The Bear Season 4 Review

The Bear (2022-)

Season 4 - 10 episodes (2025 June 25) 
Watch The Bear Season 4 on Hulu
Created by: Christopher Storer
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Oliver Platt, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Oliver Platt
Rating: TV-MA
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Plot
A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop.

Verdict
This very well might be the last season, and it feels like a final send off with payoffs and cameos along the way. This season has a literal clock driving tension the entire time. The restaurant must turn a profit or it's over. It's an excellent show in the look and how it slows down and gives actors a chance to emote. It's a solid season and better than the third, but the peak of this show is the second season. Even then, this is more than worth watching. While the finale may feel lacking, it is a conclusion, albeit open ended.
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Review
The Bear has been a show I can't wait to watch the next season or episode. The characters, dialog, and setting form an absolutely amazing experience.

Season one was such a surprise, and the second season was even better. I was disappointed with season three, but that's only because season two is so great.

Season three focused on Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and the fallout of his season two tantrum and how that connects to his career. The conclusion is that Carmy creates chaos. His life seems to be a cycle of strained relationships and he can't see himself out of that. He's created a culture in his restaurant that mimics one of his most hated jobs because throughout the season Carmy is chasing a Michelin star. I was disappointed last season never delivered the review, ending on a 'wait until next season.'

Season three and four were filmed in tandem. The show has not been renewed for a fifth season, though there is a contract option for the main cast. No scripts have been written, and another season depends on cast availability, with all of the cast busy on various projects.

The third season led into a review that never happened, feeling unfinished. We get the review quickly in the fourth season, "The Bear stumbles with culinary dissonance." Everyone wishes the review was better, but the review also belies the chaos Carmy creates. If the review wasn't disheartening enough, Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) tells them he'll only float them for two more months. At that point they need to be profitable or the restaurant project is over.

Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri play Carmy, Sydney

Everyone is committed, all of them want to get better and get the star. The first episode is great, and the goal is clear for the season. The show has already established the personalities, it's just a matter of how they'll accomplish the feat. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) immediately calls in consultants to get them in shape.

Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) continues to delay her decision of starting her own restaurant with a developer or partnering with Carmy in The Bear. Episode four delves into that indirectly. I wondered where the episode was going, but it gives us the why for delaying her decision.

Episodes feel so quick at only thirty minutes, always leaving me wanting more. Despite the run time this creates so many moments that give the actors a chance to emote. We read into their emotions, watching their eyes and knowing how they feel and their hopes. That's what separates this show from the others. It's not just the artistry and composition, it lingers on the right moments.

Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach play Carmy, Richie

Carmy finally relents and agrees to a set menu. He was chasing something, challenging himself to the detriment of the restaurant. With a set menu they can save money purchasing produce. It's nice to see the restaurant and staff doing well.

Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) took over The Beef takeout window. This season he's creating opportunity and gets a mentor who suggests he not go bigger but keep it small and create multiple locations.

In episode seven all of the Berzatto's are in one spot at the wedding for Richie's ex. We wonder if that will create tension as they don't always get along. Despite misgivings, Richie and his ex's husband get to have a nice moment. It also reflects how much Richie has matured since season one.

Liza Colón-Zayas, Ayo Edebiri, Sarah Ramos, Corey Hendrix, Rene Gube, Jeremy Allen White play 
Tina, Sydney, Jess, Sweeps, Rene, Carmy

Throughout the season the clock that Uncle Jimmy introduced in episode one has counted down to the final moment. It's always creating tension, this tangible push throughout the season as the staff see it counting down in the kitchen. It's an ominous moment that's ever present. They must succeed.

This feels like the final season. We're getting conclusions and payoffs to a lot of arcs, and it's wrapping stories. Carmy's partnership agreement was introduced in season three. We know he changes it at some point this season, and in the next to last episode we find out how.

I'd like more resolution, something definitive to this season, but it is a conclusion. It's a suitable payoff to the season. While it doesn't hit the highs of season two, it's a solid send off to the show. While FX has renewed it for a fifth season, the lingering question is when they'll be able to get the cast together. That, and trying to prolong the series may undermine what's been created.