Special effects
SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains spoilers for “Napkins,” the sixth episode of Season 3 of “The Bear.”
Between “Honeydew” and “Forks,” Season 2 of “The Bear” was at its best when it focused on its supporting characters, delving into the inner lives of Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in a way that enhanced the show’s universe as a whole. The same goes for Season 3, which takes a break from the stress of keeping the restaurant open to go back in time and shine a spotlight on a founding member of the kitchen team: Tina.
Tina, played by Liza Colón-Zayas, comes across as a tough cookie at the beginning of Season 1, unyielding to Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) leadership out of loyalty to her older brother, Mikey (Jon Bernthal), who left the restaurant to Carmy when he committed suicide. But by Season 3, she’s deeply entrenched in the culinary world thanks to the trust and investment of Carmy and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), who sent her to culinary school and promoted her to sous chef. “Napkins,” the sixth episode of Season 3, provides context for this journey.
Marking Edebiri’s directorial debut — and written by Catherine Schetina — the episode begins as Tina and her husband (played by the real-life husband of “Dexter” star Colón-Zayas) discuss their financial woes after their rent increases. Soon, Tina loses the job she’s dedicated 15 years to and embarks on a demoralizing odyssey of applying to what seems like every open position in the city of Chicago. Rejected by a series of unempathetic, college-educated millennials, she reaches a breaking point. After insulting a receptionist and then missing her bus, Tina heads to Beef for a cup of coffee. Richie offers her a free cup of coffee, along with a sandwich that another customer forgot to pick up.
It’s enough to make her cry, which prompts Mikey to come to her, as Richie is afraid she’ll scare off the other customers. Instead of telling her to shut up, he tells her what’s going on in his own life. Hearing Mikey’s worries—from the restaurant’s broken toilet to the fact that he can’t remember the last time he went to bed—helps Tina open up about hers. Noticing how much better he feels after talking to Tina, Mikey offers her a job as a cook. The rest is history.
Colón-Zayas spoke to You canand what it felt like to direct her own episode — and learn to deal with Tina’s dirty fridge.
When did you find out you were getting your own episode and when did you get the script?
I got it while we were shooting Season 3. It wasn’t like we were on hiatus and they were like, “You’re getting your own episode.” No, I found out while we were shooting Season 3, And Ayo was directing the film, and I had a crying fit. It’s a phenomenal script, and having Ayo direct it was a huge, surreal, beautiful moment.
Tina’s love for Mikey is clear from the beginning of Season 1. Did you spend a lot of time imagining her relationship with him before getting this story?
Honestly, I didn’t. Because I didn’t want my behavior to be a complete 180. I just trusted the writers. I don’t have to explain everything. You can communicate a lot nonverbally, and I was really happy with our story. We’re a loving, struggling blue-collar family, but there’s a lot of love.
Liza Colón-Zayas and Jon Bernthal in “Napkins.”
“The Bear” is populated by characters from working-class backgrounds who now find themselves serving a white-collar clientele. How do you explain Tina’s place in all this?
I think the backstory helps explain some of that. There’s the fear of being replaced in season 1. She’s shy – what does it mean to work for someone much younger with culinary qualifications? And now we have two of them. What that means to me, to Tina, is that we (working class people) tend to get pushed out. And there’s the struggle that went into trying to get a job at the Beef, and then finding a new home there – and then losing Mikey.
Now, Tina has a little more faith in the bonds that have been created. The goal is for us all to succeed together, but the demons keep coming back. Listening to Carmy locked in the freezer and explaining how everything is his fault and why there can be no good, you understand that Tina is just trying to do her best. By the time it’s all over, Tina is still somewhat optimistic and really tries not to let anyone down. She’s treading water. She’s not giving up.
How do you think Tina feels about working somewhere her family would otherwise never be able to afford to eat?
I don’t think I thought about it that way. At this point, the main concern is to succeed. Because the reality is that where we were in Season 1, it was while going fail. Period. So not only do we get a second chance, but I, Tina, got a second chance.
So she focuses more on what is immediately in front of her.
