Dave Nemetz Reviews The Bear: Hulu's Culinary Dramedy Finds a Recipe That Works in a Resurgent Season 4
Throughout the new season of The Bear, Carmy and his staff are preoccupied with getting a bad review — and that feels kind of meta, doesn't it?
After a pair of acclaimed seasons, Hulu's pressure cooker of a dramedy returned last summer for a Season 3 that felt like a letdown, with fans and critics (like me) wondering if The Bear had lost that unique flavor that drew us in. Well, like any good restaurant reviewer, I've returned to see if my evaluation holds up, and I'm happy to say that the flavor is back in full force in Season 4 (now streaming; I've seen all 10 episodes). Season 4 is an absolute triumph, right up there with Season 2 in terms of quality, shaking off the doldrums by tapping into a powerful emotional resonance and rediscovering what made this show so great in the first place.
More from TVLine
Sarah Michelle Gellar Wants to Bring Back Every Dead Buffy Character in Reboot - Who Do You Want to Return?
Sterling K. Brown's Washington Black: Watch First Trailer for Hulu Adventure Event Series
Dave Nemetz Reviews Countdown: Amazon's High-Octane Action Thriller Is Peak Dad TV, for Better or Worse
Season 4 picks up right where we left off, with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and his restaurant getting a crucial review in the local paper — and it's decidedly mixed, with the reviewer dinging them for inconsistent food and service. Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) is turning the screws on Carmy as well, putting a big clock in the kitchen that counts down the hours until their funding runs out. (The ticking clock gives Season 4 a sense of urgency that was sorely lacking last season.) Life gets in the way, too, of course, with Carmy, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) all dealing with an avalanche of relationship crises that take their attention off the food… for a while, anyway. The Bear has always been really astute in observing the fragile balance between work life and home life, and that balance is front and center in Season 4.
There's a spark here that we didn't see in Season 3: less mournful brooding and more kinetic action. From Carmy's romance with Claire to Sydney's role in the restaurant hierarchy, Season 4 resolves things that should have been resolved last season, which leads me to ask: What was the purpose of Season 3, exactly? That season was spinning its wheels, narratively speaking, but in Season 4, those wheels hit the ground and take off. Yes, there are contemplative moments here, too, which is good, because The Bear excels at those. But thankfully, the storytelling arrow points forward this time, giving the characters fresh depth and complexity.
Season 4 offers a veritable buffet of highlights, including an emotionally charged confrontation between Carmy and Claire, a side quest for Sydney that gives Edebiri some of her best material yet and a sprawling ensemble episode in the mold of Season 2's 'Fishes' that clocks in at over an hour but flies by. (It has another top-secret star cameo to boot). This season really leans into the acting, too, with extended scenes of dialogue that feel raw and improvised and real, culminating in a powerhouse finale that delivers the kind of exhilarating catharsis that The Bear does so well.
Is it a comedy, though? Based on Season 4, not really — but that's OK. There are definitely funny elements in each episode, with Moss-Bachrach finding new and novel ways for Richie to curse in every scene. (The infamous Fak brothers are still around, but their goofy antics have been tastefully reined in.) It may not be a 'comedy' in any sense outside the Emmys, but The Bear is one of TV's best shows, in any genre, and this season reaffirms that. If I had a Michelin star to hand out, I'd give it one.
THE TVLINE BOTTOM LINE: If s previous season was a letdown, Season 4 is a triumphant return to form, with raw emotion and beautiful performances.
