The Bear Resolved A Huge Joel McHale Fan Theory In A Far Better Way Than Killing It

This article contains spoilers for The Bear season 3.

Summary

• The Bear season 3 confronts the popular theory that Chef David Fields is imaginary or an exaggeration, but ultimately confirms his existence.
• Joel McHale’s character, David Fields, creates a mythic aura around himself, keeping the theory alive in some ways.
• The final episode of season 3 validates Carmy’s fears and emotions through a confrontation with Fields, solidifying him as a villain.

In the final episode of The Bear season 3, Joel McHale returns as the cruel David Fields, and the series both supports a popular theory about the chef while also dispelling it. The third season of The Bear follows the emotional fallout after the opening of Carmy’s new restaurant, The Bear. At the end of The Bear season 3, Carmy, Sydney, and Richie attend the funeral service of the restaurant, Ever. While there, Carmy comes face to face with the biggest villain of his career, and audiences watch as Carmy and Fields go head-to-head in real time.

Joel McHale’s character, Chef David Fields, has been a looming presence over The Bear cast since season 1. Via flashbacks, viewers learn that Fields verbally abused Carmy during their time working together. Though Carmy eventually left the restaurant, his time with Fields clearly affected him. In particular, Carmy often reflects on the vicious things Fields said to him about not being good enough and about his family not loving him. During season 3, this abuse comes to a head when Fields appears at Ever. However, an especially interesting aspect of this confrontation is the theory it disproves.

The Bear Season 3 Continues Suggesting Joel McHale’s Chef Is Exaggerated (Or Imaginary)

Carmy Often Imagines Fields

Although Fields plays a crucial role in Carmy’s story, the way The Bear portrays him has led to a popular theory. Namely, that Fields is imaginary or an exaggeration. One scene that supports this theory occurs in The Bear season 2 when The Bear opens for the first time. Carmy believes that he sees Fields sitting at a table in the corner. This sends Carmy into a panic until he looks again and realizes it is a complete stranger. This, along with the fact that Fields only comes up in Carmy’s memory, hints that the chef may not be real.

The Bear season 3 adds to this theory in many ways. Carmy continues to see Fields in his memories. Notably, Carmy himself is struggling mentally, which would explain why the recollections are coming out in full force. Then, when Carmy sees Fields at Ever, it is unclear whether he is truly there or not. After season 2, it would be unsurprising if he were just another hallucination. In this way, season 3 keeps raising questions about Fields’ existence and Carmy’s perspective.

Joel McHale has appeared as David Fields in six episodes of
The Bear.

What makes this theory particularly interesting is that it would reflect Carmy’s state of mind. It is obvious that he holds himself and others to an incredibly high standard. Therefore, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that he would create a sadistic chef in his mind as a personification of his worst thoughts. He would not have to face his own unfair demands, but instead, would be facing those of someone else. However, The Bear season 3 finally reveals David Fields as more than just a memory.

The Bear Season 3’s Finale Confirms Joel McHale’s Character Is Real

Syd & Luca See Fields

As much as The Bear plays with audiences by keeping David Field’s existence mysterious, the last episode finally confirms it. While eating dinner, Luca asks Carmy who he is staring at. When Carmy explains, he, Luca, and Sydney all look at and discuss Fields. It is clear Carmy’s feelings about Fields aren’t an exaggeration either, as Luca discusses his own dislike of Fields. Though this conversation dispels the idea that Joel McHale’s character isn’t real, it does so in a way that is satisfying.

Though Fields is flesh and blood, he has created an aura around himself that makes him mythic.

The Bear may disprove the popular Fields-isn’t-real theory, but manages to hold onto the best aspects of it. Fields is truly sitting across the room at Ever, but there is still a sense of unreality about him. Carmy proves it when he explains that Fields never eats or sleeps or stops working. Though Fields is flesh and blood, he has created an aura around himself that makes him mythic. Therefore, The Bear shows that he is real, but he is still untouchable. Carmy’s confrontation with him only makes that more apparent.

Carmy’s Confrontation With Joel McHale’s David Fields Explained

Fields Is Just As Bad As Carmy Imagined

The best part of Fields’ role in The Bear season 3 is his confrontation with Carmy. It would have been good enough for the series to simply acknowledge that Fields is real, but it goes further by making the two interact. For the first time, Carmy’s fears and emotions are validated. Fields dismisses Carmy, and worse, argues that the abuse made him a better chef. The scene proves Fields a real The Bear villain, and the ways in which he continues to affect Carmy. Overall, the clarity provided in this scene makes it one of the best in The Bear season 3.