In the third chapter of "The Sticky," titled "Margins," the intricate dance of deception and survival within the Canadian maple syrup industry continues to unfold. The episode opens with Mike Byrne, played by Chris Diamantopoulos, in an open field, taking out his frustrations on a baseball and the bat that served as a murder weapon, setting the tone for the episode's tension and the lengths these characters are willing to go.
Ruth Landry, portrayed by Margo Martindale, orchestrates a meeting with her sister Florence Russell, luring her to the farm under the pretense of their brother Martin's health. The argument that ensues not only reveals the sibling relationship but also Florence's professional disagreement with Martin's home care. Ruth's persistence eventually wins, as Florence agrees to watch Martin, providing Ruth with the freedom to continue her clandestine activities.
Meanwhile, Leo, played by Mickael Gouin, tries to dissuade Leonard Gauthier Sr., Guy Nadon's character, from pursuing Ruth, but meets with resistance. Leonard's stubbornness is met with the collective disapproval of the town, highlighting his isolation. Ruth, in the midst of her own troubles, meets with Mike to discuss their storage container issue, further complicating their plan.
Detective Valerie Nadeau, Suzanne Clement's character, begins her official investigation into Orval Steeks' murder, leading to an impromptu meeting with Teddy Green, Gita Miller, and the discovery of Steeks' storage unit. As Remy, Guillaum Cyr, Ruth, and Mike race towards the unit, they find themselves in a tense game of cat and mouse with Green and Nadeau, who unknowingly pull up beside them.
The situation escalates when Green and Nadeau take an unexpected exit, leading to a frantic debate among the heist trio. Their relief is short-lived as Mike decides to follow the detectives, further delaying their mission. When Green and Nadeau stop at a fast food restaurant due to a forgotten warrant, Mike sees an opportunity to sabotage their vehicle, leading to a near encounter that Ruth narrowly avoids by blocking their view with a box truck.
Leonard, agitated by the town's reaction, confronts Florence at the Landry Farm, leading to a verbal altercation that reinforces his ruthless nature. Meanwhile, Remy, Ruth, and Mike break into the storage shed, only to be interrupted by Nadeau and Green's arrival. A tense standoff ensues as the detectives attempt to open the unit, unaware that the trio is hiding inside, keeping it closed.
Assuming the door is jammed, Nadeau and Green leave to find the manager, giving Ruth, Mike, and Remy the opportunity to escape, but not without leaving behind a broken lock. This oversight leads Nadeau to realize the flat tire was no accident, and she races back to confiscate the surveillance tape.
The episode concludes with Remy, Ruth, and Mike arriving at the warehouse, only to find Leo has hired a new guard, Gary Montour, played by Meegwun Fairbrother. This unexpected development leaves the heist's future in jeopardy, as the trio must now contend with an additional security measure.
"Margins" is a testament to the high-stakes game Ruth, Mike, and Remy are playing, where one wrong move could spell disaster. The episode is a masterclass in suspense, with each character's motivations and loyalties tested at every turn. As the heist's margins for error narrow, the question of who can be trusted and who will crack under pressure becomes the central theme, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats for the next installment of "The Sticky."