Season 4 of is now streaming on Hulu; if you've already started watching, grade the season in our poll, and give us your tasting notes in a comment below.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
What to know about the next James Bond movie now that Denis Villeneuve will direct it
In the 50-plus years of James Bond, the wait between films has never gone longer than six years. The next entry, and first since Daniel Craig's dramatic exit, may test that — but things are speeding up. On Wednesday, Amazon MGM Studio announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th Bond movie, putting the franchise in the hands of one of the most respected big-budget filmmakers. Here's what to know about that decision, and where things stand for 007. From 'Dune' to Bond Villeneuve, the 57-year-old French Canadian director, edged out other filmmakers who were reportedly eyed for the gig, including Edward Berger ('Conclave') and Paul King ('Paddington 2'). Since emerging with 2010's 'Incendies,' Villeneuve has established himself as a steward of cinematic IP ('Blade Runner 2049,' 'Dune') and a specialist in dark, doom-laden spectacle ('Sicaro,' 'Arrival'). 'James Bond is in the hands of one of today's greatest filmmakers,' said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. The culmination for Villeneuve has been the 'Dune' films. His first two entries have surpassed $1 billion in box office and gathered a combined 15 Academy Award nominations, winning seven. Villeneuve is expected to begin shooting the third 'Dune' film this summer, with a cast including Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Zendaya and Javier Bardem. 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory,' said Villeneuve. 'I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.' What's the timetable? Amazon, which bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $8.5 billion, hasn't set a release date yet or announced a screenwriter. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are shepherding the movie for the first time. In February, Amazon MGM Studios secured creative control of the franchise from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, whose family has presided over Bond since the first film, 1962's 'Dr. No.' The most likely timing would be production starting in 2026 and the film being released sometime in 2027. Who's in the mix? No new 007 has been named, but that hasn't stopped rumors and conjecture from running rampant. It's pure speculation buts oddsmakers have a few expected contenders for the martini-sipping role. Those include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Aaron Pierre, Henry Cavill, James Norton and Jack Lowden. Expectations are that the new Bond will remain male and British, but producers have said nothing publicly to tip their hand. Whoever it is will have big shoes to fill. In his five-film, 15-year stretch in the tuxedo, Daniel Craig was widely seen as one of the best Bonds, including the high point of 'Skyfall' (2012) and the swan song of 'No Time to Die' (2021). New corporate overloads with something to prove Since Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli obtained the movie rights to Ian Fleming's books, James Bond has been a family business. That didn't change after Amazon bought MGM, but it did earlier this year when Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli agreed to let the studio take creative control. That handoff stoked concern from many Bond fans that 007 would be picked apart for spinoffs, series and the kind of intellectual property strip mining Hollywood has been known for in other franchises like 'Star Wars.' So far, though, Amazon MGM has made no announcement about any spinoffs, and is prioritizing the 26th Bond movie.
Forbes
29 minutes ago
- Forbes
Who Will Play Denis Villeneuve's James Bond? Here Are The Top Choices
Aaron Pierre in Rebel Ridge It was announced on Wednesday that directing legend Denis Villeneuve would be the first James Bond director under the new Amazon reign, diving into the lore of the legendary secret agent some time after his next Dune movie. Or his third Dune movie? Or one of the other projects he's supposedly working on? The timeline is a bit unclear here. Villeneuve is a surprising choice for the spot, albeit he has effectively never made a bad film, and any franchise would be lucky to have him. It is somewhat notable that fellow directing icon Christopher Nolan has repeatedly talked about doing a Bond movie, but it's now gone to Villeneuve here (not that Nolan isn't insanely busy). The reveal of Villeneuve as director did not come with an announcement about who would be cast as James Bond, post-Daniel Craig, with not even a sense of if he's doing a younger or older Bond. But we have had a decade of rumors about who would be taking up the role, and I thought I'd go through the choices that came up most often. I do not believe they'll be doing the once-pitched concept of a woman James Bond, so I'm not listing potential actresses for that idea here. Rather, the guys are: Idris Elba - It feels like the suave, storied actor has been the top theoretical choice since I was in high school, though even he says the moment may have passed, as the actor is 52 now and this would just be the beginning of his Bond career. But I'm not sure I buy that, as Daniel Craig is now 57 and no one was complaining about that. