Summary
Season 1 of The Bear hinted at the tragic Christmas dinner episode in season 2 through a throwaway line by Carmy, foreshadowing the events to come.
In season 2, the tone of The Bear undergoes a transformation from hopefulness to darkness as Carmy grapples with the overwhelming anxieties of opening a new restaurant, causing a turbulent atmosphere within the Berzatto family. Furthermore, Tina's Christmas memory from season 1 tragically sets the stage for a flashback episode in season 2, revealing that the chaos during Christmas gatherings was an ongoing occurrence, illustrating the emotional impact that their mother, Donna, had on the family.
In The Bear season 1, there was a casual remark by Carmy that hinted at the sad Christmas dinner episode in season 2. The first season of The Bear showcased Carmy's struggle to keep his deceased brother's small restaurant business alive. Despite initially grieving for his brother and facing his own past traumas, season 1 ended on a positive note when Carmy and his kitchen crew discovered his brother's hidden money.
In contrast to the structure of season 1, season 2 of The Bear began on an optimistic note, with Carmy, Sydney, and the crew embarking on a new restaurant venture. However, as the pressures of the new business mounted, season 2 took on a darker tone. Episode 6, "Fishes," delved into the troubled relationships within the Berzatto family, and the show became remarkably somber. Surprisingly, the events of season 2 were foreshadowed in season 1 of The Bear.
Carmy & Tina's Christmas Conversation In The Bear Season 1 Foreshadowed The "Seven Fishes" Chaos
In The Bear season 1, episode 5, Tina asks Carmy to check the color of the onions she baked. After receiving valuable feedback, Carmy realizes that she is using one of her brother's recipes and questions when Mikey made the dish for her. When Tina reveals that he prepared it on Christmas, Carmy becomes instantly anxious and inquires if he made it at their mother's house. While playing with a spoon, Carmy asks if her mother "was acting crazy." Tina confirms that although her mother was not calm, her "food was excellent." This scene hints at the upcoming Christmas dinner episode in season 2 of The Bear.
Without giving away specific details of season 2's Christmas dinner, it reveals that the show will showcase a chaotic Christmas involving Carmy's mother, Donna. True to the promise of season 1, The Bear season 2 dedicates an entire episode to portray how Donna Berzatto prepares an extraordinary dinner for the Berzatto family during a Christmas gathering but eventually loses control of her emotions as the night progresses. This small detail demonstrates that even though Donna was not part of the main plot in The Bear season 1, her appearance in the Christmas episode of season 2 was already planned by the show's creators.
Tina's Christmas Memory Makes Season 2's Flashback Episode Aftermath Even More Tragic
Tina's Christmas memory of Donna's place adds a tragic dimension to the season 2 flashback episode of The Bear. It suggests that the chaos witnessed in the Christmas episode was not an isolated incident, but rather a recurring occurrence during the holiday season. Moreover, it sheds light on the underlying tension felt by all family members, particularly Carmy and Sugar, who anxiously anticipated potential disruptions throughout the evening. Tina's recollection also reveals that Carmy and Mikey inherited their culinary talents from their mother, while simultaneously acknowledging the emotional trauma inflicted upon the entire family by her actions.