Summary

• Carmy and Richie in The Bear are not actually cousins, but have a close bond like family.
• The use of "cousin" between Carmy and Richie in Chicago is a term of endearment, highlighting their deep connection.
• Despite their squabbles, Carmy and Richie care about each other and rely on each other, especially in the absence of Mikey.

The fact that Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (Jeremy Allan White) and Richard "Richie" Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) call each other "cousin" in The Bear has led to some questions about if the characters are actually related. The Bear focuses on Carmy, a young chef who's used to working in fine dining kitchens, as he returns to Chicago to take over his family's Italian beef sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother, Mikey (Jon Bernthal). Carmy must learn how to handle working with the unruly and eclectic kitchen staff, which includes Richie, who works as a chef.

Part of why The Bear shines is because of its character dynamics. Carmy and Richie have a compelling relationship that's made even better because of how well The Bear cast White and Moss-Bachrach play off of each other. Though Richie can be annoying at times, Carmy seems to always have his back and is even willing to stay all night with Richie at a police station. Richie and Carmy have a close relationship, but the truth behind their use of "cousin" is not what some fans might think.

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Richie & Carmy Aren't Actually Related In The Bear

Mikey Is The Link That Brings Carmy And Richie Together

The various of the Berzatto family tree have been revealed in the series, but even though Carmy and Richie refer to each other as "cousin," they aren't actually cousins. Sous-chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) even asks in The Bear season 1 if they're related, but Richie says they aren't. Richie was actually Mikey's best friend, so he and Carmy grew up like family even though they don't share a blood relation. Richie feels like an older brother figure in some of his interactions with Carmy, and the two of them can certainly squabble like family at times.

However, just like family, Carmy and Richie are also there for each other when it's needed. Carmy and Richie's bond is also both heartwarming and heartbreaking because of Mikey. Now that Mikey is gone, Richie is Carmy's main link to his older brother. Richie is also grieving for Mikey and tells Carmy that he's "all he's got" in of a connection to his best friend.

It seems like Carmy and Richie are holding on to each other because they both miss Mikey, but at the same time, it's good that they're still in each other's lives. Maybe Carmy is using Richie as a surrogate brother since Mikey isn't around, but it's also clear that he does care for Richie and vice versa.

Richie & Carmy Call Each Other "Cousin" As A Term Of Endearment

The Chicago Setting Informs The Expression

In The Bear's setting of Chicago, "cousin" is used as a slang term of endearment. Carmy and Richie call each other "cousin" to highlight their very close bond. The constant usage of cousin between the two men underscores that they're not just coworkers - they're basically family despite not actually being related. Carmy may get on Richie's nerves, and Richie may screw up badly at work, but at the end of the day, they'll be fine because they're "family" and they care about each other.

Throughout The Bear season 1, Carmy and Richie are seen sharing cigarettes and encouraging each other, showing the deep bond between the two "cousins." Season 2 sees Richie genuinely making an effort to be a part of Carmy's vision for the restaurant which sees him bettering himself at the same time.

Carmy and Richie calling each other "cousin" in The Bear may seem like an odd quirk at first, but after learning more about the characters, it's something that makes total sense. The simple term of endearment makes Carmy and Richie's dynamic sweeter, even though they can be less than sweet towards each other at times. Despite the lack of blood relation, Carmy and Richie have a great familial bond that's intriguing to watch. Richie and Carmy's dynamic is one of the most important ones in The Bear, and gives the show some of its heart.