The Bear is an Emmy-winning FX series created by Christopher Storer that has become one of the most talked-about television shows. With its fast-paced kitchen chaos, riveting character arcs, and brilliant performance, it’s no surprise that fans are eagerly waiting for Season 4, dropping soon this month. Before diving into the new season, it’s the perfect time to revisit some key episodes that shaped the story so far.
These episodes are more than just great TV — they help explain why certain characters act the way they do. From Carmy’s deep passion for cooking to Sydney and Richie’s personal growth, these moments show how their relationships were tested and eventually strengthened. You’ll also see how Mikey has left a lasting mark on everyone’s life; his presence is still felt in the kitchen.
Whether you’re watching for the first time or doing a quick rewatch, these seven episodes are essential before the new season rolls out. They highlight the emotion, chaos, and connection that make The Bear such a powerful show — and they’ll get you fully ready for what Season 4 is about to serve.
7. Season 1 Episode 1: System
The most obvious entry on this list is the very first episode, System. This is where everything begins. The episode takes off just weeks after Mikey’s death and drops us straight into the disorganized kitchen of The Beef. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) returns to Chicago from the world of fine dining, only to find a failing business, unpaid bills, and a crew not open to change.
Right away, the tone is set — fast, messy, loud. Carmy is calm but clearly battling his own internal chaos. Richie pushes back on every change, especially Carmy’s attempts to bring order and structure to the “System”. Sydney (played by Ayo Edebiri) enters the scene with her quirky, anxiety-filled energy, and despite seeing the cracks in the kitchen, is willing to try her hand at making it work.
Carmy uses whatever resources he has left — including selling rare and collectible jackets — to keep the restaurant running. From the beginning, you can see his skill, his pressure, and his strong will to fix what’s broken. This episode lays the groundwork for the entire show. It shows how hard things are for Carmy and how complicated the people around him can be. He’s not just dealing with food — he’s dealing with pain, memories, and a team that doesn’t fully trust him yet.
6. Season 1, Episode 6: Ceres
Even though the show centers around Mikey’s (Jon Bernthal) absence, we don’t actually see him until this episode — and that changes everything. In a brief but powerful flashback, Jon Bernthal appears as Mikey while Richie tells a wild story about a voicemail involving Bill Murray.
The moment is both funny and chaotic, yet deeply human, showcasing how Mikey lit up every room he walked into. He was the heart of the party. This is also where the show subtly reminds us that people who are struggling the most don’t always show it. Mikey was loud, funny, full of life — and still, he was silently carrying something no one else could see. It’s one of the most important episodes for understanding the emotional weight behind Carmy’s and everyone else’s grief.
You also start to see how the restaurant is becoming important to everyone, not just Carmy. When trouble brews outside the shop, Sydney steps in and offers free sandwiches to help calm things down before it escalates. She takes charge, not because she has to, but because she wants to protect the space they’re all building.
At the same time, Richie notices that the situation is getting out of hand. Even though the people causing the scene are his friends, he ends up calling the cops. It’s a difficult decision, but it shows that he’s starting to prioritize the restaurant. This is the moment when it’s no longer just Carmy trying to save The Beef — others are beginning to care just as much. The restaurant is becoming more than a workplace. It’s turning into something Mikey might have dreamed of.
5. Season 1, Episode 7: Review
Before other shows made one-take episodes popular, The Bear had already done it with its Season 1, Episode 7 titled Review. The entire episode is filmed in a single shot, making the tension feel more real and intense with every passing minute. What starts as a normal day at the restaurant quickly turns into complete chaos, with everyone running around, shouting, and losing control.
Carmy is clearly falling apart under pressure; the whole new system of placing orders wreaks havoc in the kitchen. His need for everything to be perfect is starting to hurt the people around him. His yells and panic make the team crack. The show brilliantly critiques the French brigade-style hierarchy, demonstrating how its strict rules and top-down control often fail to yield success, particularly in an environment marked by grief, trauma, and unspoken tension.
