Saagar Kote
Apple TV+’s’ Stick’ explores the story of Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson), a washed-up former Golf Pro who takes the bet of his life on Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager), a gifted golf prodigy. The previous episode ended with Santi becoming the winner of the Sparkling Meadows Championship after angrily walking out on Pryce, who was trying to give him some advice as a mentor. Santi befriends Zero, a girl who quit her job as a waitress at the club. After a meaningful conversation, Elena and Mitts agree that they have to be civil with each other if the team has to work. Pryce and Santi find themselves at an impasse, which could potentially cost them their whole partnership and their futures in golf if they don’t see eye to eye. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Pryce Faces a Tough Situation
After Santi walks out on him, Pryce is concerned about the kid’s safety. He sends Santi a voice note to ensure he is okay. Pryce is now in a complicated situation, realizing he must somehow come to speaking terms with Santi once again if their partnership has to succeed. Elena and Mitts learn through a TV advertisement on the RV that Clark Ross of Ready Safe Insurance is hosting the Ready Safe Invitational golf tournament.
It is revealed that Clark Ross was Pryce’s former playing partner, who had caused his infamous meltdown at Sawgrass in the past. Pryce tells Elena he is worried about Applebrook, the first of two qualifiers for the US Amateur that Santi must participate in. However, Elena worries that Santi doesn’t listen to anyone. He returns home with Zero, who informs the group that they prefer the pronouns she/they. Santi is still angry at Pryce and doesn’t talk to him cordially, which makes Pryce more worried.
Pryce tries to cozy up to Santi by bringing him some breakfast to his door. However, the boy is not interested in letting him in. He clarifies that he wishes to hang out with Zero and their friends by swimming at a quarry nearby. Still, Pryce attempts to have a conversation with Santi, but to no avail. However, Santi agrees to attend a practice session later in the day if his mentor agrees to leave him alone. This complicates the situation further; it begins to look like Santi may not ever be friendly with Pryce again. During a conversation with Elena, Mitts tells her that Pryce’s nickname is Stick because he was extraordinarily good at golf during his prime.
Knowing What You Don’t Know
Pryce, Elena, and Mitts go to the quarry to check on Santi. Pryce goes into the swimming area alone and sees Santi basking in the sun with Zero and their young friends. He attempts to converse with the boy, but Zero intervenes and accuses him of treating Santi like a cash cow and that he doesn’t really care about him. Zero’s Gen Z perspective confuses Pryce. Meanwhile, Mitts tells Elena that Pryce had a son named Jett, who died of cancer at the age of four, and that Pryce doesn’t prefer to talk about it. Elena feels guilty because she told Pryce that he wouldn’t be able to make peace with Santi, as he doesn’t know what it is like to have a kid. This adds a tragic layer to Pryce’s already downward trajectory in life. He has shielded these feelings of loss from the outside world.
After many failed efforts, Pryce finally manages to have a proper conversation with Santi. He apologizes to the young man, telling him he shouldn’t have talked to him like he did at the Sparkling Meadows Championship. He tries to educate Santi about the complex realities of the life of an athlete, revealing that he, too, was a young golf prodigy once and wasn’t aware of everything, and
“didn’t know what he didn’t know” about the sport. He attempts to convince Santi that he should use his head instead of overthinking his game or being unnecessarily aggressive, because he wants Santi’s playing style to be sustainable in the long run. However, Santi isn’t interested in this advice and tells Pryce to keep cashing the checks, as he is confident he’ll keep winning.
Pryce Makes a Deal with Zero
While Mitts cooks some steak for everyone by the RV, Zero tells him they don’t eat red meat. Hearing this, Santi refuses to eat the steak either. This incident makes Pryce believe that Zero is the only person Santi will listen to. He discreetly talks to Zero inside the RV and asks them to accompany the team on the road and be Santi’s caddy. To make his argument more convincing, he offers them money and his 1999 Ryder Cup Team Ring from Brookline as collateral. Though initially hesitant, Zero accepts. Later, after faking a minor leg injury, Pryce cleverly makes Santi suggest Zero as a replacement caddy. Mitts realizes this is an act, but Pryce believes he is finally making things move again and remains optimistic about the plan.
Read More: Is Stick a True Story?
