Movies News Talk
The Bear season 3 sees the return of Joel Mchale's sadistic chef, David Fields, and finally disproves a popular theory about the chef in the best way possible. While Fields plays a crucial role in Carmy's story, the way The Bear portrays him has led to a popular theory. Namely, that Fields is imaginary or an exaggeration.
One scene that supports this theory occurs in The Bear season 2 when The Bear opens for the first time. Carmy believes that he sees Fields sitting at a table in the corner. This sends Carmy into a panic until he looks again and realizes it is a complete stranger. This, along with the fact that Fields only comes up in Carmy's memory, hints that the chef may not be real.
As much as The Bear plays with audiences by keeping David Field's existence mysterious, the last episode finally confirms it. While eating dinner, Luca asks Carmy who he is staring at. When Carmy explains, he, Luca, and Sydney all look at and discuss Fields. It is clear Carmy's feelings about Fields aren't an exaggeration either, as Luca discusses his own dislike of Fields.
Though this conversation dispels the idea that Joel Mchale's character isn't real, it does so in a way that is satisfying. The Bear may disprove the popular Fields-isn't-real theory, but manages to hold onto the best aspects of it. Fields is truly sitting across the room at Ever, but there is still a sense of unreality about him. Carmy proves it when he explains that Fields never eats or sleeps or stops working. Though Fields is flesh and blood, he has created an aura around himself that makes him mythic. Therefore, The Bear shows that he is real, but he is still untouchable. Carmy's confrontation with him only makes that more apparent.
The best part of Fields' role in The Bear Season 3 is his confrontation with Carmy. It would have been good enough for the series to simply acknowledge that Fields is real, but it goes further by making the two interact. For the first time, Carmy's fears and emotions are validated. Fields dismisses Carmy, and worse, argues that the abuse made him a better chef. The scene proves Fields a real The Bear villain, and the ways in which he continues to affect Carmy. Overall, the clarity provided in this scene makes it one of the best in The Bear season 3.
The Bear Season 3 introduces several possibilities that could shake up the winning formula of the series, especially regarding Sydney's next move. The Bear Season 3 Continues Suggesting Joel McHale's Chef Is Exaggerated (Or Imaginary) The Bear season 3 adds to this theory in many ways. Carmy continues to see Fields in his memories. Notably, Carmy himself is struggling mentally, which would explain why the recollections are coming out in full force. Then, when Carmy sees Fields at Ever, it is unclear whether he is truly there or not. After season 2, it would be unsurprising if he were just another hallucination. In this way, season 3 keeps raising questions about Fields' existence and Carmy's perspective.