Spoiler warning for Season 4, Episode 1 of The Bear: I just watched the season premiere, and I have thoughts, so if you haven’t caught up yet, consider this your cue to stop reading.

There’s a lot going on in The Bear Season 4, and the premiere sets up a high-stakes narrative: The newly opened fine dining version of the restaurant is now aiming for a Michelin star. It’s a bold, 100% reckless, Hail Mary to save the business.

But amid all the high-concept plating and kitchen chaos, I find myself desperately hoping that the real hero of the season turns out to be someone who’s been in the background the entire time: Ebraheim.

From the very beginning of the series, Ebraheim, played by the marvelous Edwin Lee Gibson, has been holding it down in the background. He’s deeply rooted in the rhythms of the kitchen and not trying to dominate the space or one-up anyone. But when he speaks, it matters.

Yeah, he dropped out of culinary school out of sheer intimidation, not lack of skill—intimidation. And yet, in the season 4 premiere, we see that he’s applying to community college “to create opportunity,” that’s his singular mission this time around. It says everything about his mindset. He’s still evolving and trying to add value to the restaurant.

And then there’s the Chicago Tribune review. The Bear’s first big write-up is a complete mixed bag. Culinary dissonance, the jumbled menu, all signs point to Carmy the Chaotic. But the one bright spot—Ebraheim and his take-out window serving up the delicious Italian beef sandwiches that sell out before lunch break is over. The critic singles them out. He and the crew are making an impact, but it somehow slips by almost unnoticed in the kitchen. Unc and the Computer kiiinda give Ebraheim his flowers, but Carmy doesn’t, and he’s the only voice that really matters on the line.

I’m not sure whether the takeout window—where those sandwiches are made—is considered a separate concept from the core restaurant, but if it is, I’d love to see that be the thing that earns them a Michelin star. And it’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. A few fast-food and takeout-style places have earned stars before. And wouldn’t it be an incredible twist if this humble corner of the business were the one that brought in the ultimate recognition?

IMO, there’s something off-putting about The Bear (the new restaurant, not the show). The bougie vibe feels sterile and all the warmth and heart of The Beef is being systematically stripped away in favor of perfectionism and pressure. And you can see it in the characters too. Carmy, who once lived and breathed cooking, barely even seems to enjoy it anymore. He’s completely consumed by ambition, and as Sydney points out, he needs chaos to thrive. But that is not how you earn a star. Stars require precision and consistency.

Meanwhile, Ebraheim and the other OG, Tina, are still doing what they’ve always done. They hold each other up and keep things moving. They’re just trying to do good, meaningful work, which is what really matters at the end of the day.

So yeah, I’m mega-rooting for Ebraheim. I want him to get his own episode, and I want him to save the day, with heart and a damn good sandwich. And maybe remind everyone that soul and sincerity still deserve a place in the kitchen, even one that’s chasing stars.