FX has released a surprise prequel episode titled "Gary" for the series The Bear, which streams on Hulu.
This precedes the premiere of the show's fifth and final season, which is scheduled to debut on June 25. The series concludes with a season set over a single day, detailing the staff's final service.
Prequel Episode: "Gary"
Release and Availability
The episode was released on Hulu (and Disney+ internationally) on June 24. It is not listed in The Bear hub; viewers must search for "Gary" to find it.
Content and Synopsis
"Gary" is an hour-long flashback episode set before the events of Season One. It follows cousins Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Jon Bernthal) on a work trip to Gary, Indiana. The episode explores their relationship, providing context for Mikey's mental state and Richie's character as first seen in the series.
Production and Credits
The episode was co-written by Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal, and directed by series creator Christopher Storer. Moss-Bachrach announced the episode on his Instagram account.
Season 5: Final Season
Premiere and Availability
The fifth and final season of The Bear premiered on June 25 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on FX and Hulu, and internationally on Disney+. All eight episodes were made available at launch. The season also aired on FX's linear channel, with the first two episodes airing back-to-back, followed by weekly episodes.
Season Premise
Season 5 begins the morning after Sydney, Richie, and Natalie discover that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) has quit the food industry, leaving the restaurant to them. The season covers a single day as the team faces a lack of money, a potential sale, and a storm. They work together for one final service. It is later revealed that Michelin inspectors had visited months earlier and awarded The Bear two Michelin stars.
Cast Statements on the Finale
In interviews, the cast described the finale, which critics did not initially receive screeners for. Ayo Edebiri stated the finale does not include funerals or a "Red Wedding"-style event. Ebon Moss-Bachrach confirmed the events were not all a dream, and there are no major time jumps. Edebiri stated there are no aliens. Jeremy Allen White said the episode is "the end of The Bear." Moss-Bachrach described it as "an elegant and appropriate ending." No multiple endings were filmed, and there are no plans for a spinoff centered on the character "Gary."
Character Conclusions
According to sources, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) becomes head chef and the restaurant earns two Michelin stars after Carmy leaves the food industry to intern at an architecture firm. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) accepts an invitation to a hospitality seminar in Japan, overcoming his fear of flying.
Series Production and Awards
Cast
The series stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Matty Matheson. Recurring roles include Oliver Platt, Will Poulter, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ricky Staffieri.
Production Team
The Bear is created by Christopher Storer, who executive produces alongside Josh Senior, Cooper Wehde, Tyson Bidner, Matty Matheson, Hiro Murai, and Rene Gube. Courtney Storer serves as the culinary producer. The series is produced by FX Productions.
Awards
The first three seasons of The Bear have won 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series for Season 1. Individual acting awards have been given to Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Jon Bernthal.