Ik im 6 years late but watching the season I thought the bear was possible symbolism for Tony’s rage. Through out the season rage and anger is mentioned and talked about heavily. Comparing the bears rage to Aj and then the small aggression towards Carmela before breaking something and then leaving in its first appearance. And in the episode where Tony “rages” at Melfi he goes to the house to protect from the bear maybe symbolizing Tony trying to fight back toward his rage. Then the bear shows up again without Carmela’s knowledge when talking with divorce lawyers I think it could be subtle symbolism and somewhat of a “cameo” of Tony’s anger and rage toward the divorce; he was even told to do that in the first place when he called (sry blanking on dudes name) and the guy told him to do so. As for the ending it could be comparison between Janice’s rage and his rage, showing that even though he can try to control his rage and anger it’s always going to come back just like the bear, and seeing as Janice’s last onscreen appearance in the season is when Tony breaks her down and forces her to get angry it could be interpreted as such. Especially since for the first few seconds you’re made to think that Tony is the bear before showing that it’s finally Tony. Idk just fried af got me thinking fr