The Fox And The Caterpillar
When walking his child home, they talk about what type of animal they’d be. The first thing that came to mind, was a caterpillar before changing it to a fox.
Richie: “Mmm. Catapult--[stutters] Caterpillar. It was the first thing that popped up into my head. Can I change my answer? I wouldn’t mind being a fox. That sounds like fun. I think they’re so pretty.”
They talk about science and industry briefly before getting interrupted. While rewatching this scene, it reminded me of my metas, Fourth Wall (being broken) & The New Paradigm which were inspired by @thoughtfulchaos773’s post with @tinfishlove and @moodyeucalyptus’s discussion in the reblogs of my post. Within those, it has the topic of paradigm shifts with a diagram illustration.
Eva: “Is it all science?”
Richie: “And industry. It’s more fun than it sounds.”
Paradigm shifts in industry often happen when new technology is introduced that radically alters the production process or manufacturing of a good or service. These shifts are key drivers in many of the processes that a society undergoes, such as the American Industrial Revolution or the information revolution since the 2000s.
In the business world, a paradigm shift is often a change in the perception of how things should be thought about, done, or made. A paradigm shift can require entire departments to be eliminated or created. In some cases, millions or even billions of dollars of new equipment need to be purchased while the old equipment is sold or recycled.
Scientists return to routine. Revolution becomes invisible.
Meta Filmmaking | & Meta Filmmaking || by @thoughtfulchaos773 were great posts that involved the paradigm shift!
After that, I started doing some research on the potential meaning of both caterpillars and foxes and here’s what I found:
Caterpillars are a blessing on new ideas. They indicate promising outcomes to projects in their initial stage, and offer good juju in terms of fruitful completion of goals. Because of their dynamic process of metamorphosis, moths and butterflies are symbolic of transformation. By association, the caterpillar is a symbol of evolution and transformation too. Specifically, they convey a unique level of patience as they surrender to the process of transformation. Let’s face it, once a caterpillar begins the process of transforming into a winged beauty…there’s no turning back. In essence, the caterpillar is a symbol of never looking back on the old versions of ourselves. Rather, the caterpillar encourages plowing forward with ever-evolving, more brilliant versions of our beauty and potential.
Specifically, they convey a unique level of patience as they surrender to the process of transformation. Let’s face it, once a caterpillar begins the process of transforming into a winged beauty…there’s no turning back.
I wonder if it’s in reference to Richie’s patience on Carmy’s metamorphosis because without him, it would be next to impossible to progress himself. The fighting that occurred this season was very reminiscent of season one’s fighting.
In terms of character development, it felt like that’s where it lacked this season. When I first initially watched it, I had mentioned before that was due to Carmy being isolated in the walk in of his subconscious.
What if Richie is self aware of this lack of character development with everyone and desperately wants the transformation to happen already? Especially, when you think on catapillars and their patience for change and transformation. What if Richie's patience has been running thin?
@currymanganese has a theory about Richie being Christopher Storer’s avatar and @whenmemorydies have metas on Richie representing the audience & Christopher Storer.
Richie cares so much about the customer/audience, he’s willing to pull back the curtain to show us where the magic happens.
And if one of these theories are right to some extent, he’s aware of the audience and their role. I would also believe he knows their importance which is why he strives to get what the customer desires. Why would he care about Claire, if we, the audience, don’t care about her?
Caterpillars are a blessing on new ideas. They indicate promising outcomes to projects in their initial stage, and offer good juju in terms of fruitful completion of goals.
The old idea was Claire and the past, the new idea could be Sydney, Natalie, and himself for the future a bit based on @whenmemorydies’s meta.
We also have @thoughtfulchaos773’s meta on Richie being the director & observer of Carmy’s love life.
Is this the new project after the first one with Claire had failed? It seemed rather abrupt the way he stopped caring about Claire after it caused an argument with Carmy in the season two finale by the fridge in the first place. What if he rerouted his project into a more quiet role and started doing the work subtly? Which is why he explained the textbook sublimation and calling Carmy out for the behavior he dislikes.
