The Importance Of The Title Explained

In Season 2, Episode 6, "Fishes," fans are treated to an explosive and illuminating flashback sequence on Christmas Eve. Natalie (Abby Elliott) chats outside with her brother, Mikey, while they take a smoke break from the family. He lovingly calls her "Bear" and a lightbulb goes off in viewers' minds as it starts to click. 

This also calls back to the unexpected exchange between Carmy and Claire (Molly Gordon), where she recalls his gifted moniker from high school. It neatly connects the two meanings of The Bear before viewers get another piece of the puzzle from the intense memory. 

As a heartwarming gesture, Carmy gifts Mikey with a framed sketch for their future restaurant, The Bear, complete with a decorated bear head mounted on the wall. In the present, this precious item can be found in The Beef as motivation for what they're all working together towards. 

These details show the significance of The Bear boils down to the memory of Mikey and his positive influence on not only the Berzatto siblings but the entire found family working at the restaurant. He brought them together and kept them secure while loving and motivating them with ferocity, just like the formidable mammal he named them after. This heartfelt revelation elevates both the title of the series and the tribute to Mikey.