| "Green" | |
|---|---|
| The Bear episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 8 |
| Directed by | Christopher Storer |
| Written by | Joanna Calo & Christopher Storer |
| Original air date | June 25, 2025 |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Green" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American comedy-drama television series The Bear . It is the 36th overall episode of the series and was written by Joanna Calo & Christopher Storer and directed by series creator Christopher Storer. It was released on Hulu on June 25, 2025, along with the rest of the season.
The series follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), an award-winning New York City chef de cuisine, who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his late brother Michael's failing Italian beef sandwich shop. With the financial backing of his uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) and help from his cousin Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), sister Sugar (Abby Elliott), and chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Carmy attempts to remodel the dingy Beef into a warm and hospitable fine-dining destination called the Bear.
Sydney calls Shapiro (Adam Shapiro) to decline his job offer; he reacts negatively, telling Sydney she is doing herself a disservice by staying at the Bear. Richie tells Jess (Sarah Ramos) about Mikey. Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas), who has been struggling to meet the goal of preparing pasta within three minutes, goes to Luca (Will Poulter) for help; he tells her to harness rather than fear the pressure she feels. Natalie and Computer (Brian Koppelman) go over the Bear's finances, which are still in jeopardy despite the cost cuts; Computer asks whether the restaurant is worth saving. Carmy reluctantly goes to Donna's (Jamie Lee Curtis) to drop off their family photo album.
The episode begins with a dream sequence where Sydney appears as an Ina Garten-esque television-host version of herself. [1] The title sequence features a Barefoot Contessa -inspired Hamptons beach romp. Syd channels Garten with a bob-cut hairstyle, a "tendency to overestimate her viewer's time and resource availability," and "off-the-cuff references to high-end materials and ingredients." [1] The beginning of the dream is similar to Carmy's cooking show nightmare from "Braciole." [2]
The dream continues in another setting, initially with Sydney alone on the stage of either the Music Box Theatre [3] or the Chicago Theatre. [4]
Marcus (Lionel Boyce) arrives at Lou Mitchell's, a landmark diner on Jackson Boulevard, for a planned meeting with his dad but ultimately he does not go inside the restaurant to meet him. [5] Lou Mitchell's previously appeared in a season three montage. [5]
The songs used in this episode are "Song of the Barefoot Contessa" by Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra, "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher, "Baby, I Love You" by the Ronettes, "Square One" by Tom Petty, "Long Ride Home" by Patty Griffin, "Strange Currencies" by R.E.M., and "Western Ford Getaway" by Elton John. [6]
The A.V. Club gave "Green" a B grade, noting "The Bear has one more night of service before the doomsday clock ticks down to zero. But no one's acting like it's an ending—and not because they're in denial. It's because after all the hell they've been through, the Bears are finally seeing things with clear eyes." [4] Vulture rated it four out of five stars, saluting Syd's decision to reject Shapiro as a key moment, especially because her choice triggers Shapiro to criticize her for "'choosing to stay on a ship that's literally sinking,' and while the latter might technically be true, he can fuck right off with that noise. Syd made the decision that was right in her heart and she made it without knowing whatever other sexier, extenuating terms might be in that Docusign. That's how you know she's a ride-or-die Bear, period." [7]
Decider.com declared Richie "toast" in regard to his feelings for Chef Jess, marveled that Sydney has not had more nightmares considering her emotional investment in the Bear, and wondered "Why did I enjoy this episode?" speculating that it was a lower-key relief after the spectacle of the wedding. [2]
Hello Beautiful columnist Keyaira Boone found the Sydney–Shapiro scene pivotal, writing, "Shapiro promised Sydney autonomy, but his actions prove he isn't capable of seeing her as his professional equal. His performative allyship shadows his every good intention...Shapiro pretended to value Sydney more than he did...Sometimes, a well-meaning white person can be more dangerous than an outwardly hateful one. That said, the Berzattos are broke, and it is truly awful that Sydney has to choose between sustainable income and emotional security." [8]
Washington Post's Sonia Rao commented "The Barefoot Contessa theme music sets off some sort of Pavlovian response in me. I'm actually also listening to the audiobook of Ina Garten's memoir right now, so that might have been my favorite moment of the entire season. It reminded me of how funny Edebiri can be, too, given her actual background in comedy. Let Sydney be happy!" [9]
