#the bear 2x03 sundae

[thoughtfulchaos773]

I know someone mentioned time. Can someone send the link so I can credit them?

Super interesting, there's a clock around Claire, but with Syd _ Carmy, it's non-existent (there's no time on the clock above the door with syd and carmy).

Eta: Read @unlikelyjapan great take on Syd x Carmy and time.

They say the key to happiness is letting go of time...

[userblues]

I Googled “fun” the other day. “What provides amusement or enjoyment”, that’s what it means. I’m, uh, currently opening a restaurant that’s providing zero amusement or enjoyment. No, no, I’m kidding, it’s, um…it’s okay.

THE BEAR 2x03, “Sundae”

[robertacolndrez]

THE BEAR — 2x03, Sundae — 2x08, Bolognese

[userboygenius]

Ayo Edebiri in THE BEAR (2022-), 2x03 "Sundae", directed by Joanna Calo.

[rainbowgifs]

AYO EDEBIRI as SYDNEY ADAMU The Bear 2x03 "Sundae"

[nerdrabugento]

Acabei de assistir a The Bear 2x03 "Sundae".

[thoughtfulchaos773]

It's really hitting me. Happy wife, Happy life. I can't wait to see Carmy and Syd finally realize they enjoy life when they're together.

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Deja Vu, Richie?

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Sydney's search for connection.

The more I rewatch The Bear I can't tell if I'm overthinking or if this show is so layered it's near perfection.

I love the themes of mothers, nourishment, generational trauma, loss, showing up for people, caring for people, mental health. I could carry on...

But I love this small moment in 2x03 Sundae and its theme surrounding mothers, loss, and needing others. We're told that Syd wants to make up for a failed business throughout the show but beneath that is another longing.

This scene tells me about Syd's need for connection. But being with people requires vulnerability which is one of Syd's struggles.

Based on what the show tells us, Syd doesn't have the best experience being vulnerable with others. There are always awkward but funny moments when Syd connects with people.

Since she's experienced loss at such a young age, it's almost foreign to her to sympathize, not that she can't sympathize she just doesn't express it properly. The first moment in 1x02 when she awkwardly apologizes to Richie about Mikey's death. The second moment in 2x02 Pasta is when she says to Marcus, "It was just a hat?"

A third moment dismisses Carmy's empathy for her mother's passing. Syd's lesson is that being surrounded by people is sharing a loss together. I'm sure in season 3 with Marcus' mom's passing, this is her chance to be there for someone.

We won't always have the most rewarding experience with people but we have to keep trying.

We can't blame Syd for such awkwardness. She's an only child and alone is a safety net. The opposite of having a psychopath behind her yelling, pushing, screaming...

But the safety of being alone fails and she's back to working with people again. This time she works for Carmy. It's a risk but she has ambition and urgency. To erase a past failure. To change the pattern. Because being surrounded by people can make her successful- it fills a void.

What I love about Sydney is that there's more of an awareness. She's aware she has to change a pattern, and be part of a team. Sydney tells her dad in 2x02 that she's at a different place, not alone, in his house. She has a partner. Sydney has a chance to be vulnerable with Carmy and, despite its challenges, she is willing to do so.

But like Carmy, her mental health isn't the best. As the show progresses and what 2x10 gave us I hope we dive deeper into Sydney's head.

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Syd & Carmy- Romantic Beats

Preface:

Studying this I see the second season uses steps 3-7 since we had our chemical equation and met cute the 1st season. You'll see gif examples 3-7 that show the beats of the season two.

Billy Mernit defines the “seven basic romantic comedy beats” in his book  Writing the Romantic Comedy. I'm observing that writing a romcom for a TV series is like a rollercoaster for beats, taking curves and dips that keep the series at a pace where the viewer is guessing. So beats repeat themselves and set themselves up for the next season.

