Warning: Spoilers ahead! Do not proceed unless you’ve watched “The Bear” Season 5, including the series finale.
Let it rip.
“The Bear” is finally over, ending the story of Carmen “Carmy” (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and the rest of their team of staffers at the titular Chicago restaurant, The Bear.
In the series finale, they find out that they earned not just one coveted Michelin star, but two.
Season 4 ended with Carmy planning to leave – does he do it in Season 5?
The final season takes place over the course of just one day, for the most part. Only the series finale is set later. So, Carmy hasn’t left, yet. But, he’s no longer in charge. Sydney is steering the ship. When she asks what he plans to do next when he leaves, he said he has “an idea” but will only share “once it’s done.”
In the series finale, Carmy interviews for an internship at an architectural firm (his cousin Stevie, played by John Mulaney, briefly returns, as Carmy’s connection to getting the gig). Carmy isn’t shown getting the job or progressing in his career. The show ends before that can happen, so his future is only hinted at. But, it implies that he’s doing a career pivot.
The restaurant is now a three-way partnership between Sydney, Richie, and Carmy’s sister, Natalie (Abby Elliott).
Richie is expanding his horizons, Natalie tells him about a hospitality conference in Japan, and he confesses that he’s never flown on a plane before. Carmy encourages him to go, calling him an “international businessman.”
Richie also throws a birthday party for his daughter. The show uses that as an opportunity to bring back past big name guest stars like Josh Hartnett (as his daughter’s stepfather) and Bob Odenkirk (as Carmy’s relative). They don’t speak. They’re in the background of the party scene, like “The Bear” is showing off its ability to use big stars as mere extras.
The show ends with Carmy in his office, looking sadly at his text thread with his deceased brother Mikey (Jon Bernthal) before smiling to himself, and Richie flying to Japan for his business trip. Jessica (Sarah Ramos) is with him holding his hand, cementing their budding romance.
Ebra (Edwin Lee Gibson) gets Carmy’s approval for his long-simmering plan to franchise the takeout window. Sydney is thrilled about the Michelin stars, and gets approval from her dad. Everyone ends in a hopeful place. As the credits roll, there’s the sounds of all the family and friends talking and laughing at Richie’s daughter’s birthday party.
Before the series finale, the bulk of the final season follows the team as they prepare for dinner service while a storm rages outside. There’s a hole in the roof, a pipe burst, they don’t have enough money for food, and customers are late to their reservations since the roads are a mess in the rain. Everything is going wrong, but the show must go on.
A lot of the plot is recycled, hitting the same notes as earlier seasons, but at least “The Pitt” style storytelling (setting the whole season in one day) gives it a stronger sense of direction.
“The Bear” has always been a lumpy shapeless show, not quite fitting into one category. It hasn’t developed many characters in its ensemble beyond Carmy, Sydney, and Richie — at least, not enough to claim to be a “character driven” show.
It’s never had much plot either. So, without much happening in the way of character or plot, the show has been largely just a slogan (“Yes chef!”) and the vibes of restaurant work.
The Golden Globes and Emmys continuously nominated it in the comedy category, which became a running joke in Hollywood.
“The Bear” peaked early, and became a critical darling in Seasons 1 and 2, but its reasons for existing have dwindled the longer its continued. It’s been a meal that’s tough to chew on and lacks seasoning.
And yet, the ending wasn’t a flop, like “Euphoria,” or even a lightning rod of controversy, like “Stranger Things.”
The final season didn’t make up for the messy aimlessness of the past few seasons, but it had more of a sense of narrative purpose. In the end, it did try to be more of an ensemble show.
“The Bear” stuck the landing. The final dish was appetizing enough.
Season 5 is now streaming on Hulu.
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