The Bear Has Changed… Just Like It Was Supposed To

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In simpler terms, after releasing a new season that not all fans believe measures up to the highest standards, The Bear – the popular TV show – continues its story with Jeremy Allen White reprising his role as Carmy Berzatto, who’s turned his late brother’s struggling sandwich shop into a high-end restaurant. While Season 3 tested everyone’s limits physically and emotionally, Season 4 offers a new vibe in the kitchen. Some viewers argue that the show has strayed from its original appeal, but many others believe that this season is exactly what The Bear was meant to be.

On June 28th, the fourth season debuted on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally). This 10-episode series garnered generally positive feedback from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 84%. However, it didn’t reach the perfect scores of 100% and 99% that Seasons 1 and 2 achieved. Unfortunately, Season 4 is the most critically panned season, and it also has the lowest audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, at a lowly 52%. Many disappointed viewers are yearning for the intense, chaotic energy and fervor of the original Chicago-based kitchen depicted in the first seasons. However, they seem to be overlooking the true essence of the show.

The Bear Season 4 Demonstrates the Series’s Growth

A common misunderstanding about the show “The Bear” is that it primarily revolves around cooking and food. Indeed, food is one aspect of the series as it takes place in a restaurant, but it’s not the main focus. Essentially, “The Bear” delves into themes of personal development and coping with loss. Throughout the first three seasons, the protagonist, Carmy, was emotionally trapped by his desire to be the world’s best chef, using this ambition to avoid confronting the broken relationship he shared with his deceased brother, Michael (Jon Bernthal). This drive pushed away those close to him, and as revealed in Season 4, it also created hurdles for his own personal growth, rooted in a fear that he would truly achieve his goal.

Following their significant chat in the Season 3 finale with Chef David (Joel McHale), it seemed as though a lightbulb went off in Carmy’s mind, causing him to reassess his emotional development that had been stunted for so long. In Season 4, viewers were introduced to a transformed Carmy – a more refined and compassionate version of himself. Although he may no longer be the daring chef who captivated the culinary scene, he is now undeniably more pleasant company.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must admit that the third season left me yearning for a more cohesive storyline. Compared to seasons one and two, which had clear objectives like saving the sandwich shop and opening The Bear, this latest installment seemed to lack a central narrative thread. Sure, there was a secondary objective of aiming for a star, but it didn’t seem to propel the series forward in a satisfying way.

In many instances, the characters found themselves stuck in their initial dysfunctional positions, with little progress made throughout the season. It felt like we were watching them tread water instead of moving the story forward.

In Season 4, there was a return of the original intensity, yet it deviated from what fans might have expected. Instead of escalating tension and action, viewers encountered an emotional journey focused on redemption.

The Bear Has Always Been About Redemption

As a movie critic diving into the gripping world of “The Bear,” I found myself immersed in the tumultuous dynamic of The Beef of Chicagoland’s unconventional family during Season 1. Characters like the exasperating Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), the testy Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and the headstrong Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) all made their unique marks. Not to forget Pete, the canine soul in a human body played by Chris Witaske. However, Season 2 took it upon itself to breathe new life into certain characters who once seemed beyond redemption.

Pete’s character was enriched by his relationship with Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis). Richie shone in one of the series’ standout episodes, “Forks,” which provided him a fresh direction. Additionally, Carmy discovered how to express his grief openly thanks to Claire (Molly Gordon). The fourth season serves as the payoff for four seasons’ worth of redemption, with characters like Carmy, Sugar (Abby Elliott), and Francie Fak (Brie Larson) all finding some degree of resolution.

If The Bear reverted back to its turbulent past behaviors in Season 4, it would have contradicted the personal advancements the characters made throughout their journeys. Despite the constant pressures of the hospitality industry, the kitchen crew in The Bear learn to manage stress more effectively and healthily in Season 4. As Carmy has consistently emphasized over four seasons, he aims to turn the restaurant into a sanctuary of tranquility. And that’s exactly what we see unfold in Season 4.

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2025-07-09 01:40