Whew. If you’ve made it to Season 4 of The Bear, then congratulations—you’ve survived Carmy’s emotional hostage situation, Sydney’s patience of a saint, Richie’s mouth (bless it), and enough trauma-loop flashbacks to make your therapist throw a shoe at your TV. But let’s get one thing straight:
Jamie Lee Curtis in Episode 9? That woman didn’t just act—she excavated.
Her portrayal of Donna Berzatto making heartfelt, harrowing, earned amends in the penultimate episode is hands-down the best representation of an amends scene I have ever seen on the silver screen. And I say that as someone who has written, received, and been blindsided by enough Step Nines to qualify for a union card.
I don’t know what Emmy voters or Golden Globe committees are doing in their free time, but if that scene doesn’t earn Curtis a gold statue or two, I’ll personally draft the letter. I’m giving that single scene 5 glittering Sobees. In recovery currency, it’s the equivalent of a 20-year chip and a standing ovation from your entire homegroup.
Let’s back up.
Season 4: A Recipe Reheated
Season 3 left many of us (and the critics) hangry—overwrought, overlong, and underdeveloped. So when FX served us Season 4, shot back-to-back with its moody predecessor, I braced myself for another round of culinary chaos, family dysfunction, and slow-cooked plotlines. What we got was a slight course correction—like switching from heavy cream to oat milk and calling it “better for you.”
Yes, The Bear finally started giving some screen time to ensemble favorites. Ebra got a legitimate arc (hallelu!), and Sydney was allowed to breathe without Carmy breathing at her. Tina shaved literal seconds off her pasta timing—because apparently, that’s what you reward your Emmy winner with. And Carmy? Still clinging to his grief like it’s a Michelin star and he’s never heard of therapy.
There’s a beautiful, meta awareness in Season 4—an unspoken nod that the show knows it’s repeating itself. That kitchen countdown clock? A thinly veiled metaphor for the show’s own lifespan. Every episode feels like a farewell tour: greatest hits, rehashed motifs, and the quiet suggestion that we’re rounding toward the finish line. And honestly? That’s okay.
I love a long recovery journey, but eventually, you’ve got to stop reworking the same resentment list and take some damn action.
Donna’s Big Scene: Where the Real Work Happens
Which brings us back to that scene. Jamie Lee Curtis, as Donna, returns not in a tornado of flammable foil and casseroles, but with a gentle, gut-wrenching vulnerability that made me audibly gasp. Her delivery? Measured. Raw. True.
If you’ve ever made amends in recovery, you know it’s not a monologue—it’s a reckoning. And Curtis nails it. This is not the glamorized “forgive me and let’s move on” scene Hollywood often offers. No, this was real. This was tears behind the eyes, voice catching on the weight of history, “I hurt you and I know it” kind of amends. I felt that. Deep in my sober bones.
That performance had to come from lived experience. There’s a sacred knowledge you only earn through walking through fire barefoot. Curtis didn’t just visit that moment—she embodied it.
Final Verdict: 4 Sobees for the Season, 5 for the Scene
So what do we do now? Well, I’m calling it: The Bear doesn’t need a Season 5. This show was never about just food—it’s about healing through chaos, about finding your people and choosing them every day even when you’re a little burned at the edges.
But just like a fine-tuned menu, there’s a point when you stop adding courses. We’ve seen the grief. We’ve felt the rupture. And now, we’ve witnessed amends that may actually stick. That’s more than most shows give us in four seasons and fifty meltdowns.
So for the season, I’m giving a solid 4 Sobees. The pacing still lagged, and the wedding episode felt like a backdoor pilot for Berzattos: The Dysfunctional Years. But the spirit of this show—the heart—beat a little louder this time. And Jamie Lee Curtis? She served us the main course, dessert, and the bill, all in one unforgettable performance.
The Mindful Binge Score: 4 out of 5
Stay mindful, binge wisely, and may your side of dysfunction always come with a slice of self-awareness.
The Bear – Season 4 Trailer
THE MIDNFUL BINGE: Catch up with our previous reviews of The Bear – Seasons 1, 2, and 3:
- The Bear (Season One) – A Look at Addiction from An Al-Anon Perspective
- Season 2 of Stigma Smashing Hit “The Bear” Continues to Focus on Al-Anon and Delivers the Fun in Dysfunction with Stellar Cameo Performances and a Killer Soundtrack
- Season 3 of The Bear Goes Deep Revealing More About Family, Feelings, and Fallout from Addiction and Then Stops Short
THE MINDFUL BINGE at The Sober Curator is where we binge-watch and chill—mindfully. In this TV series review section, we don’t just consume shows; we explore their stories, themes, and cultural impact through a sober lens. Using our signature Sobees Scoring System, we rate each pick to help you choose your next watch with intention.
Our digital shelves are neatly organized into Drama, Dramedy, and Reality, making it easy to find your perfect series for a night in.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
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Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
