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The fifth season of The Bear is set to conclude the praised show on a strong note, but does it deserve to be the final chapter? Here’s our take on the series’ last season.

Contains spoilers for The Bear season 4.

Viewed episodes: 7 of 8.

Forks. Review. Fishes. Braciole. The surprise special, Gary. 

Here are some of the outstanding episodes ofThe Bear, a series that gained popularity immediately upon its release on Disney+ in 2022. One of the most discussed programs of that year, it was one of the few instances where the excitement was truly justified: the show was just as impressive as people claimed.

For the last four years,The Bear has made us yell “Yes, chef!” at our partners when they ask us to pass the salt, or shout “Corner!” while moving from the milk aisle to the bread section at the local Sainsbury’s. Or is that just me?

Located in a sandwich shop in Chicago, it is left in the care of chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) by his brother Mikey (Jon Bernthal) following Mikey’s suicide.The Bear’The fast-paced kitchen sequences and intense confrontations among the employees have created engaging television, mixed with a generous dose of humor. Throughout four seasons, the sandwich shop has evolved into a gourmet restaurant, and the staff have discovered their unique abilities.

But now it’s time to part ways. We were aware that this day would arrive eventually, yet it doesn’t make viewing the last season any less difficult.

At the conclusion of season 4, Carmy declared he was no longer a chef and was handing over The Bear to Syd (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Jimmy (Oliver Platt). As we return to the kitchen in the opening episode of season 5, there’s an intense atmosphere as the remaining staff are still unaware of Carmy’s choice, while a major storm is flooding the restaurant in Chicago. Additionally, due to declining revenue, the place is about to run out of food just as they are on the verge of possibly receiving a much-desired Michelin star.

If earlier seasons were defined by pure disorder, season 5 embraces a slightly different approach. In this season, chaos is beginning to take shape, and everything is on the verge of breaking down—except the roof, which is genuinely coming apart.

Read more:Boiling Point, The Bear, and the drama unfolding in the kitchen

It begins at a leisurely pace for a series that is famous for its heart-pounding speed. It could be too slow for certain viewers, but the season gradually increases the tempo as it progresses. In fact,The Bear appears at its best when viewed in one go. The heat is increasing in the kitchen as well as beyond it, and this consistent rise would not necessarily be as effective if we were watching it on a weekly basis.

The one element that had been absent, at least for this writer, was the show’s appreciation for food. Season 4 centered on the challenges of a new restaurant and Carmy’s increasing self-doubt, which took center stage. The greasy sandwiches and sizzling pans were no more. Season 5 revives the passion for food. There are elegantly presented dishes, meticulously crafted under chef Syd’s guidance. Now there is not only a love for taste, but also a love for art inThe Bear.The cuisine of this season is not merely to be eaten, but to be cherished.

The series has difficulty in incorporating, or at least effectively concluding, the storylines of its large ensemble. Edwin Lee Gibson’s Ebrahim is especially underdeveloped, and Matty Matheson’s –a real chef, by the way! – Neil isn’t given much attention either. At the risk of sounding like Vin Diesel in theFast & Furious films, The Bear centers on the family rather than any single character, and it isn’t until the later episodes of the season that this becomes evident.

Only seven episodes were released for the media before the show’s debut, yet they capture that genuine allure that initially drew us to the series. Pots overflow, pipes rupture, and tension escalates. Episode 7 in particular has a nostalgic, classic feel.The Bear,nearing the episodes from previous seasons. Unless the final episode completely messes things up, season 5 is precisely the farewell we deserve.

Many television series fail to recognize when it’s appropriate to exit with dignity. The creation of showrunner Christopher Storer concludes on its own terms, prioritizing excellence over mere volume. Season 5 is flawlessly executed.

The BearSeason 5 is available on Disney+ starting June 26th.

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