Richie: “Sorry, Syd. It’s just textbook sublimation. Seen it once, you’ve seen it a thousand times.”
Richie: “Syd, it’s fine. Chef Carmen uses power phrases ‘cause he’s a baby replicant who’s not self-actualized which is maybe why he repeatedly referred to me as a loser.” (3x02)
He’d been pretty adamant on keeping up the good vibes in his “dojo” with him creating his own spin to the nonnegotiables.
He even added joy into it to make it clear as to what he wanted for the guests and maybe even the The Bear itself. With the offering of good juju in terms of fruitful completion of goals, there could be many to list for this one. The “goals” that Sydney mentioned before being corrected by Carmy, the potential project of directing Carmy’s love life, and the outcome/success of the restaurant, there’s plenty I’m not even mentioning!
I think it’s fair to say Richie had always been a fairly unserious person for the most part.
If it weren’t for the Forks episode, the appreciation for high fine-dining probably wouldn’t really exist which was ironically caused by Carmy pushing him to Ever in the first place because of Carmy’s love and belief in him.
He even had the super soaker and the piñata for the customer to which Carmy expressed his displeasure for.
Carmy said he hates surprises, and when Richie and Mikey bombarded him about Claire at Christmas, I’d argue that’s a pretty big surprise that wasn’t received very well. He’s never enjoyed surprises, which could explain how easy it was to cut out the amusement and enjoyments of his life, the real and found family he has at The Bear.
Carmy’s patience had lacked to which Richie gave a lot of to the other characters this season. His patience wasn’t even limited to The Faks. Richie just seems at the breaking point with Carmy.
In essence, the caterpillar is a symbol of never looking back on the old versions of ourselves. Rather, the caterpillar encourages plowing forward with ever-evolving, more brilliant versions of our beauty and potential.
Richie could be tired of watching Carmy going through this constant cycle. Which is why he’s lost his patience with him entirely and has possibly taken it upon himself to do some of the work behind the scenes. He could’ve watched so much of Mikey’s consistent spiral, he doesn’t wish to see it for Carmy. The moment he saw that the relationship for Claire didn’t work, he stopped caring for her entirely.
He took his ring off after Tiffany mentioned to their daughter that he’s alone most likely because he doesn’t want that for himself or even be perceived that in that way.
We’ve even seen more meaningful scenes between Natalie and Richie this season. With Sydney, their relationship seemed a lot more closer than the previous seasons. Considering how Sydney had to be the bridge for both Richie and Carmy to communicate, it’s not that much of a shock that was the thing that could’ve made them closest. Not to mention, Richie gave Mikey’s note to Sydney which was sent by Carmy for approval and she suggested to Carmy to call Richie after their massive fight in the season two finale.
(3x02) - Sydney: “Okay, Richie, here’s what we’re gonna do. You got a problem, you got a question, you talk to me.”
Sydney: “He does not exist.”
(3x04) - Natalie: “Hey, what is that?”
Richie: “Oh, Uh, Zen garden. Kyoto, Philosopher’s Path.”
Richie: “Well, this uh—this director that I admire, he visited this. And when he got there, he was like ‘What is this? A bunch of just rocks and combed sand?’ He didn’t really, you know, know what to make of it, but then, slowly, he began to realize—”
Natalie: “Yeah. That the rocks are people. And we’re all separated.”
Richie: “Fucking yeah. Exactly. And that this garden is, in fact, an illusion of human nature, and how we are, all of us, alone in this world.”
(3x07) - Richie: [scoffs] “Dining room sounds like shit.”
Natalie: “Like, the acoustics?”
Richie: “No. It’s like, the soul, you know? It’s like--Service sounds like total chaos.”
Natalie: “Every day can’t be perfect.”
Richie: “Every day is like the Super Bowl. I could use a lightning bolt.”
Natalie: “Can’t control the weather.”
(3x04) - Richie: “You think, like, it’s better if I, like, back off?”
Natalie: “What do you mean?”
