FX’s Emmy-winning comedy The Bear is saying goodbye with its fifth and final season. But before the series ends, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) needs to say “hello” and answer his damn phone.
Major The Bear Season 5 spoilers ahead.
Heading into The Bear‘s final eight-episode season, a number of burning questions were already swirling through my brain: Would The Bear earn a Michelin star in its final hour? Would Carmy really leave the chef life behind? Would Unc agree to franchise the business? Would Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Jess (Sarah Ramos) kiss already? And beyond! But some unexpected questions cropped up while watching, too, like who’s stealing spoons?! And crucially, who the heck is calling Carmy?!
During Season 5’s premiere Carmy gets a call from an Unknown Caller while standing in the kitchen with Sydney (Ayo Edebiri). She clocks him silencing the vibration and says, “Wish I had the courage to not answer my phone.” (Girl, didn’t you dodge Adam Shapiro’s calls 5ever last season?! Anyway, back to business!)
In response to Syd’s statement, Carm replies, “I wouldn’t call it courage.” When she asks what he’d call it, he says, “The opposite.” Aka cowardice. The Unknown Caller rings Carmy again in Episode 4 and towards the end of Episode 7 as he’s bonding with Sugar (Abby Elliott) and Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis). Again, he declines to answer, but in The Bear‘s series finale, we all learn the Unknown Caller’s identity.
Major finale spoilers lie ahead. So major. Don’t read on if you aren’t OK with being spoiled!
So who’s calling Carmy in The Bear Season 5? Who’s the Unknown Caller? Who is Peter Clark? And what does he want? Read on for answers from The Bear Season 5, Episode 8, “The Original Beef of Chicagoland.”
Who’s Calling Carmy In The Bear Season 5? Who’s The Unknown Caller In The Bear?
When Sugar finds Carmy outside the restaurant in the finale, she tells him someone named Peter Clark left her a message saying he’s been trying to reach him. Carm says he doesn’t know who he is, and he’s telling the truth! But detail-oriented fans of The Bear may connect the dots…
When the Unknown Caller Carmy’s been dodging all season rings again, Carmy answers and Peter Clark, says, “You’re a hard guy to get a hold of. I called you seven times.” Still confused, Carmy asks, “Sorry, what is this about?” and we finally learn who Peter Clark is.
Turns out, those who watched The Bear Season 4 you already met Peter Clark! We just knew him as Mr. Clark, aka the Star Man who visited The Bear on the magical fake snow night.
If you need a detailed refresher on Gary Janetti’s character, Decider’s got you covered. But in Season 4, Episode 3, a seemingly minor character named Mr. Clark cane into the picture. It was the only time we saw him all season, but those who were listening attentively knew he had the potential to make a major impact on the series — and he did!
Mr. Clark dined at The Bear the night of Richie’s epic beef sandwich/fake snow and hot chocolate surprise for a family whose daughter had been cancer-free for six months. He sat next to the family’s table and gushed over the “extraordinary” scallop dish and “excellent” service. Richie got Mr. Clark his own sandwich and on his way out he caught a glimpse of the manufactured winter wonderland. When he got in his car and viewers finally learned his name, however, we realized he was a Michelin inspector.
How’d we know?! Earlier in Season 4 we learned, “They use a weird last name — like a street in the city they’re visiting,” and there’s a major street called Clark Street in Chicago with ties to the city’s history, music, sports, restaurants, and more. So what did Peter Clark want with Carmy?
Does The Bear Earn A Michelin Star?
While we don’t hear Peter and Carmy’s conversation, after he hangs up, Sydney catches him heavily breathing in the hall and asks what’s wrong. He tells her that Star Man from the night before (Mr. Dearborn, also a Chicago street!) was just a regular guest, but Peter Clark visited a couple months ago, adored her scallop dish, the culinary creativity, the undeniable talent, and The Bears ambiance.
When Sydney asks if they got a star, Carm shakes his head no then reveals THEY GOT TWO. Let’s go, Peter Clark! That’s our MAN right there. If you want a full breakdown of The Bear‘s Season 5 finale and Sydney and Carmy’s reaction to the life-changing news, be sure to read our The Bear Season 5 Ending Explained article.
Stay tuned for more The Bear Season 5 coverage from Decider.