Worms

This episode focused entirely on Sydney which I thought wasn't a bad idea, since her character is also going through a time with some major choices!

Ever since season 3 Sydney got a second propersition with a job a different place, and rver since we have seen her character really struggle with that decision!

I really enjoyed Sydney trying to explain this impossible decision to the kid TJ! It was such a meaningfull and creative way for her to explain how it felt like working at The Bear and why she loves it so much, yet also what makes her consider this other opportunity! Does she want to evolve her skills, or does she wants to stay at a place that feels more like family and comfortable?

Yeah it was slow, but I enjoyed the creative way Sydney's struggle were portrayed!

For me, it's always a treat when this show focuses on one specific character in an episode. Sydney having the conversation with TJ about what her next step is made her difficulty with it feel very real and honest. Syd has made many sacrifices for Carmy while working with him at The Bear, but still feels like she owes him something, maybe due to his prestige as a chef, even if it's not necessarily true. It begs the question of whether or not a Michelin star for The Bear is worth her happiness and overall well being. Very well done episode, I honestly wished it was longer because I was laughing and enjoyed it so much.

As someone who cherishes every glimpse we get into Sydney's life outside of the kitchen, this was a delectable episode. I loved watching her dynamic with her cousin and her niece (or second cousin, rather) and hearing more about why she's so torn between The Bear and Shapiro's place. So far, her viewpoint could be gleaned from gestures and expressions and hints, but it was nice to hear it in her own words (even through a sleepover metaphor lol). This episode was funny, it was warm, it was grounded, it was enlightening (in terms of Shapiro's flaws), and for me, personally, it felt familiar in the best way. Kudos to Ayo and Lionel for this one!

Truly one of the best episodes of The Bear with some amazing writing and acting from everyone involved. It's such a refreshing episode that reintroduces the light and comedy into what has been a dark past 2 seasons and takes us into the world of Sydney which fans have so desperately been asking for. We get to finally hear her internal monologue externally as she continues to decide between The Bear and the new restaurant. We get to see the people in her life and how she functions in the real world, giving us the juxtaposition they talk about later in e10- Sydney has managed to be an amazing chef, better than Carmy even, while still having a foot in the world around her. One of the highlights of the entire series.

She has? Well give her another one because she is kicking ass this season, and this episode she has shown it big time. May be one of the first times I've seen her as credited being the writer the episode too. Total bottle episode and long takes show her range and acting abilities. Side note, the trick about adding tomato paste to hamburger helper is a sneaky good idea. Just give Sydney her own episode every season because they are always fun when she's the main focus.

I'm interested to see where this whole story arc with the partnership agreement finally goes. This season you can tell is doing a lot of healing from the pain they all endured in season 3.