Episode 4 of "Stick" kicks off with Pryce attempting, yet ultimately failing, to connect with Santi, who is off celebrating his triumph with Zero, oblivious to the passing hours and the missed dinner that has Pryce fuming. Three long hours elapse before Santi finally shows up, but his deliberate ignorance towards Pryce throughout the encounter only deepens the coach's frustration. During this time, Santi formally introduces Zero to the group before they make a beeline for the pool, leaving Pryce's desire to join them unmet.
Determined not to be brushed aside so easily, Pryce renews his efforts the next morning to bridge the gap with Santi. His marriage analogy falls flat, as does his offer of a breakfast sandwich, leaving one to wonder if he'll ever succeed in reaching the young athlete.
Unbeknownst to Pryce, Santi is planning a trip to the quarry with Zero and their friends. When Elena catches wind of this, she insists they all intervene, convinced that Santi needs a lesson in commitment and acknowledging that Zero is hardly a positive influence.
Upon reaching the quarry, they're compelled to purchase a floaty, with the stipulation that only one person can venture out. That someone, inevitably, is Pryce. He plunges ahead, endeavoring to persuade Santi to refocus on his training. Meanwhile, Zero drones on about late-stage capitalism and embracing the present moment, casting a cloud over Pryce's attempts.
In a heartfelt moment, Pryce apologizes and unravels the rationale behind his actions, but Santi retaliates sharply, asserting his autonomy. He recounts how Pryce's coaching style reminded him of an unpleasant past and vows to play by his own rules, confident in his ability to emerge victorious throughout.
Back inside the cozy confines of the RV, Mitt engaged Elena in a heartfelt conversation, unraveling the poignant tale of Pryce's past. He revealed the tragic story of Pryce's son, Jett, who had passed away from cancer at the tender age of four. Elena was visibly taken aback, her previous insensitive remark about "not understanding children" now haunting her. The revelation about Jett cast a somber light on their discussion.
The golf course incident, where Pryce had lost his temper, seemed intricately tied to Clark, the sleazy salesman from Ready Safe Insurance who had briefly flashed across the screen in an advert earlier in the episode. Clark, also a golfer, might have uttered some provocative words that had pushed Pryce over the edge.
As the night descended, Pryce hatched a plan to leverage Zero's rebellious spirit to reach out to Santi. Her defiant stance against authority, though irritating, happened to resonate with Santi in a unique way. Recognizing this, Pryce offered Zero a lucrative sum of $10,000 to assist him on the golf course. Reluctantly, she agreed, but Mitt, standing by, was anything but pleased.