The romantic beats are described as--

1. The Chemical Equation - The setup, there's something wrong in the protagonist's life. There's a missing piece in the main character's story. This is where we identify the protagonist's external and/or internal conflict.

2. The meet cute or catalyst - The incident that brings them together - and this should relate to the theme of the story. This meeting sets the tone for their relationship.

When the secondary lead is introduced- there should be some hints that this romantic interest is the missing piece of the Protagonist's chemical equation.

The Bear: I'd also add that with romantic comedies, the meet-cute should have some humor in it. (What’s UPS, is that in Chicago, or?) . As we talk on this platform- the meet cute was the proper example of a romcom.

3. The Sexy Complication -This is the first proper clash between the heroine and the hero. Higher stakes define the main character's goals. Typically, the external problem keeps them apart, or you can use internal conflict that keeps them apart. Traditionally occurring at the end of Act 1, a new development that raises story stakes and clearly defines the protagonist’s goal.

Season One episode Three: Syd is officially the sous chef and has a hard time with the staff. She comes in with the intention of changing The Beef for the better, however, Carmy is stuck in his old ways and past toxic experiences in the kitchen.

Season two episode three: The first clash starts 2x03 Sundae, after their technical meet cute- 2x02 pasta showing new closeness for season 2, however After 2x03 Sundae we see repeats of the sexy complication- since Syd and Carmy's relationship is the plot of the show- the stakes rise as the pressure to open The Bear is approaching and Claire comes into the picture- causing a bigger complication between Syd & Carmy.

4. The Hook. The midpoint scene sticks the two characters together. There's no way out, and this should reflect the theme of the movie.

This hints at the outcome of the relationship and gives hints of the potential between the two characters. There can be sexual tension involved or a detailed moment that shows the two characters are becoming closer.

Season one episodes Three and Five: Syd and Carmy reach an understanding and episodes three and five show vulnerability as Carmy reveals his brother was an addict and Syd shares the failure of Sheridan Road catering.

Season Two Episode Nine: After complications, Syd and Carmy reach a moment of understanding. This is the most romantically suggestive scene with prominent sexual tension.

5. The swivel - This is the moment after the hero and heroine have become closer, when their conflict comes back again, in a different form.  a turning point that makes the stakes higher and hurts the main character's goal, or vice versa, leading to a changed goal. The main character is forced to choose between love and the goal.

Season one and two: in both seasons Carmy loses his cool with Sydney. The first season she walks away and the season two Syd calms Carmy down.

What's interesting is that the song Spiders (kidsmoke) by Wilco plays in both scenes giving us hints of parallels.

6. Dark Moment – This is the consequence of the swivel. The characters have to reveal private motivations, and it seems that either the love or the goal is lost forever. The main character is at their most vulnerable point.

Season One Episode 8: The revealing of private motivation occurs in 1x08 When Carmy is in al-anon. He reveals that his trying to fix the restaurant was him trying to fix the relationship with Mikey. At this point, love (Sydney) and the goal (fixing my relationship with Mikey) are lost forever. The vulnerable point is Carmy facing the chaos in his internal world.

Season Two Episode 10: I'm a fսckin'... I'm a fսckn' psycho. That's why. That's why I'm good at what I do. That's how I operate. I am the best because I didn't have any of this fսck¡n' bullshit, right?

Wherein the consequences of the swivel decision yield disaster; generally, the humiliating scene where private motivations are revealed, and either the relationship and/or the protagonist’s goal is seemingly lost forever.

7. Joyful Defeat – reconciliation between the characters that remind the audience how important the relationship is to them, usually (but not always) with a happy ending that implies marriage – but usually at the cost of something the main character has had to sacrifice.

Season One Episode 8: Two tops? Booths?

Nuff said.

Season two: We're left with a cliffhanger for the Joyful defeat. Will the reconciliation happen in season three? Will we have a happy ending and what will Carmy sacrifice? Will he choose love or the goal? Will Syd choose love or the goal of getting the star?

