Let's start with the obvious: Owen Wilson is having a blast. There's a version of this character that could easily become a one-note sad-sack caricature, but Wilson keeps Pryce grounded in something deeply human. The guy's funny, sure - that trademark drawl does a lot of heavy lifting - but there's real ache underneath. This season gives him more room to stretch, and he takes full advantage.
Peter Dager continues to be a revelation as Santi. The kid holds his own opposite Wilson without ever getting swallowed up, and the writers smartly complicate Santi's arc this season. He's not just the scrappy underdog anymore; he's got his own ideas, his own frustrations, and his own mistakes to make. The back-and-forth between him and Pryce is the show's heartbeat, and Season 2 pumps it harder.
Then there's Marc Maron as Mitts, who gets significantly more screen time, and good grief, the man is a gift. His dry, sardonic energy perfectly offsets Wilson's earnestness. Rhea Seehorn, meanwhile, is quietly doing some of the most nuanced work of her career. Amanda could've been a thankless expository role, but Seehorn turns her into someone you genuinely care about. Lilli Kay's Zero is still a scene-stealer, and Mariana Treviño brings warmth to Elena that keeps the show from drifting too far into cynicism.
The writing this season is sharper and more confident. The comedy beats hit harder, and the dramatic ones land without feeling manipulative. That said, not every thread gets the attention it deserves. A couple of subplots feel rushed, and the show occasionally struggles to balance its large ensemble. There are moments where you wish the spotlight lingered a little longer on certain characters - Mitts, in particular, always feels like he's one scene away from stealing the whole episode.
The direction feels more assured, and the pacing is tighter than the first season. It knows when to let a moment breathe and when to hit the gas. The golf scenes, thankfully, remain a backdrop rather than the main event - this is a show about people, not putts.
Is it flawless? No. Some of the emotional beats feel a little telegraphed, and the season's central conflict occasionally resolves a bit too neatly. But those are quibbles. When "Stick" is firing on all cylinders - which is most of the time - it's the kind of show that makes you want to text your friends and tell them to watch it immediately.
