The Bear: Season 4

Finished Season 4 of The Bear.

After the completely hollow third season, this feels like a major step back toward the strengths of the first two. Far from perfect — but definitely a marked improvement.

Still, you can’t shake the feeling that the story’s being stretched way more than it needs to be. Some characters keep going in circles, others just pop up in the background every now and then. Take Tina’s entire season arc, for example — she spends ten episodes struggling to boil pasta on time. Sugar is all but forgotten, and Claire’s storyline is fragmented beyond belief. Will Poulter’s presence as Luca feels like it exists solely for the sake of saying Will Poulter is in the show.

There’s finally some progress in the main character — Carmy. He’s still the ambassador of chaos and anxiety, but at least now he’s trying to deal with it. Awkwardly, yes, but he’s trying. Sidney’s arc as co-lead, however, feels underwhelming: her central dilemma stretches across nearly the whole season, yet from the beginning, we as viewers already know exactly how it’ll end.

Some episodes flirt with repetition, but to the show’s credit, they manage to withstand the pressure and become highlights. Episode 7 — a chaotic hour-long family gathering with the Berzattos — may be cheesy as hell, but it makes you feel something.The finale, staged in a single location, isn’t particularly a genius idea, but the cast sells it — making it feel as though the ticking clock isn’t just tied to the fictional restaurant, but to the show itself. If they don’t give it their all, they won’t get another season.

They will, of course. And Season 5 no longer feels like a looming burden — but it’s probably time to start wrapping things up.

7.5/10