The Bear returns for its fifth and final season on Disney Plus, premiering June 26, 2026. The eight-episode season (seven reviewed) picks up the day after the previous season ended, with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) having quit but still working in the cursed kitchen. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is in charge but struggles with leadership, while Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) names nearby objects to cope with anxiety. Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) is so broke he's pawning watches and trying to sell air rights above The Bear. Outside, Chicago is battered by a biblical thunderstorm, roads are gridlocked, the restaurant has a busted tap, and the place is flooding.
A Slow Start That Tests Patience
The first four episodes are described as a real slog, lacking dynamism. Conversations repeatedly feature one person expressing perseverance while the other pours cold water on it. The repeated use of 'heard' as a catch-all response to heart-to-hearts is deemed cringey by the reviewer. The abundance of Faks characters, who many fans find annoying, adds to the frustration. The reviewer admits they would have abandoned the show if not for the review assignment, longing for the scrappiness of season one or the unpredictability of season two.
The Service Episode Redeems the Season
However, when service finally begins, the season becomes the best The Bear has been in years. It regains the chaotic, heartwarming thrill that originally captivated audiences. The peppy optimism starts to work its magic, with genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Constructive criticism from recent seasons appears to have been taken on board: most episodes are tight sub-30-minute affairs, braggadocious cameos are nixed, and random side quests and romantic entanglements are removed (Claire is never mentioned).
Fan Service and Character Moments
Fan service is excellent, including nods to the Original Berf shirts, tongue-in-cheek acknowledgements of 'yes, chef' ubiquity, and fan theories about Carmy and Sydney as soulmates. The Carmy, Sydney, and Richie trifecta remains strong, though Carmy's melancholy nothingness is only interesting for so long. Core cast members, including additions Will Poulter and Jamie Lee Curtis, each get tiny, beautiful moments of revelation. Neil Fak's (Matty Matheson) entry works, and Tina's (Liza Colón-Zayas) is the best.
Verdict: Worth Powering Through
The appetiser leaves something to be desired, but dessert is delicious. The reviewer found the back half worth powering through the sluggish front, though opinions may vary. Sydney's line, 'Let's finish strong,' when she devises a solution for the stove crapping out, encapsulates the hope for the series finale. The Bear season 5 streams on Disney Plus from June 26.
