something very amusing to think about is sydcarmys violent and emotionally stunted but weirdly intimate and sexual soulmate connection from the perspective of the waitstaff because servers are an integral section of every restaurant and i know these poor minimum wage employees are clocking out every night wishing they could light the place and then themselves on fire but are also holding out for the sole reason of finding out whether their executive chef and cdc are fucking, plotting each others deaths or a secret third thing that no one wants to say out loud
so insane of jaw and ayo to say that this season had no sydcarmy romantic implications when the very first episode we learn that the best dish sydney ever had was the first dish carmy ever put out that was entirely his. like yeah okay you’re right that’s not an implication thats a bullet to my head is what it is
yes im having conflicting thoughts abt the bear s3 just like everyone else and their mothers and no i dont think that sydcarmy can exist as they are now BUT to be loved is to be known and sydney literally reprinted the tickets with wider margins solely because she noticed and knows that carmy likes to write in them. so. tell me how i’m supposed to jump ship when such a simple moment says so much about how good they can be?????
love love love a character who is so universally loved but doesnt realize it in the slightest and the craziest thing is that this statement applies to like every main character of the bear but most especially syd and carmy
like syd who despite quitting the fine dining industry for not having her own voice is clearly well appreciated by the people she did work with, to the point that they are giving her favours and telling her that she always has a place in their restaurant???? and not to mention sugar crying over something as simple as her omelette, richie telling her shes apart of the family now, and carmy affirming that she is a giver a caretaker and a lover through and through??? absolutely scrumptious!!
and then carmy who has connections in copenhagen, the trust of chef terry, and being like an actual microcelebrity?? plus sugar constantly looking out for his well being and mikey wanting to protect him by keeping him away from the beef and richie yelling i love you to cut through the vitriol hes throwing at him, and syd who chose to stay because she believes so deeply that he is first and foremost a good person before he is an incredible chef??????
like UGH that shit is my bread and butter they are so disgustingly humble and unaware of their own value to the world but they try try try to be so so good to everyone so when they fail they think the worst of themselves but everyone around them knows and sees how lovely they are and the heights they could reach if they would just look in the mirror, past their weary eyes and dull skin to see that they are good and loved and deserve to be happy UGHHHHHHH
listen at the end of the day if syd and carmy do end up just being “platonic soulmates” and this is confirmed by the writers/cast and is expressed heavily in the show then i would ultimately be okay with that because that tells me and everyone watching that their relationship with each other is woven into the fabric of the universe and thus transcends all other connections they have in their life. it’s basically dating without the kissing except they are on a level that goes beyond normal friendship, because their souls are inextricably tied together. they are made from the same embers that forged their spirit and cut them in half. it means that they wandered the earth, incomplete, searching for something they didn’t know they needed and by some miracle of events they found their way back to each other and have been made whole. they want, yearn for, need each other. being soulmates, no matter how stubbornly people preface it with the word ‘platonic’, means that they are one in the same and always will be and even if they don’t smooch sydcarmy-truthers take the dub either way.
that carmy and richie fight in the finale was devastatingly beautiful. first the setting of carmy being stuck in the inside and richie being outside helping to run the shit. then, carmy being in the darker light while richie is in the lighter one. and everything that was said in the fight proved to me more how much they are family because only family can know this much where it would hurt and only family would still keep loving you after all this. like the way richie hits carmy by calling him donna was so unexpected i gasped. and you can see richie immediately regrets it but the damage has been done and carmy just starts losing it. also the way richie was trying to be real with carmy saying somebody has to tell him this shit as the pseudo-big brother he is. and then carmy keeps on going and hits richie with his kid but richie doesn’t stay with it all that much, because it comes down to michael again. in the show, it’s like the emptiness michael left is so tangible it’s crazy BUT it’s especially tangible when it comes to richie and carmy. and so, richie goes back to michael and the funeral and the fact that carmy wasn’t there but carmy goes on and on attacking richie saying richie is obsessed with his family. what does richie do then, keeps shouting i fucking love you over and over again. and it was such an unexpected choice like that destroyed me. but that’s the bottom line. they are gonna rip each other off but richie loves carmy so much, and I believe he knows he stepped over the line with the donna comment, and that carmy doesn’t mean anything he says at that moment. because they also had their whole development throughout the season. because they are fucking family.
thinking about the specific moments where the berzatto family falls in love with sydney (because of course they do, everyone does).
for richie, it takes the end of the beef and right up till the opening of the bear to happen. he is full of contempt and grief when he meets her and all he knows is that when he looks at her face he is afraid. he doesn’t like that feeling. richie is not a man who finds himself fearful a lot, but she is everything he is not and nothing that he is and he hates himself for it. if she is what it means to be passionate, then what is he? is he nothing but an empty shell of mikey, stuck on earth to shake his fist at passing clouds, because how dare they move and continue on like mikey was nothing to them, as if he wasn’t the very point that the earth revolved around? everyone is leaving him behind, and she is proudly leading the pack. it’s not right. but then— he gets it. he talks to garrett and jess and chef terry and he sees sydney in every corner of that restaurant. the fear slowly is replaced with respect as the week goes on and he realizes that just because she’s good doesn’t mean she’s out to get him. that’s the berzatto upbringing in him doing the talking, but it doesn’t have to, because shes a berzatto now, maybe not officially (not yet, but mark his words, she will be) but she is, and that’s not how she does things. so, he lets her lead them into the future to something good and different and better.
