Hulu’s Surprise The Bear Prequel Rewrites a Key Richie Detail

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I’m so excited for the fifth and final season of the show, coming in late June 2026! But honestly, Hulu and FX really threw us a bone this month before the release – they dropped a surprise prequel episode called “Gary.” It totally changes how you see Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and gives you a whole new understanding of his backstory. It’s a fantastic little addition!

The episode, airing May 5, 2026, takes place in 2019 and centers on Richie and Mikey (played by Jon Bernthal) as they drive to Gary, Indiana to deliver a package for Jimmy (Oliver Platt). The story highlights Richie’s grief over the loss of his brother, just like Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), and provides crucial context for his character’s development and eventual conclusion.

Richie and Mikey Were Like Brothers in The Bear

Throughout the series, Richie frequently has to remind Carmy that Mikey was more than a brother to him, even though they weren’t related by blood. The show has established Richie and Mikey were very close, and Richie was with Mikey every day while Carmy was in school to become a chef. However, because the story largely centers on Carmy’s grief over Mikey’s death, it’s easy to overlook the fact that Richie was the one who supported Mikey during the years before he passed away.

The realization comes during a deeply emotional conversation when Carmy suddenly understands that Richie is also profoundly grieving. He’d been so focused on his own pain that he hadn’t recognized Richie was suffering too. Carmy admits to Richie, his cousin, “I didn’t realize you were also dealing with a loss.”

Richie is deeply affected, revealing he believed Carmy held him responsible for not doing enough to help their brother, Mikey. In that Season 4 scene, he also admits his own guilt for failing to understand and support Mikey, and he mentions the road trip to Gary, Indiana – the very trip we see in this episode. He remembers a half-hour during that trip as feeling idyllic, a rare moment of genuine connection and ease with his friend while working.

As a huge movie fan, it was incredible to see that memory from the prequel actually play out on screen – it really completed the emotional impact of that season finale. It made Mikey’s struggles feel even more real and heartbreaking, especially that scene where he confides in Sherri (Marin Ireland) in the bar bathroom. It was just so raw and powerful.

The most upsetting moment, though, is when he angrily confronts Richie – it feels even more impactful than the difficult scene with “Uncle” Lee (Bob Odenkirk). While Uncle Lee deliberately provoked Mikey, Richie had consistently been kind to him throughout the day.

It’s clear Richie really tried to support his friend, even when things were difficult. Their relationship was complicated – incredibly close, yet strained. They relied on each other for love and support, but Mikey was struggling with addiction and mental health, which caused him to say and do things that were often painful. Despite this, Richie didn’t give up on him, because Mikey meant so much to him – he was like family.

However, we also learn that Richie didn’t fully grasp the severity of Mikey’s mental health struggles, something he acknowledges himself. He even shares that once he realized Mikey was in serious trouble and wasn’t seeking help, he continued working at The Beef simply to keep watch over his friend.

Mikey struggled a lot, but having Richie there to cheer him up likely helped him cope for years. Thinking about this is key to understanding Richie’s impact, as he might have been the only consistently positive force in Mikey’s life.

The Bear’s ‘Gary’ Sheds New Light on Richie’s Journey

This episode beautifully illustrates the strong connection between Richie and Mikey, and how much Mikey struggled while Carmy was gone. More importantly, it lays the groundwork for Richie’s potential growth and recovery. While some viewers interpret the final scene as foreshadowing Richie’s death, I believe it signifies something much more profound.

Just before the car accident, Richie was looking at the empty seat next to him, suggesting we were seeing his memories from earlier in the episode – both the happy and sad parts of that day. His last look in the rearview mirror, right before the impact, felt like he was truly reflecting on his past and letting it go.

Despite everything, Richie has shown Mikey to be wrong. Although his marriage ended, he’s a wonderful father. His daughter admires him, and he’s working to improve his life for her. In this moment, Richie is either realizing Mikey was incorrect, or he’s starting to wonder if Mikey had a point. Whether he feels that way depends on what happened earlier in the story.

The story picks up after the dramatic events of Season 4, following Uncle Jimmy’s death. If Richie is badly injured in an accident – though it doesn’t seem fatal – Carmy will have to return and take charge. He can’t leave Sydney and Sugar to manage things on their own while Richie recovers both physically and emotionally.

Beyond the immediate drama of Richie’s accident, the episode “Gary” highlights how much Richie has already grown as a person. Even when things were good for him in the past – he had a loving wife and was excited about becoming a father – someone who should have been his ally instead tried to hurt him. The fact that he managed to move forward from that experience demonstrates just how strong he truly is.

Gary is cleverly crafting a powerful story arc for Richie. The show highlights the contrasting ways both Richie and Carmy are dealing with the loss of their brothers. Carmy’s brother always supported him, and Carmy still feels driven to prove himself in his brother’s memory. Richie, however, lost a brother who seemingly didn’t believe in his potential.

Carmy is haunted by Mikey’s encouraging words, while Richie seems to be stuck on Mikey’s doubts. Both are still dealing with the grief of losing Mikey, but it’s affecting them in opposite ways. This offers a fresh understanding of Richie’s struggles and his need to move forward.

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Richie’s Road to Redemption in The Bear
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2026-05-08 01:08