Warning: This articles contains spoilers for The Bear Season 2.
The Bear Season 2 explores its array of characters with much more depth, making it difficult to point out who's the true MVP of the season. Season 1 was mainly focused on Carmy and his attempts to balance the stress of managing a worn-out restaurant with the struggles going on in his mind following the death of his brother. It was initially a show about him, offering an incredible character study that earned Jeremy Allen White unanimous praise for his performance.
However, characters such as Syd, Richie, Marcus, and the whole restaurant staff would often steal the show to themselves whenever they got the chance to stand out. Scoring an impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 follows The Beef turning The Bear, a fine-dining restaurant that reflects not only Carmy's but all these characters' ambitions. In this context, each character earns much more screen time and even whole episodes dedicated to their development.
Why Richie Is the True MVP of The Bear Season 2
The Bear Season 2 had many standout characters that contributed to The Beef's transition to The Bear, but Richie truly is the character who went through the most drastic changes, reaching MVP status in the season finale. Richie's first scene in the season premiere pretty much summarizes his arc through the following episodes: he's looking at old pictures, ignoring the newest updates on the restaurant, and confides to Carmy his need for a purpose.
Richie was introduced as a displaced character among talented chefs like Carmy, Syd, and Marcus. The Beef represented his safe haven; it wasn't much, but it offered him just the right amount of constancy. He was a character stuck in reverse, afraid of change and blinded by the comfort of inertia while everyone around him tried their best to turn The Beef into a valuable spot. Carmy wanted a scrumptious menu, a prestige spot, and a loyal clientele. On the other hand, Richie was fine with the same occasional customers and the place's decaying aspect because this way he could preserve the image Michael and him kept of The Beef.
In Season 2, everything changes. Each character is given a role in The Beef's transition to The Bear, while Richie insists on trying to be useful by sticking his nose where he's not needed, ultimately making things worse. Just as the fans are left to wonder what's Richie purpose in the show, Richie himself finds himself troubled by this question until Episode 7, "Forks," an in-depth look into the character's motivations and a turning point in his arc. His brief time training in the "world's best restaurant" was enough to make him realize what he does best is listening, and all this time, he was limiting himself to just hearing.
"I wear suits now," is what Richie says when he returns, and what might seem like an innocent jest leads to a huge shift in his character arc: Richie, the character who rejected change at all costs, decided to dress differently for a change. It's the first of many signs that he was more than ready to take over the MVP role in The Bear's opening night. With Carmy stuck in the fridge, Marcus losing his edge, and Syd on the brink of a breakdown, Richie carefully attends to the guests' demands and manages the orders with authority and precision. Additionally, he offers Fak the mental support he needed like a competent mentor. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Richie, claimed that his character was "very much the soul of the restaurant" (via Deadline), a statement that makes perfect sense after the Season 2 finale.
The Runners-Up of The Bear Season 2
The Bear's spectacular cast delivers even stronger performances now that their screen time almost equals Carmy's, adding depth to characters such as Fak and Natalie, who only had minor roles in the first season. Natalie was a true scene-stealer, joining The Bear team as project manager and evolving to something other than just "Carmy's sister" in the show. She becomes an active member in the process of opening the new restaurant, making sure everything goes as planned. Episode 6, "Fishes," comes with boiling tension from beginning to end, not only exposing Carmy's dysfunctional family, but also exploring how Natalie's relationship with her mother is the cause of her deepest traumas. It's easy to relate to the character when it becomes clear how she's constantly fighting internal battles against herself, worrying she won't be a good mother.
Marcus and Tina are other major standouts in The Bear Season 2. Marcus earns a whole episode dedicated to him, "Honeydew," which follows his trip to Denmark, where he's sent to find inspiration and train to become a professional chef with Chef Luca, a relaxed and patient chef who guides Marcus in his professional journey. Marcus is one of the kindest characters in the show, yet he struggled to leave his personal life outside the kitchen in Season 2, making things weird with Syd. It's a shame that he'll have to go through such a hard time as the text messages he receives in the season finale imply that his mother, to whom he dedicated his life entirely, has died.
On the other hand, it's a delight to see Tina getting the recognition she deserves from Carmy and Syd, and investing in her future as a chef. Thanks to Syd, who insisted on Tina letting her stubbornness aside and accepting a word of advice, she quickly became one of the key members of The Bear's cooking staff.