How did Mikey die in the bear? His death explained

June 27, 2024, 2:50 p.m.

By Katie Louise Smith

Mikey’s tragic death is the catalyst for the entire show and Carmy’s story.

(CONTENT WARNING: This article contains mentions of suicide and substance abuse that some may find disturbing or provocative.)

The bear Season 3 has officially returned to our screens and the tragic death of Mikey Berzatto still weighs heavily on Carmy as he works to bring his brother’s beloved family business back to life.

Mikey is Carmy’s older brother and the former owner of The Original Beef of Chicagoland. After his death, he passed the family business on to award-winning chef Carmy, setting the events of the first season in motion.

Throughout the show, we see flashbacks of Mikey alongside Carmy and the rest of the Berzatto family. We also see Carmy struggling with Mikey’s death and the burden that comes with running the sandwich shop.

Here’s what the show has revealed so far about Mikey’s death – and what fans think might happen as the show progresses.

How did Mikey die in The bear?

Watch the trailer for season 3 of The Bear

Mikey tragically committed suicide before the events of. The bear Season 1. Carmy says that he took his own life with a gun. The reason why Mikey takes his own life is not explicitly stated or explained in detail.

Flashbacks give viewers insight into Mikey’s life and mental state. In season 1, it is implied that Mikey suffered from depression and was addicted to painkillers. It is also revealed that he owed $300,000 to Uncle Jimmy, aka Cicero, who has close ties to the Chicago mafia.

In the season two episode “Fishes,” Mikey gets into a heated argument with Uncle Lee during a family Christmas dinner and is obviously provoked and hurt by some comments thrown at him.

Carmen shows Mikey his future plans – Scene | The Bear | FX

As the episodes progress, more details are revealed about Mikey’s death and his plans for Carmy. At the end of the first season, we learn that the money Mikey owed Cicero was actually hidden in the cans of tomatoes that Carmy used to make the secret spaghetti recipe for the family dinner.

Since then, several fan theories have emerged suggesting there is more to Mikey’s death than meets the eye, particularly regarding Cicero and the connection to the mafia. However, others have dismissed these theories, saying they undermine the tragic, emotional aspects of the story as well as Mikey’s stirring message to Carmy.

What did Mikey’s note to Carmy say?

At the end of season one, Carmy finally opens the note Mikey left him before he died. The note reads, “I love you, dude. Let it rip.” In the season two episode “Fishes,” this message takes on even more meaning, as Mikey actually says it to Carmy after showing him his plans for the future of the restaurant.

The bear Season 3 is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, the following organizations may be able to help:

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