Rie is Tommy’s late wife and TJ’s mother, whose African-American roots play a strong role in Tommy’s damaged relationship with his father. Remaining present in flashbacks throughout the season, Rie was a talented chef and artistic visionary for the restaurant: her design book remains a guide for Tommy and Dion. She was a serial optimist who didn’t let anyone take her down, especially Tommy’s racist father. Her absence is a shroud over all of the characters.[1]