Commentary: ‘Gary’ is a riveting snapshot of Mikey and Richie before the events of ‘The Bear’

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A surprise new episode of the hit show “The Bear” has dropped on Hulu. Titled “Gary,” the episode starts as a prequel story, but takes an unexpected turn in its final moments – the implications of which will likely be revealed later. It takes place after Season 4 and potentially before Season 5. While the full cast is credited, the episode primarily features Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who co-wrote the script and reprise their roles as Mikey and Richie (presented as cousins), along with Gillian Jacobs as Richie’s ex-wife, Tiffany. Many viewers are considering it an extension of Season 4, or “Season 4.5.”

British TV often airs standalone episodes between full seasons, sometimes to move the plot forward or as a special holiday offering (like “Doctor Who” frequently does). These episodes also serve as a reminder to viewers that a show hasn’t been cancelled, especially during long breaks. I recently had to search online to confirm whether “The Bear” would return for a fifth season. The season four finale—where Carmy handed the restaurant over to Sidney and Richie, mirroring how Mikey had left it to him—left me wondering if the series was ending. Some reports suggest the next season might be the last.

The story begins a few years before the main events of the series. Gary, the city in the title, is a struggling industrial town in Indiana, close to Chicago but feeling worlds away. Mikey and Richie are on a quick errand for their cousin Jimmy (Oliver Platt), driving a mysterious box to Gary without knowing what’s inside. Richie, riding in the passenger seat, is enthusiastic about the trip, calling it a “mission” and excitedly pointing out when they cross into Indiana. He’s even made a playlist for the drive. Although the trip from Chicago to Gary is relatively short – about the same distance as from downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach – it feels like a big adventure for Richie, who rarely leaves the city. He’s eager to be back home by 5:15 PM, as his pregnant girlfriend, Tiffany, believes that’s when she’ll go into labor. The fact that he brings a gun along suggests trouble is brewing, hinting at potential problems down the line.

Stuck in Gary with nothing to do, Mikey and his friend drift from one aimless activity to another – grabbing hot dogs at the local Koney King, joining a basketball game, using drugs, and awkwardly showing off martial arts. They eventually settle in a bar with a group of people who are drinking during the day, where stories blur the line between truth and fiction. It’s there they begin to confront past hurts and create new ones, with Marin Ireland providing a crucial, sympathetic ear for Mikey’s confessions. As the day progresses, the situation escalates and spins out of control, unfolding like a single, intense act in a play.

The episode “Gary” feels remarkably self-contained – you don’t need to have seen any of the FX series before to enjoy it. It unfolds like a rambling story, moving between funny and serious moments, ultimately building to a clever reveal about what’s inside a box. The episode then jumps ahead to a short scene of a car crash. Directed by the show’s creator, Christopher Storer, it’s less a traditional prequel and more another flashback focusing on the character of Mikey, similar to the Emmy-winning episode “Fishes” featuring Jon Bernthal. Bernthal and Jeremy Allen White (Moss-Bachrach) have been friends and colleagues since 2003, and their chemistry is clear. The writing seems to give them, and the rest of the cast, room to really shine. “The Bear” consistently challenges its actors, pushing them to deliver their best performance, and they always rise to the occasion.

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2026-05-06 02:01