Katarzyna Petru
Spoiler-Free Review
The fourth season of "The Bear" is a groundbreaking season – though not necessarily spectacular. After the cool 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 does not abandon introspection or its characteristic kitchen tension, but finally starts to breathe easy – 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 devastating media review, the team faces the specter 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 pour more money into the business. However, unlike the previous season, this ticking mechanism is no longer just a decoration – it gains drama and directs the actions of the characters. The series begins to ask questions not only about whether they will manage to keep the restaurant open, but also why they are actually fighting for its survival.
Heroes Return to the Center
The biggest change – and the biggest victory of the fourth season – is that the show finally opens up to the full breadth of its cast. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), who has been sidelined in many previous episodes, gets her own storyline that 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, but finally has enough screen time to resonate.
Similarly, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) – previously just an ordinary background character – now develops his own path that transcends 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 in the team.
Secondary characters cease to be just an addition – they begin to be co-creators. As a result, the entire world of “The Bear” becomes less hermetic and more balanced.
Carmy takes a step back – and benefits from it
Carmy, while still present at the center of events, is losing his monopoly on the emotional narrative. This is a good thing. In the previous season, his breakdown consumed almost all the screen time, leaving other characters in the shadows. This time, it is clear that both Carmy himself – and the creators of the series – are learning to take lessons. The character begins to recognize the consequences of his egocentrism, he stops being an infallible boss and – most importantly – allows others to have a voice. This is a subtle but important change that signals a possible maturation of this character, even if it does not occur in a spectacular fashion.
Less Tension, More Breathing
On a technical level, “The Bear” continues to impress with its consistency of style and rhythm, although the fourth season consciously slows the pace. The dynamic editing gives way to longer shots that allow the characters and emotions to resonate in silence. The camera – often handheld and close to the faces – follows the characters not only physically but also psychologically, sensitively capturing micro gestures, hesitations, and tensions. The color palette remains slightly muted and natural, as if the series aims 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 more breathing room, greater trust in the audience and the actors. The directors of individual episodes are given more freedom here, and the music, as always, underscores emotions without being intrusive – at times it almost becomes absent, and when it returns, it does so with full justification.
“The Bear” was filmed in a 2.00:1 format, which gives it a slightly cinematic character while maintaining the intimacy of television. The footage was shot with ARRI Alexa Mini LF cameras in 4K resolution, using anamorphic lenses that lend the image softness and cinematic depth. The visual style remains raw and naturalistic – with a slight grain, a restrained color palette, and deliberately limited lighting. The series balances between chaos and calm, and the handheld camera closely follows 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 problems. Some storylines are too prolonged, others seem too familiar. The series still tends to be repetitive – some dilemmas return almost in the same form, as if time has stopped for certain characters. But this time, these repetitions are no longer the only narrative fuel – they serve as a starting point for small changes. And while it’s hard to talk about 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 signs of closure. The recent 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 is no grand finale with fireworks – instead, we get a soft landing that leaves room for continuation but does not force it. It is a quiet culmination, where the most important aspect is not what happens, but who arrives at this point with whom and in what emotional state. If this is indeed the end, it is a mature, coherent, and hopeful ending – without drama, but with sensitivity.
Word at the end...
Season 4 of “The Bear” is not so much a grand return as a quiet reset – perhaps even the most mature season in the series' 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 is not a revolution yet – but perhaps it is just the step before a revolution: thoughtful, conscious, and communal. If “The Bear” continues down this path, it will not only survive – it may even surprise us.
Season 4 of “The Bear” available on Disney+ from June 25, 2025.
