Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Dexter Roona
Today we celebrate a very cool TV Series as we bring you our The Bear Season 1 Ending Explained article. We break down what happened in the dramatic events of the finale and look forward to The Bear Season 2.
In the season 1 finale of “The Bear,” we were treated to a gripping climax of events that has left viewers anticipating the future of the restaurant. The series was created by Christopher Storer and aired on FX and Hulu has been praised for its raw and authentic portrayal of the challenges within the professional kitchen. It has also immaculately dealt with the sensitive exploration of anxiety and grief.
“The Bear” has captivated audiences with its ensemble cast led by Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. In the aftermath of his brother Mikey’s tragic passing, Carmy’s journey takes an unexpected turn as he takes the reins of his family’s sandwich shop restaurant in Chicago, presenting audiences with a tantalizing glimpse of what lies ahead under Carmy’s capable leadership.
Please note that this The Bear Season 1 Ending Explained article contains spoilers.
The focal point of the story revolves around Carmy’s relentless pursuit to transform The Original Beef Sandwich Restaurant from a grungy, dirty, yet familiar establishment in the heart of Chicago.
Carmy’s “cousin” Richie fights Carmy’s ideas for change, instead clinging to preserving the restaurant’s long-standing traditions. However, Carmy finds an unlikely ally in the form of Sydney, a new addition to the team portrayed by Ayo Edebiri.
With the resulting tensions and conflict over the conflicting visions of the restaurant, we see constant clashes over menu changes and the working dynamics. This unconventional trio seldom sees eye-to-eye. Amongst everything that is going on Carmy also has to juggle the tricky financial situation caused by Mikey’s questionable decisions, ultimately leading to a fateful experiment with to-go orders that ends disastrously.
Mikey’s Letter To Carmy
As the events of “The Bear” season 1 unfolds, a lingering mystery hangs in the air, leaving viewers intrigued by the contents of Mikey’s letter to Carmy.
From the beginning of the series, the letter is hidden, and discovered by Richie amidst the lockers and initially intended for Carmy’s eyes. However, an angry Richie resists the urge to deliver the letter, further deepening the mystery. It is not until the season 1 finale that Richie finally brings the letter to Carmy’s attention, precisely when the struggling young chef is at his lowest point.
For Carmy, the significance of Mikey’s letter is amplified and boosted by the absence of his presence in the present storyline, confined only to poignant flashbacks.
On opening the letter, the weight of his brother’s words resonates profoundly with Carmen, as Mikey’s love and admiration for his younger brother permeate the pages. The simple, heartfelt opening words, “I love you, dude. Let it rip,” bring Carmy to floods of tears, exposing a complex mix of admiration and resentment he had harbored towards his brother, who had denied him the opportunity to work at The Original Beef.
The inclusion of Mikey’s catchphrase, “Let it rip,” serves as a reminder of his strong belief in Carmy’s capabilities and the trust placed upon him to take over the family business. Carmy realizes that despite their differences, Mikey did indeed love him deeply.
On the back of the letter, there is the secret Family Meal Spaghetti recipe, which Carmy had been unable to crack until that moment.
The Cans Of Tomato Money
With Carmy finally in possession of the Family Meal Spaghetti recipe, Carmen decides to prepare the cherished family meal and triggers a sequence of revelations that leaves him astounded. Carmy meticulously follows his brother’s recipe, even utilizing the smaller 28-ounce cans of tomato paste, which Mikey insisted enhanced the flavor. Little did Carmy know that these seemingly ordinary, but smaller cans of tomatoes held a remarkable secret.
The Cans Of Tomato Money
On opening one of the cans, Carmy’s eyes widen in disbelief as he discovers a concealed bundle of wrapped cash tucked away and hidden within the sauce. Carmy calls Richie into the kitchen, and together with the staff of The Original Beef, they grab can openers and collectively get to work uncovering the full extent of the hidden vash bundles within the tomato cans.
Finding the money on the cans solves one of Carmy’s big questions since assuming control of the restaurant. Upon examining the financials of the restaurant Carmy discovers some significant payments made by Mikey to a mysterious entity known as KBL Electric, a company that remained shrouded in mystery. The cash sums in question match the funds borrowed by Mikey from Cicero, also known as Uncle Jimmy, played by Oliver Platt.
