Spoilers for Season 4 of The Bear are ahead! If you are not caught up, you can stream the series with a Hulu subscription.
Before the new season of The Bear premiered on the 2025 TV schedule, I was thinking a lot about the episode “Ice Chips.” In that memorable Season 3 installment, we saw Abby Elliott’s Sugar and her mom, Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis), reconcile, and they began to repair their relationship. So, going into Season 4, I wanted the same thing for Carmy. Now, after watching that happen on screen, I’m reflecting back on Elliott’s dream for the Berzattos.
watched all of The Bear’s fourth season, I had the chance to interview Abby Elliott. We talked a lot about her big episode from last season, the aforementioned “Ice Chips,” and how it changed Sugar’s life and relationship with her mom. I also asked if she could ever see that kind of healing in the cards for Carmy and their mother. In response, The Bear cast member said:
Jeremy Allen White’s character finally had a full and healthy conversation with his mother after they ran into each other at the wedding in Episode 7.
It was beautiful too. Jeremy Allen White’s character cooked for his mom, she read her apology to him, and it felt like they took a massive leap in their healing journey. Now, with Season 5 of The Bear on the way, hopefully we can see Carmy, Donna and Sugar together as a stable and happy family.
However, after Carmy chose to leave the restaurant in the Season 4 finale, I can’t help but wonder if that will put a new strain on his relationships. While he plans to stick around until the restaurant is stable, I can’t help but wonder how everyone will feel about this choice long-term. Will there be resentment? Will they all accept it? Will they help the chef find his purpose and spark again?
The answer is unclear. However, no matter what happens, I hope the Berzattos are able to find “stability” and support each other through whatever life throws their way.