WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Stick season 1, episode 7.
Stickepisode 7 packs an emotional punch early by diving inside Pryce Cahill’s past as he imagines the life his son Jett could have lived. After starting out as a golf comedy,Stickhas found new footing as an extended family drama series focused on grief and recovery. Golf becomes much less of a focal point and more of an extended metaphor for thecharacters inStick, who find themselves stuck in the rough and caught in bad lies but attempt to overcome and reframe on their next shot.
Following a blowout fight between Pryce, Santi, and Zero inStickepisode 6, episode 7 deals with the aftermath of Pryce making a deal with Zero behind Santi’s back inStickepisode 4. Each main character battles internal conflicts that largely have to do with their identities and past wounds, all while trying to inspire Santi to reach his potential. Wilson’s Pryce continues to carry the show with his signature lightheartedness, althoughthe best moments of season 1 so far stem from Pryce’s greatest tragedy.
Stick Episode 7 Portrays Grief Much Better Than It Does Golf
Pryce’s Opening Sequence Of What Could Have Been Is Remarkable
The core group of characters inStickall deal with various levels of grief and loss, some of which come to a head in episode 7, titled “Dreams Never Remembered.” The episode opens with what isby far the most effective and well-executed sequence in the series, with an inside look into Pryce’s mind.
Watching Pryce live out memories with Jett that he was never able to have is a tender and heartbreaking experience.
The magnitude of Pryce’s pain, as well as that of his wife, Amber-Linn, is beautifully portrayed inStickepisode 7. It’s devastating without getting forcefully emotional. It tells you everything you need to know about Pryce in a few minutes, which is why it may have been better placed at the start of the series rather than being buried this late in the first season. It’s ironic and telling thatPryce has suffered the greatest loss out of all the characters, but is still the one holding them all together.
Watching Pryce live out memories with Jett that he was never able to have is a tender and heartbreaking experience. Jett is shown in various stages of childhood and adolescence, all to the day when he would have left for college. Pryce asks him to stay home instead of going out with his friends, saying, “What about me? What if I’m not gonna be all right?” with a chilling sadness, given the reality. It took seven episodes to get here, butStickis finally starting to show viewers the type of show it’s meant to be.
Stick’s Hollow Supporting Characters Prevent The Show From Getting Too Deep
There’s Way Too Much Jargon About Generational & Ideological Differences
The lack of golf focus and knowledge inStickis no longer the show’s biggest problem after seven episodes. Viewers who felt misled by the gold comedy premise are likely on to their next show anyway.Stick’ssupporting characters are overly defined by generational gaps and ideological conflictsto the point where they don’t really feel like authentic people. Instead, characters like Mitts and Zero are voice boxes for separate communities, each trying to maintain or establish their status quo.
These rigid character archetypes and blatant caricatures are what’s holding this show back from being consistently enjoyable or at least entertaining. During Mitts and Zero’s argument about Santi, for example, Mitts can’t help but blame Gen Z for Zero’s emotional sensitivity, and Zero tosses in a “Bye, Boomer,” after taking cash from Mitts.People don’t actually talk like thiswith such hypersensitivity to generational differences.
This amalgamation of very different character types has created a strange tension between the characters, whichreally works against the “feel-good” dynamic thatStickis after. More importantly, it’s not very entertaining and makes it hard to invest in any supporting character outside the context of Pryce. On top of all this,Stick’sgreatest supporting characters, played by Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant, are virtually absent from the show.
All things considered,Stickcontinues to be a letdown. Even looking past the biggest issues from the first half of season 1, there’s just not enough heart or authenticity to care about the show. It feels like it was cooked up in a lab and checked all the boxes for success based on data and trends. Unfortunately, that may be exactly why it feels so hollow. Even though the show looks to be getting back on the golf course in its last three episodes, it may be too late to stick the landing.
Stick Season 1, Episode 7
Cast
A disgraced golf pro seeks redemption by mentoring a troubled teen prodigy, igniting a journey of healing and second chances.