Yeah. Is it scary that these kinds of places are popping up all around her? Gentrification, and people who look a certain way and don’t have the qualifications are just pushed out? Yeah.
But that’s not the situation she’s in today. And there’s a genuine love. We’re all trying to do our best. If it was just to get the best of the best, I would have been fired a year ago.
Since everyone spends so much time thinking about Mikey and talking about him, how does it feel when Jon Bernthal finally comes on set? What was it like to shoot your scene with him?
He’s a sweetheart. We didn’t really have scenes together before, but when we meet a few times, it just comes out: He’s kind. He’s generous. So it meant a lot to me to give it my all and prepare. That’s what I really focused on: “Let me really soak this in so I can play the nuances of the scene.” And not be too nervous – like, “Oh my God, Jon Bernthal!”
Has anything changed in the way you play Tina now that you know a lot more about her history at the restaurant?
Her trajectory shows that she’s much more than what we see at the beginning. I don’t think it’s changed the way I interpret her. I think it confirms the way I’ve always interpreted her, which is someone who struggles and is strong and passionate. She’s the mama bear. And this story shows us that she’s not just bitter. It’s not just about ego and competitiveness. We see her doing her best and trying to be there for everyone.
And I love that it encapsulates why (Mikey) was loved in this community. Yes, there’s addiction and trauma, but maybe with Tina and with Mikey, we can remind people to look more closely at people who are acting inappropriately and have some empathy. Think back. We don’t know what that person is going through.
You said that Ayo Edebiri was very confident as a first-time director. Can you tell me more about what she brought to “Napkins”?
Well, Ayo has always been confident. Since day one, my daughter has been confident. Because she is smart, curious and prepared. And we worked together for two years, so there is already a connection and respect. It was so easy. I knew she was ready, but it was like she had been doing this forever. It was very sweet, very easy.
How does it differ being directed by showrunners Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo, who direct most of the episodes?
I’ll tell you how it was the same: they let you do what you wanted. They let you be, and she’s like that too. There’s trust.
There was only one time I had a visceral reaction, and that was when I saw how dirty Tina’s fridge was. My parents are neat freaks, and I’m kind of like that too, so I started taking things out and wiping them down. Ayo said, “No,” and she gently put everything back. All that mess. It wasn’t until I looked at it that I realized why, and I thought, “Oh my, she’s good.” Because Tina is a busy woman. In some ways, she’s traditional, and in other ways, she’s just not. Even though my mother would have had a fit if she came to my house and saw the fridge, that’s the reality. She’s a hardworking, busy woman. She gets up very early to make sure that when she comes home after a long day at work, her family has a hot meal waiting for her. So maybe you’re not lucky enough to have a perfectly designed kitchen. Don’t judge me! Don’t judge yourself.
Liza Colón-Zayas at the season 3 premiere of “The Bear.”
Stewart Cook/PictureGroup for FX
How come your real-life husband plays your on-screen husband?
He came to visit me in Chicago (in a previous season), and I brought him on set one day, and they were fans. Chris said, “Do you think he’d want to be on the show?” And I said, “I think so.” I didn’t know in what capacity—I think someone said, “Your ex,” and that got me thinking, but I didn’t want to dwell on it too much. And then he ends up being described as handsome, decent, loving, GOOD man, that was really happy to see.
Honestly, I didn’t expect it. It shows that I’ve been programmed to look at my community. I think, why can’t I have this? Why can’t this be the norm? There’s hardship and trouble, but there’s love and, in its own way, stability.
What was it like playing against him?
He was such a joy to be there and got along with everyone. He played a lot of bad guys and just being this really good guy was such a turn on for him. We’ve worked together for the last 28 years. I love working with him. Like Tina and her character, he gives me confidence.
How did you feel seeing the reaction to this season and your episode?
The response has been overwhelming. Overwhelming. Some people regret the frenzy. But I think it’s important to allow yourself to refocus and calm down, and I love that. Overall, the response I get is that there’s still a really hot love story with the show, and they really love and appreciate seeing Tina’s origin story.
This interview has been edited and condensed.