Richie: “Like, I don’t wanna back off, but is it confusing for her? Like, you know how everyone’s talking about how Frank is the shit, and, like…I don’t know. Maybe it’s weird that I’m, like, around.”
Natalie: “No, I think it would be weird if you weren’t around.”
Natalie: “Yeah. What does she think?”
Richie: “She thinks I’m alone.”
He's always talked about loneliness in season three. He probably feels Carmy’s isolation, even if it was made by Carmy’s own choices.
How insane would it be that Richie sees it within Carmy and knows that he’s been almost purposefully choosing it, making Richie take matters into his own hands? He could’ve been actively filling in the void that Carmy couldn't unless it was the Faks.
Carmy: “Move, move, move, move.”
Richie: “Oh, my God. Where’s the fucking fire?” (3x03)
Richie is very aware of how fast Carmy has been going. This sudden sense of urgency, for Richie, was seen as Carmy running away from his problems rather than facing them head on. It could also have a double meaning like Richie seeing and feeling the frigidness of Carmy’s personality in this season.
Caterpillars represent significant transformations and personal evolution because of their amazing metamorphosis into butterflies or moths. They serve as a reminder that life is a progression of stages and that, like the caterpillar, we are all capable of change. The caterpillar is a spirit animal that inspires us to embrace change, let go of outdated ideas and routines, and go through a metamorphosis in order to realize our full potential. As caterpillars carefully eat and get ready for their transformation, it represents patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties. (x)
Richie is a reminder to Carmy and the audience how change is a process that requires a lot of work, time, effort, and patience.
Change will always be a bit of an undertaking but I think Richie tries to push him into the direction that he suspects is best for him because of his personal experience with Mikey.
His lack of patience could also be the reflection of the audience. It would be dreadful to watch Carmy slowly change for the better when you’re used to a whole season of growth rather than an entire season of stagnant progression.
(3x02) - Richie: “Pea tendrils, 8:11 a.m. 8:09 a.m., snap peas. 8:15 a.m., I’m trapped in a prison of my own design.”
Carmy: “Ted, do you have to do that right fucking there?”
Ted Fak: “We gotta do this here. Light’s right here, Carm.”
Richie: “Maniac.”
Carmy: “Sorry, Ted.”
Richie: “‘Sorry, Ted’ That’s some real growth. Changing the menu every day. Sounds a bit like running away.”
Carmy has been running away for some time now. Richie most likely noticed how it was never really about the changing menu. This was Carmy’s attempt to substitute the changing of the menu rather than himself and his avoidance.
When it comes to caterpillars associated with promising ventures, we might keep in mind the elements of surprise, disguise and protection. Why? Caterpillars employ several neat tricks to protect them from predators. Various caterpillar colors make predators wary of eating them. Still other colors make the caterpillar blend into its surroundings, essentially making them invisible to hungry predators. Translated symbolically, a caterpillar sighting might imply the need to employ a little secrecy in our plans. Have you ever had a killer idea that you shared with someone…only to find out your confidant took your idea as his own? I know…it’s creepy, but it does happen. As a vessel of creative potential, the caterpillar asks us to keep our endeavors to ourselves until the moment is perfect for the grand reveal. (x)
I don’t think there was ever any doubt for Richie’s love for Carmy. He loves him so much but he probably doesn’t know how to show that without it turning into an argument. Especially considering how much of his patience for Carmy has been spread extremely thin. In result, he shows it quietly, falling into the background in Carmy’s life, like what he was thinking of doing for his daughter, with the other characters but I think he would have a reason and an agenda as to why.
Fox, as symbolism in literature, has been used in European and East-Asian cultures and stories for centuries. Foxes are represented as tricksters, sly or cunning animals. In Chinese, Korean, and Japanese folktales, foxes are powerful spirit beings. They are prominent characters in literature, media, films, and even games. The phrase as sly as a fox and outfox are inspired by ‘fox’ and mean that a person is cunning and can beat others in intelligence, respectively. The word ‘fox’ has its roots in the word ‘fuhsaz’ means fox in proto-germanic language, which is derived from the German word ‘Fuchs’; the Old Norse word ‘Foa’ and also the Sanskrit word ‘puccha’ means tail.
