Katarzyna Petru
Review without plot spoilers
The fourth season of “The Bear” is a breakthrough season – although not necessarily spectacular. After the tepid reception of the third installment, which got bogged down in repetitive monologues and the emotional chaos of the main character, the new series seems to regain its rhythm. It doesn't shy away from introspection or the kitchen tension it's known for, but it finally starts to breathe freely – giving more space to the team and allowing the show to stop revolving solely around Carmy Berzatto.
Restaurant as a Metaphor – Again with Meaning
The Bear is once again balancing on the brink of collapse – both literally and symbolically. After a crushing media review, the team is grappling with the spectre of closure. The countdown clock appears again... but this time, it’s the money put into the restaurant, imposed by the investor - Jimmy (Oliver Platt), who no longer wants to keep pouring money into the venture. However, unlike the previous season, this ticking mechanism is no longer just a decorative element – it gains drama and directs the characters’ actions. The series begins to ask questions not only about whether they can keep the restaurant afloat, but also why they should fight for its survival.
Heroes Return to the Centre
The biggest change – and the greatest victory of the fourth season – is that the series finally opens up to the full breadth of its cast. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), who has been sidelined for many previous episodes, gets her own storyline, which not only deepens her character but also allows for a better understanding of her motivations. Importantly, this development is neither forced nor unnatural – Sydney doesn’t suddenly become someone completely different; she finally has enough screen time to resonate.
Similarly, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) – previously an ordinary background character – is now developing his own path, the significance of which goes beyond the kitchen and touches on a broader socio-economic context. Even Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), whose role previously oscillated between comedic support and emotional catalyst for Carmy, gains more depth – and a more conscious presence within the team.
Supporting characters stop being just an add-on – they start to become co-creators. As a result, the entire world of “The Bear” becomes less insular and more balanced.
Carmy takes a step back – and gains from it
Carmy, although still at the centre of events, loses his monopoly on the emotional narrative. That's a good thing. In the previous season, his breakdown consumed almost all the screen time, leaving other characters in the shadows. This time, it's clear that both Carmy and the creators of the series are learning to take lessons. The character begins to recognise the consequences of his egocentrism, stops being an infallible boss, and – most importantly – allows others to have a voice. It's a subtle but important change that signals a possible maturation of this character, even if it doesn't happen in a spectacular fashion.
Less Tension, More Breathing
On a technical level, “The Bear” still impresses with its consistent style and sense of rhythm – although the fourth season consciously slows the pace. Dynamic editing gives way to longer shots, allowing characters and emotions to resonate in silence. The camera – often handheld, close to the face – follows the characters not only physically but also psychologically, sensitively capturing micro-gestures, hesitations, and tensions. The colour palette remains slightly muted, natural, as if the series wants to maintain intimacy and realism – without resorting to a television aesthetic. It is still an image immersed in a specific space: the kitchen, the city, memories – but with a greater breath, more trust in the audience and the actors. Directors of individual episodes are given more freedom here, and the music, as always, underscores emotions without being intrusive – at times it becomes almost absent, and when it returns, it does so with full justification.
“The Bear” was filmed in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio, which gives it a slightly cinematic character while maintaining the intimacy of television. The footage was captured using ARRI Alexa Mini LF cameras in 4K resolution, employing anamorphic lenses that impart softness and cinematic depth to the image. The visual style remains raw and naturalistic – with a slight grain, restrained colour palette, and deliberately limited lighting. The series balances between chaos and calm, with the handheld camera closely following the characters, building a sense of authenticity without unnecessary showiness.
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Not everything works, but a lot succeeds
Of course, there are plenty of problems. Some threads are too stretched out, while others feel too familiar. The series can still be repetitive – some dilemmas return almost in the same form, as if time has stopped for certain characters. But this time, these repeats are no longer the only narrative fuel – they are a starting point for small changes. And although it's hard to speak of a major transformation, the fourth season finally gives hope that "The Bear" won't get stuck in its own success, however...
Is it possible that this is the end of the story?
There is no official confirmation yet that this is the final season of "The Bear", but the fourth installment clearly bears the marks of closure. The final episodes feel like a conscious summary – both emotional and structural. The creators gather in one place the most important relationships, allowing the characters to confront what has remained unspoken or blurred in the chaos of everyday life over previous seasons. There's no grand finale with fireworks – instead, we get a soft landing that leaves room for continuation, but doesn't force it. It’s a quiet culmination, where what matters most is not what happens, but who arrives at this place and in what emotional state. If this is indeed the end, it is a mature, coherent, and hopeful conclusion – without drama, but with sensitivity.
Word at the end...
Season 4 of “The Bear” is less a grand return and more a quiet reset – perhaps the most mature season in the show's history. Instead of putting everything on one character and emotional fireworks, it tells a story about the attempt to survive together. The series learns to share attention, trust its characters, and let go of chaos where it is no longer needed. It's not a revolution just yet – but maybe this is how a step before a revolution should be: thoughtful, conscious, collective. If “The Bear” continues down this path, it won't just survive – it might even surprise.
Season 4 of “The Bear” available on Disney+ from 25.06.2025.
