I’m only four episodes into the new season of The Bear, which dropped last week, which means I can’t speak to how it plays overall and whether or not the show corrects from the stumbles of season three but after watching the opening scene of season four, what I can say is that reliably, in this series, Jon Bernthal is never the problem. Especially when he’s one on one. Like in what was perhaps, in my opinion, the strongest episode of season three, “Napkins”, which was about Tina, and her backstory. The scene between Liza Colón-Zayas and Jon Bernthal was a master class in acting, and the reason she’s now an Emmy winner. 

 

Liza, of course, is the main event between them, the lead actor in the episode, which is why she has the trophy. But she also needed a scene partner, and Jon Bernthal was letting her cook (haha). This is the value of a generous and talented supporting actor. Which is what he brings to the table every time he shows up in The Bear. The first scene of season four, a conversation over bubbling sauce between Carmy and Mikey about why restaurants are special places – it was quiet and thick with memory and unspoken past, and a reminder of when The Bear is at its best. 

 

Back to Jon and Liza though, Sarah wrote last week about Jon officially joining the cast of Spider-Man: Brand New Day as The Punisher, but it was previously announced that Liza will have an undisclosed role in the movie, too. So the two will have more than just The Bear in common. And it is SO great to see that Liza’s work in The Bear is paying off, she’s joining the MCU. And the MCU will be better for it.  

 

Speaking of though, the nerds were popping off the other day because of the images featured on a mood board. 

I don’t know what a Savage Hulk is but I’m assuming this means that Mark Ruffalo will be involved somehow? Sarah can give us the lecture about this another time. All I care about is when MJ and Ned will remember Peter! 

 

Here’s Jon Bernthal out in New York last night, probably one of the few people who can look this sexy with his black socks pulled up like that and his sweatpants at different lengths. I am both afraid of him and attracted to him and if I ever had to interview him I’m not sure how I would handle this combination of fear and lust.