Pryce Cahill, a former professional golfer whose career ended after a public meltdown on live television, now works as a salesman at a sports supply store, clearly still passionate about golf but struggling to move on from his past glory. In the opening scene, Pryce uses his charm and golf knowledge to convince a customer, Dale, to buy an expensive $1,200 golf club, showcasing his salesmanship and lingering connection to the sport.

While working at the driving range, Pryce notices a young golfer, Santi Wheeler, displaying remarkable natural talent. Intrigued, Pryce approaches Santi and strikes up a conversation, quickly recognizing the boy's potential. Pryce, feeling a mix of nostalgia and hope, decides to offer Santi informal coaching, seeing in him a chance to vicariously relive his own dreams. Santi, initially reserved, is drawn to Pryce's enthusiasm and agrees to let him help, though their dynamic is tentative and unformed at this stage.

Pryce's best friend, Mitts--his former caddie--joins them, providing comic relief and support. The trio begins to form a loose team, with Pryce eager to prove he still has value in the golf world, Mitts skeptical but loyal, and Santi cautiously optimistic about what this new mentorship might bring. Pryce's competitive nature surfaces as he pushes Santi to improve, but he also struggles with accountability, sometimes prioritizing his own ego over Santi's needs.

Meanwhile, flashbacks and home videos reveal Pryce's past life with his ex-wife, Amber-Linn, and their son, Jett. These scenes show moments of domestic happiness, childhood mischief, and teenage rebellion, painting a picture of a family that has since fractured. In the present, it becomes clear that Jett is no longer part of Pryce's life, though the exact circumstances are not yet explained, only that his absence is a source of deep regret for Pryce.

Santi's mother, Elena, is introduced as a protective and pragmatic figure, wary of Pryce's intentions but willing to give him a chance for her son's sake. She observes the growing bond between Pryce and Santi with a mix of hope and concern, aware of the emotional risks involved. At a local golf tournament, Santi meets Zero, a fellow young golfer, and the two form a tentative friendship, adding another layer to Santi's social world.

As the episode progresses, Pryce's unresolved issues with fatherhood and failure begin to surface. He is haunted by memories of Jett and fears that history might repeat itself with Santi. Pryce's internal conflict is palpable--he wants to guide Santi to success, but his own insecurities and past mistakes threaten to undermine the relationship. Santi, for his part, is testing boundaries, unsure how much to trust Pryce, and wrestling with his own desires for approval and independence.

The episode's climax occurs when Pryce, in a moment of frustration during practice, reverts to old habits, prioritizing winning over Santi's well-being. This causes a rift between them, with Santi feeling used and Pryce realizing he has repeated past mistakes. The tension is unresolved by the episode's end, leaving their mentorship in a fragile state.

In the final scene, home videos play, contrasting Pryce's past happiness with his current loneliness and regret. The episode closes on a bittersweet note, with Pryce staring at the screen, visibly affected by the memories, while Santi, Elena, and Mitts remain uncertain about what the future holds for their newfound connection.

The ending of Stick Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot" shows Pryce Cahill, a washed-up former golf pro, successfully hustling his way into a sponsor exemption for a rising young golfer, Santi Wheeler. The episode closes with Pryce receiving a warning from his friend Mitts that his angle will likely backfire, setting up the series' central tension between Pryce's flawed attempts at redemption and Santi's promising career.

Expanded narrative of the ending scene by scene:

The final sequence begins with Pryce Cahill, played by Owen Wilson, navigating a tense golf-related hustle. Pryce, who has a history of self-sabotage and a tarnished reputation, is trying to secure a sponsor exemption for Santi Wheeler, a talented but inexperienced young golfer. Pryce's actions are driven by a desperate need to reclaim relevance in the golf world, despite his own career having been derailed by personal failings.

As Pryce maneuvers through this scheme, the camera captures his conflicted emotions--there is a mix of hope, anxiety, and a hint of self-awareness about the precariousness of his situation. The hustle is not just about golf; it symbolizes Pryce's attempt to attach himself to Santi's rising star as a way to regain some measure of success and purpose.

The scene then cuts to a phone call where Mitts, Pryce's friend and confidant, expresses disbelief that Santi's team has actually hired Pryce. Mitts warns ominously, "Whatever angle you're playing here it's going to blow up in your face. It always does." This line underscores the recurring theme of Pryce's life: his best efforts often lead to self-destruction.

The episode ends on this note of tension and uncertainty, with Pryce poised between potential redemption and inevitable failure. The closing moments encapsulate the show's premise--a flawed man trying to fake his way back to relevance while possibly helping his reluctant protégé, setting the stage for both comedic and dramatic developments.

Regarding the fate of the main characters at this episode's end:

• Pryce Cahill remains a deeply flawed but somewhat endearing figure, caught in his own cycle of self-sabotage but still striving for a comeback.
• Santi Wheeler is positioned as a promising young golfer whose career is about to be influenced by Pryce's involvement, though he remains wary and uncertain.
• Mitts serves as a voice of caution, aware of Pryce's tendencies and the likely fallout from his schemes.

This ending sets up the ongoing conflict and character dynamics that will drive the series forward, focusing on themes of redemption, impostor syndrome, and the tension between talent and discipline.

In the Pilot episode, Pryce Cahill convinces a man named Dale to buy an expensive $1200 golf club at the driving range, which leads to Pryce embarking on a mission to secure a life-changing opportunity.

Santi is a teenage golf phenom whom Pryce begins mentoring in the first episode. Pryce sees mentoring Santi as a chance to save his own struggling career and life.

Pryce is down on his luck after an on-course meltdown derailed his professional golf career. He is also dealing with pressure from his ex-wife Amber-Linn to sell their house, and worries about his relationship with his son Jett.

Amber-Linn pressures Pryce to sell their house, adding to his personal and financial struggles in the Pilot episode.

The 'what if' scenarios depict Pryce's life with Amber-Linn and their son Jett at different ages, including moments of childhood mischief and teenage rebellion. These scenes illustrate Pryce's fears about losing contact with his son and add depth to his character's motivations.

The TV show Stick (Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot," 2025) is rated TV-MA, indicating it is intended for mature audiences and is not strictly family-friendly or suitable for young children. It is also listed as 14+ on Apple TV+, suggesting it may be appropriate for older teens but still contains content that might be sensitive for younger viewers.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers include:

• Mature themes related to personal struggles, career setbacks, and family issues.
• Emotional drama involving loss, disappointment, and complex adult relationships.
• Some language and situations typical of a TV-MA comedy-drama, which may include mild profanity or adult humor.
• The show deals with a troubled teen prodigy and an ex-golfer facing life challenges, which may include moments of tension or emotional intensity.

There are no specific reports of graphic violence, explicit sexual content, or extreme material in the pilot episode, but the mature rating suggests caution for sensitive viewers or children. The tone is described as a heartfelt, touching sports comedy-drama with a focus on human relationships and redemption, balancing humor with emotional depth.

In summary, Stick is best suited for mature teens and adults rather than young children or highly sensitive viewers due to its mature themes and TV-MA rating.