‘The Bear’ Recap, Season 3, Episode 5: ‘Children’

The Bear has always had success attracting well-known actors to appear on the show. From Jon Bernthal as Mikey to Bob Odenkirk as the unpleasant uncle, the choices have been great. Jamie Lee Curtis playing a wild, alcoholic mom may sound unusual, but it's not a crazy idea.

However, the biggest mistake in terms of guest appearances is seen in "Children." Bringing in John Cena as Sammy Fak just does not fit in. It doesn't make any sense at all. I understand the idea of having one of the nine Faks be a big, muscular guy who stands out from Neil and Ted, but the way it was done, with the spooky moments, smoking, SD cards, and the time spent by the bar in the kitchen with the rest of the group, just feels strange. I am a fan of Cena - I love Peacemaker! - but there was never a moment in this episode where I believed he was Sammy Fak. Instead, I found myself thinking, "Why is John Cena in this scene?" or "What is John Cena doing here?" or "That's John Cena." It didn't work, and it's disappointing.

Furthermore, while I have a fondness for the Faks, they were overwhelming in this particular episode. My colleague Genevieve Koski (senior TV editor at Vulture) mentioned that they were more of a central focus rather than a supporting element this season, and that was evident here. Their playful conversations can be enjoyable at times, even though I struggle to follow along. However, when their presence dominates the episode and their dialogue is incomprehensible, it becomes monotonous. It's nice to see their friendship and learn quirky details about their lives, such as Ted's childhood experience with Neil and his fear of confined spaces. Nevertheless, these interactions are not propelling the story forward. While I don't expect them to undergo a transformation like Richie, I also don't watch The Bear to see a comedy duo like the Marx Brothers.

However, I do watch specifically for Marcus and Natalie, who are both dealing with their own problems this week. Natalie is staying awake all night, anxious about her upcoming role as a mother. She is constantly worrying, with her thoughts soundtracked by the main theme from The Night of the Hunter, "Dream Little One, Dream." It's easy to want to shout, "You'll be fine! It may be tough, but your fear shows that you care and are prepared!" But Natalie is just a fictional character, and that's not how television storytelling operates.

Marcus recently closed the deal on selling his mother's house and is coming to terms with the end of that chapter in his life. Syd is providing support and the two briefly discuss a tense moment from the previous season, but they don't delve into it further. I don't see the appeal of shipping Carmy and Syd when Syd and Marcus clearly have a connection. It's time to bring in the Dead Moms Club for support!

The main focus of the latest episode is the upcoming closure of Chef Terry's restaurant, Ever. Even though the restaurant in real life, owned by Curtis Duffy, is not closing as far as I know. Ever has been a popular fine dining spot in fictional Chicago for over three decades, and it's hard to believe that it won't be around anymore. This news has really gotten to Carmy, maybe because it marks the end of an era in his life or possibly signals trouble for the type of fine dining he loves. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out during Ever's "funeral" after it shuts down, especially because Olivia Colman is such a fantastic actress.

Another interesting point to take note of is The Computer's blunt assessment. While I may not completely agree with all of his suggestions – like getting rid of Marcus, for example – he does have a point about the need for The Bear to cut back on its spending for produce, flowers, wine, and possibly even the phone line. As for the charger plates, I can see both sides of the argument. While it does seem wasteful to wash plates that are rarely used, they do add a nice touch to the table setting. Perhaps a creative alternative that doesn't require washing could work just as well, like a wood trivet maybe? Additionally, the fact that they are only open five days a week is surprising. You would think this would have been mentioned during Natalie's budget planning, especially considering the third shift.

When The Computer arrives, Oliver Platt truly shines in his role as Cicero. He consistently delivers an amazing and relatable performance, especially when giving Carmy some honest advice. He suggests that if Carmy truly had everything under control at the restaurant, The Computer wouldn't need to intervene. Platt's character also shows kindness towards Syd, who is understandably nervous around him. He genuinely wants her to join the partnership and opens up about his own insecurities, admitting he may have let the Berzattos down in the past. Overall, his portrayal of Cicero is both heartwarming and revealing.

Syd tells him that he is present, which is the most important thing, especially with the approaching storm involving Natalie’s baby delivery, Chef Terry’s restaurant closing down, and the upcoming Tribune review. When you see Carmy looking through a box of photos labeled "DD" in the basement, you can sense that something is about to happen.

Whenever Carmy struggles to master a duck or lamb recipe, he simply throws the whole thing away. I will boldly admit that I would gladly eat that duck and/or lamb from the garbage, as long as it was fresh. It looks amazing. Call me crazy.

Additionally, I would like to be added to Carmy's list for the "cubed chocolate mousse" concept.

However, although I would definitely try Tina's cauliflower-Brussels dish, it appears to be too simple for The Bear. Honestly, I am not familiar with the sauce or the vegetables that are used. It seems like it could use an additional component. Maybe some edible flowers?

Additional learnings from this episode include understanding the term "lightning crotch," recognizing the violet as Illinois' state flower, and the importance of courage in being a successful server.