Warning! Spoilers for The Bear season 4 ahead!

Carmy told Sydney that she is “the Bear” in The Bear season 4, but what did this really mean? The moment came at the end of the season when Carmy finally told Sydney that he planned on leaving the restaurant once the place’s debts were all cleared up. He had decided to step away from being a chef entirely, since he had dedicated his entire adult life to this stressful career. It was time to see what else life had to offer, and Carmy felt that Sydney would be the perfect person to carry the torch onward.

Sydney was angry when she saw that Carmy had removed himself from the unsigned documents outlining ownership of The Bear. She had only just told Chef Adam Shapiro that she wouldn’t be coming on as CDC for his new restaurant, only to learn that Carmy was bailing. However, when they fought about it, Sydney’s rage was cut short when Carmy said that she was the “Bear.” This word has a variety of meanings in the context of The Bear—so what was Carmy saying?

Carmy Is Saying That Sydney Is The Reason Why The Bear Will Succeed & Grow

Sydney Has The Passion & Skill

“Bear” is a term of endearment for Carmy and his family, stemming from the name Berzatto. However, the idea of being the Bear is a bit different. When Carmy found Micky’s cash at The Beef, his decision to name the new restaurant The Bear was a tribute to his older brother. Mikey had been a mess, but he was the one who brought all these restaurant employees together and made them a family. In this sense, Mikey was the original Bear, but by carrying the dream forward, Carmy became the Bear as well.

However, back in The Bear season 3, Carmy realized that he no longer felt as much love for the restaurant industry as he once did. This lack of passion would surely lead to the restaurant’s downfall, so Carmy decided that in The Bear season 4 that it was time to move on. This decision was aided by Carmy’s realization that Sydney’s passion and talent were still going strong. She had the power to inspire the staff and the potential to be far more skillful than Carmy himself. Sydney is the restaurant’s future, and that makes her the Bear.

Carmy Calling Sydney “The Bear” Has A Deeper Meaning About Joining The Wider Family

The Bear Season 4 Explored The Deeper Meaning Of Family

A theme that carries on throughout The Bear season 4 is the way that family can be defined. It’s stated time and time again throughout these episodes that blood isn’t the be-all end-all when it comes to family. Richie and Carmy aren’t really cousins, but there is far more between them than just friendship. At Tiff’s wedding, the bride mentioned that she doesn’t have any biological family left, but Richie, the Berzattos, and all the rest showed up for her. This mix of drastically different characters, all with distinct surnames, is ultimately referred to as “the Bears“—a family beyond blood.

The prevalence of the concept of chosen family in The Bear season 4 adds further meaning to Carmy telling Sydney that she is the Bear. She’s the future of the restaurant and has the passion and skill to carry the staff forward. However, she has also become a genuine member of the family. Before they finished their talk, Sydney demanded that Richie’s name be added to the documents, making him a partner in the restaurant alongside her and Natalie. The fact that she did this proves that Sydney really is a member of the Bear family.

It remains unclear what will happen next with these characters in The Bear season 5. However, one thing we can say for certain is that the complicated dynamic between the “Bears” will continue. For better or worse, Carmy, Richie, Natalie, and all the rest are bound by their love for one another. They feel, they scream, they laugh, and they are there for one another. Carmy was right to recognize that Sydney was an organic extension of it all.

The Bear

9/10

Release Date

June 23, 2022

Network

Hulu

Showrunner

Christopher Storer