Summary
Joel McHale explains Carmy and David’s confrontation duringThe Bearseason 3 ending. With new episodes released on June 26, FX’s Emmy-winning series continues following the talented young chef, Carmy Berzatto, who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his late brother’s Italian beef sandwich shop and transforms it into a fine dining restaurant. Jeremy Allen White leadsThe Bearcastas Carmy, while McHale occasionally guest stars as David Fields, the executive chef at Empire in New York City who verbally abused Carmy during his time there as chef de cuisine.
In an interview withGQ,McHale delved deeper into the dynamics of Carmy’s confirmation with David at Ever’s funeral dinner. The actor criticizes David’s dismissive and self-congratulatory attitude towards Carmy, though he does find it satisfying to portray that aspect of the character. Read McHale’s full comments below:
The fact that David’s like, “Hey, man, what are you so worried about? Unclutch your pearls. You shouldn’t be so upset about all this stuff. You did it. You got there” is deeply unfair on David’s part. He approves of him because it worked out. But there are probably so many chefs that didn’t achieve the same thing. Obviously, Jeremy’s character is extremely skilled, and has worked his ass off, but he’s just like everybody in every profession—he had to have some luck. So the piles of other sous chefs and line cooks that worked for David who didn’t make it? You forget about those people. So I think it’s unfair, because he didn’t have to be a dick, but he was, and that’s how he is, and that’s what worked for him.
And obviously, I’m more than happy to show that up and exploit it as an actor playing that part, because people keep telling me, “You’re such a dick in it.” And I’m like, “You mean I’m the protagonist? Because I really spurred him on.” For David, it all comes down to what Jeremy’s character pulled off and ended up doing with his life. And David thinks, “I’m in his brain.” He takes credit for the success. I mean, I played it that way. But I think the psychology fucked up. I think the conclusion is a little rough, if we’re just talking about David’s psychology.
Carmy & David’s Confrontation During The Bear Season 3 Ending Explained
The Scene Poses An Important Question Reminiscent Of Whiplash
The interviewer astutely alludes to howDavid and Carmy’s confrontation duringThe Bearseason 3 endingis reminiscent ofWhiplash. Damien Chazelle’s 2014 film follows the relationship between an ambitious drumming student and his abusive instructor, posing the central question of whether abusive, relentless instruction and extreme pressure are necessary and justifiable methods for motivating someone to achieve greatness. The film explores the fine line between motivating someone to reach their full potential and inflicting harm on them through abusive methods, questioning whether the ends (greatness) can ever justify the means (abuse).
At the end ofThe Bearseason 3,the conclusion that David comes to during his confrontation with Carmy is a classic case of the ends justifying the means. David claims Carmy was an average chef when he started at Empire and he left an “excellent” chef, taking credit for his improvement. Though Carmy claims his abuse gave him “ulcers, panic attacks, and nightmares,” David dismisses his anxiety and claims he gave him the necessary tools to become a great chef, implying that his success should negate any trauma.
Every Cameo In The Bear Season 3
The Bear season 3 has plenty of new and returning cameos, with several big name actors making their introductions to the extended family tree.
David Fields, introduced back in season 1, represents the trauma that Carmy faced in the fine-dining world of New York City. David embodies the abuse, power imbalances, and toxic traditions that exist within the French brigade system. The season 3 finale culminates in a confirmation between Carmy and David, but because of his frustratingly dismissive and self-congratulatory attitude, the scene leaves audiences with more questions than answers. WithThe Bearseason 4reportedly renewed, this likely won’t be the last confrontation between Carmy and David.