This is also the breaking point for Sydney. After being dismissed, yelled at, and ultimately stabbing Richie by accident, she finally has had enough and quits. It’s a pivotal moment that reveals how Carmy’s tunnel vision is costing him everything — his team, their trust, and the restaurant’s very soul. Review isn’t just intense, this one episode will stick with you long after the credits roll.
4. Season 2 Episode 7 – Forks
This episode takes a surprising and emotional turn, especially for Richie. After spending most of the show feeling stuck, angry, and directionless, Forks gives him a fresh start. Carmy sends him to the stage at one of the best restaurants in the country, and at first, Richie hates it. He feels out of place, useless, and unsure of why he’s even there; he thinks it is a way for Carmy to get at him.
But as the days go by, something clicks. Richie starts showing up early, polishing forks, learning the flow of high-end service, and actually enjoying it. There’s a powerful shift — he begins to take pride in what he does. For the first time, he isn’t just part of the chaos; he’s focused, calm, and confident. You can feel him finding his purpose.
And then comes the scene fans can’t forget — after nailing his final test at the restaurant, Richie drives home blasting Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” It’s funny, sweet, and full of heart. For once, Richie isn’t yelling or fighting — he’s just happy. And after everything he’s been through, that moment hits even harder.
3. Season 2 Episode 6: Fishes
If episodes like Review and System make you feel the chaos and rush that The Bear brings, then it’s Fishes that push the bar over to unbelievable heights. Set during a Christmas dinner flashback, this episode pulls you right into the heart of the Berzatto family’s chaos. It’s loud, stressful, and nearly impossible to look away from. What’s supposed to be a warm family gathering turns into a pressure cooker set to go off any moment — and by the time it blows, it will all make sense of why the family is so dysfunctional.
This is the first time we truly see Mikey’s dark side. After watching his fun-loving charm in Ceres, Fishes reveals the pain, anger, and confusion beneath it. Jon Bernthal plays him with heartbreaking intensity, and it’s clear Mikey is already starting to fall apart. The episode also features a standout cameo from Bob Odenkirk, whose tense interaction with Mikey takes the story to a whole new level.
The tension between Sugar and their mother is also hard to miss. Their mom is unstable and unpredictable, yet her cooking is what shaped Carmy’s obsession with perfection — and likely sparked Mikey’s love for food as well.
2. Season 2 Episode 9: Napkins
Napkins stands out as one of the most special episodes of The Bear. Directed by Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney, it shifts the spotlight to Tina, a character we’ve mostly seen as tough and guarded. However, here we meet her at a low point, struggling to find work and never giving up after failing multiple times. It’s a quiet, emotional look at her past, showing just how much she’s been through.
The episode also gives us a different side of Mikey. He’s not cracking jokes or yelling at a dinner table — he’s calm, kind, and deeply human. When Tina walks into the shop looking for work, Mikey doesn’t hesitate. He offers her a sandwich, listens to her, and gives her a chance in the kitchen.
It’s a warm, moving episode that really helped to establish Mikey’s nature. Despite all the chaos, it goes to show how grounded and human he was. If not the best, it’s one of the top episodes of the series.
1. Season 3 Episode 1: Tomorrow
Tomorrow is where The Bear starts to change. After two seasons full of noise and chaos, this episode feels calm and quiet. It shows Carmy’s past as he trains in famous kitchens like The French Laundry. We see him working, watching others, and slowly becoming the chef he wants to be.
There isn’t much talking in this episode. Instead, it tells the story through images and memories. We get to understand how Carmy thinks and why he works so hard. He isn’t just trying to cook good food — he’s chasing perfection, trying to make sense of his life through cooking.
This episode is important because it reveals where Carmy’s fire comes from. It’s not about drama, but about the quiet steps that led him to where he is now. As the show moves toward Season 4, Tomorrow is a strong base. It helps us understand the characters better and sets the tone for what’s next.
The fourth season of The Bear is set to premiere on June 25 on Hulu.
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