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: Idris Elba attends the global premiere of Paramount+ series "Knuckles" ... More on April 16, 2024 in London, England. Knuckles will be streaming exclusively on Paramount+ (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+) Henry Cavill - You are not going to find anyone else on this list that looks more like the quintessential Bond, interesting because Cavill also looked like the quintessential Superman. Cavill is wrapped up in some big projects however, like a giant Warhammer concept with Amazon he's passionate about. But he's expressed interest in the role. MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: British actor Henry Cavill attends "The Witcher" season 2 premiere at ... More Kinepolis Cinema on December 9, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juanfor Netflix) Aaron Taylor-Johnson - He's had back-to-back hits in the form of Nosferatu and now 28 Years Later (we'll ignore Kraven for the moment). He's recently been brought up as a possible choice for the part. I could see it. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Aaron Taylor-Johnson attends the 'Nocturnal Animals' Headline Gala ... More screening during the 60th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo byfor BFI) Theo James - Honestly, this is my pick. The Gentleman and White Lotus actor is young and a rising star and I absolutely think he's got the right kind of look and charisma to reinvent the role yet again. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: Theo James and Meghann Fahy attend the 29th Annual Screen ... More Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Taron Egerton - He's been rumored for Wolverine and now rumored for James Bond after his breakout role in The Kingsman, but more recently starring in one of the most popular Netflix movies in history, Carry-On. Maybe him? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Taron Egerton attends the Los Angeles premiere of Apple TV+ new ... More show "Black Bird" at Regency Bruin Theatre on June 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic) Richard Madden - The ex-Game of Thrones star is another younger choice who looks the part, but his last turn in a big spy role in Amazon's Citadel did not go great. I don't think he's the one. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Richard Madden attends the "Eternals" UK Premiere at the BFI IMAX ... More Waterloo on October 27, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) Robert Pattinson - He's rumored for a role in a Villeneuve Dune role, but some are wondering if the actor who notoriously chooses widely diverse roles might be a good choice here. But I'm not even sure he'd want it? NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Robert Pattinson attends "The Batman" World Premiere on March 01, ... More 2022 in New York City. (Photo by) Aaron Pierre - He's easily the most recent, prominent rumor about who's being considered for Bond. You just have to watch Rebel Ridge on Netflix to know he's got the charisma (and he is actualy English). He's currently the DCU's Green Lantern as well, landing that part a month after Rebel Ridge. This would be the ultimate rising star moment for him. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Aaron Pierre attends the Los Angeles Special Screening of ... More Netflix's "Rebel Ridge" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Are there more? Sure, but these are the biggest names that have been considered over the years. Will Villeneuve go for any of them, or surprise us with an outside-the-box pick? Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Forbes
29 minutes ago
- Forbes
Who Is Francie Fak On ‘The Bear'—And Why Does Natalie Hate Her So Much?
Abby Elliott as Natalie in The Bear The Bear is known for its exciting guest stars every season, including Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cena, John Mulaney, Will Poulter and more. However, it can be tough to keep track of the Berzattos' extended family and close friends, such as the Faks, who are deeply intertwined in their lives and The Bear. The Bear returned for its fourth season on June 25, marking a new chapter for FX's acclaimed culinary drama. The restaurant is not only recovering after the disappointing Chicago Tribune review but is also literally racing against the clock to earn a Michelin star. Uncle Jimmy and Computer are ready to close the restaurant and pull all funds if they fail. The next chapter includes the return of fan-favorite character and Carmy's sister Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto. She played a pivotal role in getting The Bear restaurant up and running in the previous two seasons, even while pregnant (she gave birth in Season 3, Episode 8 'Ice Chips"). Now, she's on maternity leave and is still managing the finances and logistics of The Bear from afar. In