for sugar, it’s instant. she was born to a mother who is triggered by her very existence, and it has hurt her all her life. she is full of love and the one person she wants to give it to the most doesn’t want any part of it. she was born to give but is surrounded by those who are afraid to even take it, to reach out their hand and meet her in the middle. and if they cant take then they themselves have nothing to give, so she gets used to being the one who has to force feed her love down their throats, because if no one does, if no one shows them that they are worthy of good things, then they will crumble (“if i just talked to him more—” “no, nat—” “if i had just—” “it’s not your fault, honey. it’s never been.”). but when she meets sydney, it’s like looking into a mirror. she sees her bright eyes and soft smiles and careful but strong hands and instantly recognizes her for what she is: a giver. and sugars heart swells with even more love than she thought possible, because finally, she’s not alone— there is someone else there to slowly, albeit subconsciously, take care of her crumbling family, to show them that despite what their mother may have taught them, its okay to not be okay (she tries her best not to cry when syd asks her if shes okay, but she does. and syd doesnt grab her face or yell at her or call her stupid. she makes her a meal. and sugar cries some more).
for cicero, the love isn’t instant, and it’s not even entirely love. she is strong and she is assertive, but that also makes her naive and a very expensive risk. she makes him curious for what’s to come, intrigued by the way she doesn’t back down from carmy whose voice so often mimics the berzattos that came before him (“you’re better than this, kid.” “i don’t know what i am.” “whatever it is, it’s not this.”). she's self assured and knows her place in the establishment and is unafraid to let people know it. it’s a refreshing change of pace from mikey, who often resorted to intimidation to get his way, or carmy, who’s anxiety envelopes him and distracts him from what’s right there in front of him. but she is not them. she is focused and on track and is willing to put in the work to get what she wants. he doesn’t visit the bear often, only drops by once in a while to deliver bad news or to fulfill a favour or to just enjoy some good food, but when he does, she is always there, dedicated to ensuring that carmy and michaels, and now, her dream stays alive. she is good for his family, and he trusts her to keep the berzatto spirit alive.
for michelle, it’s quite simple. she always looked out for carmy, their little bear, so when she meets her it’s a family thanksgiving party at the bear and syd stumbles out of the kitchen, obviously frazzled and a little sweaty (“carmy, im not ready, i didn’t even change yet and the turk—” “don’t worry, tina will take care of it, you look great, they’ll love you, they just really wanted to meet you—”), but she’s smiling. she’s a little awkward when she introduces herself, and michelle finds herself endeared by her nervous ramble (“it’s, uh, really nice to meet you guys. sorry, i didn’t know that i was going to be pulled out of the kitchen so soon. uh, im sydney. yeah, i guess carmy already told you guys, huh? um. im sorry, how are you related to the family again? i mean, i dont want to offend but it’s just. uh. well, you guys are just very... normal?”) and she’ll laugh and look at stanley and the two of them will think to themselves, good job carmy, she’s a good one, before telling syd something dumb and nonsensical about a genetic mutation and richie interrupts to tell michelle it’s not a genetic mutation it’s called being boring and syd will laugh and michelle will too, truly happy that their little bear found someone normal, a breath of fresh air within the smoke of their family.
for donna, it’s weird. it’s tense. they don’t meet for a long time. they don’t meet at the bear when it first opens and not at the bear even when it has found it’s footing, but by chance. they are somewhere mundane (a grocery store, a park, or maybe just the street) and there is no other family member around when syd meets the berzatto matriarch. she only knows what donna looks like from photos at sugars house because carmys apartment is devoid of any actual sentiment (although that has begun to change since she made him get an actual dresser and he dedicated one of the drawers to her stuff). she calls out to her by her name, and donna turns around startled. she doesn’t recognize syd, of course, who introduces herself and informs her of who she is to the family. when donna smiles it’s not a real one, and syd knows this, but it doesn’t deter her. she tells donna that her kids love her (“even after everything, nat?” “she’s our mother. its all that we can do.”) and that her kids are great (“carmy, you are not broken.” “im a little broken.” “no, listen to me, the fact that you are still here, means something. its something.”) and that there will always be a table for her at the bear (“chef, someones calling in for a reso for 1 but we’re all full up… except for—“ “yo, dont finish that sentence. table 7 for ms. berzatto is an indefinite booking. is that understood?” “yes, chef”). donnas smile fades and her chest fills with anger but just as she’s about to explode in typical berzatto fashion syd interrupts her. she has faced the bear many a time before and has handled herself with grace and dignity everytime, so this is no different. she smiles brightly and thanks donna for listening to her and hopes she considers coming in, because she’d really like to cook for her. she looks like she needs a good meal. she deserves one. she turns and walks away. donnas stomach growls. that night, table 7 is occupied for the first time since the bear opened its doors.
