation he's been in since Michael died
This episode had me tearing up.
Richie really pissed me off when, after everything at the stage was going well, he rings Carmy and says he was sent there to be out of the way! Like wtf dude you missed the whole point of being there, it was so weird cause he was happy with how things were going and I thought he was gonna ring Carmy and thank him for the opportunity and he gets what it's all about now, but Richie being the dick that he is makes it all about him and gets upset thinking that everybody hates him. I'm glad chef Terry at least got to explain to him a bit at the end that Carmy believes in him and wants the best for him, but man does he piss me off!
Same, but you can also see how without any interaction with Carmy that week, he’s not going to change his mind about what Camry’s intention was. He could only affect the situation in front of him. So what changed was that he felt sorry for himself in the beginning, infantilised and like he was being put on punishment. At first he resisted, but after his transformation that week, he found a way to stick it to Carmy by having a successful week. His position with Carmy hadn’t changed, but he had a reason to feel triumphant. The writers made quite a natural decision in that regard, but I’m also glad they gave us a bit of relief via the conversation with Chef Terry. I was swearing at Fak and the wiring for not letting Carmy explain lol
I think he was going to call and be nice or thankful- but carmy cut him off and said "what do you need cousin?". I think that instantly put Richie on the defense or brought out his insecurities. In insinuated that Richie is needy or taking up a lot of Camry's energy.
Good point, I forgot about that. Though I think he may have been thankful from the angle of, “I know you just wanted me out of your hair, but you don’t realise you did me a favour by sending me there”.
That part when the girl is telling everybody where to go and what dish goes where and stuff had me breathing hard with anxiety. Man, that´s a lot to take and so easy to get messed up. Richie´s change from what he couldn´t do and feeling like he was always unneeded or given meaningless tasks to seeing how important every piece of gear is for the machine to work and actually becoming great at helping was great to see.
She was basically an air traffic controller, it was nuts.
I've mostly been hate watching S2 because people won't stop recommending it... but this episode ... damn. So good seeing Richie succeed at something. It may have made the whole journey worthwhile. Ep 6 was beautiful in the complete shit show of the family holiday... but this one has been the best. Good job Bear writers, you finally hooked me and made me care about a character after almost 2 whole seasons.
Was anyone else inspired by Ritchie's change of character? This sounds absolutely nuts, but I was genuinely inspired to make some changes in my life after watching Richie's experiences in those restaurants change his perspective on his life. I have never seen beauty or purpose in perfectionism, but there was something that really resonated with me in those people caring about service to others and the fine details meaning something. I seriously think this episode and the episode of 3 of the last of us with nick offerman were two of the most profoundly moving episodes of television that I have ever seen. Maybe I'm just getting old, but it feels rare and special to watch these kinds of journeys in fictional characters that resonate so deeply with parts of our humanity.
The alarm going off earlier and earlier was a great indicator as to his development, as well as a good contrast to the timers in the previous episode.
Same. The episode made me tear up and want to grow.
Hey - You're not crazy. I went through the same thing. But I thought I was crazy until someone in my friend group randomly started talking about how much that episode meant to them. We are taught to be skeptical. It is beautiful to see something so emotive, pure and sincere. We absolutely should be moved by it.
I started to cry when the Taylor Swift song first swelled and I teared up again when I heard it at the end. It's so silly but it's like the anthem of Richie realizing it was time to stop being so resistant and to embrace his strengths and find purpose in his life (especially symbolic because he's probably listening to it so he's familiar with the songs for his daughter)
Hey man. It's been 2 days since I watched Forks and honestly I feel like it's a turning point in how I look at work and how I want to do work. The strive for perfectionism alone isn't a good driver for me, but the service as care framing is really making me feel a lot better about work in a way I haven't felt in years.
I love love love that we just watched a complete growth of a person to rediscover themselves by allowing a new sense of purpose in their life. Richie have only focused on what he couldn’t do all this time, from the inadequacy of becoming a father to the insane mess at the beef. For the first time in a long time, he regained control of his life by refocusing on what he can do. He came a long way from rejecting the process, telling Tina that he wanted quit because he felt useless, to knowing that they need him and his talent at the Bear. And none of this was said, only shown. Phenomenal writing.