Foxes, inherently elusive and cunning creatures, symbolize situations or individuals that might be shrouded in deceit or false appearances. Therefore, when a fox crosses your path, it not only signals the necessity to be cautious, but also examines the people and situations around you with a discerning eye.
Remember, the focus in such situations is not on the fear of potential deception, but on the faith in divine guidance and wisdom. It's a call to elevate your spiritual discernment, to view circumstances beyond mere appearances, and to rely on God's wisdom and direction in navigating treacherous terrains. the seemingly incidental crossing of a fox's path could serve as a biblical reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and discernment.
Foxes typically represent cleverness, luck, protection, independence, cunning, slyness, dreams, creativity, and wisdom.
At the core of the fox's symbolism lies the essence of cunning. As a master of strategy and wit, the fox exemplifies the power of cleverness in navigating life's obstacles. The spiritual medicine of the fox encourages us to think creatively, to approach challenges with ingenuity, and to find alternative solutions to problems. By embodying the fox's spirit of cunning, we can overcome adversities, outsmart adversity, and turn obstacles into stepping stones towards our goals.
Richie: “Sorry, Syd. It’s just textbook sublimation. Seen it once, you’ve seen it a thousand times.” (3x02)
Have you ever heard of the saying about magic tricks when you’ve seen already seen a magic trick to “never show someone the same trick twice.” ?
I had the thought process that because Carmy holds all the cards, that would make him the magican. But, I’ve also been contemplating about Richie knowing all of his tricks before and it got a bit confirmed with @thoughtfulchaos773’s great post and @fresaton’s excellent catch in the reblogs.
If Richie has seen and heard it all before to the point where he’s even going as far as calling Carmy out on the things he’s realized about him, then that could mean Richie has been the one to look out for?
We’ve never seen Carmy interact with the hair-claw on the countertop or the scrunchie in his apartment but he’s always interacted with the items in his pockets. That’s his one spot of vulnerability.
I think his tell was always what was in his pockets. The first one was given from Natalie. The second could’ve been Richie.
Foxes, inherently elusive and cunning creatures, symbolize situations or individuals that might be shrouded in deceit or false appearances. Therefore, when a fox crosses your path, it not only signals the necessity to be cautious, but also examines the people and situations around you with a discerning eye.
I suspect Richie isn't really who we think he is at times. He might have multiple faces that have been shown to us. He could be representative of an audience member, he could be Christopher Storer, he could be a fourth wall breaker, he could be a director to Carmy’s love life. Have we ever considered that he could be everything combined?
Foxes are known for their symbolism of false appearances, signaling the need to observe individuals with a more discerning eye. How many appearances of Richie could we have seen? Mirrors could create illusions could they not?
I think we were always meant to observe him very carefully. So, it begs the question: Who is Richie, really?
The implication of this symbolism provides an impetus for moral vigilance, pushing believers towards adhering to principles of honesty, integrity, and righteousness, while steering clear from traits that the fox embodies.
While foxes are known for their deceit, they are also known for their protection and wisdom. The deceit could be falling into the background and doing certain things “behind the scenes” but what if it’s more than that?
We’ve had the discussion of the horror elements with The Bear on @thoughtfulchaos773’s meta with the topic of possession in this season and theories on which characters could be getting possesed with @moodyeucalyptus’s meta.
Did he potentially slip that card into Carmy's pocket because he thinks Carmy needed the guidance? I've been messing with this idea that because foxes are known for false appearances, he would automatically know something is off with Carmy's relationship with Claire.
Perhaps, he sees the mirroring like we do?
Thank you to whoever read this! This was basically like three metas all in one place! This feels very speculative so feel free to tell me I’m wrong about this lmao. If I’m going to continue to write these type of metas then Natalie maybe being a miser's dream with a separate post about Marcus would be next. Richie was the first in the list I’ve made. (Also, I haven’t talked about the dreams aspect yet, still trying to understand that one before writing about it entirely and this was getting far too long.)
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