The Bear: Carmy's S3 Opening Montage

Starring Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edibiri

After watching Season 3, you’re probably wondering how the first two seasons of The Bear compare. The first two seasons had a clear purpose and direction, with the story progressing in a focused way. In contrast, Season 3, whether you like it or not, was less straightforward. It featured standalone episodes, longer montages, recurring flashbacks, and focused more on deepening our understanding of each character. Additionally, there were significantly fewer chaotic kitchen scenes compared to the high-intensity moments we became accustomed to in the first two seasons.

The season opening, however, begins beautifully, in my opinion. We already know Marcus is always working on his desserts, Sydney is a prodigy in culinary arts, Tina likes to work wherever she can, and Richie has finally found something he excels at. But then there’s Carmy. Carmy is here solely for his love of food.

The episode begins with a montage showing Carmy, played by Jeremy Allen White, at his restaurant. He has evidently arrived early in the morning before anyone else. He also fixes the tables and arranges the cutlery and napkins, which isn’t particularly his job. At this moment, we understand that Carmy isn’t pursuing culinary arts just to make a living, unlike some others in the restaurant—specifically, his uncle, who seeks a return on his investment. Carmy’s deep-rooted respect for food is evident not only in his preparation of fancy dishes but also in his dedication to cleaning every inch of the restaurant before the day ends. For him, these tasks are not menial, but a way of showing respect to his craft.

This montage is beautifully accompanied by the background score "Together" by Nine Inch Nails. The slow instrumental piece perfectly symbolizes Carmy's gradual yet steady growth. Each restaurant Carmy has worked at has contributed to his development as a chef. The music sets the right tone, emphasizing that his skill is the result of hard work and dedication. His still and focused expression highlights the intense concentration needed to master such a skill, illustrating that to be the best, one sometimes must embrace a routine and disciplined quiet. This is made clear when his morning routine of clearing the tables transitions into a flashback of all the "best kitchens" where he has previously staged. This includes scenes from the times he worked with Chef Terry (Olivia Colman), Chef Luca (Will Poulter), and even Chef Thomas Keller (a real culinary expert, by the way). Each time Carmy is preparing a fancy-looking appetizer, he is also cleaning his workstation. He handles everything—from perfecting the presentation of his dish to scrubbing the kitchen floor at the end of his shift.

Time and again, Carmy received constructive criticism from his superiors. He championed this feedback wonderfully, becoming increasingly inquisitive and eager to improve upon his craft each time he had the opportunity. He is also humble and generous with his knowledge, as demonstrated by his willingness to pass on feedback to Luca without hesitation. This is even more emphasized when David Fields (played by Joel McHale), another maestro of the culinary world, consistently berates Carmy for not being good enough while he is preparing his dish. Despite the harsh remarks, Carmy, being Carmy, chooses to listen and go on without responding, demonstrating his ability to remain composed under pressure and not let his temper get the best of him. As the settings change too, we are reminded of the significant passage of time Carmy has endured to reach where he is today.And finally, what I believe is the best part about this season opening is that viewers now understand the secret behind his culinary dexterity. What Carmy has been through—living away from his family and friends—and how it has shaped the person he has become, now makes sense.

Overall, yes, please watch the series. It’s no surprise that it has received an overwhelming number of Emmy nominations and features some visually stunning episodes (especially the one-shot in the Season 2 finale). And if that doesn’t excite you, consider how often you see a TV show centered around chefs in a high-pressure restaurant environment. Plus, if you’re a casual viewer like most of my friends, most episodes are no longer than 30 minutes. Either or, Jeremy Allen White is all the reason I need to watch the show. Hope you find yours too.

---

Directed by Christopher Storer

Produced by FX Productions

Written by Christopher Storer

Cinematography Andrew Wehde

Distributed by FX Network

Release date: June 27 2024 (S3)

Running time: 5 hours and 45 minutes (10 episodes)