The Bear’s Prequel Might’ve Finally Solved the Biggest Richie Mystery

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A special new episode of The Bear, called “Gary,” has unexpectedly dropped, and it significantly impacts the show’s storyline. The episode takes place several months after “Fishes” from Season 2 – meaning years before the main series begins – and follows Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they travel to Gary, Indiana to deliver a package for Uncle Jimmy. As you might expect, things don’t go smoothly, and their relationship is put to the test. Be warned: This contains spoilers for The Bear – “Gary.”

This episode is packed with drama, as Mikey and Richie both act out. They spend the time drinking, using drugs, playing basketball, and getting into heated arguments with some kids. Things escalate until Mikey explodes, telling Richie he’ll be a bad father. It’s a messy, funny, and heartbreaking sequence – exactly the kind of emotionally complex storytelling The Bear excels at. Adding to the tension is a strict deadline: Richie needs to be home by 5:15 pm, the predicted time of Tiff’s (Gillian Jacobs) labor, mirroring the time her own mother went into labor.

Richie Didn’t Actually Miss Eva’s Birth, But It Helps Explain Why He & Tiff Got Divorced

Even though Richie tried, they didn’t get back to Chicago by 5:15 pm. They were too late to avoid the train delay in Indiana, and they’d already lost track of time earlier – the car clock showed 5:15 even before that, when Richie tossed Mikey’s CD out the window, proving they were far from on schedule.

Despite what Gary suggests, Richie wasn’t absent for his daughter’s birth (who was ultimately named Eva, as Mikey proposed). In Season 3, Episode 7 of The Bear, titled “Legacy,” Sugar asks Richie about the day before Tiff went into labor, and Richie explains he was on a delivery trip with Mikey for Jimmy. This means Tiff actually went into labor the following day, though he admits she was very upset with him.

Throughout The Bear, we never fully learn why Richie and Tiff divorced, but this episode sheds light on the issues. It may not be the single cause of the split, but it really shows how immature and unreliable Richie was when Tiff needed him most. While both he and Mikey were wrong to be out so late, Richie made the active choice to go to a bar, drink heavily, and then lie to Tiff – something the show has established he did often.

Similar to the opening of the “Fishes” episode, it’s sad to see Tiff and Richie getting along well, knowing how things eventually turn out. Richie isn’t a bad person, and he’s definitely a good father despite what Mikey believes, but he repeatedly proved he wasn’t reliable for Tiff when she really needed him, and the episode “Gary” really emphasizes that.

Richie’s relationship with Mikey likely contributed to their shared struggles, as they often encouraged each other’s negative behaviors. Richie cared deeply for Mikey and considered the Berzattos family, making it hard for him to set boundaries. However, this loyalty came at the cost of prioritizing his own growth and taking responsibility – something he’s been working on throughout the four seasons of The Bear, and will continue to address in Season 5.

The Bear‘s prequel, “Gary,” is now available to stream on FX on Hulu.

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2026-05-06 20:45