The Bear‘s third season divided fans with its slower approach to Carmen Berzatto’s (Jeremy Allen White) story. But, according to FX boss John Landgraf, the studio always knew Season 3 would have that effect, and prepared for it with the upcoming fourth season.
Season 1 of The Bear threw viewers head first into The Original Beef of Chicagoland and its grieving staff. Season 2 saw Carmy attempting to revamp the restaurant, whilst also passing the spotlight to the show’s supporting characters, like Marcus (Lionel Boyce), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and the extended Berzatto family (a lot of guest stars). Season 3 slowed down the pace even more, presenting Carmy’s feeling of being stuck with the restaurant, while giving even more screentime to the supporting cast. While die-hard fans embraced the new format, it left many viewers feeling isolated and somewhat bored.
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Speaking to Puck, Landgraf knew that Season 3 wouldn’t be as “riveting” as the high-octane culinary action of Season 1, or the stressful renovations of Season 2. “I was well aware that stuckness is not necessarily the most riveting [thing to watch],” the FX CEO said. However, Landgraf highlighted that numerous elements of Season 3 are “absolute masterpieces.” Thankfully for those that didn’t enjoy Season 3, John Landgraf revealed that Season 4 (which should release next June) will see Carmy become un-stuck, and will dive back into the stressful kitchen environment that audiences have become cathartically obsessed with. He said:
“And I will say, knowing what I do know about the upcoming season,
for those that have stayed with it, they’re going to be really well rewarded.
Because after stuckness comes un stuckness.”
Following the Emmy-winning success of Seasons 1 & 2, FX were in a position to renew The Bear for as many seasons as the show’s creator, Chris Storer, deemed necessary. According to Landgraf, Storer originally only asked for a third season. But, during the development process, Chris Storer begged for a fourth, to tell a complete story over two seasons.
The Bear Season 3 is a Misunderstood Masterpiece
The biggest complaint about Season 3 is the lack of overall narrative direction. Despite being beautifully shot, The Bear’s progress as a restaurant doesn’t feel like it progresses anywhere in the third season, which has left some audiences feeling as stuck as Carmy. While some of it is fair criticism (there is certainly a less streamlined story in Season 3), some fans have lost sight of what The Bear is really about.
While we have all fallen in love with the fast-paced kitchen work that fuels the series, at it’s core, The Bear is a show about grief. The first episode of Season 3 exemplifies this. The season’s debut episode was criticized due to its extensive flashbacks and lack of a singular “narrative.” However, it adds needed depth to Carmy’s complicated grief over his brother’s shocking death, and sets up the character’s mindset for the episodes to come. Season 4 of The Bear is expected to be released halfway through 2025, most likely in June.
Set in a Chicago sandwich shop, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the shop’s employees due to his culinary training, Carmy struggles to maintain order and keep the shop from failing entirely. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri.
- Release Date
- June 23, 2022
- Seasons
- 3