Why did Carmy give Claire the wrong number?

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Any fan of "The Bear" knows that Carmy Berzatto's a complex guy. Throughout the show's run, we've seen him navigate the tumultuous landscape of high-end culinary world, juggle the haunting specter of family trauma, and wrestle with his own psychological struggles. Now, we're thrown into a whole new conundrum as Carmy’s love life takes a turn that had us all raising our eyebrows: Why did Carmy give Claire, his newfound paramour, a wrong number? Let's dive into a few theories and look at the evidence for and against each.

Theory #1: Carmy's Fear of Intimacy

Perhaps the most evident theory is Carmy's fear of intimacy. After all, the Berzatto's relationship with their mother, Donna, would be enough to send anyone running from close connections. Given this background, it's not a stretch to think that Carmy might have intentionally given Claire the wrong number to create a barrier.

Evidence For: The guy's got a traumatic family history. The volatile and emotionally abusive relationship with Donna would make anyone wary of letting someone get too close. Plus, Carmy’s shy-boy past that he shares with Claire also hints at a deep-seated anxiety about forming connections.

Evidence Against: The chemistry between Carmy and Claire is palpable. From their playful quips about jobs to their shared nostalgia about high school, there's an undeniable attraction. It's also worth noting that Carmy seems to be making progress with his grief, as shown by his comfort discussing his late brother, Michael, with Claire.

Theory #2: He's Self-Sabotaging

Maybe Carmy, being the troubled soul that he is, is unconsciously sabotaging his own shot at happiness.

Evidence For: Carmy's disposition, particularly his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, could lead him to self-destructive behavior. Plus, his discussion about his reaction to the Michelin call -- the bypassing of joy and attachment to dread -- suggests he might not think he deserves happiness.

Evidence Against: If Carmy were really trying to sabotage the relationship, why go on such an elaborate, hours-long, multiple-location date with Claire? His actions speak louder than the wrong number and suggest genuine interest.

Theory #3: He's Testing Claire

Could it be a test? Did Carmy give Claire the wrong number to see if she'd make the effort to find the correct one?

Evidence For: There's a certain level of thrill in seeing how far someone's willing to go for you, and Carmy’s comment about “enjoying the risk” might hint at this. He's a complex character, and it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for him to concoct such an unconventional test.

Evidence Against: This theory is a bit of a stretch, admittedly. The camaraderie and honesty between Claire and Carmy suggest more straightforward communication, and Carmy's generally upfront, as demonstrated by his candid discussion about his brother.

Theory #4: It's Simply an Accident

Here's a wild idea: What if Carmy just made a mistake? He's got a lot on his plate, from family dramas to getting the restaurant ready for launch, so maybe it's just a simple case of a brain fart.

Evidence For: With the Berzatto family drama, Michael’s death, and the impending restaurant launch, it's feasible that Carmy might have gotten distracted or overwhelmed and given the wrong number by accident.

Evidence Against: The detailed discussion about why he gave Claire a wrong number seems a bit too articulate for it to have been a simple mistake. Plus, our boy Carmy doesn't strike us as the type to be careless when it comes to something -- or someone -- he cares about.

In the great puzzle that is Carmy Berzatto, the mystery of the wrong number might seem like a small piece, but it's one that gives us a deeper insight into his character. As "The Bear" continues, we’ll no doubt learn more about this complex character, and whether our theories hold any weight. Until then, happy speculating, Bear fans!