Sugar
Nat, Natalie Berzatto, Sugar
Actor/Actress:
Abby Elliott
Group/Family:
Berzatto Family / Sister
Characteristics:
Caring, strong, determined, family-oriented, protective, pregnant
Backstory
Carmy and Michael's sister, reluctant co-owner and business manager. Married to patient Pete, pregnant during restaurant transformation. Acts as emotional anchor for dysfunctional family while managing administrative duties. Bridges gap between chaotic kitchen culture and business operations.
Recent Events
S3 E08
0:30
Natalie Opens Up About Fear
Characters:
Sugar; Donna
Description:
Natalie finally explains to Donna why she didn't tell her about the pregnancy: 'I just didn't want all the stuff that you bring with you.' She admits she was scared as a child and doesn't want her daughter to feel the same way.
Conclusion:
Donna acknowledges her past behavior and promises she's trying to do better, creating a moment of genuine understanding.
Location:
Hospital delivery room
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Donna's alcoholism and erratic behavior created a chaotic, frightening environment for her children. Natalie has been protecting herself and her child from repeating that pattern.
Analysis:
This is the episode's emotional climax - Natalie finally articulates the impact of Donna's behavior while Donna shows genuine accountability and desire to change.
S3 E08
0:04
Natalie Calls Donna for Help
Characters:
Sugar; Donna
Description:
With no other options, Natalie calls her mother Donna and asks her to meet at the hospital. Despite their strained relationship, Donna immediately agrees to come and help her daughter.
Conclusion:
Natalie pulls over to the side of the highway and waits for her mother, in visible pain and distress.
Location:
Highway and hospital parking lot
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Natalie and Donna have a complicated relationship due to Donna's alcoholism and erratic behavior. Natalie has been avoiding telling her mother about the pregnancy.
Analysis:
This call represents a major breach in the wall Natalie has built around her mother. Desperation forces her to rely on someone she's been protecting herself from.
S3 E08
0:33
Donna Shares Natalie's Birth Story
Characters:
Donna; Sugar
Description:
Donna tells Natalie about her own birth - how she had a beautiful dream about fish tanks with neon colors in a gray city. She describes feeling peaceful and excited to sleep deeply before Natalie was born.
Conclusion:
Donna plays 'Baby, I Love You' by The Ronettes, the song that was playing when Natalie was born, creating an incredibly emotional moment between them.
Location:
Hospital delivery room
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Unlike the traumatic birth stories of her sons, Natalie's birth was peaceful and beautiful, representing hope and love in Donna's life.
Analysis:
This story represents the potential for beauty and peace in the Berzatto family. The fish tank metaphor suggests something beautiful that others will also get to enjoy - perhaps referring to Natalie and her children.
S3 E08
0:18
Donna Tells Michael's Birth Story
Characters:
Donna; Sugar
Description:
Natalie asks Donna to tell her about Michael's birth. Donna recounts walking to the hospital alone while in labor and how Michael was twisted up in the umbilical cord, almost as if he wanted to stay inside.
Conclusion:
The story reveals Michael's complicated relationship with the world from birth, adding poignancy to his later struggles.
Location:
Hospital delivery room
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Michael struggled with addiction and ultimately died by suicide. This birth story provides insight into his lifelong difficulty with existing in the world.
Analysis:
This story connects Michael's death to his birth, creating a full circle of his troubled existence. It shows how family trauma and difficulty begin early.
S3 E08
0:22
Donna Tells Carmy's Birth Story
Characters:
Donna; Sugar
Description:
Natalie asks about Carmy's birth. Donna explains it was the only birth their father attended, but he asked for a sedative for himself. Carmy took a very long time and was difficult, requiring Donna to move around constantly.
Conclusion:
The story reveals more family dysfunction and Carmy's early association with causing difficulty and stress.
Location:
Hospital delivery room
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
The children's father was largely absent and self-centered when he was present. Carmy's difficult birth mirrors his later anxiety and tendency to create stress.
Analysis:
This story explains some of Carmy's anxiety and his pattern of making situations more difficult. It shows how family dysfunction affects children from birth.
S3 E08
0:02
Natalie Stuck in Traffic, Calls Everyone
Characters:
Sugar
Description:
Natalie drives herself to the hospital but gets stuck in heavy traffic while experiencing labor pains. She frantically tries calling Pete, Sydney, Carmy, Marcus, and Richie, but no one answers because they're in service at the restaurant.
Conclusion:
Frustrated and in pain, Natalie realizes she has no choice but to call her mother.
Location:
Chicago highway in gridlock traffic
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
The restaurant staff has their phones locked away during service. Pete is away on a work trip. Natalie is alone with no immediate support system available.
Analysis:
This opening creates the desperate circumstances that force Natalie to reach out to the one person she's been avoiding - her mother. It shows how isolation can break down barriers.
S3 E07
0:27
Natalie's Water Breaks at Restaurant Depot
Characters:
Sugar
Description:
Natalie volunteers to pick up C-folds and other supplies for the restaurant. While loading boxes into her car trunk, she suddenly experiences sharp labor pains and her water breaks.
Conclusion:
The episode ends with Natalie in labor, alone in a parking lot, setting up the crisis that drives episode 8.
Location:
Restaurant Depot parking lot
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Natalie has been heavily pregnant throughout the season but continued working to support the restaurant. This moment catches her away from her support system.
Analysis:
This cliffhanger perfectly sets up the bottle episode that follows. It places Natalie in a vulnerable position that will force her to confront her relationship with her mother.
S3 E07
0:18
Richie Tells Birth Stories to Natalie
Characters:
Richie; Sugar
Description:
Natalie asks Richie about his experience when Tiff gave birth to Eva. Richie emotionally recounts leaving a trip with Michael to find Tiff in the hospital, describing their surprisingly calm and beautiful birth experience.
Conclusion:
Richie becomes sentimental thinking about Michael, who won't be able to meet his niece.
Location:
The Bear dining room
Timeline:
2022 Present
Context:
Natalie is nervous about impending motherhood and seeking advice from those who've been through it. Richie's memories are bittersweet because they involve Michael, who died before meeting Natalie's child.
Analysis:
This scene shows Richie's vulnerable side and connects the themes of legacy and new life. It also emphasizes Michael's continued absence from family milestones.
S3 E02
0:12
Partnership Contract Revelation
Characters:
Carmy; Sydney; Sugar
Description:
Carmy reveals he's sent Sydney a partnership contract via DocuSign, making her a co-owner of The Bear. This major offer comes without prior discussion and overwhelms Sydney.
Conclusion:
Sydney is visibly shaken by the magnitude of the offer, unsure whether it's opportunity or burden.
Location:
The Bear kitchen
Timeline:
2023 Present - Morning After
Context:
Sydney has failed at previous restaurant ventures and desperately needs career stability, but also fears the responsibility of ownership.
Analysis:
This moment represents both Sydney's dreams and fears. The partnership could make her career or destroy it if The Bear fails under Carmy's increasingly erratic leadership.