Worms

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.

There's one shot in Season 4 Episode 4 of The Bear ("Worms") that literally made me burst into tears. Directed by Janicza Bravo.

An episode all about the decisions we face from childhood to adulthood. You get older and what was hard is now easier, but you are faced with new challenges. The fact of the matter is, Syd will probably be alright regardless of what she does, but making the decision is very hard because there are emotional casualties.

Her cousin clearly has taken up a semi/motherly role in her life and once she has to step away, Syd gets to spend time with her younger cousin who doesn't realize how lucky she is to have this time with her Mom.

Sometimes people who need to workout a decision in their life can reach a conclusion by helping someone else with theirs.

I'm glad her younger cousin is going to the sleepover.

Then we get that shot of the phone with all of the work notifications from Carmy, Pete, and then you finally notice the wallpaper: Syd and her Mom. That hit me like a tidal wave.

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!

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.