Review: ‘The Bear’ roars in its final season

In addition to bad weather, the new managers have to deal with dwindling food supplies, building woes and late diners. Worse, chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) has left Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Natalie (Abby Elliott) to figure things out. They’re not sure where to start — and the chaos is evident the entire season. If ever there was a reason to binge “The Bear,” this is it.

As the team members try to stretch supplies (and make it seem like The Bear is a high-end restaurant), they must figure out who is going to call the shots: Who’s the new Carmy?

While the clock is ticking (and those signs that have haunted previous seasons are still there), there’s an urgency that makes you wish another season were in the offing.

What creator Christopher Storer has done with this season is given all the regulars a moment and ownership. The Bear succeeds because its once-battling employees have become family in the best sense.

When Carmy shows up, it’s in a way that pushes the narrative in a new direction. His mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) appears, too, but she isn’t the catalyst for yet another crisis. Series fans will appreciate the details that serve as connective tissue through five seasons.

That storm — a real threat — pushes the urgency and makes everyone fear this could be the last night. Creativity highlights the food and, yes, this season answers questions about why portions seem so small these days.

Look closely when the recipes come into focus. The care and artistry are impeccable. When you see the drawings that prompted them, you’ll get a sense of the world Storer and company created.

White was essential to the first year. But as he became acquainted with his brother’s staff, it became clear he wasn’t the only force behind the stove. This season points out how those employees need to work like the fingers on a hand.

Will the storm doom them? Or change their fortunes?

While it’s not easy to say goodbye, the fifth season lets us appreciate the nuance and excellence each brought. It’s a smart exit strategy, one that won’t let us forget every “yes, chef” that went into its menu.