A surprise standalone episode of ‘The Bear’ has dropped on Hulu, and fans of the show were not expecting it. Titled ‘Gary’, the episode is a flashback following Richie, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Mikey, played by Jon Bernthal, on a work trip to Gary, Indiana. The episode arrives without fanfare and appears as its own separate title rather than as part of ‘The Bear’ catalog, a detail Moss-Bachrach himself pointed out when he announced it on Instagram.
What ‘Gary’ is about and who made it
According to the episode’s synopsis, ‘Gary’ follows the two friends’ complicated relationship, “uncovering new layers of Mikey’s mental state while offering crucial insight into the man Richie is when audiences first meet him in Season One, adding emotional context that reframes their story from the very beginning.”What makes the episode particularly special is that Moss-Bachrach and Bernthal co-wrote it themselves, while series creator Christopher Storer stepped in to direct. Announcing the episode on social media, Moss-Bachrach wrote, “COUSINS! PRIMOS! CUGINI!!! Get ready for GARY!!!! We are so excited to finally share this little adventure with Richie and Mikey. Written by me and [Bernthal]. Directed by the one Christopher Storer. Making this was a dream come true. Thanks to the beautiful people of Gary, Indiana, and as always, Chicago, Illinois.”As of now, the episode exists outside of the show’s regular hub on the streaming service, meaning viewers must search “Gary” directly to find and watch it.
What this means for ‘The Bear’ Season 5
‘Gary’ arrives ahead of ‘The Bear’ Season 5, which does not yet have an official release date but is widely expected to drop in June, in line with all previous seasons of the show. Season 5 is also broadly anticipated to be the series’ final chapter. While no official comment has been made on the matter, recurring guest star Jamie Lee Curtis has said as much on multiple occasions.For fans who have followed Richie and Mikey’s bond since the very first episode, ‘Gary’ offers a rare and welcome chance to spend more time with two of the show’s most complex characters before the story reaches its conclusion. Outside of ‘The Bear’, Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach have previously appeared together in ‘The Punisher’ series as well as their recent turn on Broadway in ‘Dog Day Afternoon’, making their creative partnership on ‘Gary’ a natural and much-welcomed reunion for fans of both actors.
