The German Robot – The Trades opens by introducing blue-collar pipe fitter, Todd Stool (Robb Wells) and his foreman Randy Bennett (Tom Green). The slur of insults that follows suggests the two men are more than familiar with each other, likely fierce rivals. Further discussion reveals that Todd is just now getting back to work but has been working double time to finish the big secret project that he claims with revolutionize the welding industry. When Todd later ends his shift, he enjoys a quick drive home through what appears to be a very quaint and small town.

Todd arrives home to find his sister, Audrey Stool (Anastasia Phillips), right in the middle of a heated debate with their pet raccoon, Snax. He isn’t at all happy to learn that she’s shaved in his hot tub, but the spirited arrival of Billy (Aaron Poole), wearing his robe and boxer shorts, only makes matters worse. When Billy sneaks away to get a beer, Audrey says when you can’t have Mister Right, you have to go for Mister Right Now.

The following morning, Billy becomes more of a nuisance when he asks Todd to drop him off at home on his way to work. Despite Todd sticking him in the bed of the pickup, he questions him about his intentions with Audrey using the sliding rear window. Billy’s responses suggest that he may actually care for her. Todd drops him off in a neighborhood that is nowhere near his home.

At the Conch’s tool crib, Jimi (Enrico Colantoni) harasses one of the new hires, Tanner (Jordan Poole), while also stressing the importance of good tools. Todd appears to enjoy the exchange while greeting several other employees on his way to the break room.

Before Todd’s arrival in the break room several of his coworkers are introduced. While most of them appear to be concerned with a robot/technology invasion, Homer’s (Jesse Camacho) paranoid rants about cell phones being the perfect recording devices suggest that he might be the ringleader of these illusions. Taser (Brandon Oakes) finds it peculiar that he is constantly being asked to verify he isn’t a robot when buying weed online. Backwoods (Dan Petronijevic) soon directs the group’s attention to Steph (Susan Kent) as he laughs at her attempts to chisel her frozen hard hat from a block of ice. He tells her that she reaps what she sows.

Todd’s unveiling of his secret project does not go at all how he intended. He excitedly explains everything the machine can do and how it is just another tool for them to use, they appear to only be concerned with it replacing them. Backwoods tells him that he didn’t about what he was doing, as he is the last of the group to storm off in disappointment.

Elsewhere Audrey has a horrible experience with a difficult customer trying to return a pair of jeans she apparently crapped in. Although Steph is only trying to buy a pair of jeans and get back to work before her lunch break ends, Audrey becomes inspired by her intervention. When Lena (Alexandra MacLean) demands Audrey apologize to the customer, she quits and catches up with Steph. After the two introduce themselves, Audrey is further surprised to learn that Steph works with Todd.

Homer continues his paranoia ranting about a robot takeover with new hire Tanner. Homer warns him about sharing what he’s saying with the others but it is revealed seconds later that Homer has left his radio on during the ranting. On the other end, Taser promises not to tell anyone but the whole break room has overheard him. Despite their laughing, the entire room gives Todd the cold shoulder when he shows up. According to Homer, Bennett has confirmed the employee’s fear by sending an e-mail around blaming Todd for the robots as well.

Todd goes into Bennett’s office to confront him about the e-mail. Once Todd accuses him of selling him out, Bennett says that Todd’s problem is he doesn’t know whether he wants to be corporate or down on the work floor. Throughout their discussion, Bennett has been downing an assortment of drugs and apparently overdoes it. The scene ends with him collapsing and Todd scrambling for a phone to call the paramedics.

While waiting outside the plant for the paramedics to arrive, Mehdi (Raoul Bhaneja) not only appears to be the only employee left on speaking terms with Todd but encourages him to take the initiative to name himself site manager in Bennett’s absence.

Although Steph complained earlier about needing to get back to work, she and Audrey are now at ‘The Leaky Pipe’ where they discuss employment opportunities in their small town. Steph basically gives Audrey the push she needs to go into one of the trades.

Todd wakes the following morning in a festive mood but finds himself deciding on the perfect shade of blue shirt. Audrey helps him make a decision while also congratulating him for having life figured out, although he doesn’t appear to see it that way. He says the more he tries to help, the worse he makes things. Their quick conversation is soon interrupted byBilly, banging on the window. Audrey immediately lets him know that she isn’t interested in, ‘a smoke and poke.’ She apparently has other plans.

Todd visits Bennett in the hospital where he can’t decide whether he is happy or sad about Bennett’s collapse. Without Todd’s knowledge, Backwoods shows up in the middle of his confession and teases him. Their quick meeting reveals that despite Bennett being a slime bag, the guys are all pitching in to cover his pay. Todd is even leveraged into forking over a little. Meanwhile, Audrey’s decision of the trades becomes clear when she shows up at the Carpenters Union.

Later that day, Todd attempts to unveil his secret project to the entire plant, but it once again doesn’t go as intended. This time instead of everyone getting upset, the machine fails in the middle of its presentation. It is later revealed that Todd sabotaged the machine.

Todd and Audrey kick off the weekend in the hot tub while discussing work politics. This is where she also reveals her joining the Carpenters Union and desire to start helping out.

The arrival of Chelsea Nakamura (Jennifer Spence) outside the plant suggests that corporate may have different plans for Todd.

 

The Trades Review

If you enjoy Trailer Park Boys, Shorsey, or Letterkenny, you will love this series. It certainly isn’t the greatest thing in the world, but it is absolutely worth the watch. As a longtime fan of the Trailer Park Boys and the newer Shorsey, I enjoyed the premiere and would give it a 5.3 out of 10. I can’t deny that some of the comedy is somewhat off-putting and childish, but that’s to be expected.

I really loved the small-town atmosphere as well as the brotherhood bond of the blue-collar workforce. It was also a nice throwback to see Tom Green back on the screen, although he is certainly an acquired taste. That’s nothing new either. All in all not, a bad series! There will be plenty of feel-good/nostalgic moments for those familiar with the cast and crew’s previous works. Did anyone catch the voice of the employee who left the message on Bennett’s answering machine about missing work due to caring for his mother’s sick cat? It’d certainly Robb reunited with some of his old running mates, even if it was only for an episode or two.

 

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