Gary

Since I haven't watched season five of The Bear yet, someone recommended that I check out the special episode titled "Gary" first. After digging into it, I learned it doesn't closely tie into the season's overarching plot, but it connects directly to a key moment near the beginning and adds significant depth to the characters and the broader narrative.

Clocking in at a full hour, this special steps away from the show's traditional 25-minute runtime. You quickly realize why it doesn't fit into a standard season—it's a throwback to a single day in the lives of Richie and Mickey as they take a road trip to Gary, Indiana, to deliver a package for Uncle Jimmy.

One of the things I love most about The Bear is its character development. I’ve connected deeply with Richie; even though we have totally different personalities, he’s that grown guy who finally feels like he’s building something meaningful with his life and is ready to defend it to the death. That’s why watching "Gary" was such a blast—seeing the earlier days of this character. He's a total asshole who can ruin everything with his attitude, but at his core, he’s a fiercely loyal, hilarious friend who would do anything for the people he loves.

I really appreciated how this episode aimed to give viewers a deeper look into who Mickey was. Throughout its five seasons, the show is haunted by his memory, and his tragedy is the catalyst for the entire story, pulling Carmy back to Chicago to take over his brother's restaurant. Jon Bernthal is phenomenal here—you can tell he had plenty of creative freedom, as the whole performance feels alive with raw improvisation.

Even if the episode seems a bit aimless at first glance, it helps you understand why the characters carry the heavy grief of Mickey's memory for so many seasons. He was charismatic yet deeply frustrating, someone who somehow won everyone's love anyway. Richie is very similar—an immature guy whose bond crosses the line from friendship straight into family. The episode captures that dynamic perfectly, showing a simple trip between brothers unraveling as suppressed emotions surface, fueled by the excesses of a lifestyle spiraling out of control due to their personal traumas.

Honestly, I really enjoyed the episode—it brought so much richness to one of my favorite characters. It doesn't rely on a tight script and leans heavily into ad-libbing, but it works brilliantly because Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal are absolute geniuses who make every interaction feel completely natural and genuine.

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