Initially, it was thought that Mikey had just squandered the money. However, the truth is unveiled in a brief shot during the season 1 ending of “The Bear” revealing the truth.
Etched on the bottom of each of the tomato cans is the acronym “KBL,”, Mikey had been using the cans as an ingenious hiding place to safeguard his savings.
Why Does Carmy Close The Original Beef?
In the final scenes of “The Bear” season 1, Carmy is left with a pivotal and emotional life-changing decision. Throughout the season, Carmy’s story arc showed his struggle to navigate the demanding environment of The Original Beef and his attempts to fix the mistakes left behind by his brother, Mikey. As the threat of financial investigation looms over his sister’s house due to her involvement with the restaurant, she becomes increasingly more insistent on Carmy’s choice to close its doors.
The Bear Season 1 Ending Explained
However discovering the hidden fortune that could potentially save him from the clutches of the Chicago mob, Carmy is overwhelmed with a newfound sense of clarity. With the weight of this revelation and the reassurance that he has the unwavering support of his fellow chefs, Carmy finally reaches the conclusion that the time has come to bid farewell to The Original Beef.
This decision means closing down another iconic piece of the Chicago culinary landscape, but Carmy is filled with courage by the knowledge that he and his team possess an abundance of creativity and innovative ideas to build a new restaurant, entirely their own. A fresh new start.
Carmy’s journey of self-discovery culminates in a definitive choice that will reshape his future and the course of the story narrative.
As the impending closure notice for The Original Beef is revealed the audience is left anticipating the possibilities that lie ahead for Carmy and his brigade. Is a new era on the way where Carmy and his talented team can showcase their culinary vision and leave an indelible mark on the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s dining scene?
Sydneys Return
In the dramatic eighth episode of “The Bear,” Sydney is firmly in the spotlight with the uncertain trajectory of her future following her abrupt departure from The Original Beef. After an explosive confrontation with Carmy over the disastrous outcome of the to-go orders, Sydney finds herself at an “enough is enough” crossroads, contemplating various possibilities for her next culinary career move.
Unexpected developments unfold that could potentially reshape Sydney’s path entirely. The closure of the nearby bar, coupled with the resounding acclaim received by Sydney’s original recipe, unexpectedly opens doors to the prospect of maybe Sydney could start her own rival restaurant, a venture fueled by her undeniable talent and the burgeoning demand for her culinary creations.
However, in the season 1 finale of “The Bear” Sydney makes a surprising return to the restaurant, reigniting speculations and theories among fans who passionately follow the series.
Despite the perceived animosity and strained relationship between Sydney and Carmy, a heartfelt apology conveyed through text messages and Carmy’s newfound receptiveness to Sydney’s ideas upon her return to collect her last paycheck may pave the way for a reconciled partnership.
As the character arcs intertwine, the conclusion of “The Bear” season 1 hints at the possibility of a renewed collaboration between Sydney and Carmy. With tensions diffused, Sydney’s decision to return to The Original Beef may mark the beginning of a new chapter, one where her talent and Carmy’s receptiveness combine to create culinary magic, forging a partnership that could redefine the trajectory of their intertwined futures.
Is there a The Bear Season 2?
The Bear season 1 ending explained there would be a new direction for the restaurant with Carmy closing The Original Beef and starting a new venture with a restaurant called “The Bear.” and sets audiences up nicely for a Season 2 of The Bear
Now with the support of Sydney and her outstanding recipes and the rest of the team there is a clear path ahead for the writers to explore.
No doubt Carmy will face plenty of defining challenges along the way, as opening a new restaurant is no easy feat.
Audiences can rejoice as The Bear will return for a new season in Summer 2023. The Bear’s incredible cast will return and there will likely be a lot of answers to the lingering questions about season 1’s ending.
Are there any “The Bear” Funko Pops?
The short answer is n0, there are no “The Bear” Funko Pops. There are Cocaine Bear Funko Pops for the movie of the same name but there are no “The Bear Funko” Pops.
We would love to see some. Possible “The Bear” Funko Pops would be:
- Carmy Funko Pop!
- Sydney Funko Pop!
- Mikey Funko Pop!
- Uncle Jimmy Funko Pop!
