Alert: This contains spoilers for The Bear, Season 4.

After considerable anticipation for character evolution in Season 3, Season 4 of The Bear is filled with significant events — ranging from the dire financial situation at the restaurant to Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) aspiration for a Michelin star.

Although the cliffhanger isn’t as abrupt as that of Season 3, there remains a lot to discuss regarding the characters’ fates. Below is a summary of events and predictions for future developments.

What occurs in The Bear, Season 4?

At the beginning of Season 4, The Bear is facing challenges. The restaurant’s initial review from the Chicago Tribune (which Carmy reads in the Season 3 finale) turns out to be mixed, leading Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) and Computer (Brian Koppelman) to set up a countdown clock in the kitchen, underscoring the limited time to rectify financial issues.

Carmy retains hope of obtaining a Michelin star to rescue the restaurant. Meanwhile, Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is contemplating leaving The Bear for Ever, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is adapting to having a stepdad for his daughter (Josh Hartnett), Marcus (Lionel Boyce) thinks about reconnecting with his father, Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson) aims to enhance the sandwich shop’s success, and Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) is dedicated to preparing a pasta dish in under three minutes (her entire storyline for Season 4).

What takes place at the conclusion of The Bear, Season 4?

The series finale primarily unfolds behind the restaurant, immediately after the clock runs out during a shift. Carmy chooses to leave The Bear for its own good, leading to a heated confrontation with Sydney and Richie, which shifts into a deeper conversation about Carmy’s brother Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and the ramifications of his passing. This moment is pivotal in understanding Carmy and Richie’s relationship, as the argument transitions into an emotional reunion.

Nevertheless, Carmy is determined to resign, and Sydney proposes a compromise — she will remain, rejecting Ever’s chef de cuisine invitation, if Sydney, Richie, and Carmy’s sister Natalie (Abby Elliott) are included in The Bear’s ownership. Carmy consents. In the concluding scene, Natalie arrives, Carmy shares his decision to resign, and she embraces him.

Will the restaurant continue operating in The Bear?

This question lies at the heart of Season 4’s finale. The discussions regarding ownership are moot if The Bear cannot stay operational, and even though the restaurant’s finances have improved, they still hang by a thread.

At the close of episode 8, with time ticking away, Natalie consults Computer about The Bear’s predicament.

“How long can you afford to pay them?” Computer inquires.

“We have one day left on the parachute,” Natalie replies.

“How motivating. What’s next?”

“Then it depends on what we earn each night. Our payroll has been reduced, we have