The episode notably features numerous high-profile guest stars, most of whom were not announced as part of the cast prior to the season's release.
Approximately five years before The Bear is set to open, Carmy returns from Copenhagen to spend Christmas with his family and friends.
Natalie's boyfriend Pete arrives with an additional seafood dish that he playfully dubs "the eighth fish" to the group.
This infuriates the Berzatto siblings, who remind him that an eighth fish is a symbol of bad luck and will send Donna into a tailspin.
While the rest of the group awaits dinner, Carmy tends to his mother in the kitchen; Donna laments the effort she makes for her family while saying she receives little appreciation in return.
Main cast members Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, and Liza Colon-Zayas are credited as usual in this episode, but do not appear.
Star Jeremy Allen White recounted that production of the episode was relatively smooth, and praised the egoless, collaborative environment on set.
[3] Ebon Moss-Bachrach said that there was a lot of camaraderie among the guest stars on set, and later went on to praise Jamie Lee Curtis' acting ability and performance in the episode.
[5] Chris Witaske, who portrays Sugar's partner Pete, said that the preparation for the episode was more chaotic than the rest of the series, particularly due to the large amount of dual-dialogue in the script.