That Shocking Season 4 Finale Twist Is the Best Decision The Bear Has Ever Made

This article discusses, in depth, the events of The Bear’s Season 4 finale.

poor Sydney Adamu finds herself in a difficult predicament. Portrayed brilliantly by Ayo Edebiri, Sydney’s struggle is one of the standout aspects of the fourth season of The Bear. For months she has wrestled with the decision to leave The Bear – a restaurant that represents her dreams yet also embodies chaos and stress – for a steadier, less taxing position in another kitchen. However, as she ponders this choice, her father is admitted to the hospital due to a heart attack. Just when Sydney believes she has made up her mind to commit to The Bear by signing her partnership agreement, she is struck with another shock: Carmy has revised the contract to name only Uncle Jimmy, Sugar, and herself as co-owners. Essentially, he’s preparing for his departure from the restaurant.

The intricacies of this decision, though startling yet not entirely unforeseen given Carmy’s apparent decline in his once all-consuming work, are thoroughly discussed in an outstanding finale that stands among the best episodes of a season otherwise marked by stagnation. Entirely set in the alleyway outside The Bear, it features a long-anticipated showdown between Carmy and Syd, with Richie entering the mix halfway through. Despite his pledge to remain until the restaurant recovers financially, there are strong indications that Carmy is planning to depart. If The Bear ‘s creator Christopher Storer follows through with this upheaval, it could be just what the show requires to break free from its two-season slump.

In my own words, I’m standing there, leaning against the fence outside the kitchen door, utterly drained. Carmy steps out of the doorway, noticing I hadn’t spoken to him during service. “You didn’t talk to me all service,” he says. The reason for my silence was learning about his plan to hand over The Bear to a lawyer, who coincidentally is Sugar’s husband and Carmy’s brother-in-law. He claims it’s the best move for the restaurant, but denies that he’s quitting. “We have to put the restaurant first,” he says. From my point of view, his actions seem like abandoning a struggling business whose financial troubles he helped create (finding new ingredients daily is costly). He thinks he’s chosen the right moment to leave, now that a solid team is in place. Then Carmy clarifies why he feels he must go: “I did this so I didn’t have to do other things.” Essentially, he’s been drowning himself in work because he couldn’t cope with the weight of being a person with a life and relationships outside cooking. I could really use a cigarette right now.

She owes an admission of her own betrayal. Ever since Adam Shapiro’s name flashed up on Carmy’s phone, we knew he was aware that she nearly abandoned ship. Now, he confronts her about it, and she offers an apology, albeit a half-hearted one: “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but you were acting like a madman.” Absolutely fair! In the most emotional scene of the season, she finally lets loose on Carmy, having silently endured much of his destructive behavior: “I’m sorry it came to this. And I’m sorry for everything that you’ve experienced… I’m truly sorry that your family has had to endure all this mess, and the fact that you, Nat, Richie, and everyone else have to keep working through it every day… But when you vent your frustration on the restaurant, the employees, the business, and me, it’s overwhelming.

The speech given by a character named Syd is particularly captivating due to the same traits that some viewers find frustrating about another character, Carmy – his self-centeredness, melancholy, and tendency to dominate conversations – are also what make Carmy’s character so central in the show. Following Carmen Berzatto through her grief journey over her brother Mikey’s suicide for four seasons feels like being stuck in a rut, repeating the same actions without much progress. Instead, many viewers believe Syd should be the main focus because she possesses qualities that Carmy lacks – empathy, compassion, leadership, and motivation. Carmy acknowledges this, saying “You’re everything I’m never gonna be… You are The Bear.” Although Syd may not be ready to accept this yet, it accurately describes her potential as the show’s protagonist and the savior of the establishment.

I didn’t understand how you lost someone too.

In simpler terms, Carmy’s self-realization causes Richie to step back from his aggressive stance towards him. They both express remorse over the loss of Mikey and acknowledge harboring resentment towards each other. Carmy is envious of Richie’s family bond, while Richie regrets not having a blood relative and remembers dreaming about having a purpose like Carmy’s (as symbolized by his purchase of a cookbook). This is why Richie struggles to understand Carmy’s early retirement. Carmy tries to clarify that he doesn’t know who he is beyond the kitchen, but in reality, he is emotionally stunted to the point where he neglects his potential girlfriend, Claire, for extended periods, only to unexpectedly show up at her door late at night.

In essence, Syd, who had been mainly observant during this tentative reconciliation process, finally voices her thoughts. She proposes that The Bear consider making Richie a partner as well. This seems fitting, given that he’s contributed just as much effort to the restaurant as anyone else. It’s clear that he’s not only won over diners with his charm but also found his passion in the hospitality industry, demonstrated by his relentless pursuit of motivational quotes for his team. Initially, Richie hesitates but eventually accepts the offer enthusiastically: “Yes, Chef Sydney, it’s a tremendous honor.” This development is heartening to see, given Richie’s struggles with divorce, grief, and self-doubt, and his transformation into a man who can genuinely wish his ex and her new partner well.

In the last part of the episode, sugar’s arrival confirms everything, right before the season concludes on a screen showing Uncle Jimmy’s timer reaching zero. The Bear still faces many hurdles as it has managed to avoid disaster but hasn’t yet found stability—and for The Bear, constructing an engaging plot has been tough this season due to the focus on stemming financial losses. However, Storer seems to be grasping that with Carmy at its heart, the series will continue to circle aimlessly.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that Jeremy Allen White’s captivating portrayal as the brooding short king on “The Bear” has been commendable, even if his character becomes increasingly frustrating. However, for the show to regain its former glory, it seems essential to undergo a significant transformation in tone. With Carmy gradually stepping back from the restaurant, I eagerly anticipate Syd taking over not just the menu but also the limelight.

In addition to Richie’s ownership stake and hopefully a renewed focus on Season 5 about the stories of kitchen personnel like Marcus and Tina, Syd’s rise would underscore a message that “The Bear” has been trying to convey, albeit with varying degrees of success: A remarkable restaurant is not solely the product of a single superstar chef who demands obedience from his team. Instead, it can only be the outcome of a gifted ensemble working in unison.

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2025-06-26 15:07

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