The Untold Truth Behind Richie and Tiff's Divorce in The Bear (Will Season 3 Bring Them Back Together?)

WARNING: The following content contains spoilers for season 2 of The Bear. Season 2 of the show provides insights into why Tiff (played by Gillian Jacobs) divorced Richie Jerimovich (played by Ebon Moss-Bacharach) through a flashback to their happier times together. This hint at their past relationship may set up a potential reunion in season 3. Tiff's presence is limited to two episodes in season 2 of The Bear: first in the "Fishes" flashback when she was still married to Richie, and then in "Forks" when she reveals her engagement to Frank. Despite Richie's lingering bitterness about their divorce in season 1, season 2 of The Bear showcases the depth of their love before their marriage fell apart.

The exact reasons for Richie and Tiff's divorce remain undisclosed, but an important moment during The Bear's Seven Fishes meal offers clues about their unhappiness. In this scene, Tiff is pregnant with their daughter Eva, and Richie is desperately trying to provide for his family. However, his behavior around his best friend Michael (played by Jon Bernthal) and Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White) suggests that Richie may not be emotionally prepared for the challenges of fatherhood. As Richie hastily assures Tiff about his ability to provide for her and Eva, the underlying reason for their divorce becomes clearer.

The Bear's Season 2 Flashback Hints Richie & Tiff Divorced Because Of Problems With Lying & Responsibility

The stark contrast in Richie's behavior towards Tiff during the Christmas meal compared to his interactions with others is intriguing. Despite his previous obstructive and argumentative nature in The Bear season 1 and the first half of season 2, he exhibits an unexpectedly sweet and tender demeanor towards his wife. Richie demonstrates care and consideration as he supports Tiff through the challenges of pregnancy-induced nausea. This newly revealed affectionate and sensitive side of Richie suggests the possibility of his redemption arc coming to a close in the season 2 finale of The Bear.

However, a red flag arises when Richie lies to Tiff about being offered a job by Uncle Jimmy, who allegedly promises to resolve all their problems. In reality, Jimmy has made no such assurances to Richie. When Tiff expresses gratitude towards Jimmy for providing her husband with such an opportunity, Richie is compelled to continue the falsehood. This deceitful behavior, coupled with instances throughout The Bear season 1, exposes Richie's deep-seated difficulty in accepting responsibility for his actions. It is highly likely that his tendency to lie and his inability to take responsibility contributed to his divorce from Tiff.

Richie & Tiff Likely Won't Get Back Together (Despite Saying They Love Each Other)

In the pivotal episode "Forks," Richie's passion for hospitality and providing an exceptional dining experience is revealed. Surprisingly, when Tiff announces her engagement to her partner Frank, Richie wishes her well without anger or frustration, demonstrating his personal growth. Although Tiff may not appear overly thrilled about the engagement, it is possible she anticipated a negative reaction from Richie, her ex-husband.

Despite Richie's newfound responsibilities and Tiff's apparent uncertainties about marrying Frank, Richie's love for Taylor Swift songs hints at the truth - that reconciliation between Richie and Tiff is unlikely. They both deeply care for each other and remain committed to their daughter Eva. However, in the third season of The Bear, Richie's pursuit of a career in hospitality may be the key to healing the wounds caused by his divorce and the loss of his best friend. This healing process will likely allow him to move forward from his past without attempting grand romantic gestures to win back his ex-wife.

All episodes of The Bear season 2 are streaming now on Hulu.