SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers for “Napkins,” the sixth episode of “ The Bear ” Season 3. Between “Honeydew” and “Forks,” Season 2 of “The Bear” was at its best when it focused on its supporting characters, diving into the inner lives of Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in ways that enhanced the world of the show as a whole. The same is true of Season 3, which takes a pause from the stress of trying to keep the restaurant open to go back in time and spotlight a foundational member of the kitchen staff: Tina.
Played by Liza Colón-Zayas , Tina comes off as a hardass in the beginning of Season 1, unbending to Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) leadership out of loyalty to his older brother, Mikey (Jon Bernthal), who left the restaurant to Carmy when he died by suicide. But by Season 3, she’s deeply entrenched in the world of fine dining thanks to trust and investment from Carmy and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), who sent her to culinary school and promoted her to sous chef. “Napkins,” the sixth episode of Season 3, gives context to that journey.
Marking Edebiri’s directorial debut — and written by Catherine Schetina — the episode begins as Tina and her husband (played by Colón-Zayas’ real-life husband, “Dexter” star David Zayas) discuss their financial problems, having just had their rent raised. Soon, Tina loses the job she’s given 15 years of her life to, and sets out on a demoralizing odyssey of applying to .