The Bear season 4 is not quite the same as the previous three seasons. I will admit the final few episodes certainly felt more the norm than the rest of the season, maybe which toned down the chaos. While the story doesn’t really move forward, there’s still something very “The Bear” about “The Bear,” if you know what I mean. I think this comes from the way the show treats its characters, specifically how, despite much-needed gaps in between seasons, you’re always reconnected to all the recurring characters because they feel somehow like people in your own life. From the way everybody treats Neil like a baby to how they all gather together to help little Evie when she’s upset, it all feels like a real, authentic family experience. This season doesn’t have much to fall back on in terms of plot, as such. There’s almost something “stream of consciousness” about it, but I will try to put together all the important stuff that’s gone down in season 4.
Spoiler Alert
Who Are the New Hires?
Season 4 sees a lot of changes in The Bear, the restaurant. Jimmy and the computer give the restaurant a deadline of two months to get things together before they have to shut down operations. It does seem like that’s the only possible outcome because, as a business, the restaurant is not doing great. All the reviews have been here and there because Carmy won’t keep a set menu (because he’s challenging himself and it has nothing to do with the restaurant), which essentially messes everything else up. At the start of these two months, Richie’s already lost his staff, so he hires Jessica, Rene, and Garrett from Ever to help him out. This is a big deal because Jessica brings in all the knowledge she has from her work experience, which means timers for the chefs, color-coding the order bills, etc. It’s fascinating, if daunting. At the same time, Marcus, who is feeling a bit low because he hasn’t been able to talk to his dad since his mom died, asks Carmy for more firepower because he’s the reason the service is often late. After some thinking, Carmy brings on his friend Luca as a stage. For some reason, despite the almost nil pay, a talented man like Luca is okay coming on board. But, one thing’s clear: it’s not just about experience; it’s about creativity and sharing that feeling with other people. Luca and Marcus, great duo. It was quite funny when Sugar got her baby Sophie to the restaurant and hadn’t known there would be so many new faces. Yes, Carmy never went over to see his niece, so she had to be brought down to see him instead.
What Is Ebra Doing?
This season doesn’t give us any solo personal deep dives like we’ve had so many of so far. It’s more about the collective struggling as a whole herd. But in the middle of this rises one shining diamond, because Ebra’s sandwich window has been thriving. Ebra left culinary school when The Bear opened, and all he wanted to do was create opportunity. In order to do so, with the Computer’s help, he puts down some paperwork for a business proposal. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see that coming through at the end of the season because we have another issue to get through, but by the end of season 4, Ebra is considering opening 2 franchises of the Original Beef joints and taking on Albert, his consultant, as a possible investor too. Only if Carmy approves, of course. Meanwhile, Marcus gets named one of the top new chefs in Food & Wine Magazine, making everyone proud. He finally sends a link to the article to his dad (who he’s been avoiding), it seems like.
Does Tina Make The 3-Minute Cut?
In truth, we see very little of Tina this season, but she’s just as impactful as always. While reminding Carmy that he’s the man, she also practices hard to make a pasta in under 3 minutes as that’s the deadline Jessica gives her. Tina gets frustrated, unable to do it, but Jessica and Camy remind her that if she doesn’t take breaks, she won’t be able to make time either. Finally, when she’s talking with Gary and he explains how he’s fast because he knows exactly how much to pour, she realizes she needs to prep portions. But she’s still nearly a minute off, which frustrates her further. But eventually, when she stops caring about it, Luca and Jessica put her up to the task, and she makes it in less than 3 minutes, finally beating her own demons. Man, Tina’s the sweetest.
What Does Donna Say?
In season 4, Tiff and Frank get married, and Donna shows up to the wedding, but she’s left to chit-chat with Syd (the scapegoat) while Carmy hides in the kitchen. Donna’s changed entirely since we last saw her; she’s now 1 year sober, and she’s taking a genuine interest in what Syd has to say about the restaurant and Carm. But later, Carmy goes to visit her with an album of old photos, and the conversation starts off fine but soon enough turns into an emotional meltdown. Donna finally apologizes for being a terrible parent and for being absent in the lives of her children. She’s even written down everything she feels so she doesn’t miss anything out. She just wants her kids to know that she loves them dearly. I think this conversation helps Carmy a lot, because he’s already on an upward journey, and this just helps push him a little further.
What Happens Between Richie and Frank?
Richie’s life is going through a dissonant phase in season 4. He finds himself fighting for a restaurant where he feels he doesn’t belong, and he thinks his daughter is choosing her stepfather over him for material reasons. However, all of Richie’s problems get resolved by the end of the season. For one, Jessica helps Richie realize that Frank is buying Eve a bear worth 100 dollars because he knows she’s got a relationship with her dad and he needs something to boost his own reputation with her. At the wedding, Eve hides under the table because she doesn’t want to dance with Frank. This leads to Frank telling Richie how afraid he is that he’s not good enough for the girl because she adores Richie and always brings him up whenever she’s done hanging out with him.
