Ep 10. Year-Crossing Soba
- December 22, 2014
In the season 3 finale of Midnight Diner, titled "Year-Crossing Soba," we are reminded of the importance of community and traditions as a group of regulars gather at the diner on New Year's Eve.
The episode begins with a couple struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season. As they sit at the counter discussing their financial woes, the diner's owner, known only as "Master," listens and offers them a solution - soba noodles. Soba noodles are a traditional dish eaten on New Year's Eve in Japan, believed to bring health and longevity when consumed at midnight.
Master begins to prepare the soba noodles for his customers, and we are introduced to several other regulars at the diner. There's the young couple who run a bakery, an older gentleman who is a regular at the bar next door, and a woman who owns a small bookstore.
As they wait for the soba noodles to be cooked, the group reminisces about their past New Year's celebrations and the traditions they grew up with. The conversation turns to the importance of community and how the diner has become a sort of home for them all.
As midnight approaches, the group gathers around the counter to eat the soba noodles together, each one reflecting on their hopes and dreams for the coming year. It's a simple moment, but it's powerful in its message of unity and the importance of traditions in bringing people together.
In true Midnight Diner fashion, the episode is filled with heartwarming moments, quirky characters, and delicious-looking food. But it's the message of community that really stands out in this season finale. As we head into a new year and a new decade, it's a reminder that the simple act of sharing a meal with loved ones can be the most meaningful tradition of all.