The premiere of The Bear's fourth season kicks off with a nostalgic flashback. Mikey and Carmy are immersed in the rhythm of cooking when Carmy reveals his dream of opening a restaurant with his brother. He passionately describes how their most cherished memories are woven within the confines of eateries, emphasizing how these spaces bring joy to people's lives. Their conversation naturally drifts to their absent father before circling back to the restaurant idea, which Mikey, after some hesitation, eventually embraces with enthusiasm.
Flashing forward to the present, Carmy awakens to the blaring of his alarm, a newspaper still draped across his chest. The headline catches his eye – a review of The Bear that brands the establishment as "often falling short of its mark." With resolve, Carmy ventures to the restaurant, where he encounters Sydney. He offers a heartfelt apology, expressing his determination to improve.
Sydney, acute as ever, highlights that the review specifically flagged the restaurant's chaotic atmosphere. She underscores that neither she nor Carmy thrives in such disarray, emphasizing that chaos isn't a prerequisite for culinary excellence.
As more kitchen staff arrive, it emerges that Ebra has taken the initiative to register for a delivery app, buoyed by the success of their sandwich window – the one aspect the review praised! However, the review also pinpointed the persistent issue of delayed pasta, to which Tina candidly admits she needs to rectify.
Elsewhere, Adam Shapiro messages Sydney about his new venture, but she remains unresponsive. Meanwhile, Cicero and his partner Computer (aka Nicholas) enter, installing a colossal clock that reads 1440 hours. Cicero solemnly declares that this signifies The Bear has merely two months, or 1440 hours, until financial exhaustion forces its closure. To ensure survival, Computer insists that a major transformation is imperative.
Ritchie concedes to his own shortcomings, prompting Carmy to shoulder some blame as well. In a bid to ignite hope, Carmy unveils his grand plan – to procure a Michelin star for The Bear, a monumental shift that could turn the tide. The scene culminates in a surprising revelation: Ritchie has recruited Jessica, Garrett, and Rene from the now-defunct Ever (chef Terry's former restaurant) to lend their expertise and bolster their efforts.
Jessica seizes the initiative, orchestrating transformative adjustments to the restaurant's operations. She introduces a twenty-minute window for Sydney and Carmy to collaborate with the staff on menu decisions, as well as the innovative use of green and red cards to swiftly communicate whether orders are punctual or behind schedule. Meanwhile, Ebra embarks on a partnership with Chuckie, an autonomous food delivery bot seamlessly integrated with the delivery app.
The scene transitions to a mesmerizing montage, capturing the eager anticipation and final preparations of the staff as they gear up for the restaurant's grand reopening. The doors swing open, ushering in a whirlwind of activity punctuated by moments of controlled chaos. Despite Jessica's meticulously crafted system, a hint of discord lingers in the air, evident in the occasional clatter of plates meeting the floor.
Throughout this tumultuous sequence, a sinister red line inches downwards on-screen, serving as a stark reminder of the restaurant's dwindling finances. As the episode draws to a close, Carmy's gaze falls upon the ticking clock, its relentless hands signaling the dwindling minutes and the mounting pressure.