Eventually, all the Bears get under the table and talk about their fears. Carmy says his biggest fear is the opposite of chaos, whatever that means, and the whole under-the-table situation helps Sug and Francine become friends again. It’s quite a sweet moment, and I think it helps Richie realize that he’s always going to be a part of Eve’s life and that she loves him very much. On the other hand, it looks like Jimmy’s downsizing, which means his financial situation is worse than it looked before. Donna’s helping him sell his home, and though he wants to be a huge support in the family, it looks like he’s got to think about himself for a bit.
Are Claire and Carmy Back Together?
This episode doesn’t just see Donna apologizing, but also Carmy. Carmy goes to see Claire to apologize, but instead tells her that he feels like his entire body is on fire when he’s with her. Carmy loves Claire for sure, but this is not the kind of love that can be a constant in one’s life. It’s good to see Claire not entirely forgive Carmy just yet, because if they’d just gotten back together, it would’ve been kind of frustrating. At the same time, at the wedding, they seem to be much better at being around each other, and there are still some sparks, so maybe we can be hopeful about these two for now. Especially after what Carmy’s done at the end of the season.
What Does Syd Choose?
Sydney goes through a lot this season. She avoids her dad because she’s stressed out and doesn’t want to worry him, but then learns that he’s had a heart attack. She lets out her feelings at the hospital to Claire, and it’s such a beautiful emotional moment for her; it’s so good to see that at least someone knows how to truly vent here. Syd’s always had her dad around, and to see such a pillar in her life tremble is terrifying for her, but they get through it. Meanwhile, Adam shows her the new spot; he constantly invites her there, sends her the contract, and so much more, but Sydney never says yes to him. When Syd’s at her cousin’s house and has to look after her 11-year-old niece, she talks to her about how she’s feeling using metaphors. While Adam’s offer clearly looks like the better choice, Syd is still hesitant, making it clear what she will choose eventually.
Later, Carmy makes a change in the agreement without telling anybody. He observes that Syd’s doing a fantastic job at the restaurant, not only in terms of the perfect dishes she delivers, but also in how she handles situations without his help, perfectly. This makes him realize that all he was doing was thinking about himself and focusing on improving himself, never once considering what the rest of the staff was going through. Yes, he’s after the star, but he’s not going to get it with an ever-changing menu and no supplies. Finally, Carm starts genuinely listening to Syd and really delivering on the “I’m trying to be better” scenario. Finally, Syd chooses The Bear and not Adam, because she will always stick with family.
Will Carmy Be Okay?
Carmy’s a changed person since he pulled off the freezer stunt. Now, when Marcus needs help, he brings Luca in to be his stage. He listens to what Sydney has to say about the menu and even Tina when she tells him they aren’t getting nearly enough supplies to keep the restaurant running. With the red finally climbing back into the green, it looks like The Bear could still be saved, but there’s one problem. Pete calls Syd and tells her about the agreement. Turns out, Carmy’s removed himself from The Bear’s partnership entirely. He doesn’t want to just quit his own restaurant, but cooking in general, because he doesn’t love it anymore. Guess this is some kind of entitlement. But of course, this leaves Sydney wondering if she made the wrong choice, because she chose The Bear for the people, and that includes Carmy, her biggest inspiration.
The final episode is the best of the lot in my opinion, with Carmy and Syd arguing about how Carmy’s making the wrong decision, but Carmy doesn’t look like he’s going to budge. To make matters worse, Richie shows up too, wondering what’s happening. Syd tells him Carmy’s quitting, and Richie doesn’t believe it at first, but then they start talking about Mikey. Carmy admits he came to the funeral but left because he couldn’t bear to go in. Richie and Carmy resented each other for their own reasons. Richie felt like an outsider among the Berzattos, and Carmy felt like Richie was too much of an inside man. They both thought the other had it better, Carmy, because Richie got to spend more time with Mikey. Syd helps the two keep steady, and they don’t get into a fight. Instead, Syd tells Cam that she’ll sign the agreement on the condition Richie becomes Carmy’s new replacement as a partner. Richie thinks it’s a joke at first, but quickly realizes Syd’s dead serious. The season ends with no one knowing what will come next for The Bear. It could be a Michelin star, or it could be shutting down. Carmy’s made this choice for the time being because he doesn’t love cooking anymore and he needs to take a proper break from it. He’s finally taking time for himself.
