In the heart of Canada's lucrative maple syrup industry, a tale of greed, deception, and desperation unfolds in the first episode of "The Sticky" Season 1, titled "Petiole." The episode sets the stage for a complex narrative that revolves around the lives of Ruth Landry, Remy Bouchard, and Mike Byrne, whose paths are destined to collide in a high-stakes heist.
The episode opens with a somber backdrop, as the Canadian Maple Syrup Industry, a multi-million-dollar business, is marred by a significant theft in 2011. The story then shifts to Teddy Green and Don LeBlanc, who discover the grisly scene of Orval Steeks' head floating in a maple syrup barrel. This shocking discovery foreshadows the dark turn the industry is about to take.
Ruth Landry, played by Margo Martindale, is confronted with the harsh reality that her farm is being shut down by the federal authorities. They not only confiscate her harvested syrup but also deem her an unlicensed operator, leaving her in a dire financial situation. This sets the foundation for Ruth's character as a woman pushed to the brink, ready to take desperate measures to save her livelihood.
Elsewhere, Remy Bouchard, portrayed by Guillaum Cyr, is introduced as a man torn between his loyalty to his family and his ambition. His father, Maurice Bouchard, played by Michel Perron, attempts to celebrate Remy's 40th birthday with enthusiasm, but Remy is preoccupied with an important work presentation. This tension between family and career foreshadows the internal conflict Remy will face throughout the series.
Chris Diamantopoulos' character, Mike Byrne, is a man with a dark secret. He receives a call from a mysterious figure named Bo and later has a contentious encounter with Denis, who humiliates him by making him collect payment from the dirty bar floor. This scene establishes Mike's precarious position within the criminal underworld and his determination to rise above it.
Ruth's meeting with Leonard Sr. is fraught with suspicion and anger, as she refuses his lowball offer for her farm, suspecting his involvement in the federal seizure. This refusal further escalates Ruth's desperation and sets the stage for her later actions. Remy's presentation to Leo Gauthier is met with rejection, and his request for additional security personnel is denied. However, Remy's true intentions are revealed when he sells a barrel of the Association's syrup to Steeks, hinting at his involvement in illegal activities.
The episode reaches a turning point when Ruth, in a fit of rage, cuts down her farm's oldest and most productive tree, symbolizing her loss and the beginning of her descent into a life of crime. Meanwhile, Remy learns about Mike's connection to the Devaney Family, which leads to a fateful partnership.
Remy proposes a daring plan to steal $150 million worth of unguarded maple syrup to Mike, who is initially reluctant but eventually agrees. This alliance is born out of necessity and desperation, with both men seeing an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The episode concludes with a series of tragic and violent events. Mike, seizing an opportunity, uses Remy's forgotten mittens to murder Steeks, setting off a chain of events that will have far-reaching consequences. Despite his initial refusal to help Ruth, Mike shares his discovery of Remy's plan with her, indicating a shift in their relationship and the beginning of a dangerous alliance.