and carmy? well, there isn’t an exact moment. its a culmination of awkward partnership (“i don’t want to be shitty.” “okay, then dont be.”) and flawless teamwork (“the menu needs—” “already on it, chef.”) and nights unwinding at the bar down the street (“of course you drink an old fashioned.” “what’s that supposed to mean?” “nothing, it’s just very… tortured-chef-from-the-slums-of-chicago of you”) and spontaneous phone calls just to hear the others voice (“why are you whispering?” “i… don’t know. my dads home. its a habit.” “you’re 27.” “and you’re white, you wouldn’t get it.”) till they’re just inseparable (“cousin, wheres carmy?” “with syd, duh.” “why'd i even ask?”). and then, sydney and carmen become something else. something tender and sweet and terrifying and beautiful all mixed together into… something. there’s no word for what they have. but it feels so right; to the guests who taste their food and recognize that the hands who put it together are full of love and care; to the staff at the bear who see the unspoken communication, the lingering touches, and their soft eyes that seem to always be on the other; to the berzatto family who notice that carmy looks a little brighter, and shakes a little less. yes, its love, but its so much more. it’s syd and carmy. it always has been, and always will be.
(“can i ask you something? something corny and lame and gross?” “always.” “when did you, like, know?” “know what?” “like, when did you know that you loved me? like, not as a chef or a friend, but as... y'know.” “that’s very middle school of you to ask.” “shut up, i did warn you.” “…” “so?” “its, uh, i don’t, i don’t know.” “well, that’s rude.” “no, i mean, i can’t say its one moment because... it was all of them. together. like, one moment you’re staging and then everything happened and, and, keeps happening but the next thing i knew you were there and you always were there and i just knew that i never wanted you to not be there.” “that’s…. really, really, disgusting, and frankly, a little unprofessional.” “oh, fuck off.” “no, like, i knew you were obsessed with me, but wow, that is a whole new other level.” “fuck you, get off of me, don’t touch me.” “no no no, please—” “i let you into my family—” “let me?” “into my restaurant—” “i think you mean OUR restaurant—” “only for you to humiliate me in my own bed? how dare you.” “…are you sulking?” “…” “…carmy?” “syd?” “me too.” “…heard, chef. now come back here.”)
(and it’s unspoken, but everyone knows that michael would’ve loved her too. i mean, she’s sydney fucking adamu, she conquered the bear. how could anyone not love her?)
i feel like s3 will start with some kind of conversation between syd and carmy abt how she rejected marcus and his breakup with claire, and then them agreeing that chefs especially them can’t afford to have “fun” and then the whole season will be scattered with moments of them spending all their time together in the restaurant, where long shifts turns into seamless teamwork turns into lingering touches and hidden smiles turns into spontaneous trips to hole-in-the-wall restaurants turns into memes sent over text turns into soft phone calls in the night till it’s just them enjoying each others company becoming two peas in a pod and having fun. and then the last episode will leave us with some moment of triumph after the overarching conflict is defeated and then sydney will look across the kitchen to meet carmys eyes who was already looking at her (as he always seems to be) and theyll smile at each other with such warmth and love only for her to be pulled away by tina in a hug and carmy by richie who’ll punch him in the shoulder, glance towards syd then back to carmy with a smirk who just shakes his head with the smallest hint of a smile. syd in the middle of her conversation will look back to him with that same smile and that’ll be the end of the season but only the beginning of their realization of their feelings for each other.
itll be the slowburn of the decade.
carmy: forgets to call the fridge guy despite being repeatedly reminded by everyone and their mother for the entire season
also carmy: orders an expensive custom monogrammed chefs coat for syd because of the one time she made an offhanded comment about how his was cool
yes that is Very Standard and Professional behaviour between Platonic coworkers yes
claire (inadvertently) making carmy lose focus vs sydney making carmy a better chef/person and vice versa……. the parallels are paralleling!!!!!!!!!!
like yes it is not claires fault at all that their relationship pulled him away from his work because a work-life balance is important and god knows he deserves some love in his life. HOWEVERRRRR claire just does not provide that needed balance. the scale tips too much to one side. it’s very clear that he is unable to balance being a communicative and loving partner with being the leader and executive chef that the bear needs. and i guess it could be said that you can’t have ur cake and eat it too, but throughout the show we see that syd and carmy have a solid partnership (developed within just a few days might i add!!!), or at the very least, they are consistently working to improve it so that they can become better chefs and better people.
whether they know it or not (and we know they dont), both syd and carmy are working towards realizing that their ambitions don’t have to stop them from loving and being loved, and they’re getting there together, as partners. they said it themselves, they need each other.
