Clark the Mark

In a short statement of how to do television the right way, the "stick" folks put together a perfect episode that delves into the indie game of golf and how ego can ruin it.

Pryce, Santi and his mom , Zero, and Mitts all combine on multilayered scheme that tops the hustle from the first episode, convincing Clark Ross to do the what he never would, sponsor Santi. Stick, in a way that I never saw coming when the show's first episode popped up a month or so ago, has managed to do something that few series' are able to do, make you root for the home team. And these days, that's a bonus that none of us expect.

Stick isn't trying to be Ted Lasso-and that's exactly why it works so well. It's not about inspirational locker room speeches or feel-good endings wrapped in a bow. Instead, Stick grounds itself in gritty, honest storytelling with characters who feel like real people-flawed, stubborn, hopeful, and raw.

The show finds magic in subtle moments: a bar conversation that hits a nerve, a breakdown that feels too personal to be scripted, or an unexpected win that resonates deeper than any championship. Episode eight, for example, is a gut-punch of emotional payoff. The final minute? Simply unforgettable. If it doesn't move you, check your pulse.

And it's not just about feelings-it's about growth. The Price Makes episode hits with heavy realism, while the PGA tournament episode is both thrilling and surprisingly reflective. Stick captures what it means to fall, get back up, and keep swinging, not for glory, but for purpose.

If you're tired of polished characters and storylines tied up in clichés, give Stick a chance. It's heartfelt, a little messy, and deeply human-and that's what makes it stick.