Spoiler Alert: Spoilers observe for The Bear Season 4We’ve been ready virtually a yr to listen to the phrases “sure, chef” once more, and now the wait is lastly over. Final week noticed the long-awaited return of The Bear for its fourth season, with all 10 episodes now obtainable to stream on Hulu. Nevertheless, this spherical might show the final word check of the present’s longevity; whereas the primary two seasons acquired virtually unanimous reward, final yr’s batch of episodes proved considerably extra polarizing.
The third season actually had its moments (specifically, one of many sequence’ finest installments ever, centered across the long-overdue Tina), and on the entire was in all probability higher than its detractors gave it credit score for. But it surely didn’t reside as much as what had come earlier than, and the story felt incomplete and principally like setup for the fourth season. Fortunately, we are able to now report that this yr is a return to type for The Bear. Whereas it nonetheless doesn’t reside as much as the all-timer sophomore season, it proves an efficient payoff to what was arrange final yr.
The Bear
3.5
/5
- Launch Date
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June 23, 2022
- Community
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Hulu
- Showrunner
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Christopher Storer
‘The Bear’ Season 4 Has Extra Targeted Storytelling
Initially, creator Christopher Storer supposed to put in writing Seasons 3 and 4 of The Bear again to again. This may occasionally clarify why final yr’s batch of episodes felt incomplete, as the story lacked the give attention to a central goal that made the primary two seasons so propulsive of their chaos.
Season 4 rectifies that as early because the premiere: after a unfavourable overview from the Chicago Tribune, Cicero offers Carmy and his crew two months to enhance their enterprise, in any other case, he’ll be compelled to promote the restaurant. As such, there’s a ticking clock to this batch of episodes, because the crew is compelled to make funds cuts, simplify the menu, and give attention to incomes a Michelin star to show issues round.
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Admittedly, the latter half of the season slows the tempo down once more and focuses on character over plot, and whereas the finale is excellent, it nonetheless leaves some unresolved story threads. However on the entire, The Bear is considerably extra centered this yr than final, and its payoffs arguably make sure elements of the third season higher looking back, now that we all know the place they lead.
Storer additionally appears to grasp that the present’s premise in all probability can’t maintain itself for much longer, as evidenced by the surprising season finale, which sees Carly make the choice to retire from the restaurant enterprise. For the reason that present has but to be renewed, we nonetheless don’t know if we’ve simply seen the endgame for The Bear, or if we’ll get one ultimate go-around within the kitchen.
‘The Bear’ Ties up Free Emotional Ends
No matter minor plot quibbles we have now, it’s on the character entrance that The Bear really shines this yr. To be truthful, the dearth of clear development within the third season felt intentional to a level, because it mirrored Carmy’s continued refusal to correctly take care of his traumas and regrets; thus, it made sense for issues to slowly construct to a transparent make-or-break level. That being stated, it proved a bit irritating in apply, and it ran the danger of constructing the present as an entire really feel stagnant.
So, it’s an amazing aid that Season 4 lastly permits its characters to achieve some long-needed catharsis. For Carmy, it’s a yr constructed round mending fences, as he reconciles with Claire after their messy breakup, makes the trouble to cease pushing his companions and family members away, and even tries to rebuild his relationship together with his mom. His final choice to stop the restaurant appears like an inevitable step for his character, as he realizes that he can’t present good service and kindness to others with out first addressing his personal points.
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But it’s Sydney who proves to be the guts and MVP of this season. Very like Carmy, she has a tough time balancing her work and private life, and her father’s midseason coronary heart assault proves an enormous wake-up name for her on the latter entrance. Nevertheless, she’s additionally higher in a position to expertise happiness (as evidenced in a beautiful standalone installment the place she spends the day along with her cousin’s daughter) and is thus higher outfitted for the skilled aspect of her life. Watching Sydney slowly overcome her self-doubts this yr is a pleasure, and Ayo Edebiri has by no means been higher within the function.
Whereas there are nonetheless just a few unfastened plot-related ends to tie up, the character work this season has been so sturdy that, with the slight likelihood that that is really The Bear’s ultimate hurrah, it’d be a becoming one. It’s not excellent: the primary two seasons reached a degree of perfection that’s laborious to match, particularly after a (minor) stumble like final yr. However on the entire, we’re thrilled to report that The Bear supplied up a way more satisfying menu this time round. All 4 seasons of The Bear can be found to stream on Hulu.