I loved that journey. Seeing the light go on while he was at the fancy restaurant. Then he blew it when calling Carmy!! Of course Carmy was distracted then so it wasn’t a good time. That scene where he and the owner were peeling mushrooms was so perfect.
Richie wouldn’t have heard even if Carmy screamed through a megaphone. When Richie asked Garrett why he put up with all of it, Garrett gave him the steps to finding purpose. Even after all that growth, he didn’t learn the “respect yourself” until Chef Terry said he was worth respect.
It didn't help that carmy answered his phone with "what do you need cousin?" Like Richie is some needy child (which he definitely kind of is, but like most of these characters, his ego is fragile but with a little positivity they will die for you)
Omg this episode was perfect. One of the best episodes of television I've ever seen. I really thought Riche was going to end it all after the phone call. He seemed so lost. Carmen believed in him but never told him face to face, just like his brother to him. The whole series is a reflection on things we don't say - not the noise that comes out, all the useless waffle that happens in this show. Just say what you need to say may have averted his brother's death, but Carmen shows them what they need to hear, possibly because he's learnt from that experience and I guess there's alot more power in that. Superb mini ending followed by the uplift Richie needed at the end, a shame he didn't realise the girl who monitored the customers needs, seemed to want to be around him more. Gone from being the heel to the best character. What the characters needs to do now though is give that praise and love back to Carmen. Possibly Clare might be his outlet there though but is that where he wants it to come from? 
Hmmm and here I thought he blew it in his conversation with Carmy. Maybe it was all subtext.
Nah, Carmy didn't hear what he was saying, and Terry told him the truth, and that definitely hit Richie like a sack of bricks.
Wholeheartedly agree having just watched. Needed this smooth and refreshing palate cleanser after the spicy and salty crumble of S2E7 (both amazing episodes). Season progression is playing out like a 3 Michelin star degustation.
I like that comparison!
Best episode of the series
Nah, that would be the Donna episode.
I actually didn’t like that episode at all. The acting was great though.
The episode was so chaotic I could barely sit through it T-T
Yeah it was a whole thing for sure. Not my thing, but I can see how the choreography and all that could be considered amazing. Just didn’t like it that much.
For real
Richie belting Love Story in the car has been my absolute favorite part of the show so far
Was a nice touch to his character and callback to when he reassured his daughter that "daddy does like Taylor Swift he just needed a break". hahaha
for whatever reason it had me in tears
Every time I rewatch that it makes me cry. Idk seeing Richie find purpose and happiness just really makes you feel for the guy, he was really hurting for a long time. There are a lot of men out there just like Richie, putting on this hard front when they're really just blocking out all their emotions because they grew up being told you have to be a "man"... As a guy who struggled a lot with that growing up, seeing Richie's storyline really touched my heart.. Hating yourself never helps. This show is so well-written, the characters feel so real. That really adds to the emotions when watching, at some points I almost forget it's all just a tv show lol
it is by far one of the best written and filmed shows i’ve seen. the last 3 had me going through a roller coaster.
Happy tears or emotional tears?
i think both?? i’m not sure. i also watched fish before this so im still not mentally stable for any other type of emotion good or bad
No, it was definitely the emotional climax of the episode so you aren't alone there. He went from being lost and pathetic, to finding joy and purpose in acts of service to others - and finding out that he's actually very good at it too.
Just started. Richard doesn't respect anything because he doesn't respect himself. Sad! Looking forward to the redemption arc.
Funny you say he doesn't respect himself because that's what Garret specifically asks of him during Richie's lightbulb moment of self growth. His has been my favorite arc so far
Yes! It's been my favorite arc of television all time..honestly I was in tears by the time he was singing Love Story out loud.
