In June, the long-awaited season four of “The Bear” finally arrived. The show is centered around a restaurant in Chicago, struggling due to the underlying issues with family, coworkers, and chaotic relationships.

As someone who has been keeping up with this show since 2022, this season has felt different from the past three. Having the past seasons known for their anxiety-inducing situations, season four felt refreshing. That being said, it still opens with the restaurant receiving a mixed review, then learning they have little time left to stay open before they run out of money. As always, it continues to deliver a stressful yet intimate look into the world of each individual character.

I was pleased to see the development of Carmy’s character. In season three, he spiraled out of control due to his perfectionism, trauma, and the lingering presence of Michael —his departed brother. Yet, this season, he managed to make a comeback. He finally recognized his mistakes and started to learn how to grow as a person, not just as a chef. Instead of his usual cold and rigid attitude in past episodes, he was able to let go of his need to push himself to extremes, allowing the restaurant to be less hectic than before. What his sister, Natalie, told him really spoke to me: “You found something that you love. And it’s completely 100% okay if you don’t love it anymore because the most special part about it is that you are capable of that love.”

Similarly, Richie, a close friend of Carmy’s family, finally received some much-needed closure this season. He was able to attend his ex-wife’s wedding and make amends not only with Carmy, but also with himself.

But the standout character this season has to be Sydney. She has always been my favorite character, and now the writers are making her the main focus. Episode three of this season was even directed by Ayo Edebiri, who plays Sydney, and it felt like a needed break from the usual nerve-racking environment. Her perspective felt unique from the rest of the show in the sense that she mirrors a version of Carmy that is still driven and passionate. 

The last episode was definitely one of the most emotional ones of the show. While season three felt repressed, season four finally gave the audience what they have been waiting for: transparency. There has been so much left unsaid between Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and Natalie, and it was a relief to see them finally speak their minds. I think Carmy’s decision to leave the restaurant makes sense, even though it’s been faced with some confusion. He needs to work on himself, and Sydney embodies the passion that he has lost for cooking. 

I can’t speak about “The Bear” without mentioning Sydney and Carmy’s relationship. Audiences on social media have advocated for them to become a couple, but others argue they should remain platonic. Personally, I think the chemistry is there, but the only way I can see them together is if they both were in a more mentally stable place. While seeing them as a couple would be compelling (especially in contrast with his relationship with Claire), I think it would distract from the main point of the show; it’s more about finding family in unexpected places rather than finding potential romance.  

Overall, I loved this season much more than season three. Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s performances were outstanding. For me, nothing can beat the first two seasons, but season four definitely held its ground. I can’t wait to see where the direction of the show is headed and how it will develop with Carmy’s absence.