Oh the slow burn is real! Storer, what are you doing here? This is a romcom!

[thoughtfulchaos773]

I'm reading Creating Character Arcs by K.M Weiland and looking at the definition of a character's needs and wants. My brain rot sees Sydney as a literal need for Carmy and decided to do a spin on the definitions along with describing Carmy's fallen arc.

The Definitions of want + need

Want (the lie): this is what the character thinks will bring them fulfillment and what will cure him. This character's desire (often external) can come from a limited perspective. This want is also influenced by the character's backstory where something happened in order for the character to believe in the limited perspective.

The need (the truth): The antidote to the lie, the most important thing in the character's life. If he misses out on the truth, he will never grow. this is what brings the character to wholeness. It heals wounds and, ultimately, can fulfill the true longings of the character's desires. If the character faces the truth, it will positively affect them, or he can ignore it, the wound worsens, and he can regress into a negative character arc.

Keep in mind that the needs and wants can be multiple things in the story, syd may be one of the truths carmy must accept, but he also has to accept the ultimate truth to really move forward.

Want

Carmy wants amusement and enjoyment throughout the second season to fix his negative feelings about cooking and opening The Bear. When Carmy decides to help Claire in 2x03 Sundae, he embraces the lie as he spends more time with her to bring him joy outside work.

As Carmy pursues his wants, he ignores the very needs that will heal his wounds.

Need

..Sydney is the need- what Carmy must address in order to become a happier, healthier version of himself. Sydney's own needs- Carmy's focus, is the key to Carmy's fulfillment.

Carmy needs to remember to call the fridge guy even when Sydney reminds him, skips the food tour, and avoids Sydney during the menu planning process.

Throughout the story, Carmy is presented with several opportunities to address his needs. His final chance to move forward and embrace the truth comes when Sydney calls out Claire's table. However, when Carmy decides to choose his wants over his needs, he experiences a fallen character arc and reaches a dark moment where he realizes he's stuck in his own path and calls out for Sydney, the very thing he always needed but missed. Carmy is then forced to confront his self-sabotage and embrace the consequences of his actions, wondering if he has lost the truth indefinitely.

When Sydney is not present, Carmy clings to a lie and resists new needs. The Dark Moments and Fallen Arc reveal the truth.

The Fallen Arc

CHARACTER BELIEVES LIE > CLINGS TO LIE > REJECTS NEW TRUTH > BELIEVES STRONGER/WORSE LIE

The hard truth at the end of season 2 is that Carmy was his worst enemy. The other lies he accepted at the end of this season was that he failed his team. He's good at what he does when he isolates.

Accepting these lies leaves Carmy through further depths as he cuts himself off from people closest to him.

I'm curious as to whether Carmy will isolate himself from Sydney now that he knows she's a need.

Ultimately, the show has many truths carmy needs to face, his mother, his mental health, Sydney, etc. and I'm excited to see the truth Carmy will have to address come season 3.

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Season 2 & episode titles gives us a glimpse into Syd x Carmy's love story.

A dish is worth a thousand words

This is a theory of mine where season 2 had a focus on a dish name being the title of an episode. Episodes that connect Claire, Carmy, and Syd. But mainly connects Syd and Carmy and shows in an subconscious way, that Syd is always on Carmy's mind.

Pasta 2x2

Sundae 2x03

Bolgenese 2x08

Omelette 2x09

In Pasta 2x02 Syd and Carmy are sharing an intimate moment as Carmy makes pasta and learns more about Syd, such as her father and her past failure with her business. In this scene, I noticed that Carmen is invested in learning more about Syd. Was there significance to the dialogue when he wanted to know more about her father, but she changed the subject back to the menu? In this scene, we also see Carmen catching little glimpses of Syd as he focused between Syd and working the pasta dough, his eyes focused on his true muse.

