Do Richie and Jessica End Up Together in The Bear?

In the fourth season of FX’s ‘The Bear,’ Carmy and his team plunge into another round of chaos as they try to keep the restaurant open against all odds. One of the major problems is the fact that the business seems to be losing more money by the minute, and to remind them of this, Jimmy has a literal countdown clock placed at their station. This means that they have to cut a few corners to save cash, which means that Richie cannot hire any new people. Fortunately, before the no-more-hiring decision is made, he has already brought on Ever’s former staff on board, which includes Jessica, with whom Richie develops a special bond over the course of the season. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Richie and Jessica’s Chemistry Soars in The Bear Season 4

Since the first season of ‘The Bear,’ Richie has been in knots about losing his former wife, Tiff, with whom he has a daughter. He is still in love with her, but things have turned out such that they broke up, and now she is with a really nice guy named Frank. Despite Tiff living her life to the point that she invites Richie to her wedding, he has not been able to move on. Or at least, that’s what it looks like until the fourth season.

With only two months left for the restaurant to turn its luck around, Richie brings Ever’s crew to help things along on the floor. This includes Jess, who led the expedite station at her former place of employment. The decision proves to be a brilliant move because it brings Jess and her crew’s experience running a Michelin-star restaurant, and it really does change the way things operate at the Bear. At the same time, it also gives Richie and Jess more time in each other’s company, and while they don’t kiss or express any romantic feelings towards one another, it becomes clear that there is a vibe between them that needs to be explored in the upcoming season. Interestingly, this chemistry is not new.

Richie’s Openness Creates Space for a New Relationship in His Life

When Richie and Jess met back in Season 2, when he was sent to Ever to learn from the best, there was a vibe between them that suggested Jess was interested in Richie. However, he remained oblivious to her feelings, or if he did notice it, he didn’t respond because he was still processing his love for Tiff. By the fourth season, however, things have changed drastically for him. He goes through a massive character development, which is evident from the fact that initially, he was adamant about not going to Tiff’s wedding. But when the time comes, he is there not just for her but also for her new husband, Frank, whom he helps connect with his daughter.

This openness in Richie is also visible in the way he interacts with Jess. He talks to her about Mikey and the family, and even expresses his insecurities, especially in Carmy’s context. This is a major breakthrough for him because these are not the things that he usually discusses with other people. Jess, too, seems genuinely interested in all the things that he has to say, and they have a moment or two, where it seems that things might finally step forward for them. Unfortunately, that does not happen in Season 4, but considering everything, there is a good possibility that we might see it happen in the next season.

The fact that Tiff is married and Richie has made his peace with it, and that he has finally started to understand his place in both professional and personal space, shows that he is ready for the next step in his life. And with exciting things lining up for the restaurant and his part in it, it makes sense that his arc would finally lead towards romantic endeavors and give him the happy ending he has rightfully earned.