A traumatised chef, a review and a cliffhanger: The Bear season 3 ending explained.

The critically acclaimed series The Bear has wrapped up its third season, leaving fans with a mix of emotions and burning questions. 

Created by Christopher Storer, the show follows the journey of Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a talented chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his late brother's sandwich shop. 

Season three delves deeper into Carmy's struggles as he transforms the shop into a fine dining establishment, navigating personal and professional challenges along the way. The finale, titled 'Forever', delivers a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion that sets the stage for the show's next season.

What happened in the season three finale of The Bear?

Image: The Bear

The season three finale of The Bear takes place at the "funeral" dinner for Chef Andrea Terry's (Olivia Colman) restaurant, Ever. 

Carmy, along with his colleagues Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Luca (Will Poulter), attend the event, which brings together a gathering of top chefs and culinary icons. As the evening unfolds, old memories resurface for Richie and Carmy, while the chefs reflect on the challenges and joys of the restaurant world.

Amidst the camaraderie, Carmy locks eyes with his former tormentor, Chef David Fields (Joel McHale), sparking a confrontation that unearths deep-seated emotions. Meanwhile, Sydney faces a career dilemma, torn between loyalty to The Bear and a tempting new opportunity from Chef Adam Shapiro.

The episode concludes with a cliffhanger, as Carmy receives the long-awaited review of The Bear from the Chicago Tribune. The review's content is left ambiguous, with a mix of positive and negative words flashing on the screen, leaving Carmy's reaction and the fate of the restaurant uncertain.

David and Carmy's confrontation explained.

The confrontation between Carmy and his former boss, Chef David Fields, is a pivotal moment in the finale. David, who verbally abused Carmy during his time at Empire in New York City, represents the toxic culture and power imbalances prevalent in the restaurant industry.

In the confrontation, David takes credit for Carmy's improvement as a chef, implying that his abusive tactics were necessary for success. The remark leaves Carmy, who has been battling with flashbacks to the more traumatic parts of his career throughout the episode, in tears.

Naturally, David's remark holds little merit, given the countless other chefs who were abused under his rule that did not achieve the same success. 

The confrontation leaves audiences with more questions about the true cost of excellence in the culinary world and the long-lasting impact of abusive mentorship.

What was the final review?

The Bear Season 3 in a nutshell: pic.twitter.com/a9J2SlUYa0

— chefkids (@girlflopping) June 27, 2024

The content of the final review from the Chicago Tribune is left intentionally ambiguous in the finale. 

Viewers are shown a series of words, both positive and negative, including "confusing," "excellent," "culinary," "innovative," "dissonance," "brilliant," "sloppy," "delicious," "simple," "complex," "tired," "stale," and "talent".

While the exact phrasing and context of the review remain unknown, it is suggested that the article may highlight the "confusing" "dissonance" surrounding Carmy's brilliance, possibly alluding to a discrepancy in execution. 

The review likely commends Carmy's talent and creativity but criticizes the team's execution, reflecting the season's theme of personal success overshadowed by professional setbacks, although we don't know for sure. 

After reading it Carmy says, "Motherfucker."

We are yet to find out who Carmy was referencing in his frustration: a reviewer, or someone who sold him out, perhaps?

So, what does this mean for The Bear?

The ambiguous ending of season three leaves the fate of The Bear uncertain. The review and Carmy's frustrated reaction suggest that the restaurant may face challenges in maintaining its status and achieving its goals, such as earning a Michelin star.

The finale also highlights the personal and professional struggles of the characters, with Sydney contemplating leaving The Bear for a new opportunity and Carmy grappling with the ghosts of his past. In some senses, David is to Carmy what Carmy has been to Sydney, both a driving force and, at times, the bane of their existence. Sydney's brutal panic attack is further confirmation of this stress.

this broke me GOOD. i kinda need syd to leave carmy. this is NOT HEALTHY at all. pic.twitter.com/TaGiAsn5Hi

— mia berzatto! (@teachbonnets) June 27, 2024

As The Bear moves forward, it will likely continue to explore the complex relationships and emotional depth that have made it a standout series, while addressing the questions raised by the finale.

Will there be a season 4 of The Bear?

Yes, The Bear has been renewed for a fourth season. According to reports from Variety and Deadline, the show was "secretly" renewed, with the cast and crew filming seasons three and four back-to-back in Chicago.

The decision to film the seasons consecutively was partly due to the rising star power of the cast, particularly Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, who have been receiving numerous feature film opportunities. 

By shooting both seasons together, the production ensured that the actors' schedules would not prevent them from returning to the series. 

While FX has not officially announced the renewal or confirmed the cast for season four, it's expected that the main ensemble will return, including White, Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce, and Matty Matheson.

As fans eagerly await the release of season four, they can expect the continuation of The Bear's gripping saga, promising more drama, revelations, and the exploration of the characters' personal and professional journeys in the high-stakes world of the culinary arts.