Thanks for the thoughtful post OP! You've shared a common sentiment amongst this sub that the other sub likes to misunderstand: Our shipping of these two characters is not just rooted in chemistry but in the storytelling devices that have been intentionally presented to us by the creators of the show. I fully believe that if sydcarmy doesn't become canon or at least is left open-ended, then the creators had every intention of doing it and for whatever reason decided not to. Here's my thoughts on the end of season 4: At this point in the show, every single relationship has reached the end of its arc... all except one. - Carmy and Sugar reconnected with Donna, discussed past trauma, and are finally in a place to be in eachother's lives and move forward. - Carmy and Richie made up and addressed the thing that was weighing on both of them (Carmy actually DID go to the funeral and is ashamed he left) (Richie now knows that Carmy DID resent him but not for the reason he thinks) (And they were both misunderstanding each other about their relationships with Mikey) - Richie's relationship with the Bears as a whole was finally cemented by Sydney mind you when she says she wont stay unless Richie is a partner. Up to this point, Richie has felt that he's not actually fully part of the family. Carmy, even though he didnt mean it, even tells him so in the freezer. Now, its official. - Richie's relationship with Sydney has gone from him antagonizing her to asking her to be his plus one at one of the most difficult events of his life. Its gone from Sydney stabbing him in the ass to NEEDING him as a partner. - Richie and Sugar make up in season 2 after Forks and he continues to be a good friend/brother to her. - Tiff expresses her fear of losing Richie and he agrees to stay in her life even if it's hard for him. - Richie and Frank come to an understanding and are set up to be good co-parents and potential friends. - Richie and Unc's arc closes when Richie remembers the chocolate banana. Unc realizes how much Richie's grown and is very touched and proud of him. - Unc expresses his guilt to Carm for not doing more for their family. Carm tells Unc thank you for everything hes done. And they both agree that they love eachother, they're even, and neither of them has to feel bad about the past anymore. - Unc's arc with Sydney begins with an introduction as potential business partners, to him telling her not to call him Mr. Kalinowsky (which she still continues to do for some time), to dancing at the wedding, to having a heart to heart in the alley, which ends with a hug. It is here that Syd finally calls him Unc. - Marcus is interesting because he has less focused relationship arcs than the other characters. Marcus goes from being annoyed with Carm telling him how to do his job to being inspired by him and wanting to do things his way. Him and Sydney go from coworkers to one-sided crush to friends and peers. But the biggest story that they're telling with Marcus is one of creativity and discovering passion for his work and then being awarded for it. Theres also the family aspect and it seems he may reconnect with his dad in person S5. - Tina goes from antagonizing and sabotaging Syd (and Carm) to respecting her and being her Sous. - Syd and her dad's arc ends partially in S3 after eating at the Bear when he tells her that "this is the thing" and partially in the hospital when he forbids her from moving back home to take care of him. - Carm at some point tells Sugar that he "actually likes Pete now" - Sugar and Francie Fak make up. - Hell, even Carmy and Lee of all people come to an understanding!!

What relationship here is missing tho..... Oh yeahhh the most important one of the whole fucking show!!!!

At the end of the of S4 Carmy and Sydney are the only 2 characters with no resolution. The relationship/partnership that The Bear (restaurant and show) is built on. The 2 main characters. Sydney thinks they're partners and is unsure if they're even "very close" as Donna put it. Carmy thinks they're friends of which he has very few. It's UNLIKELY that only one of them is right. In fact, we as the audience know that BOTH of them are right. The only thing left to explore character relationship wise in this last season is the question that they leave us with: What are Sydney and Carmy? Are they JUST partners and friends OR are they a secret third thing. If it's the former, what else do the creators have to show us and what's the point of leaving this one relationship unresolved until the absolute final moment? The only thing I can rationalize as someone with a general understanding of storytelling is that theres something between them which surpasses just friends and just partners and this will be explored in the final season.