WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Bear season 4.
FX’sThe Bearfinally finds a narrative purpose for one of its original supporting characters in season 4 after he was overlooked and disrespected throughout the entire series.The Bearseason 4 expanded theBerzatto extended family treeeven further, particularly with the introduction of Sugar’s ex-best friend,Francie Fak (played by Brie Larson).
Pete, played by Chris Witaske, has been cast out of the inner circle by Carmy, Richie, and other key characters inThe Bearsince the first season. Although Pete is a positive and optimistic person, as well as Sugar’s husband,Carmy, Richie, and even Uncle Jimmy have a hard time taking him seriously, which is ultimately unfair to Pete.
There’s no specific rhyme or reason as towhy everyone hates Pete inThe Bear. He tries to fit in but doesn’t seem to have enough past trauma or day-to-day stresses and struggles for that to genuinely happen. The simple reason is that they justdon’t understand Pete, which is exactly why Sugar chose to marry him– he is the opposite of the men in her family.
Pete Handling The Bear’s Legal Aspects Finally Gives Him A More Active Role In The Story
He’s Mostly Been A Berzatto Family Punching Bag For Most Of The Series
The Bearhasn’t really had much for Pete to do each season besides be a bit of a punching bag. Now that he’s acting asthe lawyer for some of the main characters, particularly Carmyand his business deal agreement with Sydney, he gets to be more directly involved in the story and all the ensuing restaurant chaos.
Pete also gets to experience parenthood with Sugar inThe Bearseason 4as he continues to be a supportive cushion in Sugar’s life. In the season 4 premiere episode, Sugar feels discouraged about the mixed restaurant review. Pete is there to help her through the disappointment and find a silver lining.
Carmy’s been on a healing journey inThe Bearseason 4, but he won’t be truly transformed until he can treat Pete with respect.
Carmy has a softer spot for Pete than most in past seasons, but he still continues to treat him unfairly. After surprising Claire at her door,Carmy calls Pete and tells him to “shut up"before asking him to change a few aspects of his agreement with Sydney.
Carmy’s been on a healing journey inThe Bearseason 4, buthe won’t be truly transformed until he can treat Pete with respect. He’d have to pay a lawyer to draft up this agreement, so Pete’s really doing him a solid, especially considering the sudden changes.
The Bear’s Characters Like Pete Now, But He Still Gets Subtly Insulted By Carmy In Season 4
Carmy Has Got To Come Around & Treat Pete With Respect In Season 5
Although everyone hated Pete early on, it seems like people inThe Bearhave started to come around to him by the end of season 4. Still, we see during Carmy’s aforementioned phone call scene thatPete’s contact name in Carmy’s phone is still “Sugar’s boyfriend (Pete?)”.
It would make sense if Pete had even more of a significant role besides being a punching bag and a lawyer inThe Bearseason 5. Since Carmy will be spending time away from the restaurant, he will likely aim to reconnect with family members that he has closed himself off to due to his craft.Developing a friendship with Pete would truly be full circlefor Carmy.
This friendship could naturally come about throughCarmy’s role as an uncle to Pete and Sugar’s baby. Carmy, Richie, and Sydney’s character arcs feel like they’re set to become more individually motivated next season, moving away from their dysfunctional triad that made up most ofThe Bearthus far.
