The Ultimate Guide: Unraveling the Epic Bear Timeline, Season by Season

Summary

Flashbacks play a crucial role in understanding the storyline of The Bear, but they make the timeline trickier to decipher.

The death of Michael, Carmy's brother, initiates a chain of events that prompts Carmy to take charge of his family's restaurant. In the gripping season 1 finale, Carmy stumbles upon a stash of hidden money left behind by his brother, instilling a newfound optimism and determination. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the family restaurant's grand reopening in season 2.

While The Bear only includes a limited number of flashbacks in each season, they play a crucial role in understanding the series' overarching story and can complicate the timeline. The Bear is a highly acclaimed dramedy that alternates between warmth and cynicism, focusing on a troubled chef's efforts to revive his late brother's financially struggling restaurant. In the first season of The Bear, the talented yet unstable Carmy Berzatto leaves a prestigious restaurant in New York to take charge of his family's establishment in Chicago following his brother Michael's untimely death, which left the business in substantial debt.

Throughout season 1, Carmy's attempts to turn the restaurant's fortunes around prove futile. However, the season's conclusion of The Bear reveals a shocking twist: Michael had secretly hidden a substantial amount of money on the premises. With this newfound wealth and motivated by his late brother's confidence in him, Carmy rallies his colleagues and embarks on reopening the restaurant in season 2 of The Bear. This endeavor entails collaborating with his fellow chef Sydney to create a new menu, keeping his well-meaning yet foul-mouthed friend Richie out of trouble, mentoring the resident dessert chef Marcus, and navigating his sister Natalie's pregnancy.

Sometime Before 2018: Michael’s First Appearance

Christmas 2018: The Berzatto Christmas Family Dinner

The opening flashback in episode 6 of season 1 of The Bear, called "Ceres," takes place before any other event in the show. In this initial scene, Micheal engages in a conversation with Carmy, Richie, and Nat, as he narrates a story they are familiar with but eager to hear again. While the tragic Christmas episode in season 2 sheds light on Mikey's inner struggles, "Ceres" presents a more positive portrayal of him. Mikey captures everyone's attention with his charm and humor throughout his long-winded anecdote. Nevertheless, his belief that Carmy lacks sufficient experience to work in the restaurant unknowingly sets the events of the series in motion.

In episode 6 of The Bear season 2, titled "Fishes," the series dedicates an entire episode to a gripping and tense flashback. This flashback unfolds during a disastrous family Christmas, providing viewers with a nerve-shredding experience. The episode's title card indicates that this particular event takes place 256 weeks before the reopening of the restaurant, which is equivalent to just under five years. Considering the show's rough timeline, this would likely position the occasion in late 2018. During this time, Carmy is still unable to join Mikey in working at the restaurant, but his cousin manages to entice him into moving to New York and taking up employment there.

Sometime Between 2018 and 2022: Carmy Works in New York

In

February 22, 2022: Michael Berzatto's Death

Jon Bernthal’s character, Mike Berzatto, tragically ends his own life at a young age, although the actual event is never shown onscreen. The show's characters discuss Mikey's death in the pilot episode, and in the following episode, the cause of his passing is briefly mentioned. This happens in February 2022, a few months before Carmy, played by actor-placeholder, returns to Chicago and starts working at the family restaurant left behind by his late brother. At first, Carmy harbors resentment towards Mikey for never allowing him to work in the restaurant, but eventually, he discovers the reasons behind his brother's choices.

June 2022: The Bear Season 1 Begins - Carmy Returns To Chicago

As the series commences, The Bear’s Carmy encounters Sydney and embarks on a mission to revitalize his family’s struggling business with an audacious new menu. According to the show's synopsis, this unfolds during the summer of 2022, and Richie mentions that Michael passed away "four months ago" around this period. Consequently, the first season should commence around June 2022. The remaining part of The Bear season 1 spans the subsequent five months as the team endeavors to salvage the establishment, albeit unsuccessful.

November 2022: The Bear Season 1 Ends - Carmy Finds Michael’s Money Stash

In a seemingly hopeless situation, Carmy stumbles upon a cryptic note and hidden stacks of cash left behind by his brother. This pivotal moment unfolds during the season 1 finale of The Bear, coinciding with what would have been Michael's birthday. While the series' most tension-filled episodes may be nearly unbearable to watch, this instance undeniably emerges as a triumph. After countless setbacks for Carmy and his team, Mikey's secretive gift ultimately breathes new life into the show's antihero.

December 2022: The Bear Season 2 Begins - Three Months Until The Bear Opens

Somewhere in December 2022, Sidney and Carmy organize the menu while Natalie permanently joins the restaurant. It is evident to viewers that this season is set during this time period, as episode 6 mentions that Christmas in 2018 occurred around five years ago. Shortly after, additional challenges begin to accumulate.

January 2023: Two Months Until Opening Night

In January 2023, Carmy, feeling stressed, discovers that Nat is expecting a baby, while Marcus departs for Copenhagen. Simultaneously, Sydney embarks on a culinary tour of Chicago to explore new menu options, only to realize that it is an inopportune time to launch a business. As Carmy finds solace in a new romantic relationship outside of work, The Bear season 3 still requires mending the issues between Claire, Carmy's love interest.

February 2023: Ten Days Before The Bear Opens

The fire suppression test showcased in The Bear season 2, episode 8, “Bolognese,” occurs a mere ten days prior to the restaurant's grand opening. In contrast to the series' tendency for catastrophic outcomes, this particular test runs smoothly and successfully. Consequently, the soft opening proceeds as planned, staying on schedule. Simultaneously, during the preceding week, Richie undertakes an apprenticeship at an upscale establishment, thus developing a newfound appreciation for the industry and his own craftsmanship.

March 2023: The Bear Season 2 Finale Takes Place

Carmy's experience during the soft opening of the restaurant takes an unexpected turn. The unique and playful "Chaos Menu" of The Bear season 2 brings about unexpected consequences when Carmy finds himself trapped inside the walk-in refrigerator on the opening night. Despite the successful opening of The Bear, Carmy unintentionally distances himself from Claire, Richie, and Sydney all at once. The resolution of this situation and Carmy's chance at redemption will only be unveiled in The Bear season 3.