One subtle detail in The Bear season 3 perfectly shows how Carmy and Richie's conflict is even worse than it seems. After giving viewers a glimpse of several flashbacks in its opening episode, The Bear season 3's episode 2 portrays how Carmy's behavior from season 2's finale has completely changed the atmosphere in the central restaurant's kitchen. While Sugar and Sydney seem concerned about Carmy's well-being and its impact on other staff members, Uncle Jimmy pulls Carmy's leg by asking him what he said to Claire.

Moments later, Richie steps in, and chaos breaks loose as he and Carmy lash out at each other. Even though Sydney attempts to de-escalate their conflict, the two refuse to listen to her and keep arguing with one another. This opening sequence is enough to highlight all the damage Carmy caused in The Bear season 2's ending moments. However, one detail, which is noticeable throughout The Bear season 3, raises concerns about whether Carmy and Richie will ever fix their relationship.

Carmy Does Not Call Richie "Cousin" In The Bear Season 3

Carmy Surprisingly Refers To Him As "Richard" In Episode 2

Throughout The Bear seasons 1 and 2, Carmy calls Richie "cousin." He does this because, even though Richie is not officially a part of The Bear's central Berzatto family, he was Mikey's closest friend, and Mikey would often call him "cousin." As The Bear season 2's iconic Christmas episode reveals, Richie also annually showed up at the Berzatto family's Christmas dinner with his wife, highlighting how much the Berzattos have always admired him.

Even in The Bear season 1, when Richie is against the idea of Carmy leading The Original Beef of Chicagoland after Mikey's death, Carmy respectfully handles the situation and never stops calling Richie "cousin." In The Bear season 3, however, Carmy calls him Richard in episode 2 and avoids calling him "cousin" throughout the remaining episodes. This shows that Carmy and Richie's animosity has gone so far in season 3 that Carmy does not even consider him family anymore.

Will Carmy & Richie Patch Things Up Before It Is Too Late?

Their Relationship's Present State Is Concerning

Surprisingly, nothing changes between Carmy and Richie throughout The Bear season 3. The two characters only talk to one another when absolutely necessary and keep fighting over trivial things in the kitchen instead of burying their beef. The growing distance between them suggests that one of them will eventually have to be the bigger person and take the initiative to mend their fractured relationship.

Since Carmy is now too consumed by his unchecked ambition and mindless pursuit of success after his The Bear season 2 arc, only Richie can shed his pride and take the necessary steps to reconcile their damaged relationship before it is too late.

In The Bear seasons 1 and 2, Carmy would have stepped forward to ask for forgiveness and call a truce. Although he has already apologized for calling Richie for calling him a "loser" on The Bear restaurant's opening night, his apology has not been sincere enough to convince Richie he is sorry. Since Carmy is now too consumed by his unchecked ambition and mindless pursuit of success after his The Bear season 2 arc, only Richie can shed his pride and take the necessary steps to reconcile their damaged relationship before it is too late.