The last season of FX’s "The Bear" premiered a little over a month ago, effectively closing out a show focusing a troubled yet genius chef, Carmen (Carmy). By building off all of the characters’ development (including his) that occurred throughout the first four seasons, the show culminated in their new-found ability to come together as a team for the greater good. The final message of the show was that you should be doing what you love with the people that you love, because the best way of getting through life is by working together and loving each other.
Set in the kitchen of a restaurant they all love and are trying to keep afloat, most of the tension of the show (besides the economic struggles faced in the restaurant industry) was due to the strong personalities and their own individual need to succeed/survive. This often resulted in them disregarding and snapping at each other rather than trying to collaborate. With a show that particularly followed the main character's internal struggle with trauma, anxiety, grief, and expectations, "The Bear" really managed to succeed in the family/work-family aspect by showing that only by opening yourself up to help and the people around you can you really overcome personal difficulties. The show concluded in total surrender not only from Carmy, but from all of the characters, letting go of egos and self-centered mindsets to work together towards a common goal.
The way this was demonstrated in the finale was by the way they implemented an "assembly line" system rather than one person trying to be in control of everything at all times. The dynamic switched from having one demanding chef ordering people around to having a trusted leader assign and support others in their tasks to make the kitchen run smoother. In one of the earlier episodes, Carmy was confronted by his cousin for being selfish and controlling. He told Carmy that he’s not a team player and that he never learned to be one because he didn’t play sports growing up. With this realization, Carmy became aware of the constant pressure he felt to be the "star" and how that prevented him from helping others out, often dismissing them. When he came back, he offered to help out with the prep before service, doing smaller tasks like dicing onions and sectioning ingredients rather than trying to immediately command the room. By the end, you got to see their kitchen successfully operating because of a team effort and not a messy/screaming attempt to fulfill one person’s ego. The assembly line system focused on rusting each other and everyone doing their part because they knew others were depending on them.
I’m not too familiar with professional kitchen settings, but I know working in a teaching group and a coffee shop that collaboration and selflessness are a crucial part of a well-oiled operation, and we need to be incorporating that mentality into our everyday lives. By opening yourself up to others and providing help where needed, you can help create community. It’s as simple as asking people about their day and if they’re good or need anything. It’s showing simple kindnesses even when you don’t feel like it. Working hard even if you won’t stand out or be praised because what’s truly important is supporting your peers and being reliable so you can all succeed. This was the proof of all of the character development/growth that happened throughout the show. In the end, it wasn’t about a huge personal triumph -- it was problem solving together, helping and uplifting those around you so you all succeed. It was a true tale of family and passion that depicted true humanity in collaboration and communication, which, if implemented in our everyday lives, could make good moments better and hard times easier while helping us form strong relationships along the way.
