This is where it all begins: “My burn is less debilitating than my girlfriend…” The full summary from October 31st (SPOILERS)

Thursday ‘s episode of Here It All Begins, October 31, 2025, promises an explosive mix of romantic tension, wounded pride, and truths finally coming to light. The kitchens of the Auguste Armand Institute become the stage for a series of confrontations where love intertwines with pain , and ambition clashes with vulnerability . At the heart of it all is a couple in crisis: Ethan and Léonard , whose relationship is dangerously strained after an episode marked by hurt, jealousy, and resentment.

From the very first scenes, the atmosphere is heavy. Ethan, still scarred by his burn, tries to resume his training despite the physical and emotional pain. His demeanor has hardened: more withdrawn, more distant, almost cold. Those around him sense a change. While he puts on a brave face, his gestures still betray a certain suffering, but it’s not the injury that’s eating him up inside… it’s Leonard . Since the accident, the young man has constantly reminded him that he should take it easy, that he must accept his help. And that’s precisely where the problem lies.

Ethan has always been proud, independent, unable to bear being pitied. But Leonard, in his sincere desire to support him, goes too far. Too many precautions, too many kind words, too much attention… to the point of suffocating Ethan, who finally explodes. During a particularly tense scene in the kitchen, when Leonard insists on replacing him in a position deemed too risky for his injured hand, Ethan utters a chilling phrase:

“Do you really want to know? My burn is less debilitating than my girlfriend’s.”

Silence falls. The cutting remark lands like an uppercut. Leonard, hurt, takes it in stride without a word before walking away, tears welling in his eyes. The students present remain frozen, stunned by the violence of the scene. Ethan almost instantly regrets his words, but his pride prevents him from backing down. He throws himself into his work, his gaze hardening, while Leonard leaves the kitchen, his heart shattered.

Meanwhile, Teyssier , always on the lookout for the slightest sign of weakness in his students, observes the situation with a mixture of amusement and severity. He summons Ethan to his office and delivers one of his sharp truths: “You want to be the boss? Then learn not to let your emotions cloud your work.” Ethan takes it in stride, unable to reply. He understands that his behavior could cost him dearly, not only in his love life, but also in his career.

Meanwhile, Leonard finds comfort with Amber and Billie, who try their best to console him. “You know, he loves you, but he doesn’t know how to show it any other way,” Amber tells him. But Leonard, heartbroken, doesn’t want to hear anything more about Ethan. For him, trust is broken. “I supported him when he was at his lowest point, and this is how he thanks me?” he fumes. His grief gradually turns to anger.

Meanwhile, the episode’s subplot focuses on Clotilde , who continues to manage the growing tension among the students while preparing for the visit of a renowned food critic. However, the chaotic atmosphere within the kitchen brigades complicates her task. Even the slightest personal conflict risks damaging the school’s reputation, and Clotilde is well aware of this. Upon learning of the incident between Ethan and Leonard, she decides to intervene before the situation escalates further.

In an emotional scene, Clotilde summons the two young men. She reminds them that cooking is an art of control, not excess. “When your emotions take over, it’s the dish that suffers. And today, it’s your relationship, too.” Her tone is firm, but fair. Ethan remains silent, ashamed, while Léonard stares at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. The misunderstanding between them is complete.

Meanwhile, the episode explores another facet of daily life at the Institute: the ever-present stress and competition . Hortense, with her natural kindness, tries to calm things down, but even she senses that something is amiss. The atmosphere becomes almost electric, resentments fester, and the day’s tension builds steadily.

Then comes an unexpected turn: an incident in the kitchen forces Ethan to confront himself . As he tries to prove he can cook on his own despite his burn, the pain overwhelms him and he drops a hot pan. This reflex action puts him in danger, but it’s Leonard, still in the room, who rushes to protect him. A silent but powerful scene, where everything is conveyed in their glances. Leonard gives him a look that is both worried and hurt, before saying softly, “I didn’t want to save you, Ethan. Just help you.”

This sentence strikes Ethan to the core. The young man then realizes how unfair he has been, trapped as he is by his anger and pride. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he finally apologizes, awkwardly but sincerely: “I didn’t mean to hurt you… I was afraid of losing everything, and I pushed you away.” Leonard, moved, doesn’t respond immediately. He looks at him for a long moment before whispering: “Then stop fighting with me.” A faint smile crosses their faces, a sign of a fragile but real reconciliation.

Meanwhile, other subplots punctuate the episode. Kelly and Lionel argue about a baking project that’s gone horribly wrong, while Olivia Listrac, ever the observer, advises Clotilde on the importance of letting students experiment, even at the risk of failure. These lighter moments contrast with the romantic tension between Ethan and Leonard.

The episode ends with a deeply emotional conclusion. In the dim light of the kitchen, Ethan sits alone at his worktop, his hand still bandaged. Leonard discreetly returns and places a plate before him: a creation inspired by their shared history, subtle and rich in symbolism. “This is our signature dish,” he says, smiling. Ethan, overcome with emotion, understands that despite the wounds—both physical and emotional—their bond is stronger than the pain.

The final shot sums up the entire moral of the episode: in cooking as in love, sometimes you have to get burned to understand what really matters.

Between pride, passion, and tenderness, this October 31st episode of Here It All Begins stands out as one of the most intense of the season. The dialogue is sharp, the emotions raw, and the Ethan-Léonard duo proves once again that it is one of the emotional pillars of the series. An episode that is both harsh and touching, where every look, every word, every gesture carries the taste of a searing truth.