When Syd makes an error with one ingredient, they learn a new way of communication (a theme of the show) the sign being, a significant gesture that keeps the relationship moving forward and striving for peace and understanding rather than the conflict Carmy is used to.

By the end of Pasta, we see Claire and Carmy bump into each other and Claire in a flirting tone asks Carmy if he's making a sundae- the following episode's name.

In Sundae 2x03 Syd and Carmy part ways--the episode previously shows Carmy meeting Claire and she mentions a Sundae, and we See Syd later on in the episode, eating a Sundae alone.

Another part of the Sundae episode is Syd questioning if she could trust Camy. By the ending Carmy and Syd have a misunderstanding but make up with their new way of communication.

Bolognese 2x08, the meat sauce that intertwines with pasta. Claire intertwining with Syd and Carmy's story. . Later on this episode, we watch Carmy making his girlfriend pasta and Blogonese with a love montage with Sydney in the middle. I see this as Carmy always having Syd on his mind even if he seems distracted as the show progresses, we know that carmy was right in some way, syd had his full focus but not the restaurant. Rather Sydney herself is a part of his life even while he had girlfriend.

Another mention of Bolognese is a reference to Sydney's dish, the ragu bolgenese without the pasta that contributed to the demise of her career.

So Maybe Carmy was subconsciously thinking of Syd when he made the dish for Claire. Celebrating as Syd once again is alone.

Also the lyrics during this montage from Syd to Carmy.

And though I try to forget it

You will make me call your name

As I shout into the blue summer sky

Last but not least, the table scene in 2x09 Omelette. Syd makes an exhausted Natalie a Omelette, in many moments of this show we witness Syd becoming part of the family. We get two moments where Syd and Carmy connect. The under the table scene. Syd tells Carmy about the Omelette like two lovers having pillow talk. Carmy then looks at her and tells her, "You love taking care of people."

Carmy gives Sydney the jacket, showing Syd has been on his mind since 2x02 in a more than friends way (again could be subconscious gestures for now)

The writers are playing in our faces. All roads lead to Syd and Carmy. A partnership. This is not platonic, this story is a significant part of the show.

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Syd and Carmy- A Lover's Quarrel

This meta focuses on the Sexy Complications that I mentioned in a meta called Romantic Beats. I will focus on the clash between Syd and Carmy and what makes their conflicts so compelling to watch on screen.

Truth be told, I get fired up watching Carmy and Syd argue. They're like the turning point between all the other conflicts on the show.

Maybe it's because Carmy really zooms in and focuses on Syd when he's ready to fight?

Or the blocking- which has been covered before in the sydcarmy ship.

Maybe it's how Sydney goes toe toe-to-toe with Carmy if she needs to, but she's the only one to calm him down and snap him out of his patterns.

I think it's all the above.

In screenwriting- how you write arguments it's big on subtext. What I love about Syd and Carmy's arguments- in season 2- is that they're equals, and the truth of what they're really fighting about is starting to reach a boiling point. So what is the argument really about between Carmy and Syd?

2x03 Sundae Carmy turns to Syd once he hears she's not pleased with the changes. He suddenly walks towards her- why is he so close? The argument is about miscommunication and how Sydney feels left out of their process to open The Bear- whereas Carmy thinks they're still fine; they're just as close as they were before. But the blocking- Syd steps away- hinting that this should be a private discussion with Carmy. He's taking her dissatisfaction with the wall literally, and while deep down- Syd is saying- hey, I'm feeling unsure and I'm scared- you gave me all the reason to doubt you today. Please don't give me a reason not to trust you. Once she gives him the solution, Carmy only understands what Syd means- you let me know. But his inner conflict was early that day. Carmy's conflict lies in this dilemma of what it means to be closer to someone- to let someone in and what makes a good relationship. Keep in mind he shut out many people when he was in New York, and now, since Mikey, he has this opportunity to experience a deeper relationship. But that entails being present, making the person happy, and expressing his love without past hurts. He wants love to be fun and joyful. But he needs to figure out how to get there. He's telling Sydney- hey, I'm scared too; this is new to me, and I don't know how to do it because past hurts are showing up for me again. This feels complicated. I'm supposed to be doing this thing with Mikey and it only hurts it's not fun for me. but here you are and I'm also experiencing different emotions I've never felt before and I don't know how to handle it.