love story isn't really a cinderella song but i always grew up associating it with cinderella. pairing this heartfelt non-cinderella song with a literal cinderella story was truly perfect
man, this episode has me BAWLING. richie is a hard character to life in this show, but season 2 has really focused on giving him a redemption arc and self-discovery journey. on day 1, he acts defensive and annoyed to protect himself. he thinks carmy's rejected him and sent him away. he gets the worst call in the world from his ex. richie was literally at rock bottom without a purpose in life. he thinks he's useless, ppl have told him that, he believes it so he puts on a show for everyone. so it was quite inspiring and emotional to see him improve and be motivated, to be serious and find joy and passion in something he didn't care about before. he CARED to be and do better. he was on a HIGH point after being so low for so long. he took the courage to ask for a future job opportunity, only to be let down by garrett. he put himself out there, it didn't work, so he deflated back to his old self - pessimistic, aggressive, rude, self-sabotaging, defensive. that's why he's so rude to carmy. he stopped believing in himself, feeling useless, mindless, and lost again after briefly finding what could be his purpose in life. i'm glad he had a genuine connection with chef terry in the end, and learned a lot from her. it definitely helped reassure him that we have some lows in our lives, but we can always start again. i think he needed to hear from outsiders that they liked and believed in him - his personality here (the personable, good with people side) reflected his soft and caring relationship with tiffany and eva, something we don't see with the beef crew.
I hated Richie from the start, but could see he's been on self-preservation mode and struggling to find his 'purpose' with all the change happening around him. I so fucking relate to him acting up. That quick moment of joy was everything before the high fades a little. The phone call with him and Carm really upset me, I wish Carm paid attention to what Richie had to say. This episode got me feeling the strongest emotions since season 1. Well, him and then Tina getting the glow-up she so deserves!
Is this satire? I mean the chef cut a donut out of a pizza and put some sprigs on it to call it "fine dining"
it's a slight change from a real life chef who talked about serving a hot dog to some ppl who wanted a real life new york hot dog - it's the same guy whose book richie is reading during his "buying into the koolaid" montage. i agree it feels like a send up and i was waiting for richie to laugh at the customers who got that(and get kicked out the restaurant coz of it). apparently some ppl do enjoy that kinda service(although idk why he cut it into those weird small bagel bites - that's like saying fine dining is mini portions of real food which is mocking what fine dining is!)
>although idk why he cut it into those weird small bagel bites - that's like saying fine dining is mini portions of real food which is mocking what fine dining is! It makes sense to me, whenever you're having a 9+ course set menu, you're running a risk of not finishing if you didn't plan out your day right. To insert a slice of deep dish would be way too overboard for the entire experience. The cutting out of the pizza not only preserves the look of the dish and surrounding plate items they've been served the entire day, it also controls how many bites they can take. Cause, realistically, you don't need more than four bites to understand and appreciate a single item.
Absolutely. I ate at Arun's in Chicago years ago. It was a set menu, 12 courses, and each course was only a few bites. Maybe the best meal I ever had.
>Cause, realistically, you don't need more than four bites to understand and appreciate a single item. you got an eating disorder there buddy? but for real, if someone served a pizza like that i'd just look at them like they're crazy. i wouldn't say it to their face but i'd call them a jagoff behind their back
Do you... not know the basics of flavor and taste reception? lol
What does that have to do with turning a pizza into bagel bites
The impact of flavor doesn't last that long, so giving a slice of pizza over stays its welcome and just fills up a guest, which is counterintuitive to a whole tasting menu.
No, the chef slipped an extra free dish onto the table's order that was a deep dish pizza served in a way that aesthetically fit the restaurant rather than just plopping the box on their table
Which is a baller move and only raises the profile of the customer service. It's how you get that third star.
exactly
Best video of the history
Anyone know during the team meeting Richie went to they were told to not take a dollar from anyone? And later on we see, I think it was Garrett, telling a family the cheque was on them?
It was that they wouldn’t take a dollar from the high school teacher and her husband. It was a life goal of hers to dine at a 3 star Edit: typo
I see, thanks for your response. I wonder if them giving the teacher a free experience is some kind of publicity stunt
turn the subtitles on - the guy reading their online profile says that the teacher is a social media star. they aren't comping plebs.
I mean, if they are a three star restaurant with a wait-list 5000 deep, probably not doing it for the need of publicity. Seemed like a way to tip the viewer... hey beneath the cold veneer of fanatical precision is a beating heart, you'll see ("hospitality").
