The highly anticipated third season of The Bear finally arrives on Hulu in a couple of weeks, taking fans back to the most dysfunctional restaurant kitchen ever. Sure, the series has received critical acclaim and was even dubbed one of the best shows of 2023, but there’s no denying it’s also one of the most stressful TV offerings out there, and it’s easy to see why.
Across its intense first two seasons, The Bear has perfectly captured the pressure of running a food business.
The first season pretty much nailed it. It showed Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) taking over the family’s Italian sandwich shop (called The Beef) after his brother's sudden death.
As he turned his back on working in Michelin-starred restaurants, Carmy faced an array of problems that his brother left behind—unresolved debts, an unruly staff, a rundown kitchen—while he dealt with his own grief and family trauma.
The second season took the story up a notch as Carmy and his crew opened The Bear after closing down The Beef in the first season finale.
Though it featured some more mundane episodes, too, like one focused on getting a permit, it still conveyed the stress of this line of work.
So, while waiting for the new episodes, here are the 10 most stressful scenes from The Bear, ranked for your discomfort.
Forks (Season 2 Episode 7)
Though The Bear Season 2 Episode 7, Forks, is a feel-good instalment for Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s character, Richie, it starts with a stressful feeling of unease and exhaustion.
Richie goes on a week-long educational stint at an upscale fine dining establishment as part of Carmy's plan to upskill the team.
At first, Richie doubts the restaurant’s ability to succeed and feels so resentful at having to clean forks early in the morning and take people’s orders that he’s on the verge of giving up.
However, things change when he witnesses the staff’s unwavering dedication to their customers.
As this incites a change within him, his skepticism turns into enthusiasm, and he slowly grasps the intricacies of working in a bustling food business.
Though this episode starts stressful, it has redeemed itself with great satisfaction after Richie’s change of heart.
Dogs (Season 1 Episode 4)
The Bear Season 1 Episode 4, Dogs, is maybe one of the funniest but still stressful episodes.
Carmen and Richie cater a kid’s party at Uncle Jimmy's (Oliver Platt) house, but they accidentally spill Xanax into the Ecto-Cooler, knocking all the kids unconscious.
Thankfully, Jimmy is fine with what happened after learning the kids aren’t dead.
If seeing unconscious kids doesn’t stress the viewers, what will?
Bolognese (Season 2 Episode 8)
Waiting for a do-or-die fire suppression test raises tension in The Bear Season 2 Episode 8, Bolognese.
The restaurant’s grand opening countdown has reached its ten-day mark, inciting panic in Carmy and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) over the fire suppression test they must pass to get the opening permit.
Thankfully, Fak found out Michael had disabled the fire suppression system and rectified the issue before the test. As expected, the restaurant passes the test and receives its operating permit.
Also, since this is The Bear, fans are relieved when Ebra (Edwin Lee Gibson) returns, reconciles with Tina (Liza Colon-Zayas), and oversees the restaurant’s takeout sandwich window.
Omelette (Season 2 Episode 9)
Everyone is ready for the final preparations for The Bear’s first service in The Bear Season 2 Episode 9, Omelette.
This episode perfectly captures the pressure of the restaurant’s highly anticipated opening as the staff rushes to finish the final touches.
Sydney feels the weight of impressing her father while Carmy starts doubting himself. To add another layer of pressure to the group, Natalie (Abby Elliott) invites her mother.
The stakes turn incredibly high as Cicero gives Carmy The Bear’s business license, stressing they’re no place for mistakes as they begin The Bear’s journey.
Brigade (Season 1 Episode 3)
The stress continues as Sydney finds it hard to gain the staff’s respect in The Bear Season 1 Episode 3, Brigade.
Carmy has just introduced a new kitchen brigade system and entrusted the responsibility of managing the changes to Sydney.
However, the team finds it hard to adapt. If this event isn’t stressful enough, the tension rises when Sydney faces more unfortunate events.
Tina accidentally ruins her sauce, Marcus conceals pounds of sliced onions, and Richie doesn’t want to follow her rules.
But compared to the two episodes mentioned above, Brigade ended with everyone still stressed.
Sheridan (Season 1 Episode 5)
Everyone’s stress level rises in The Bear Season 1 Episode 5, Sheridan. As always, things go wrong in the kitchen, and it’s probably one of the worst mishaps of the whole season.
Water blows up in Carmy’s face when he checks the toilet, and Sydney suggests they close for lunch.
However, Carmy knows they can’t afford to miss one service, so some of the staff work on the toilet while others take care of the kitchen.
Things get more intense as Fak and Richie start to argue. Thankfully, Sydney comes up with a plan, setting a grill in the alley for an outdoor lunch.
Though stress increases as one problem arises after another, Sydney’s resourcefulness and perseverance help to calm everyone down.
Ceres (Season 1 Episode 6)
Richie notices the neighborhood has been changing in The Bear Season 1 Episode 6, Ceres.
Hence, Sydney wants to add a new dish to the menu, but Carmy refuses, sparking tension between them.
Sydney goes her way and serves the new dish to a random customer who is a food critic.
Though the dish receives praise in the critic’s review, it still causes chaos. Sadly, this isn’t the only problem The Beef faces.
Marcus finds it hard to balance his doughnut experiments and his restaurant duties. Stray gunfire even shatters the restaurant’s windows.
A brawl then ensues, but Sydney manages to stop it by offering the shooters some leftovers.
Review (Season 1 Episode 7)
If the previous events aren’t chaotic enough, the tension is incredibly high in The Bear Season 1 Episode 7, Review.
Everyone seems to have a problem of their own. Tina is having a personal problem after her son’s suspension.
Carmy is mad at Sydney for serving a newspaper critic her risotto. Richie and Sydney end up in an intense argument.
Not only that, but the to-go orders are all wrong. The kitchen is having a bad day, but the team does their best to control their emotions and the non-stop chaos.
The Bear (Season 2 Episode 10)
The Bear Season 2 Episode 10 is the culmination of all the stress of the kitchen and its staff.
The kitchen runs out of forks, the toilet breaks and a new hire smokes meth in the alley. To make things worse, Carmy feels overwhelmed by the mounting orders, resulting in a panic attack.
He accidentally locks himself in the fridge, forcing Richie to lead the team and Sydney to lead the kitchen.
As everyone struggles to serve the customers and call it a night, the chaotic turn of events is a real nail-biter.
Fishes (Season 2 Episode 6)
The Bear Season 2 Episode 6, Fishes, features a flashback to one particularly intense and heated Christmas dinner at the Berzatto family.
Of course, the two-hour special Christmas episode will never be complete without a tantrum in the kitchen.
Aside from the family drama, it shows the stressful fork scene.
Tension escalates when Lee (Bob Odenkirk) tries to recount the origin of the Seven Fishes tradition, with Michael (Jon Bernthal) throwing a fork at him for being under the influence of drugs.
The pressure intensifies when others try to intervene. Michael hurls another fork at Lee, almost resulting in a physical brawl.
Everyone stops when the emotional Donna crashes her car into the dining room. This episode isn’t just one of the most stressful but is also one of the best.
Which of these episodes is your favorite?
From the overwhelming pressure to the supremacy of emotions, the tension is always incredibly high in The Bear.
More intense emotions will play out when The Bear Season 3 drops on June 27.
READ MORE: Why Does The Bear’s Fak Yell Jewish Lightning?