Before The Bear season 1 came to an end, one question that stood out was what Mikey wrote in his letter to Carmy. At the beginning of the show, Richie stumbled on a letter addressed to Carmy that was lying on the floor behind the lockers.
He thought about handing it over to Carmy, but his anger made him change his mind, and he returned the letter without saying a word. When Carmy hit rock bottom in the final episode, Richie eventually brought the letter to his attention. Carmy was taken aback and quietly stepped away to read it.
Let it rip wasn’t just a phrase; it was a passing of the torch (Photo: The Bear Season 1/FX Productions)Just those few words were enough to bring Carmy to tears. Mikey was never seen in present-day events, only in flashbacks, which is why his words carried heavy emotion when Carmy read them. On the front page of the letter were the words, “I love you, dude. Let it rip.”
These simple lines triggered strong emotions in Carmy because he had admired Mikey, though resentment had built up after Mikey refused to let him work at The Original Beef. Those few lines reminded Carmy that Mikey truly cared about him.
Including Mikey’s familiar phrase “Let it rip” was Mikey’s way of passing the torch, showing that he had faith in Carmy’s ability to take control of the restaurant. The back of the note held the secret to the Family Meal Spaghetti recipe, something Carmy had been unable to figure out on his own.
Carmy Finally Accepts Sydney As A Partner
Sydney’s next move became a major focus as season 1 reached its conclusion, especially after she left The Original Beef when Carmy lashed out at her due to problems with the to-go orders. Considering her passion and ambition, there was a real chance she could have taken her talents elsewhere.
The fact that a nearby bar closed and her dish received high praise even opened doors for her to possibly start a competing business. Instead of walking away, Sydney decided to return to the kitchen, remaining a major part of the team in The Bear.
Although things had turned sour between her and Carmy, a message of apology from him and his openness to her ideas when she returned to collect her last paycheck showed that Carmy was finally ready to acknowledge her as a true collaborator in their shared goal of transforming the restaurant.
The Real Meaning Of The Bear Season 1 Ending
What stood out thematically in the last episode of The Bear season 1 was its focus on fresh starts, while also touching on family legacy and coming to terms with one’s past. From the beginning of the show, Carmy had been carrying inner conflict over taking over The Beef after Mikey’s death.
Carmy found the recipe and a piece of his brother in one note (Photo: The Bear Season 1/FX Productions)It was not until the eighth episode, “Braciole,” that he appeared ready to accept the reality of what had happened and embrace the opportunity for renewal, both for the restaurant and for his healing. Renaming The Beef as The Bear carried a strong meaning.
It showed that Carmy was no longer stuck in the past, and he had reached a place where building something new would not be disrespecting Mikey’s memory. The Beef meant a lot to him—it served as a symbol of Mikey’s influence in his life, with all the emotional weight that came with it, both good and bad.
Instead of trying to keep The Beef exactly as Mikey left it while attempting to improve it at the same time, Carmy realised that healing might only come by stepping into a new chapter. Though a part of him likely wished Mikey could be part of that future, he came to terms with the fact that new memories needed to be made.
The discovery of hidden money added a deeper layer to this realisation—it served almost like a reminder that even in painful experiences, there can be something that helps to point the way forward emotionally.
