Summary
Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Bear season 3.
The Fak family is rapidly becoming one of the most endearing supporting characters in Hulu’sThe Bear.With Theodore “Teddy” Fak (Ricky Staffieri) returning to season 3 after his three-episode stint in season 2, the Faks are bringing the comedy and winning over my heart. Teaming up with his brother, Neil, who’s become a mainstay in the series,the Faks' authentic sibling dynamic and comic relief provide a perfect balance to the show’s culinary dramas, making them an irreplaceable part of the series.
There has been a lot ofdebate about the genre ofThe Bear, with the Hulu series appearing in awards categories for comedy and not drama. This ambiguity stems from the show’s ability to deftly blend intense moments with lighter, comedic elements.Much of this success is down to the Faks. While the main narrative of the series focuses on the anxiety-inducing stress of running a restaurant and Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) descending into pits of trauma-induced anxiety, the show can leave the comedy to the Fak brothers. While Neil remains the more prominent role, I was particularly impressed by how Teddy enhanced the action in season 3.
What “Haunting” Is In The Bear Season 3 & Its Real Meaning In The Characters' Stories Explained
The punishment is greatly feared by the Faks and employed by Sammy in The Bear season 3, episode 5, but it has a deeper meaning for other characters.
Theodore Fak’s The Bear Season 2 Introduction Helped Transform The Show’s Comedy
Teddy Shares A Pitch-Perfect Comedic Rapport With Neil
Since season 1, Neil Fak has always brought comedy to the sometimes overly serious show. Neil is played by Matty Matheson, one of the manyreal-life chefs inThe Bear. His portrayal of the blunt yet lovable childhood friend of Carmy’s family has been important in the show’s balance of characters. However, with the addition of Teddy in season 2 and his increased presence in season 3, I foundThe Bearbetter able to elevate the comedic dynamics through the interplay of the Fak brothersand their contrast against the seriousness of the fine dining restaurant.
Matty Matheson is the owner of several restaurants around Toronto, including a Vietnamese pho and bánh mì restaurant, a steakhouse, and an Italian-American restaurant. The chef has also written three cookbooks, opened a small farm operation in Ontario, Canada, and has launched a workwear clothing line.
For Carmy, Neil’s often not-so-welcome presence around the kitchen represents a connection to the Berzatto family’s past that he can’t escape.Neil is a constant reminder of Carmy’s rootsand his upbringing in the rough Chicago neighborhood. Yet Neil’s capacity to step up in season 3 and make a real effort to positively contribute to the restaurant’s success is an encouraging sign that your past doesn’t have to define you.
In season 3, Teddy’s role was further expanded, giving Neil another Fak to bounce off. In previous seasons, Neil and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) were able to comically spar, providing the source of many great comedic moments. But with Richie making a huge effort to improve himself in season 3, Matheson’s character needed someone else to complement his comedic riffing.Expanding Staffieri’s role was the perfect choice to help transformThe Bear’s comedy, allowing the Fak brothers to break up the tension and help ground the show.
The Fak Family Gets Even Better With Each Season Of The Bear
Every New Fak Family Member Brings New Dimensions To The Show’s Dynamics
The Hulu series has also started expanding the Faks' presence with the introduction of a newmember of the Fak family. InThe Bearseason 3,John Cena stole the show as Sammy Fakin episode 5, “Children.” Cena’s delightful rapport with Matheson and Staffieri combined with theirauthentically silly sibling dynamic, givesThe Bearthe lived-in realismthat has contributed to the show’s success.
There are many great stories about the Faks that have yet to be fully revealed, including an ongoingfeud between Sugar and Francie Fak. As a family that’s so deeply connected to the Berzattos, it seems that Sammy won’t be the last of the Fak clan to make an appearance. The complex relationships between the two families adds depth to the show’s narrative and, like Neil,offer a down-to-earth counterpoint to the elite fine dining sceneat the restaurant. It can only be a good thing if Cena reprises his role as Sammy in future seasons and we get to see more Faks in the show.
The Bear Season 3 Confirms The Fak Family Is The Heart Of The Show
Carmy Needs The Fak Family To Ground Him And Remind Him Where He Came From
The Fak family have come a long way since Neil’s introduction in season 1. Although the restaurant’s roots will always be with theBerzatto family,the Faks have developed into a comedic goldminethat the series needs to capitalize on more inThe Bearseason 4. Like Richie, Neil has started to improve himself, becoming a server who, despite his best intentions, is still prone to mistakes. For me, tracking Neil’s progress as he tries his best to navigate this totally new world is one of the most endearing aspects of his character.
With Teddy as a recurring character throughout season 3 and the electric chemistry between the three brothers, it seems likely thatThe Bearseason 4 will bring the siblings back, expanding their characters and introducing more Faks. Beyond their much-needed comic relief,the Fak brothers are proving themselves to be the heart of the show. As Carmy’s descent into madness deepens and the restaurant continues its crash course with destiny, the Faks bring the show back down to earth. They’re flawed characters, but the restaurant and Carmy’s dreams couldn’t exist without their loyalty, devotion, support, and unconditional love.
