The Bear Season 3 Ending Recap: Cliffhanger Leaves Fans Awaiting Redemption in Season 4

As the highly anticipated fourth season of The Bear approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting a recap of the third season and its cliffhanger ending. The third season of the popular Hulu series delivered a gut-punch finale that leaves the fate of main character Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) hanging in the balance. After confronting the toxic chef who has haunted him all season, he finally finds brief peace—until his phone buzzes with the dreaded Chicago Tribune review notification.

So, what all happened in The Bear Season 3, and how did it end? Here’s everything viewers need to know.

The Season 3 finale ended on a cliffhanger, where Carmy gets a notification from Google—the review of his restaurant from the Chicago Tribune is out. However, viewers do not get to see the full review, but it contains words like “confusing,” “excellent,” “culinary,” “innovative,” “dissonance,” “brilliant,” “sloppy,” “delicious,” “simple,” “complex,” “tired,” “stale,” and “talent.” After seeing the review, Carmy curses as the season draws to an end.

Another clue regarding the restaurant’s review is on Carmy’s phone screen, which shows multiple missed calls from Uncle Jimmy and Computer, both of which seem ominous. Previously, Uncle Jimmy had stated that even one bad review could make him pull out his funding entirely.

Elsewhere, Carmy’s colleague Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) stands at a crossroads as she has to decide if she wants to continue at his restaurant. Her confusion regarding the decision becomes evident when Adam Shapiro asks her if she has considered his offer.

Currently, the future of Carmy’s restaurant, The Bear, is up for debate. However, Season 4 will unpack a lot more than just the gifted chef’s future endeavors. Fans think that Carmy has a changed outlook towards his work after confronting David Fields at Ever’s funeral dinner. In the Season 3 finale, Carmy tells Fields that he lives in his head all the time and shares the difficulty he faced while working for the highly talented chef. But Fields does not acknowledge Carmy’s grievances and responds, “You were an okay chef when you started with me. Now you’re an excellent chef.” After the intense confrontation, Carmy finds some closure when he talks to Andrea, who is closing her famous place, Ever. As advice to him, she notes, “You have no idea what you’re doing and are therefore invincible.”

Andrea’s words seemingly bring Carmy some closure. But the brutal review at the end of Season 3 changes everything. Furthermore, the toxic cycle that flowed from Fields to Carmy to Sydney now hangs in the balance. Will Carmy finally break the pattern of trauma? As Season 4 arrives, viewers are left wondering if redemption is possible.

Meanwhile, The Bear Season 4 will premiere on Hulu on June 25 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT. The fourth season promises to delve deeper into Carmy’s journey and explore new challenges and obstacles he will face as he continues to navigate his way through the culinary world.