The Bear’s Innovative Prequel Episode Could Start a Trend

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These days, most TV shows stick to their main storyline and don’t offer much beyond that. While some shows have had clever marketing campaigns – like Apple TV and Vince Gilligan’s promotion for a recent series where fans could call a number and hear a message from the show – one Hulu series has done something truly original. It’s so innovative, in fact, that other shows should take note and consider doing something similar.

The show dropped all ten episodes of its fourth season in June 2025, and fans anticipated season five would arrive around the same time this year. However, a release date wasn’t announced until a big surprise. Along with the date, the streaming service confirmed that season five would be the show’s last. Unexpectedly, Hulu also released a secret prequel episode called “Gary.” No one saw it coming, but once fans noticed it on the list of episodes, it became the main topic of conversation.

The Bear’s Surprise Prequel Episode May Start a Trend

This series takes place in the same universe as The Bear, but it delves into the history of Mikey (Jon Bernthal), Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) late brother, whose suicide is the central event of the show. It focuses solely on Mikey’s relationship with Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Although we’ve seen Mikey in flashbacks throughout the four seasons of The Bear, this is the first time we see him alone with Richie, allowing their brotherly connection to be fully explored.

This episode offers a look at the past, showing the strong bond between Richie and Mikey before Carmy arrived. It expands on a conversation Carmy has with Richie, and actually features a trip to Gary, Indiana – a journey previously mentioned in their Season 4 talk. It’s a smart way to connect the present with their shared history.

Jon Bernthal’s subtle and moving performance helps viewers understand the extent of his character’s suffering. It also explains how someone like Richie could have misread the situation and underestimated the severity of his pain.

We see through Richie’s eyes how genuinely happy he once was. Despite still struggling with his impulsive behavior and poor choices, he deeply loved his wife and was incredibly excited to become a father. The scene where Mikey confronts Richie, and Richie’s subdued response to the harsh words, is more emotionally impactful than anything else in the series.

It evokes a similar emotional impact, but feels much more intimate and connected. This really brings Richie’s character to life in a way we haven’t seen before.

This approach could be effective for other shows, particularly those using flashbacks or featuring deceased but important characters. The possibilities are vast – for example, a series could explore the origins of the Silo and focus on Daniel (Ashley Zukerman). Or, a short episode between regular installments of Shrinking could show Paul (Harrison Ford) adjusting to his new life away from work and with his daughter.

This technique keeps viewers engaged by revisiting past events and hinting at what’s to come in the new season. It’s a smart marketing strategy, and early results show it’s been effective.

Other Streaming Shows Could Follow in The Bear’s Footsteps

As a big fan, I found the “Gary” segment really helped me understand Richie’s backstory, and it hinted at something bigger to come. The episode then jumps to the present, with Richie driving – likely to or from work – and it’s clear he’s lost in thought about Mikey. He looks at the empty passenger seat, and it immediately brought me back to that road trip to Gary, Indiana, they took together in 2019. It honestly felt like we were seeing Richie’s memories unfold right then and there, which was a really clever touch.

This scene probably happens right after the end of Season 4, when Sydney asks if Richie can become a partner in the restaurant. Richie remembers the enjoyable moments of his road trip with Carmy, but also his solitary reflections on what went wrong, which highlights his underlying feelings of self-doubt.

He’s wondering if he truly deserves this promotion. After Mikey previously doubted his abilities, he’s now showing everyone what he’s capable of. The season ends with a shocking and tragic event, leaving his future uncertain. This cliffhanger not only answers some questions but also cleverly sets up the entire new season, going beyond the suspenseful ending of the last one.

This suggests another great use for short, extra episodes: they can fill in background details and also introduce new plotlines for future seasons. Some shows naturally show the passage of time, like The Pitt, where months pass between seasons. For example, before the next season begins, we could have an episode detailing Robby’s (Noah Wyle) motorcycle trip. This would show what he experienced and create a stronger link to Season 3 than the ending of Season 2 did.

The show Severance might surprise viewers with an episode centered around Helly R. (Britt Lower) as she starts a relationship. Alternatively, a future episode could focus on Gemma (Dichen Lachman) and her life outside Lumon, while Devon (Jenn Tullock) and Harmony (Patricia Arquette) work to bring Mark back.

Releasing an episode early can build excitement for the new season and give the show’s main story more room to develop. Unlike traditional TV, streaming services don’t usually restrict the number or length of episodes. So, if an episode is finished while others are still being edited, releasing it early as a preview makes sense.

Instead of a completely separate “interlude” episode, we could release the first episode of a season early as a special treat for fans. We’ve seen this work well with shows like You and Bridgerton. For example, we could release Episode 1 a few months before the rest of the season, then continue with the usual release schedule for the remaining episodes.

Hulu and FX’s Strategy Is Brilliant

The episode “Gary” does a lot for the show. It fills in Richie’s history, which could be important for his development as a character, and lets the audience see a different side of him. Plus, it gets viewers excited about what’s coming next – and every show can use a boost like that.

Think of it as an extended, carefully crafted preview – a creative addition that actually improves the story instead of taking away from it. If the ‘Gary’ storyline had been revealed later in the season, like many shows (including The Bear) do, it still could have worked. But by showing it now, the final season can focus on the main story with 10 full episodes, and really explore the character who started everything and is likely to have the most interesting journey.

Ultimately, this episode feels like a genuine gift to fans, showing a real appreciation for their dedication to the series. It’s the kind of surprise that makes viewers happy – a new installment appearing unexpectedly and hinting at future storylines. It’s a great idea, and I expect other shows will start doing the same thing.

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2026-05-08 06:38