The Bear is a love story between Carmy and Sydney. That might sound blasphemous to people who believe The Bear has eschewed, and will continue to eschew, a traditional romance between the show’s two leads and top chefs, played by Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri. Yet after a third rewatch of The Bear, whose third season drops on Hulu on Thursday, I believe that Syd and Carmy’s relationship has been marinating right in front of us the whole time.
In fact, their romance might be the show’s main course. Syd is filling the void in Carmy’s life that his brother, Mikey, left. The show hasn’t been subtle in drawing connections between Syd and Mikey.
There’s a lot of TV out there. We want to help: Every week, we’ll tell you the best and most urgent shows to stream so you can stay on top of the ever-expanding heap of Peak TV. Earlier in that same episode, Syd helps Carmy fix a table before opening night.
It’s basically a sex scene without any sex. Sensual music plays in the background. Carmy is on the floor, being vulnerable, while Syd is (kind of) on top of him.
“You deserve my full focus,” Carmy says. “And I’m sorry. It’s not Claire’s fault .
.. my attention shouldn’t be split.
It shouldn’t have to be shared.” Does that sound like something you’d say to a coworker? Syd says she doesn’t want Carmy to think she was being jealous or bitter. Then they switch positions (!) so that Carmy is on top and Syd is on the bottom.
Now Syd gets vulnerable. �.
