Stick: el swing perfecto

The show started off promising. Owen Wilson is playing his stock likable lead character well enough, but the supporting characters are going to tank this show fast if something doesn't change.

At first, the stereotypical smart alec teen and the sassy Latina mom are okay, but their shticks quickly wear thin. Both are spoiled and unlikable, and by the fourth episode, I found myself fast-forwarding through most of their scenes since they mostly consisted of Pryce (Wilson's character) begging them for one thing or another. You'll find yourself getting angry on his behalf that he has to beg people he's paid $100k for basic respect and to hold up their end of the contract.

I haven't even mentioned yet the caddy-"Zero" is (her?) name-who is some compilation of every radical woke stereotype wrapped up in one. The identity wouldn't matter if the person was even semi-likable. But she too is insufferable and mean and bratty. (Why does one show need to stack up with so many unlikable characters? Every single character must be mean and snarky and pile on to bully the lowly main character? Why did the writers themselves not get how lopsided and hard to watch that would be for the viewer?)

I will give it a little more time, but I have one foot out of the proverbial door at this point. When I'm having to fast forward scenes of a new show because they're predictable and redundant and frustrating, that's not a good sign. I hope the writers course-correct before it's too late.

Interesting characters, decent writing, good acting and one snotty millennial actress Lilly Kay just destroys the show and renders it unwatchable. The chemistry between the rest of the cast is good, she is like a permanent oil stain on a racetrack.

Good portrayal of what it is like to be a golfer, the precarious balance between confidence and coming off the rails at any moment. The precarious balance between letting a teenager test himself and providing the safety net when he predictably fails. Owen Wilson is the perfect "former great golfer" - equal measure of chaos, arrogance and neediness.

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!

The first few episodes from this show were pretty lame. Lots of the characters could be better. However--it gets better. Starting episode 8 it gets really good. By 9-10, I really started to like the show. Owen Wilson does an amazing job, the kid grows on you. Their relation makes the show worth watching. The first half of the season is like a 6/10, but the later half is much better. Would love to see a second season.

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.