The Pickle Barrel

"The Pickle Barrel" is the second segment of the seventh episode of the first season of the 2021 series of Rugrats. It premiered on Paramount+ on October 7th, 2021.

Characters Present

 * Tommy
 * Chuckie
 * Phil
 * Lil
 * Susie
 * Stu
 * Didi
 * Chas
 * Lou
 * Betty
 * Copy
 * Bob Brine
 * Graham (background)
 * Duffy

Summary
Tommy and Chuckie discover that playing music might threaten their friendship. - Description from Paramount+

Plot
Phil and Lil are drinking milk from Spike's dog bowl. When Tommy asks why, Phil explains that the two of them want to turn into cats. That way, they would get to eat as much cat food as they wanted and use a litter box. Meanwhile, Didi and Betty are putting together publicity for a cat adoption concert. Didi tells Betty it's a great idea, that so many cats will find new homes. Betty tells her that one already has, that she's adopted the cat Copy for her shop, Betty's Beans. Lou shows up and is surprised to see that one of the posters is advertising Bob Brine. Betty explains that Chas heard he was in town and is a huge supporter of cat rescue. Lou, however, does not look pleased, saying that he never thought he'd see him again.

Didi explains that the two of them once sang together as "Pickles and Brine." Betty suggests that they could sing together for that evening's concert. Lou replies that there's no chance, that they haven't seen each other in ages and it's fine by him. Betty explains that Stu and Chas have been trying to get them back together for years. Lou states adamantly that it won't happen, that music is what caused them to stop being friends in the first place. He says to not even ask him about the fight. Hearing this, Phil and Lil are shocked. Tommy points out that Chas plays music, asking Chuckie what he thinks. Chuckie replies that anything is possible and that music might be more dangerous than he thought. The scene changes and Chas has given the kids a box full of instruments to play with. They quickly get to playing, but Chuckie is reluctant, saying they shouldn't. Susie says it's fun, but Chuckie worries that playing music will stop them all from being friends. Tommy tells him that it's not a big deal, that they're just playing at home with music toys. Chuckie finally gives in and they get to playing.

Meanwhile, Stu talks with Lou, still trying to sell him on the idea that he should play together with Bob Brine. There's a knock at the door and he and Chas play dumb as to the identity of the visitor, but it turns out to be Bob Brine. He and Lou trade barbs, Lou saying that he's imagined the moment many times. He continues, calling Brine out for going off on tour on his own singing the songs they wrote together. Brine replies that it was only because Lou didn't want to come. Lou continues that the big star has come crawling back and asks for an apology. Brine rejects the idea, saying he's only there because Chas told him Lou had changed, but he hasn't. They huff and cross their arms. Chuckie points out the fight, and Tommy suggests they show them they can play music and still be friends. They try it, but find themselves out of sync and find themselves squaring off just like Lou and Brine. Susie calls them out on the way they're acting. They try again, this time playing in sync.

Lou talks with Brine, saying that he already told Chas and Stu that their group is in the past. He says he never even thinks about the act, but Stu presents a large copy of their old album, asking why he still has it. Lou claims not to have seen it years, but Stu notes that it was hanging on the wall in a custom frame. Chas suggests putting on the album for old-times sake, but breaks the record player. Lou tells him to not worry, that he's high-tech, and tries to get Duffy to play the album. Duffy, however, misunderstands his commands. Just then, they hear Tommy and Chuckie playing. Seeing them playing so well together, Brine suggests they get them on stage at Betty's Beans. This, however, just causes them to start arguing again. Tommy apologizes to Chuckie, saying that music is dangerous. Chuckie agrees that they can never play again. He and Tommy give their instruments, a kazoo and a cowbell, to the others to hide. However, they turn out to be bad hiders.

That evening at Betty's Beans, the babies are there with their toy instruments, including Tommy and Chuckie. Betty introduces Brine, who says that he'd like to start with a song he wrote a long time ago with his best friend. He says it's about the power of friendship and that it's hard to sing by himself, giving himself a minute to compose himself. Tommy tells Chuckie that Brine needs help and hands Chuckie his kazoo. Chuckie asks what will happen to them. Tommy admits that he doesn't know, but says that no matter what, he'll never stop being Chuckie's friend. They head up on-stage and seeing them, Brine comments that he's not singing by himself after all. They begin and, hearing the song, Lou crumbles. He comes up on stage as well and starts singing after Brine finishes the first verse. The two continue together, the song eventually becoming a duet. Meanwhile, Phil wanders around the cafe and seeing the cat Copy outside wonders if Lil has finally succeeded into turning into a cat. The song ends and Brine thanks Lou, saying that he loves him. Lou admits to Brine that he missed him.

Trivia

 * "Duffy," the electronic personal assistant device first seen in "I Dream of Duffy," reappears when Lou Pickles attempts to use it to play music.
 * This is the fourth episode of the reboot in which Angelica doesn't appear.