Since its premiere in 2022, FX's The Bear has taken the world by storm with its fast-paced episodes, painfully realistic acting, and authentic depictions of mental health.

The show follows talented chef Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) who takes over his family's restaurant following his brother's suicide. Together with a diverse variety of family, friends, and co-workers, he must try to save the restaurant while coming to terms with what happened to his brother.

Now in its fourth season, The Bear has become famous for its often highly stressful and tearjerking episodes that really put characters and relationships through the wringer. This new season certainly did not disappoint with every episode evoking deep emotions in the audience.

Warning: SPOILERS for Seasons 1-3 of The Bear & MILD SPOILERS for Season 4

10. Episode 2 — Soubise

On paper, the plot for Soubise seems deeply emotional: the staff grapple with how to cut costs without sacrificing the integrity of the restaurant, Tina's work stress impacts her mental health, and Carmen realises he should prioritise his family more.

However, this episode highlights what many fans (myself included!) found problematic about Season 3 — nothing much actually happens. When sandwiched between the more impactful first and third episodes, Soubise leaves little food for thought and doesn't have a clear purpose in the season. Any emotional moments have very little impact on the audience.

Take the Quiz: Which Female Character Trope Do You Belong To?

Whether it's in film, TV, or literature, you've likely come across these female character tropes. Take this quiz to discover which one best matches...

9. Episode 1 — Groundhogs

The first episode of the season, Groundhogs, lays down a solid foundation for what is to come. The introduction of Cicero's countdown clock which will get to zero when all funding has run out certainly heightens the tension, and is a source of stress for the entire season.

Fast-paced as all previous season openers, Groundhogs balances tender flashbacks of Carmen and his late brother with the fallout from the restaurant's negative review. Its real purpose, though, is to set up the conflict of the season; not to get the tears rolling. I ended this episode feeling energised and ready to binge the rest of the season, not deeply affected.

8. Episode 5 — Replicants

Replicants has a clear theme: finding closure. Marcus sells his late mother's house, Carmen attends an Al-Anon meeting, and Natalie brings her daughter Sophie to the restaurant for the first time.

While this episode has its fair share of feelings, these feel more calming and therapeutic than anything else. It also signifies a turning point for the better for many characters, with Luca coming to stage at The Bear and Carmen becoming more aware of his actions.

7. Episode 4 — Worms

Worms, the first Sydney-centric episode of The Bear, does not disappoint in giving us an engaging insight into her life. Still debating whether or not to leave The Bear, we see Sydney meet with Shapiro and subsequently spend quality time with her cousin and niece.

Written by The Bear actors Ayo Edebiri and Lionel Boyce, this episode gives us all the warm fuzzies as Sydney works through her predicament while trying to help her niece. It also serves as an interesting transition to Sydney as more of a protagonist than just a side character. I found the insights into Sydney's life and mindset interesting, plus this context makes certain moments from later in the season much more emotional.

6. Episode 8 — Green

This episode was full of emotional revelations for the characters. Sydney finally makes a decision about where to work, Claire and Carmen seem to be repairing their relationship, plus Richie comes to terms with his and Carmen's relationship.

Green features many heartfelt, intimate conversations between characters, adding to its emotional value. It does what The Bear does best: focus on the human side of conflict rather than the abstract, existential dread of other shows. While it may not be the most emotional, it is certainly up there.

5. Episode 3 — Scallop

In this episode, smaller plot points of this season are introduced, including Ebraheim's business proposal as well as the paternal issues faced by both Sydney and Marcus.

However, it is the final scene of this episode that is truly emotional: the staff at The Bear creating a fake snow show for a visiting family. The moment is sweet and offers a much-needed respite from the tensions of the series while bringing a tear or two to my eyes.

4. Episode 7 — Bears

Bears is, in many ways, very similar to Fishes in Season 2 — a long episode featuring an emotional, tumultuous Berzatto family gathering. I expected this episode to have the same, panic-inducing effect on me. However, the opposite was true. Where Fishes' Christmas dinner was highly stressful, Bears is more mellow and introspective, leaving to happy tears at its sweet ending.

Various issues, such as Carmen's relationship with his mother, Natalie and Francine's ruined friendship, and Richie's insecurities about his daughter's new step-father, all come to a head in this episode. The final conversation between the characters is tender, quirky, and really sums up what The Bear is all about.

3. Episode 6 — Sophie

Sophie is such a deeply emotional episode as Sydney's father has a sudden heart attack, leaving her shaken and vulnerable. One particularly heartening conversation between her and Claire is thought-provoking, beautiful, and deeply relatable.

Meanwhile, emotions are running rampant at the restaurant as well, with concerns regarding the upcoming wedding in the family and Richie confiding in Jess about his worries. The entire episode is somewhat upsetting, but ends on a heartwarming note, as with many episodes in this season.

2. Episode 9 — Tonnato

The season's penultimate episode, Tonnato, features a long sequence of Carmen finally meeting his mother, Donna. The pair have a tear-jerking conversation ripe with honesty and long overdue confessions.

Essentially, even that conversation is not the episode's most emotional moment. Carmen makes lunch for Donna, which may seem simple at first glance. However, it is truly his love language and speaks miles to the affection he holds for his mother in spite of their issues.

1. Episode 10 — Goodbye

Goodbye, the season finale, is without a doubt the most emotional episode. The episode is almost entirely a conversation between Carmen and Sydney, then later on Richie and Natalie, after a stressful day at the restaurant.

In theory, this episode should not be so good: it is just half an hour of people talking. But the incredible acting, realistic dialogue, and skillful cinematography kept me on the edge of my seat, emotions swinging like a pendulum. It is truly a satisfying and emotional ending that still leaves the show open for future seasons.