Sidebar: The way Fak walks away in the left gif- like he just knows some shit is about to go down between them and the stares from Marcus and Richie (while Fak looks away). So I'm one of many entranced by their arguments?

2. 2x05 Pop

I love that Claire said the errand was anti-climatic- really, the romance between them is anti-climatic (thanks to @currymanganese edit). The climactic moment happens at the end when Syd and Carmy almost argue- something Carmy clearly wants to do with Sydney. But he's mad at himself more than anything. Sydney says you're dismissing me and you weren't there, and I feel alone here. Carmy is saying I know I'm at fault here, I know it's on me- but I'm still here, right? I just want to experience something different this time- and that may get in the way, but I'm still here.

2. 2x08 Bolognese Sydney and Carmy are arguing about Claire going over the menu. But it's about trust, Carmys wanting a better experience with all the trauma he's faced, and this person who's in between their relationship. Someone he doesn't call a girlfriend creates a wedge and steps in where she shouldn't. Carmy and cannolis isn't the issue- it's an important part of his life that he should have shared with Sydney. Sydney is saying this is something you should have shared with me. You're leaving me out again. You won't let me in.

4. 2x10 The Bear

The boiling point of season 2. Carmy is triggered when he thinks he sees his EMP boss. When he returns to the kitchen, he sees the cold dead fish(is there subtext here?) and lashes out at Sydney.

This isn't about the expo station or the cold fish. It's fear that tips over for Carmy. Carmy is back in a cycle he does not want to be in. Carmy is saying, " I'm scared. I've been here before and don't want to do it again. I'm back in this stressful feeling of being in that kitchen. His kitchen. This needs to be perfect.

Sydney is clear in this argument. He was not there. Something Carmy needs to hear.

The conflict lies in Carmy getting out of his old ways so he can build a healthy relationship with Sydney- whereas Sydney has to learn trust and let go and fall so Carmy can catch her- Sydney has to be patient with Carmy's past experience, and Carmy has to learn how to be there for someone, how to know and be close to Sydney.

A well-crafted argument can change the whole dynamic of a relationship. The impending big fight is covered on this sydcarmy ship a few times, but I just wanted to point out how excited I am with the inner conflict in Carmy and Syd's dynamic.

Sooner or later- the truth boils over in arguments between two characters. Will this argument continue to reveal what Syd and Carmy are scared of- will the arguments draw understanding and closeness?

Bring it on season 3!

[thoughtfulchaos773]

It's perceived that Sydney's struggle this season was learning to be a leader and wanting a successful business because of Sheridan Catering.

That could be it. But I think deep down her struggle lies in loneliness. She wanted all this because she wanted to do this with Carmy.

I think about the beginning of 2x03 Sundae when she asks if Carmy is sending her home to find inspiration. The question was laced in disappointment that she would be alone in her dad's house. I think Sheridan Catering reminds her of a lonely period in her life, and she realized in 1x08 how much they need each other.

Another scene that stands out, of course, is the table scene. When Sydney fixes her side and Carmy asks what she's afraid of she first says that I don't have what it takes to not fuck this up. But a beat changes, she pauses and let's out her deepest fear.

You could do this without me.

The point of coming back and opening The Bear has to do with Carmy. They're only focused on each other, building together, getting a star together.

I think the ending will point out that it's not about the star, the restaurant, or Sheridan Catering. They could possibly lose what they worked towards. The worst could happen where The Bear catches fire, and it doesn't matter. As long as they're together.

This is all for Carmy, like he's doing it all for her- because he expressed how much he needs Sydney.