The Bear has delighted fans by releasing a surprise one-off episode on Hulu, months before the anticipated fifth and final season of the hit series. Titled 'Gary,' the episode serves as a flashback, delving into the past of Richie, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Mikey, portrayed by Jon Bernthal, as they embark on a work trip to Gary, Indiana.
Episode Details
The official logline reveals that the episode explores the complicated relationship between the two friends, uncovering new layers of Mikey's mental state while providing crucial insight into the man Richie is when audiences first meet him in Season 1. This adds emotional context that reframes their story from the very beginning.
The episode was co-written by Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal themselves, who are currently starring together in the Broadway production of Dog Day Afternoon. Directed by Christopher Storer, the episode was announced by Moss-Bachrach on Instagram, where he expressed excitement about sharing this adventure with fans.
Fan Reactions and Future of the Series
It was reported earlier this year that the fifth season of The Bear is likely to be its last. Recurring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis hinted at the ending in an Instagram post, writing 'FINISHED STRONG!' alongside a photo with co-star Abby Elliott from the set of season five. When questioned about potentially revealing non-public information, Curtis confirmed that the show is ending, stating, 'Everybody’s confirmed the show is ending.'
The series, which follows Jeremy Allen White's fine-dining chef returning to Chicago to run his family's struggling sandwich shop, premiered to huge acclaim in 2022. It has won numerous Emmy awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2023, with White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Storer all winning individual awards. Liza Colón-Zayas won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2024, and Curtis won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Donna Berzatto.
While initially beloved as a dark comedy set in the frenetic world of chefs, recent seasons have received more mixed reviews. In a three-star review of season four, The Independent's Nick Hilton noted that the series felt 'trapped in a loop of its own creation.'
