In the treacly depths of Canada's maple syrup industry, Season 1, Episode 2 of "The Sticky," titled "Insertion Point," plunges us deeper into the characters' motivations and the treacherous labyrinth of deceit that has ensnared them. The episode resumes with Leonard Gauthier Sr. and his son Leo, besieged by a storm of vitriolic voice messages, a direct rejoinder to Ruth Landry's dramatic act of defiance in the preceding episode.
Played by Margo Martindale, Ruth Landry confronts the repercussions of her deeds as Leonard reports her to the local authorities, accusing her of harassment, intimidation, and vandalism. This triggers a cascade of events culminating in Ruth's arrest. At the police station, Ruth places a call to Florence Russell, who declines to secure her release but agrees to check on Ruth's husband, Martin Landry. This sequence underscores the strained ties and the profound isolation Ruth feels as she grapples with the establishment.
Meanwhile, Remy Bouchard, portrayed by Guillaume Cyr, is confronted with the stark reality of their planned heist upon learning of Orval Steeks' macabre demise in a barrel of maple syrup from his father, Maurice Bouchard. The grim news of his best friend's fate serves as the breaking point for Remy, who resolves to withdraw from the heist. His subsequent meeting with Mike Byrne, played by Chris Diamantopoulos, is fraught with tension, as Mike displays a chilling indifference and threatens Remy to remain committed to their scheme.
At the police station, Leonard's mocking of Ruth and his efforts to curry favor with officers Teddy Green and Don Leblanc further delineate his manipulative persona. Remy's frustration finds a physical outlet as he unleashes his anger on a punching bag, a metaphor for his internal turmoil and conflict.
As the episode unfolds, Leo makes a pivotal decision to drop the charges against Ruth, securing her release from the confines of jail. This turn of events mirrors Mike's devious actions at Orval's farm, where he surreptitiously plants Remy's mittens, a mischievous attempt to frame Remy for Steeks' murder. Amidst this web of deceit, Mike receives a stern call from Charlie, reprimanding him for neglecting his financial obligations and the disastrous pruning of Loraine, the boss's cherished plant, thus adding an extra layer of tension to his already tumultuous life.
Unexpectedly, Ruth's visit to Mike's place triggers a chain of comical calamities, notably the disastrous over-trimming of Loraine, adding a darkly humorous twist to the episode's unfolding narrative. Undeterred by her recent ordeal and the obstacles hindering their heist, Ruth unveils a novel plan to extract the syrup from the barrels, ensuring the Association remains oblivious to their theft. Her unyielding determination and ingenious scheme sway Mike, who, despite his hesitations, brings her to Remy's abode to persuade him to reconsider his stance.
Ruth's captivating storytelling, revisiting the fateful day Martin plummeted from a tree, serves as a potent catalyst, ultimately convincing Remy to rejoin their daring endeavor. The episode culminates with Mike stealthily retrieving Remy's mittens from Orval's cabin, albeit inadvertently leaving behind a incriminating fragment of fabric, a telltale sign that could unravel their entire intricate plot.
"Insertion Point" emerges as a gripping and intricately plotted second chapter in "The Sticky," delving into the characters' vulnerabilities and the perilous stakes of their clandestine scheme. The episode masterfully intertwines the strands of suspense, betrayal, and the desperate lengths to which those ensnared in the maple syrup industry's shadowy underbelly are driven.