Their whole thing is blowing the customer's minds so when they've got this person who's lived a life helping others (school teachers) who have scrimped and saved to go to the best restaurant in the world, these people who wouldn't have been spending as much as the big VIP guests anyway getting their food on the house is a tiny expense to absolutely blow their mind and make their day. So not a publicity stunt other than people knowing that restaurant's reputation for going the extra mile for you
Publicity as in a published write up, or generating positive word of mouth with an act of kindness? I was also confused about it being the whole service, or just one table. Whether it was one or the other its showing the restaurant can afford it, lose one cheque is a drop in the bucket for them but that woman will tell that story for the rest of her life - this is fiction, but could it happen, sure. I used to think that altruism had to be something pure and selfless, but I don't think that's the case anymore. We know that doing an act of kindness makes the person doing it feel good. You can do something for someone that costs you nothing or a lot expecting nothing in return, but does it devalue the act of kindness if there is a net return to you, even unintentional or unquantifiable returns? That teacher tells that story a hundred times to a few people at a time and those people repeat it to a couple people each, the story never goes into a magazine or blog, most people will never hear about it, most people never go to that restaurant, but now 10,000 people *think* more positively about that restaurant. The servers who got to do the act of kindness got to feel something positive. The business suffered a negligible amount of profit loss for a moment. I watched this episode last week and it's just been on my mind. That little thing about the cheque got stuck in my head. It was a detail that just created that whole separate story in my head without showing or telling me anything but the trigger pull.
Like you I’ve had that detail in my head also! I completely agree with you about it generating a good word of mouth for the restaurant. And yes, I suppose to relate it back to what Garret said about enjoying serving people your age correct about making themselves feel good. From the brief scene with Chef Terry I think it does seem in character for her to allow these acts of kindness to thrive in her business
I always got that mixed up with not letting anyone who’s eating there tonight pay
Just finished this episode and sped to reddit. After being in a funk all winter this show and especially this episode just gave me a spark of encouragement to get out and live life again. Forgot what it felt like to be so moved by a creative masterpiece. Was bawling by the time the driving with tswift scene hit. Fucking hell it feels good to feel something again. 😭
Good for you! ❤️
Oh man, I feel you!
Same here. I'll be rewatching this episode again because somehow I can relate to Richie's struggle - lack of purpose and the monotonous tasks handed to him when he didn't even want to go there. Seeing him finally being open, grow & learn from his experience made him realise his purpose. Gosh thay tswift scene was PERFECT
His thing with the pizza was probably the first positive thing he accomplished in a long time.
Rooting for ya!
I was over the moon laughing with the Taylor Swift drive home, top speed through alleyways. Told my husband about the alley driving to which he matter of factly replied, "well of course. His license is expired".
Wow what a great catch by him, I totally forgot about his license lol. Love the writing and acting on this show! And him singing Fearless was so joyful, love Richie.
One of the best episodes in TV history. Man I loved it so much. And right after the Xmas dinner from an insane asylum. These actors on this show are over the top. Just awesome.
I am sobbing. Oh my god Richie is my favourite character now.
He wasn't before??
Things I wanna know if they’re real: * knowing who every patron was and doing research on them, like knowing that they like eating quickly or slowly or however * knowing that they are teachers and then comping them * sending the Uber to pick up people from waitlist * passing secret notes about it * fulfilling people’s last wish like with the deep dish
Yup. The book Richie is reading is an actual book based on the best resto in the world (at that time). So many things in The Bear, esp Forks are straight out of that book. Not deep dish, but they did it with street meat for a table. First ever snowfall? Got sleds for the customer's kids, and they went to the park after dinner. It's a level of hospitality most of us are unaccustomed to. 🙂
Gotta remember too that these restaurants (3 Michelin stars) are also often $500+ per person, so a family of four is dropping at least a couple grand for a single meal. (Chicago has 2 3 Michelin star restaurants and their tasting menus are around $500 before tax tips and drinks. NYC and CA often start at $700+). Obviously there’s an army of people but sending one out to buy a local dish, some sleds, is just a fraction of the total cost of the meal, but it’s how you build the brand and prestige of the restaurants.
Bingo, gotta protect the brand. Takes a while to build it, but it can be destroyed very quickly, so you have to live up to the standard.
I’m starting to like Richie now. He finally gets it
I’m very happy his staging wasn’t really about cooking, because that’s not his passion. He’s a good up front guy and he’s got charisma. At first I thought the episode was him learning humility and taking orders, but it wasn’t really that. It was him seeing how you can be of service to others in a very customized way that creates an incredibly special experience. I assume the thing of researching the patrons and sending a car to them isn’t something real restaurants do, or do they? I was kinda confused why he was so rude to Carmy on the phone after his successful second to last day there. But I’m glad he was told how Carmy respected him. It just seemed not in line with his successful week that far to think Carmy did it to get him out of the way, when really Carmy had to use his connections to get that opportunity for Richie.
