The Bear star Liza Colón-Zayas reflects on the Tina-focused episode in season 3 of the FX on Hulu show, explaining why her character was crying in the scene with Michael. Written by Catherine Schetina, and directed by The Bear cast member Ayo Edebiri in her directorial debut, “Napkins” is a flashback episode that focuses on Tina Marrero in 2018. The half-hour shows how Tina lost her job of 15 years and wound up connecting with Michael “Mikey” Berzatto (Jon Bernthal). Before long, he offers her the gig of a line cook at his restaurant, kicking off her journey through The Bear.

In comments to GQ, Colón-Zayas talked about why Tina broke down in tears during the Bear flashback with Michael. The actor opens up about Bernthal’s season 3 cameo and the scene they shared, saying that Mikey’s kindness had a profound impact on her, and talking about how Tina truly was terrified of losing everything. Read her quote below:

That kindness. That one thing of, I don’t know how broke she was, but maybe she didn’t just go in there for a cup of coffee. I think the dam burst in that moment. Sometimes food will bring up memories and feelings, and I think that there’s something about how warm and delicious [the food was.] [It] took her to a place that allowed her to admit that she’s terrified of losing all of it.

Why “Napkins” Might Be The Bear Season 3’s Best Episode

It Does What Most Of The Season Avoids

Although reviews of The Bear season 3 have been largely positive, with critics mostly sharing their praise for the outing, there has been a feeling that the FX on Hulu series plays it relatively safe throughout most of its run. Unlike the second outing, which had more momentum by building to the restaurant’s rebranded opening, season 3 favors a quiet and more subdued approach to mixed effect. This has led to The Bear receiving a surprising 59% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating how divisive it is among viewers.

The Bear season 3’s critic Rotten Tomatoes score is 94%.

“Napkins” is a clear exception. A bit of a marvel in terms of economic storytelling, in the way that season 2’s “Forks” was for Ritchie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), it takes viewers through Tina’s life and reveals so much about its central character with so little. It builds up Tina’s optimistic attitude, even in the face of mounting pressures, and allows her to briefly break in a lovely scene with Michael. This adds many layers to Tina’s character in a relatively simple way.

“Napkins” is a showcase for a lot of parts of The Bear that work really well, whether it’s a standout performance by Colón-Zayas or Edebiri’s confident debut behind the camera. It also quietly shows more of who Michael was, why he meant so much to so many, and in turn, why the restaurant itself means as much as it does. Coming in as the sixth episode of The Bear season 3, it provides the Emmy-winning hit with a big jolt.