The past catches up with the characters just in time for the most consequential competition in Stick Season 1, Episode 9, “Showtime.” This episode, written by Christopher Moynihan and directed by John Hamburg, finds the perfect stage for its events in the ReadySafe Invitational. It coincides with the undercurrent of tension fit for Stick’s debut season’s penultimate episode.
It becomes the best place for familiar faces and all of their history to come together. That past gradually starts to put pressure on the show’s optimistic perspective. Its lasting impact, though, is what it means for the characters and their relationships heading into the season finale.
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The ReadySafe Invitational
A big part of what makes all of that work is having the characters in the same place. “Showtime” is not a bottle episode by any means (TV needs to make more of those again!). Nevertheless, keeping the characters in that one location – there aren’t multiple stops on the road trip or montages – is effective in executing this part of the story. It’s arguably the most immersive Stick has been in its sport. The framing device with the commentators – Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman – is well-used. The cameos from real-life golfers – Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, and Wyndham Clark – then make it all more believable.
The inclusion of those players never feels heavy-handed or like a revolving door. Stick moves from its characters – Santi sees the names – Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler, Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, and Viktor Hovland – in the sign-up book. That scene and its inclusion of real people elevate the excitement and pressure around Santi’s game. Those golfers also become figures in a nostalgic and, sometimes, uncomfortable space for Pryce. They have fixed, idolized versions of Pryce in their head that Stick deconstructs over the season.
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Lilli Kay, Mariana Treviño, Judy Greer and Marc Maron in “Stick,” premiering June 4, 2025 on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. 
Owen Wilson and Peter Dager in “Stick,” now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+. 
Timothy Olyphant and Peter Dager in “Stick,” now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.
Is It Good to Rock the Boat?
All of Pryce’s internal monologues become externalized in the commentators, golfers, and Clark Ross. So, “Showtime” starts to feel like a pressure cooker that’s almost encouraging Pryce to regress. That sentiment only gains more evidence with the reappearance of Judy Greer as Amber-Linn. Somehow, Stick manages to underuse Greer’s appearances yet perfectly places them throughout the season. She is fantastic in this role and has excellent chemistry with Owen Wilson, so it’s always a shame when the show doesn’t feature her more often. Then again, “Showtime,” like “Dreams Never Remembered,” exemplifies the weight Greer brings when she steps back into frame.
For example, Amber-Linn returning to Stick by surprising Pryce at the ReadySafe Invitational is a dynamic choice. Not only does she give him that extra support in this familiar yet unfamiliar situation, but she also becomes one of the only people who can see if Pryce’s personal development is, well, sticking. Of course, this examination isn’t to say that Pryce’s journey needs to be linear because that’s unrealistic and not all that entertaining for the show. It’s only to show the work Pryce has put into himself and his emotional and mental well-being over the last eight episodes. That scene between Wilson and Greer when they discuss as much is easily the penultimate episode’s strongest scene.
It’s a painful yet healing and entirely honest snapshot of people doing their best with golf as the backdrop – it’s Stick at its best. Then again, this episode never stumbles as it digs into Clark being a needle in Pryce’s – and now Santi’s – side. Clark trying to poach Santi becomes yet another dynamic way for Stick to compare and contrast the two former professional golfers. It is also such a hilarious and heartwarming way to showcase how solid Santi and Pryce are by “Showtime.” Unfortuantely, that stability is too strong for a season’s penultimate episode. Therefore, Stick finds a predictable yet stunning rug-pull in Santi’s father, Gary, finally appearing. Everyone plays that moment with the magnitude it deserves, making it an ideal cliffhanger leading into the season finale.
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What did you think of Stick Season 1, Episode 9, “Showtime?” Let us know in the comments below!
New episodes of Stick stream on Wednesdays on Apple TV+.
