There are some shows on TV that you can watch while doing other things, whether that be chores, work, or scrolling on your phone, as many of us are guilty of. Even if it is wrong, some are simple enough that you can still follow the narrative without your complete attention.The Bearis certainly not one of those shows.Every shot and scene inThe Bearis crucial to the storyand framed beautifully by cinematographerAndrew Wehde. That’s one of the main reasons you can’t take your eyes off of it, even when all you’re watching is characters cooking or completing mundane tasks.
One of these scenes comes in Episode 2 of Season 4, “Soubise,” whenRichie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), following another depressing shift at the restaurant, goes to a bar and is seen watching an old Western on TV. The scene he watches revolves around a character getting angry that he cannot slow down time, so the parallels to Richie’s situation are obvious, yet there is so much more to this reference than first meets the eye. The film he watches is 1957’s3:10 to Yuma, and from the sense of doom and feelings of powerlessness for the protagonist,3:10 to Yumainforms much of Richie and the restaurant’s arc fromThe Bear.
‘3:10 to Yuma’ Conveys a Similar Inevitability to ‘The Bear’
One cannot understand the significance of Richie watching3:10 to Yumawithout first knowing what the western is about. The film follows Dan (Van Heflin),a farmer whose cattle are dying from drought, as he risks his life on a job to transport the outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) to a train to Yuma so that the criminal can be tried and Dan can get the money he needs to save his farm. Already, from this description, we can see a parallel between Richie and Dan, as both men are fighting to save their businesses, which are deeply tied to their identity. Furthermore, there is a sense of doom throughout the film once Dan takes on his mission, as we constantly get references to how long it is until 3:10, when the train will arrive, andwith every minute we know that Ben’s posse is getting closer to finding their leader and killing Dan.
There are even wider reflections ofThe Bearwith3:10 to Yuma’s temptations for Dan to abandon the pursuit of saving his farm and taking the moral path. Ben consistently offers Dan money to let him go. While this can be seen as Richie’s feeling that he could walk away from the restaurant at any moment if it no longer feels worth the pain, it also mirrorsSydney’s (Ayo Edebiri)difficult decision over whether to stay or take the more attractive offer of working at Chef Adam’s (Adam Shapiro). With Dan choosing the path of morality and duty by the end of the film, itcould be seen as one of the first teases we got for what side Sydney and Richie would choose by the end of the season.
The Scene Richie Watches Reflects His Battle Against Time in ‘The Bear’
The specific scene Richie watches comes about two-thirds into the movie. With Ben Wade’s posse arriving and time running out, Dan begins to consider Ben’s offer about abandoning his mission to save his own life. It makes Dan a fascinating character to watch as he is truly tempted by the money Ben offers him, and it also creates a tension that Dan’s emotions could bubble over as he loses control of his morality. In the culmination of this anxiety,Ben taunts him that time won’t stop just because Dan wants it to, leading to Dan throwing his watch across the room.
With the timer always counting down afterUncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt)and Computer (Brian Koppelman) set it up inEpisode 1, “Groundhogs,“the parallels are obvious. This relates to Richie’s growing doubts about the success of the restaurant and how the time is approaching where he will have to make a choice, raising the stakes. However, the specificity of the reference is clear because of the way Dan lashes out at his watch, as Richie often takes a loud approach when stressed or upset about something, and that is whywe can immediately tell that it means more than just the lines being spoken on the bar’s television screen.
‘The Bear’ Season 4’s 10 Best Guest Stars Ranked
Sadly, no John Cena appearance this time.
‘The Bear’s Richie and ‘3:10 to Yuma’s Dan Share Multiple Traits Surrounding Their Agency
While3:10 to Yumais similar toThe Bearin terms of how its plot also revolves around a ticking time bomb, as just mentioned, it is how Richie and Dan specifically mirror each other that is fascinating to dig into when you have seento Yuma. Both men want to consider themselves men of action and try to go above and beyond to make others think that. Yet,they both feel powerless to make a real impact.
When we first meet Dan, he is embarrassed by Ben in front of his sons while the outlaw robs a stagecoach, and Dan does nothing, with this feeling of insecurity and desire to save his farm being what pushes Dan to commit to bringing Ben to justice even when the risk to his life is huge. With Richie, we see throughout the season how he wishes to “inspire” people, but doesn’t think his speeches are good enough. However, in the end, we see a similar commitment to the restaurant that Dan shows to justice in3:10 to Yuma, as he is promoted to co-owner of the restaurant and thegrowth of someone who didn’t want to get involved into someone who might care more than anyone else.
LikeThe Bear,3:10 to Yumaends open-ended as Dan and Ben are on the train to Yuma, yet we don’t know if they’ll get there unhampered or if Dan will actually save his farm in the end. This reflects how,while the restaurant is arguably left in the best hands followingCarmy’s (Jeremy Allen White)decision to retire, there isno guarantee it will not run out of money. The amount of depth that can come out of what is seemingly such a simple scene with Richie on his own is simply staggering and a testament to how well-thought-outThe Bearis, hence why we are all so eager to see where the show will go now that a new structure and higher stakes have been put in place forSeason 5.
All episodes ofThe Bearare streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a young chef from the fine dining world, returns to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop after a tragedy. As he navigates the chaotic environment of the small kitchen, Carmy must manage the struggles of turning around the failing business while dealing with his own grief and personal demons. The series dives deep into the intense world of culinary arts, highlighting the challenges of running a restaurant, the bonds formed among staff, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
