The episode opens with Pryce teaching Zero the basics of golf and how to relay covert hand signals to guide Santi during the upcoming qualifier. Pryce devises this system because Santi is reluctant to fully accept Pryce's coaching directly. Zero's role is to subtly communicate Pryce's instructions to Santi on the course without raising suspicion.

At the golf course, Santi begins the qualifier with Zero as his new caddy. Pryce watches closely, sending signals through Zero to influence Santi's shots and strategy. Santi struggles initially with his tendency to show off and take risky shots, but Zero's calm presence and Pryce's guidance help him stay focused and play more strategically.

As the qualifier progresses, the team's communication system works effectively. Santi manages to control his impulses and follow the plan, steadily improving his performance. The tension builds as Santi approaches the final holes, with Pryce and Zero coordinating to ensure he makes the right decisions under pressure.

Santi ultimately wins the qualifier, securing his place in the U.S. Amateur tournament. The team celebrates the victory back at their RV, sharing a rare moment of joy and relief after the intense competition.

During the celebration, a framed photograph of Mitts and his late wife accidentally falls and shatters. This triggers an emotional outburst from Mitts, who confronts Pryce angrily. Mitts accuses Pryce of using Santi as a way to live out his own dreams and to cope with the grief of losing his son, Jett. The confrontation escalates into a physical fight between the two men, revealing deep-seated pain and unresolved emotions.

After the fight, Pryce admits that he is betting everything on Santi's success and asks Mitts for his support. The two friends share a heartfelt and cathartic moment of understanding, reconciling their differences and reaffirming their bond.

Later, as night falls, Santi and Zero go camping under the stars, following Mitts's suggestion. In this intimate setting, they share a quiet moment that culminates in a kiss, marking a new milestone in their relationship and deepening their connection.

The episode closes with the team preparing for the main tournament, united and hopeful, while the beautiful sunset lights their path forward. Elena is seen driving the RV, indicating Mitts's growing trust in her. Pryce and Santi share a moment of camaraderie, ready to face the challenges ahead together.

At the end of "Stick" Season 1, Episode 5, titled "The Birdie Machine," Santi competes in the US Amateur Qualifier tournament with Zero as his new caddy, while Pryce uses covert coaching tactics from the sidelines. The episode closes with Santi navigating the pressures of the tournament, Zero shedding her performative facade to become a more earnest and human character, and Pryce continuing his behind-the-scenes influence. Mitts delivers and receives harsh truths, highlighting the tensions among the characters.

Expanded narrative of the ending scene by scene:

The episode culminates at the US Amateur Qualifier golf tournament. Santi steps up to tee off, visibly tense but determined. Zero, who has recently taken on the role of his caddy, offers quiet but sincere support, moving beyond her earlier posturing. This shift in Zero's demeanor is significant, as it reveals her internal struggle and desire to be genuine amid the competitive environment.

Meanwhile, Pryce, the former golf legend who invested heavily in Santi's career, watches from a distance. He employs covert coaching tactics, subtly guiding Santi without overt interference. Pryce's approach reflects his complex relationship with Santi--both mentor and investor--balancing control and trust.

As Santi plays through the qualifier, the pressure mounts. The episode shows detailed shots of his swings, the crowd's reactions, and the mental focus required. Zero's presence as caddy is steadying, and her advice, though less flashy than Pryce's, proves effective.

Parallel to the tournament, Mitts confronts other characters with blunt honesty, delivering harsh truths about their motivations and actions. In turn, Mitts receives some hard feedback, underscoring the fraught interpersonal dynamics within the group.

The episode closes on a note of cautious optimism. Santi's fate in the qualifier is left somewhat open-ended, emphasizing the ongoing nature of his journey. Zero's transformation from a performative figure to a more authentic person is a key takeaway, as is Pryce's continued, if subtle, influence. The characters remain entangled in their conflicts and ambitions, setting the stage for future developments.

In terms of character fates at this episode's end:

• Santi is actively competing, supported by Zero, with his future in professional golf still uncertain but hopeful.
• Zero emerges as a more earnest and human character, shedding her earlier superficiality.
• Pryce remains a powerful but behind-the-scenes figure, influencing events through covert means.
• Mitts continues to challenge and be challenged, reflecting the ongoing tensions in the group.

This ending ties together the episode's themes of growth, mentorship, and the complexity of personal and professional relationships within the competitive world of golf.

There is no indication of a post-credit scene in Stick, Season 1, Episode 5, "The Birdie Machine." The available sources, including detailed episode recaps and the IMDb crazy credits section, do not mention any additional scenes after the credits roll. The episode concludes with its final moments and end credits accompanied by the soundtrack, but no extra scene or teaser is noted.

Pryce teaches Zero a series of covert hand signals to relay instructions to Santi during the golf qualifier, allowing them to guide Santi's play surreptitiously.

Mitts is skeptical and questions the plan, doubting that the manipulative coaching techniques using Zero as a caddy will not backfire eventually.

The celebration is interrupted by an emotional outburst from Mitts when someone breaks a photograph of his late wife.

The trio faces mounting pressure and unspoken trauma that push their teamwork and trust to the brink, culminating in Pryce making a decision that crosses ethical and emotional lines, leaving the group shaken.

A romantic turn develops between Santi and Zero, adding complexity to their relationship and the delicate situation of the found family they form with Pryce and Mitts.

The TV show Stick, Season 1, Episode 5 ("The Birdie Machine"), is rated TV-MA and is not family friendly for children or sensitive viewers. It contains severe profanity and moderate alcohol and drug use, though it has no sex, nudity, violence, gore, or frightening scenes reported.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

• Frequent and strong use of profanity, including blasphemy early in the season.
• Moderate depiction or references to alcohol and drug use.
• Some viewers find the tone and ideological content introduced by certain characters to be forceful or divisive, which might be unsettling for sensitive audiences.

There are no reports of explicit violence, sexual content, or intense frightening scenes in this episode. However, the mature language and substance use make it unsuitable for children.