Written by Taylor Memoli
“Why would you keep going?”
Uncle Computer’s sentiment about the struggling restaurant also resonates with FX and Christopher Storer’s hit series The Bear as a whole. Following a not-so-fan-favorite season three, the show has returned with 10 new episodes filled with food, family and chaos. Despite minimal promotion, the talented cast and crew of The Bear aim to prove that storytelling, craft and connection still matter—and they’ve done so quite well this season.
While Season 3 focused on the restaurant, Season 4 shifts more towards the characters. This season is surrounded by one of the most prominent characters of the series: time.
The season opened with the episode “Groundhogs” – referencing the Harold Ramis 1993 film, Groundhog Day – reminding viewers that time is the greatest enemy in this series. The idea is enforced minutes later when Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med) installs a timer that reads “1444:00:00” in the kitchen, which explains the amount of time The Bear has before going broke. With the pressure already on before the second episode, viewers are aware of what they are in for for the next nine episodes.
The Bear wouldn’t be The Bear without its incredible acting performances.
Like every other season, Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri shine brighter than they ever have. Their portrayals are raw and bring their characters of Carmy and Sydney to another level. These two run the show, but they wouldn’t be able to without the support of their fellow cast members. Ebon Moss-Bachrach has completely transformed his character of Richie from the first season. He has beyond humanized Richie, who is now one of this writer’s favorite characters of the series due to Bachrach’s dedication and Storer’s writing. Richie is funny, dedicated, and all-around human. This season also features more screen time for Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Fargo) and Sweeps (Corey Hendrix, The Chi) as the two characters also have their own important storylines that help move the series along and allow audience members to learn more about the two and their dedication to the restaurant.
Season four aims to humanize the staff of The Bear. Cooking is placed on the back burner this season, and the complexity of the episodes and storylines this season prove that. We see returns from series regular guests like Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto and Jon Bernthal as Mikey Berzatto, with a ton more coming in throughout the series. Episode 7, “Bears,” proves this with an insane, almost Avengers: Endgame, lineup of characters and new cast members.
While this season unlocks more personalizing of these characters, it allows for more scenes and storylines taking place in the city of Chicago. Viewers are able to see where these characters spend their time outside of the restaurant (as little as that may be) and what shapes them outside of cooking.
This season’s cinematography and directing hold up throughout the series; Christopher Storer knows his show. This season didn’t feature any one-shot sequences, but it featured steady episodes in one location and episodes focused completely outside the restaurant. Episode 4, titled “Worms,” started the shift in directing as it was written by Ayo Edebiri and Lionel Boyce and directed by Janicza Bravo (Zola, Lemon). The episode focuses on Sydney while immersing viewers into Chicago culture while allowing them to dive into Sydney’s mental and physical well-being.
An element of The Bear that has always been admirable is their music choices. This season took a spin on the usual heavy beat, R.E.M. focused mix. Viewers hear outside genres and artists such as Tom Petty, Elton John, Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen (almost comical, knowing White’s upcoming role as Springsteen in his biopic, Deliver Me from Nowhere). The slowed-down tempos contrast with the ticking of the clock; the soundtrack slows down the show in a way that the characters need.
Where The Bear falls flat this season lies in its comedic scenes, mostly including Sugar (Abby Elliott, Saturday Night Live) and The Faks. While some jokes made by the group will crack you up, between this season and the last, they tend to overdo it. The Bear has already solidified its place in the Outstanding Comedy Series category at The Emmys; they don’t have to keep pushing it. The show’s real humor lies in its dry, situational humor that arises simply from the restaurant environment they are placed in.
Season 3 was chaotic, but Season 4 manages to restore the show’s reputation and set it back on track. The direction Season 5 will take is uncertain, as each season of The Bear takes unexpected paths and introduces storylines that can’t be predicted. But one thing is for sure: the show will contain disorder, yelling, dedication and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it’s about food, family, or the ticking clock of time, The Bear continues to serve something unforgettable with every season. And whatever comes next, we’ll be watching.
