Stick TV Show: Stuck on the Trauma Plot or Driving Toward Redemption?

The Stick TV show has officially teed off, premiering on Apple TV+ this June 2025—and it’s already sparking deep conversation. Fronted by Owen Wilson as a washed-up golfer seeking redemption, the series makes a heartfelt swing at emotional storytelling. But behind its sports comedy façade, Stick is stirring debate for how heavily it leans on trauma as a narrative engine. As new episodes drop weekly, viewers are starting to ask: is Stick truly uplifting, or is it just stuck in the rough?


What the Stick TV Show Gets Right

From the very first episode, the Stick TV show positions itself as more than just a story about golf. It’s about personal recovery, unconventional mentorship, and the messy climb back from public failure. Owen Wilson plays Pryce Cahill, a once-famous golfer whose career imploded after an on-air meltdown. He’s now broke, divorced, and grieving the loss of his young son—hardly the glossy protagonist of your typical sports comedy.

Enter Santi, a 17-year-old golf phenom with his own emotional baggage. Together, they navigate personal wounds, ambition, and the brutally honest world of elite sports. The chemistry between Pryce and Santi gives the show an authentic edge, grounding its more over-the-top moments with real emotional stakes.

What makes Stick shine in its best scenes is the humor laced within its heartbreak. It’s raw but funny, awkward but genuine. Wilson delivers his most nuanced performance in years—equal parts defeated and hopeful.


But the Stick TV Show Is Bogged Down by Trauma Tropes

Despite its charming cast and fresh premise, the Stick TV show often plays it safe by overusing the “trauma equals depth” formula. Nearly every character has a heavy backstory: Pryce lost his son, Santi is dealing with abandonment issues, Pryce’s ex-wife is bitter and barely holding it together. While emotional depth is welcome, here it feels almost mandatory, as if no character is allowed to simply exist without a tragic past.

The show seems determined to remind the audience of their pain every 10 minutes, leaving little space for lightheartedness to breathe. Instead of relying on the chemistry and humor that come naturally from its cast, Stick keeps circling back to old wounds.

This repetition dulls the impact. Viewers who expected a breezy, feel-good journey like Ted Lasso may feel misled by the tone. The potential for growth, comedy, and inspiration is there—but it’s often eclipsed by a forced emotional gravity that doesn’t always feel earned.


Casting, Setting, and Roll-Out Strategy

The cast is the show’s biggest strength. Owen Wilson owns his role, but Peter Dager as Santi nearly steals the show with raw vulnerability. Supporting roles—Judy Greer as Pryce’s ex-wife and Marc Maron as his grizzled friend—help balance the emotional weight with grounded performances.

Visually, the Stick TV show does justice to the sport. Courses are shot beautifully, and the golf sequences feel believable, not cartoonish. The series rolls out new episodes weekly on Apple TV+, with the first three episodes launching together. This slow drip keeps viewers engaged while allowing time for emotional threads to settle.

And yes, cameos from golf legends offer a fun nod to fans, but they’re wisely used sparingly. This is Pryce and Santi’s story—flawed, messy, and occasionally inspirational.

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Is There Still Time for the Stick TV Show to Evolve?

There’s no denying Stick has the core elements of a hit: a likable lead, underdog narrative, and emotional arcs that could inspire if handled with more finesse. But unless it breaks free from its overuse of trauma flashbacks, the show risks losing the balance between comedy and catharsis.

That said, only a few episodes have aired so far. There’s still time for the show to lighten up, embrace its humor more fully, and let characters evolve without constantly reopening their wounds.

Whether you’re a fan of sports stories, emotional dramas, or just curious about Owen Wilson in a role that’s equal parts broken and hopeful, Stick is worth a try. Just don’t expect too many laughs without some tears.


Ready to watch Stick for yourself? Stream the latest episodes on Apple TV+ every Wednesday, and see whether Pryce and Santi can pull themselves out of the emotional bunker—or get stuck in it for good.