‘The Bear’ Review: FX/Hulu’s Culinary Dramedy Stalls Out With a Muted Fourth Season

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In FX/Hulu’s The Bear, time is an unyielding factor, persistently moving forward regardless of how hard our characters strive to resist or delay it. Waking alarms tug sleepy workers from their slumber, kitchen timers dictate their work in precise milliseconds. An “Every Second Counts” notice serves both as a motivator and a reminder of the consequences, while close by, a large clock ticks off the minutes until the restaurant faces financial ruin; at the start of season four, it stands at 1,440 hours, roughly equivalent to two months.

Despite the passage of time, progress isn’t always bound to move forward. Previously, The Bear appeared almost too energetic — filled with tension and thriving on chaos, ready to challenge and astonish. However, its recent performance gives off an impression of a show that has been drained from the strain of trying to exceed its own achievements. Instead of advancing or delving deeper, it seems to be returning to familiar ground as it readies itself, perhaps, for a permanent rest.

Over time, The Bear doesn’t always keep moving forward. Earlier, it was full of energy and excitement — thriving on chaos and eager to surprise. But now, its latest performance feels like a tired show that has given all it had trying to outdo itself. Instead of pushing further or exploring more, it seems to be returning to familiar grounds as if preparing for a permanent break.

It’s challenging to determine how much the feeling of exhaustion comes from creator Christopher Storer and his team versus simply reflecting their protagonist, Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White), because they have consistently linked the series closely with Carmy’s psychological state. Regardless of the cause, we as viewers often pick up on this atmosphere either way.

In the beginning of season four, Carmy finds himself drifting into thoughts reminiscent of the movie “Groundhog Day”, identifying far too strongly with sentiments such as: “What if each day were repetitive, and no action seemed to make a difference?

He’s still grappling with anger and grief, still susceptible to self-harm and self-destruction, and growing increasingly desperate to escape the cycles that have ensnared him. It’s understandable if you find yourself saying “Here we go again” when Carmy talks about his feelings of guilt over his brother Mikey’s (Jon Bernthal) death, or when he vows to do better-but-really-this-time – after all, it must be exhausting for him to find himself back in this situation. It can seem impossible to heal from our deepest wounds and move forward.

In some sense, it’s natural and delightful that a cherished series in its fourth season feels somewhat familiar. If the previous season was like The Bear’s “chaotic menu,” filled with bold, experimental combinations, this one is more like the consistent menu Carmy eventually settles on – a mix of classic favorites streamlined to their core elements. It’s comforting to be back with the lively staff we’ve spent countless hours with, immersed in their professional banter and heated arguments, slipping back into the rhythm of Storer and Josh Senior’s unique and cool rock soundtrack.

We’re excitedly expecting an extended episode filled with numerous celebrity appearances, surpassing previous episodes in length and star power, running for 69 minutes. This installment will also feature a brief spin-off focusing on a character outside the restaurant, specifically Syd (Ayo Edebiri), who takes a break from her usual duties to visit her cousin Chantel’s (Danielle Deadwyler). During this visit, Syd gets her hair braided and spends quality time bonding with Chantel’s daughter TJ (Arion King) over the course of a half-hour segment.

However delightful it feels to return, it’s hard not to perceive a sense of immobility creeping in – almost like Carmy’s struggle to progress is causing everyone else to be stuck as well.

The glimpse into Syd’s private world is appreciated, but she seems torn throughout the season regarding the same opportunity presented to her previously, which involves joining forces with a rival chef (Adam Shapiro). Richie persistently holds onto the restaurant as his life’s mission, all while expressing discontent over his ex (Gillian Jacobs) finding remarriage. Natalie oscillates between scrutinizing financial reports and yearning for Carmy to show more interest in her newborn. Meanwhile, Tina repeatedly prepares the same pasta dish in an attempt to save time on preparation.

Currently, the initial excitement that marked earlier seasons has noticeably faded. Despite the team’s best efforts to balance the budget, there hasn’t been a moment quite as thrilling as season one’s “Review”, season two’s “Fishes”, or season three’s “Next”. Richie continues to advocate for excessive hospitality, even going so far as creating a fake snowstorm for out-of-town guests. However, the bond The Bear once shared with its customers, the Chicago community, and the fine dining world has grown distant and theoretical, as the series increasingly focuses on its internal struggles.

Despite the delightful culinary experiences in the show, they too are affected by a subtle form of pleasure-loss. In the opening flashback, Carmy expresses his fondness for restaurants to Mikey, and the significant word here is “memories.” As the story progresses, instances where characters genuinely enjoy food – cooking it, eating it, even imagining innovative recipes – have become less frequent. However, Carmy’s affection for food remains his main form of expression, as demonstrated by his approving smile at Marcus’ dessert or the French Laundry chicken dish he gives to his estranged mother as a peace offering. It’s noticeable that the camera doesn’t focus on Carmy preparing the dish or eating it.

The cast of “The Bear” has expanded and grown more profound with every passing year, as evidenced by the recent addition of kitchen team members Jess (Sarah Ramos) and Luca (Will Poulter). Occasionally, the series also explores different viewpoints; for example, we continue to witness Syd preparing Hamburger Helper for a hungry TJ, since Syd, unlike Carmy, has not yet lost her inner vitality.

However, it’s often Carmy’s emotional state that predominantly shapes the atmosphere, and his psychology that forms the central motifs. Numerous discussions in this season revolve around the hidden feelings of worry, fear, or self-hatred within characters mirroring those of Carmy, causing one to ponder: Could it be true for all of us? Aren’t there other compelling themes like personal ambitions, fears, aspirations, or instincts that deserve exploration? Must a profound understanding of him overshadow the development of other captivating storylines such as Tina’s quest for perfection, Marcus’ dedication to his artistry, the playful chemistry between Richie and Jess, or Syd and Luca’s relationship? Is there any more depth to our examination of Carmy’s suffering that remains to be uncovered?

At the close of the season, it appears as though Carmy himself is exhausted by Carmy’s responsibilities. “I’ve got nothing left to give,” he concedes, appealing for Syd’s comprehension. The Carmy who once firmly governed The Bear with unbending rules now wishes to let go of control. The Carmy who has devoted his entire life to this craft questions if he has lost his passion for it. The Carmy so consumed by his own suffering that he failed to notice its impact on others has finally acknowledged that they too are feeling pain.

It appears that Carmy, who was once stuck in a refrigerator, now thinks he’s discovered a method to open the door – either to free himself or allow others entry before time runs out and he becomes permanently frozen. In an unexpected twist reminiscent of Ted Lasso’s strategies, the fourth season concludes with a note that may signify the end of everything, a shift towards stories focusing less on Carmy, or simply a momentary pause before regular programming resumes. If the series does carry on, let’s hope it takes its inspiration from its central character one last time, and explores the possibility that The Bear could encompass something far beyond just this one individual.

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2025-06-26 09:25