‘The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri & Liza Colón-Zayas Break Down the Evolution of Sydney & Tina’s Dynamic

The Bear served up its final episodes as the FX dramedy dropped its fifth season on Hulu, and the biggest takeaway is how far the characters have come since fans first met them in Season 1, particularly when it comes to Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas). Warning: Spoilers for The Bear Season 5 finale ahead.

As viewers will recall, when Sydney arrived at the then Beef sandwich shop, she didn’t win over Tina right away with her fancy skills and high standards. But over time, Tina came to respect Sydney and was even inspired to further her culinary career because of the chef.

Their journey and evolution brought them to Season 5’s poignant moment when Sydney reassured Tina in Episode 5, “Raspberries,” that no matter if The Bear succeeds or fails as a restaurant, Tina is her CDC (chef de cuisine), otherwise known as second-in-command in the kitchen under the head chef.

The realization brings tears to Tina’s eyes as the women share a moment of quiet understanding with each other, and it’s such a far cry from the tension-filled exchanges they shared in Season 1. To see that journey come full circle isn’t lost on the stars as Edebiri tells TV Insider, “I think Sydney and Tina’s relationship is one of my favorites because of how far it’s come.”

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“We’ve had a lot of conversations, too, where it’s just like, they are the two women of color in the kitchen, and that they’re able to come together and support each other and uplift each other is really beautiful to me,” she continues.

Meanwhile, as viewers witness in Season 5’s opening moments, Tina can’t help but ponder her future, knowing The Bear as a restaurant is running on borrowed time. Still, Colón-Zayas says, “I think in this season, I do feel like I’m embracing my skills, and after we learn about Carmen [Jeremy Allen White] leaving, I feel like I’m reassuring Syd that no matter what, I got you. Tina’s owning it. No matter what happens.”

And that feeling is mutual, as Sydney goes on to clarify that Tina is her CDC from here on out. “I think with Tina, she’s also able to learn that she is actually a really good teacher and a good mentor and that’s where one of her strengths lies, is being able to help other people know where they’re best used and where they can go and so that it leads to someone else’s growth,” Edebiri points out regarding Sydney’s helpfulness in putting Tina on the path she finds herself on by the end.

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As viewers see in the series finale, two Michelin stars essentially save The Bear, solidifying its future in the Chicago restaurant scene as Sydney and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) take the helm in Carmy’s absence. The outcome promises plenty of future collaborations between Sydney and Tina in the kitchen, long after the final credits roll.

What did you think of their onscreen evolution? Let us know in the comments section, and relive every moment by streaming the series on Hulu.

The Bear, Seasons 1-5, Streaming now, Hulu (Thursdays, 9/8c, FX)