Season 4, Sugar has a visibly emotional reaction when the name "Francie" is brought up, first by her husband. If you're unsure who Francie is, don't worry. Before Season 4, all we knew was that something had happened between them, but not exactly what. Two seasons later, viewers are finally getting more insight into their mysterious feud. Francie even appears in person to hash things out with Natalie in Episode 7. Keep reading to find out who Francie is and why Natalie despises her so much. Who Is Francie Fak? Francie is a member of the Fak family and the sister of Neil, Ted and Sammy. The Faks are close friends with the Berzattos. Before Season 4, Francie was only referenced by name, and the way Natalie speaks about her makes it apparent that something pretty bad happened between them, causing their fallout. Fans may recall that in Season 2's iconic Christmas episode, "Fishes," Cousin Michelle asks the family why Francie isn't at the party. The brothers then explain that Francie isn't allowed to be there because Natalie refuses to be in the same room with her. 'She's mad as hell. She's angry,' Neil says of Natalie's resentment toward his sister. ''Cause of the thing…' 'Still, huh?' Michelle replies. There was no mention of Francie in Season 3, leaving viewers wondering if they'd get answers about what happened with Natalie and which actor might portray Francie in the future. Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Bear Season 4. What Does Natalie Say About Francie In Season 4? In Season 4, Episode 2, Natalie's husband Pete mentions to her that he ran into Francie at the gym, making her very upset. "She can go f*ck," Nat says, before asking if she looked hot. When Pete hesitantly tries to answer, she warns him to "be very careful" before saying, "Don't answer that," and mocking Francie's message of trying to say hi to her. Later, she contemplates sending a text to Francie, and it's clear from their past messages that they consider each other 'dead' to one another. She begins typing the sentence 'Please go f*ck,' but doesn't send the text. Instead, she's interrupted by an unexpected call from Carmy, who apologizes for not having met her baby Sophie yet. In Episode 6, while at the resturant, Neil Fak asks Natalie if she ever thinks about Francie. 'No, she can go f*ck,' she answers. He then reveals to her that he asked Tiff to invite Francie to the wedding. Natalie accuses Neil of betraying her and says she can't even look at him. 'You have devastated me!' she yells. Later, she tells The Bear crew that Francie 'knows what she did.' Who Plays Francie Fak In The Bear? Brie Larson at the Giorgio Armani RTW Spring 2025 fashion show held at the Park Avenue Armory on ... More October 17, 2024 in New York, New York. (Photo by John Nacion/WWD via Getty Images) Francie Fak is finally introduced in the fourth season of The Bear, and she's played by Academy Award winner Brie Larson. The Fak sister makes her debut in Season 4, Episode 7, at Tiffany and Frank's wedding. As soon as Francie walks in, the two waste no time going at it. Throughout the hour-long episode, Natalie and Francie trade verbal jabs – but amidst their bickering, viewers (kinda?) learn what may have caused the major rift between them. So, What Really Happened Between Francie And Natalie? Natalie tells Francie that she can "apologize whenever, you know that?' before they start throwing profanities at each other. Natalie eventually rambles on about what appears to be the origin of their feud – a house party. 'First of all, it wasn't even your house, okay?' she says, before complaining that there was 'whipped cream was everywhere,' and that Francie was really drunk, and 'I didn't know how to start the car…' In her defense, Francie says that 'It was raining, the bus was going to leave,' and then adds that "there were no cell phones then!' As they continue shouting at each other, Pete steps in and tries to separate Sugar and Francie. That's when Ted interjects, 'Pete's in denial about these two hooking up." Pete looks at them and says, 'You two did not hook up,' Natalie and Francie slowly stare at eachother awkwardly, hinting that they might have, in fact, hooked up. 'Well….' Natalie says, while Ted is laughing. Do Francie And Natalie Finally Settle Their Beef? Yes, Francie and Natalie are able to sit down and express how they truly feel. 'I think about you a lot,' Francie says to her at dinner. 'I do miss you, and I really hope that you're happy, and that you have someone who loves you.' 'I think about you too,' Natalie responds, reciprocating her feelings. 'I think about how smart you are. How hard you work. How funny you are. And I just think, 'Holy sh*t, she's probably doing something great.'" "Francie, you wanna maybe try and be friends?" Natalie eventually asks her. When Francie responds "Yeah," Natalie makes sure she's not lying and asks one more question, "And you won't f-ck me over?" Francie assures her old friend that won't be the case. "No, I will not f*ck you over Natalie," and they hug each other. The Bear Season 4 is streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Watch the official trailer below.
