Yes — Jake shows signs that he can trust Quaritch again, but that trust is fragile and conditional rather than complete. In Avatar: Fire and Ash the two men move from pure enemies toward a wary, situational truce after events force them to cooperate and reveal new sides of each other[1][2][3].
Context and why trust is possible
– Shared danger and a rescue attempt create the turning point: during the film’s climax both Jake and Quaritch stop fighting to save Spider, and Jake reaches out to Quaritch afterward, which opens the possibility of reconciliation[2][3].
– Quaritch displays an action that could be read as sacrificial or remorseful: he appears to give Jake a chance, then deliberately jumps away when confronted by Neytiri and the Sully family—his final fate is left ambiguous, which complicates whether Jake can fully rely on him later[2][3].
– Filmmaker and coverage context indicate Cameron intended the relationship to be more than simple hatred, emphasizing complexity and emotional growth on both sides rather than permanent enmity[1][4].
Why full trust is unlikely now
– History and motive remain obstacles: Quaritch’s long-term grudge against Jake and the RDA’s human agenda are deep roots that do not vanish after a single gesture, so any trust Jake offers is likely pragmatic and provisional[2][3].
– Ambiguous ending limits closure: because Quaritch’s fate is left uncertain and his final actions are open to interpretation, Jake cannot safely assume sustained change or reliability[2][3].
What to expect going forward
– Conditional cooperation: expect Jake to extend cautious goodwill when immediate needs align (protecting family or Pandora), while keeping guards up against future betrayal[2][3].
– Story potential for redemption or relapse: Quaritch’s ambiguity lets future stories either develop a true redemption arc or return him to antagonist status; both paths would affect whether trust can deepen[3][4].
Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcyOpItyfQc
https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-movies/avatar-fire-and-ash-ending-explained-who-dies/
https://comicbookmovie.com/sci_fi/avatar/avatar-fire-and-ash-ending-explained-will-jake-neytiri-and-quaritch-return-in-avatar-4—spoilers-a225604
https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/avatar-fire-and-ash-isnt-being-narrated-by-jake-james-cameron-explanation
