Stick: el swing perfecto

Watch it with no expectations!

I don't know much about golf and it's definitely not a sport I follow, but this show really surprised me. Even though golf is the central theme, the real strength of the series lies in the characters, relationships, and little life lessons along the way.

It's light, funny, and easy to watch - I binged the whole thing in just two days. The episodes are short, and the pacing keeps you engaged without feeling overwhelming. It's not a groundbreaking series, but it has heart, charm, and a unique setting that sets it apart from other shows.

If you're looking for something refreshing that doesn't take itself too seriously, give it a shot. It's one of those "feel-good surprises" that stays with you longer than you'd expect.

My hopes weren't particularly high with this one as the marketing seemed very lightweight and the first episode in particular included every single washed up star cliche in the book. But as the show goes on and the core premise started to take shape, I soon find myself looking forward to each episode.

Stick has been dubbed 'the golf Ted Lasso' but doesn't quite swing for the same dramatic depths (other than a few standout scenes) and the writing is not quite as tight (whether intentional or not, almost every character has moments where they come across as unlikeable or rude).

However what we do have is a light, breezy watch that doesn't outstay its welcome, and a few moments of euphoria when everything clicks and the show is firing on all cylinders. If you're going throgh a tough time in your life, this might just be the show you need right now.

Bonus points if you're a golf fan - there's plenty of references and the actual golfing itself is shot rather well!

Stick is one of Apple TV's latest offerings and it is one of their best, albeit with one major flaw. The show is mostly good, with a wonderful performance from Owen Wilson as former golf pro, Pryce. It's cool to see him in a TV show rather than a film. He becomes a mentor for young, up and comer Santi, who is played by Peter Dager. Mariana Trevino plays his mom, while Marc Maron plays Pryce's friend. These four are all great. I love the performances all around, for different reasons. We even get Timothy Olyphant for a few episodes. The dynamics and dialogue between all the main characters are what makes it so watchable. I felt invested in their stories and what they were going through. A job well done with them.

The biggest flaw of the show is the Zero character, played by Lilli Kay. She is just annoying and cringe with some of the things she says. I don't know what they were thinking with her. She's snotty and entitled. I can't stand her. It looks like I'm not alone.

Overall, Stick is rewarding in the end, especially if you "stick" with it. There are many emotional moments throughout that really connects you with the characters and makes you feel for them. Some of the comedy is genuinely good. Even if you don't like golf, it has enough going for it to suck you in.

I watched all 10 episodes and I have to credit Wilson and Maron, both great characters and save the show. The kid was quite annoying, coming across as a selfish brat, but the real issue is with the 'Zero' character. There was not a line of script that wasn't irritating, horrible actor too. From about episode 7 I skipped through every word spoken by 'them/they'. Virtue signalling nonsense, which is a shame as the show had promise.

Amazing how many viewers stopped watching after the 3rd/4th episode. One horrible character could ruin the potential future of this series, the producers really need to think long and hard.

Owen Wilson carries off this light weight comedy well, he's funny with good timing, plus his character is well written and interesting.

The young golfer is an awfully unlikeable character and his girlfriend (I think) Zero is even worse, they are both grumpy, spoilt people and I'll throw in badly acted.

And that just drags down this show to just being okay, firstly is Zero a boy pretending to be a girl or vice versa, I'm not sure, but more importantly I don't care, she's just a boring sad character, I can't quit workout why they dropped her into the story.

More amusing than funny, with all the best lines going to Wilson, again the golf prodigy and his girlfriend are unlikeable characters without any funny lines, just dull attempts at comments on society.