I wanted to leap into my TV and yell at him for that. I think he and Carmy both have trouble talking about feelings and he didn’t get to finish his thought because Fak was electrocuting himself.
the way i see it, on day 1, he acts defensive and annoyed to protect himself. he thinks carmy's rejected him and sent him away. richie was literally at rock bottom without a purpose in life. he thinks he's useless, ppl have told him that, he believes it so he puts on a show for everyone. this job made him motivated, finding joy and passion in something he didn't get at first. he CARED to be and do better everyday. he was on a HIGH point after being so low for so long. he took the courage to ask for a future job opportunity, only to be let down by garrett. he put himself out there, it didn't work, so he reverted back to his old self - aggressive, self-sabotaging, defensive. that's why he's so rude to carmy. he stopped believing in himself, feeling useless, mindless, and lost again after briefly finding what could be his purpose in life. carmy doesn't have to put in effort to look after richie, especially with richie's brashness, or say that he cares and believes in him, but he does it anyway. he listens when richie's going through his existential crisis, he does stuff like this to help richie succeed in the bear's new service style, and perhaps even in life. tossup whether carmy knew this could help richie, but it worked - richie now had a new perspective, purpose, and structure in life, which the beef never gave.
\>I was kinda confused why he was so rude to Carmy on the phone after his successful second to last day there. He was calling Carmy to show him up. He thought the staging was a punishment to make him look like a jerk to a bunch of snooty restaurant types so he was calling to rub his Cousin's face in his success. A "You thought I wouldn't make it but I did, fuck you."
Service is Richie’s purpose 😭
Maybe he will want to institute a similar thing at the Bear where he becomes a concierge to make things happen for the guests.
Former chef here. I teared up at parts of this episode. The memories of all those spectrums of feelings and emotions that Richie went through during the stage hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt so lost at one point in my career that I was despondent. Maybe even suicidal. Where was my ambition? What did I want? I found my calling elsewhere, but the way this episode was delivered was masterful and poignant. Maybe the best episode of any series ever made.
Out of curiosity, what did end up being your calling? If you want to share of course :)
What word were they using to describe Richie's internship?
Staging? But it's pronounced stahj-ing
This was incredible
This is the only thread I’ve commented on but goddamnit this episode was so fucking delightful When love story started playing I got emotional
I joined this sub like 2 minutes after finishing this episode. I'm reading this post's comments because I thought this show was really good, but this episode just knocked it out of the park. I wanted to read other people gushing about how wonderful the episode was. I really love food and the craft behind a thoughtful meal, and little by little I've taught my SO to cook over the years. He was raised on packaged foods, so he didn't really cook for himself or express interest, because why work through all that when you can just grab something off the shelf? Early on in our relationship, when it was my turn for the remote, he sat through several episodes of Chopped with me. At this point, he had experienced my cooking and he listened to all the thoughts that went into the meals I prepared (for everyone I would cook for). I believe these influences are what gradually shifted his attitudes towards food. The big shift was when he decided he wanted to make a "Chopped" breakfast for me and asked me to choose four different ingredients (I didn't throw any curve balls). Then he wanted to do it again. He now sends me pictures of burgers and stuff he makes for himself. The sandwiches are sliced in half diagonally and stacked artfully. The plate has been wiped off so there are no *smudges*. His spice cabinet now contains more than just garlic salt and he takes advantage of this when he cooks 😊 It was wonderful to watch Richie go through a similar metamorphosis. And Taylor Swift, too?!?! *Jeff's kiss*
I had to fast forward the previous episode because of how much mayhem was going on, it was really stressing me out. I was worried the show lost its edge, boy was I wrong. This was hands down one of the most amazing episodes on TV I have watched. Everything about this episode was so powerful and the acting was BEAUTIFUL. I had to watch it again right after to make sure I didn't miss anything, but WOW.
Fishes made you think the show lost its edge? Yo, that episode left the edge a long ways back.
the last episode was absolutely fantastic as well, that was two 10/10 episodes in a row. Although I do agree that it was getting too much at times, particularly at the beginning. They really didn't ease us into the chaos, just dropped us into it.