The Bear’s Secret Episode Officially Sets Up The Final Season

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This week, Hulu surprised fans of The Bear with the announcement of a special, unreleased episode called “Gary,” which will be available on May 5, 2026. The fifth season of the popular cooking drama, expected to be its last, is scheduled to premiere in June.

Fans were pleasantly surprised to learn a new episode of The Bear was coming sooner than expected. Hulu announced “Gary” in May – a special, standalone episode set in the past. You won’t find it with the rest of The Bear episodes on the streaming service, though; it’s listed separately.

This standalone episode takes place in 2019 and follows Mikey Berzatto (Jon Bernthal) and Richie Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) on a car trip from Chicago to Gary, Indiana. It explores the complex dynamic between the two friends, revealing more about Mikey’s struggles and giving viewers a glimpse into Richie’s life before the events of The Bear.

While not essential to following the story of The Bear season 5, the special episode adds depth to the show and offers some clues about what’s coming next.

The Bear’s “Gary” Hints At The Last Major Conflict Of The Show

As a big fan of The Bear, I’ve really connected with Richie’s journey – seeing him transform from someone lost and angry into a guy who genuinely cares about his craft has been amazing. We’ve also gotten glimpses into Mikey, the original owner, but honestly, even though Richie and Mikey were close, the show hasn’t really delved deep into their relationship yet. I’m hoping we get to see more of that backstory!

Through Gary’s perspective, we learn about the characters, particularly Richie. Despite appearing rough and uneducated, Richie understood his friend’s pain and was committed to supporting him, even if it meant getting hurt himself.

Despite four seasons of development for both the show and its characters, the tragic death of Mikey—which started everything—remains unresolved. There are still details surrounding his death to be explored, and it will likely be a central focus of the final season of The Bear.

How “Gary” Changes The Bear

Gary reveals something that now seems obvious: Richie wasn’t just a casual drinking buddy of Mikey’s. He was a true friend who endured Mikey’s difficult behavior simply to be there for him and prevent him from feeling isolated.

Understanding Richie’s behavior in the first two seasons of The Bear becomes clearer when you realize his anger towards Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) isn’t simply about Carmy being an outsider or leaving the family. It’s also rooted in personal resentment towards Mikey, which he ends up directing at Carmy instead.

Watching his close friend and mentor crumble was incredibly difficult for Richie, especially knowing this person had brought him into the Berzatto family. Adding to that pain was dealing with a younger brother who hadn’t shared the same hardships. Their dynamic had become unbalanced, which made the final scene of The Bear season 2—with Carmy yelling at Richie and Richie expressing his love—so powerfully emotional.

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2026-05-05 23:28