Opens with Marcus visiting sick mother in hospital. Carmy and Sydney planning new menu and renovation. Costs estimated at $95K but need more money. Richie wearing 'BERF' shirt (printing error), feeling useless. Approach Uncle Jimmy for $500K loan - deal is pay back $800K total in 18 months or he gets $2M building. Sydney asks Tina to be sous chef, she gets emotional and says yes.

Jimmy accepts risky loan deal. Sugar estimates 6 months minimum to open. Episode ends with team deciding to compress timeline to 3 months instead. Note reading 'EVERY SECOND COUNTS'.

Crew separates for individual growth. Sydney explores Chicago food scene for menu inspiration. Carmy sends Marcus to Copenhagen to train with pastry chef Luca. Richie reluctantly begins staging at high-end Ever restaurant to learn service.

Everyone embarks on personal development journeys. Parallel learning arcs established for each character's specific growth needs and resistance patterns.

Sydney visits various Chicago restaurants, markets, and food vendors. Meets local chefs and discovers different cultural food traditions. Experiments with flavors and techniques while building network of community connections.

Sydney gains broader perspective on Chicago's diverse food landscape. Develops menu ideas rooted in local culture and community rather than just technique.

Marcus works with Luca, world-class pastry chef in Copenhagen. Struggles with complex techniques and perfectionism. Gradually builds confidence through practice. Creates increasingly sophisticated desserts under demanding but supportive guidance.

Marcus achieves breakthrough with complex pastry creation. Gains confidence and technical skills. Forms important mentor relationship with Luca for future development.

Construction discovers serious structural issues. Costs spiraling beyond budget. Permit delays. Carmy reconnects with childhood friend Claire, begins dating. Renovation timeline threatened by multiple complications and obstacles.

Renovation significantly behind schedule and over budget. Timeline in serious jeopardy. Carmy's personal life beginning to compete with restaurant focus and attention.

Christmas Eve 5 years ago (256 weeks before opening). Carmy home from Copenhagen. Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) drunkenly cooking Feast of Seven Fishes. Family includes Michael, Sugar, Richie with pregnant wife Tiffany, Uncle Lee (Bob Odenkirk), Cousin Michelle (Sarah Paulson), Stevie (John Mulaney), Uncle Jimmy, Fak brothers. Michael warns Sugar not to ask if Donna is 'okay.' Pete brings tuna casserole making 'eighth fish' - Sugar throws it out. Lee criticizes Michael's business failures. Michael throws forks at Lee repeatedly. Stevie gives heartfelt toast. Sugar asks if Donna's okay. Donna explodes, smashes plates, curses family.

Episode ends with Donna driving car through wall into living room while laughing. Carmy stares at cannolis in shock, zoning out as defense mechanism.

Richie stages at Ever restaurant under chef Terry and staff. Initially resistant and crude behavior. Gradually learns proper service techniques, hospitality philosophy, respect for craft. Staff teaches him precision and professionalism.

Richie experiences breakthrough understanding of fine dining service. Gains confidence, skills, and new professional identity. Transforms from chaos to sophisticated service expert.

Fire suppression system test day. Team anxious about passing required inspection. Technical installation problems. Multiple test attempts needed. Success or failure determines opening possibility. Everyone's future hanging in balance.

Fire suppression test passes after tense moments and multiple attempts. Major regulatory obstacle cleared. Legal opening becomes realistic possibility for team.

Final preparation day before Friends and Family opening. Menu finalization and staff training. Carmy's perfectionism and anxiety intensifying dangerously. Equipment tests, final inspections, last-minute problems emerging. Team nervous about high-stakes debut.

Restaurant physically ready but Carmy's deteriorating mental state threatens success. Perfectionism becoming destructive force. Stage set for opening night disaster or triumph.

Friends and Family opening night at The Bear. Richie managing front of house in suit, Sydney running expo. Multiple problems emerge: Josh (Alex Moffat) goes missing, found smoking meth in alley, fired immediately. Restaurant runs out of forks, toilet breaks, bread behind. Marcus awkwardly asked Sydney out earlier, she declined, creating tension. Carmy forgets to call fridge repair guy, gets trapped in walk-in freezer. Has panic attack inside, rants about Claire being distraction. Claire hears through door, walks away heartbroken. Richie takes over expo, Sydney cooks, service succeeds. Sydney vomits from stress afterwards. Donna appears outside but won't come in, tells Pete 'I don't deserve to see how good this is.'

Opening technically successful despite Carmy's absence. Team proves capable without him. Carmy's self-sabotage costs him relationship with Claire. Multiple personal costs despite professional achievement.