‘Stick – Season 2’ Apple TV Review: Owen Wilson and a Scene-Stealing Ensemble Serve Up Familiar Comfort Food

When it’s done right, comfort food is something you’re happy to dig into. That’s the feeling that runs through the second season of Stick, the golf comedy starring Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill, a retired golfer who finds himself back in the spotlight, initially thanks to the success of his young protégé, Santi Wheeler. The second round of adventures for Pryce and Santi turns into an ensemble showcase for a collection of charismatic, talented actors who complement Wilson even more than they did in the first season. They include his longtime caddie, played by Marc Maron, his former rival, played by Timothy Olyphant, and several new additions to the cast.

The new season builds on the first, continuing the steady rise of young Santi (Peter Dager), whose talent impresses just about everyone who sees him play. The teenage prodigy starts getting offers to turn professional, but Pryce warns him that it’s not the best move for someone his age. His advice is to remain an amateur until he finishes college and only then consider going pro. But brands, sponsors and agents are already knocking on his door, and it will be hard to resist all the gifts, flattery and lucrative endorsement deals.

Meanwhile, Pryce has to figure out what comes next for his own career. An unexpected viral moment makes him wonder whether he, too, might have a shot at returning to the professional circuit. Nobody thinks a 55-year-old has any chance of making it, and plenty of people advise him against trying. But Pryce is tempted by the prospect of finally achieving the glory that eluded him all those years ago. His former caddie and friend Mitts (Maron) will accompany him on the journey, albeit with considerably more complaints than enthusiasm. Clark Ross (Olyphant), meanwhile, remains in the picture, a friend and rival who manages to be both at once. Joining this group is Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul, Pluribus), giving us a quartet of actors capable of taking on just about anything.

These familiar faces and talented performers occasionally make up for what is, at heart, a conventional sports dramedy that rarely strays from tried-and-true formulas. Just compare the misadventures of the four actors’ group in their subplot with Santi’s storyline, which revolves around his mother (Mariana Treviño), his girlfriend and caddie (Lilli Kay), and his new agent (Billy Zane). The contrast makes it clear how often a cast can elevate even the most routine material.

The romantic spark between Wilson and Seehorn, Olyphant’s inspired appearances and Maron’s irrepressible cynicism help sustain a story that once again pits commerce against the spirit of sport, and business against the nobler ideals of the game. The series takes a romantic view of athletics that seems increasingly out of step with a world dominated by sponsors, business deals and influencers, in golf and just about every other sport.

The metaphors in Stick are simple, and its storytelling never strays an inch from convention. There are one or two montage sequences per episode, almost as if they were contractually required. But when a show is made with a certain degree of affection, and with a cast that seems to be having a genuinely good time, even well-worn material can work wonders. Nobody is going to vote Stick the best series of the year, but there’s something endearing about it, like a familiar, traditional dish that someone knows exactly how to prepare. There are no surprises on the menu, but it hits the spot.