WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Bear season 3.

Summary

• The Bear season 3 leaves key plotlines unresolved, setting up an exciting season 4.
• New guest appearances by renowned chefs add depth to the series even in the season 3 finale.
• Audience and critic reactions are mixed on The Bear season 3 more than the previous two seasons.

real-life world-renowned chefs such as Thomas Keller and Grant Achatz.

Audiences and critics have been divided on The Bear season 3, which earned a Certified Fresh critic score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes but only generated a 58% audience score, the lowest of the series by a wide margin. The Bear season 3 introduces several different forms of tension and pressure after the grand opening of The Bear restaurant, most of them coming from within Carmy himself, while also expanding on several key characters' backstories and adding a few new to The Bear's extended family tree.

The Bear Season 3 Didn't Solve Mysteries Surrounding Claire, Sydney & The Review

Three of the biggest storylines are being left for season 4

One of the biggest mysteries that lingered throughout The Bear season 3 is what Sydney would end up doing after Chef Adam Shapiro made her an offer to him in starting a new restaurant. The Bear season 3 does a good job of focusing on Sydney's internal frustrations with new Carmy's "non-negotiable" approach, which made her think less about her faith in The Bear and more about what is best for her future. However, season 3 never determined what Sydney's final decision ended up being.

Claire wasn't featured much in The Bear season 3, but she certainly haunted Carmy throughout, indicating that Carmy still hasn't gotten over her. After the way things were left in The Bear's season 2 finale, Carmy and Claire were expected to either get back together or officially break up in season 3. However, their relationship sort of existed in limbo throughout season 3 without them ever meeting face to face. In the same breath, the result of the crucial review that Carmy had been anxious about most of the season was only hinted at in the very last scene of season 3.

How The Bear Season 3's Big Mysteries Set Up An Exciting Season 4

Everything rests on the review and Sydney's decision

While The Bear season 3 certainly inspired a lot of questions, The Bear season 4 should provide many answers.

While The Bear season 3 certainly inspired a lot of questions, The Bear season 4 should provide many answers. It appears that Carmy and Claire are heading on some type of trajectory towards a reunion. Otherwise, it would have been rather senseless to include Claire in season 3 as she doesn't add too much to the series otherwise. Sydney's career decision looks to be the biggest question mark with a massive impact on how The Bear will shape up in season 4. Ultimately, it may not even rise to the surface if Uncle Jimmy forces Carmy to shut down The Bear, which might allow Carmy, Richie, and Sydney to forces elsewhere.