THE BEAR: SEASON FOUR
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Ricky Staffieri, Corey Hendrix, and Oliver Platt
Creator: Christopher Storer
QUENTIN
After the disappointing third season, The Bear returns to form with a renewed focus and time-driven narrative that creates a greater feeling of cohesion. The performances are as awards-worthy as they ever were, but the exploration of family — chosen and otherwise — and the consequences of one’s choices, especially in the face of trauma, humanizes the characters in ways that were often attempted unsuccessfully last season. Despite a Season Five renewal, it feels as though this could be the beginning of the end for Carmy (Jeremy Allen White). Or maybe it’s a terrific reset for the character. Either way, welcome back to one of television’s best shows.
AMARÚ
It’s nice to be with family again. Season Three’s experiment was artistic, but unquestionably disappointing, so getting back to The Bear’s basics is a refreshing return to greatness. This isn’t a retread though, aside from great actors continuing to act their asses off. While the first two seasons were absolute chaos for the viewer to witness, Season Four calms down the hectic cacophony, utilizing director Christopher Storer’s perfectly maneuvered close-ups and zoom-ins to bring us inside the train wreck. This season is more personal, with Ayo Edebiri’s Sydney benefiting the most, yet the entire ensemble shines because of this beautifully balanced and emotional 10 episodes.
ROBERT
While there was a quality dip, I never thought it was significant enough to consider Season Three of The Bear a failure. That being said, you can tell there was a recommitment in Season Four to get off the singular focus of restaurant success and keep the characters' relationships, as it relates to their shared workplace, as this season’s crux. I was particularly taken with the message that no matter our life experiences, we are connected and more alike than we would ever care to admit. The writing, the acting, the production design, and the heart of The Bear can never be replicated, as it’s as close to real therapy as we can get in superb entertainment.
