Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, CVS | ‘Full Swing’ Ep. 1 recap
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Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. Netflix
The long-anticipated Netflix sequence “Full Swing” hit streaming units on Feb. 15 with eight episodes that includes a dozen stars who introduced us inside their properties and lives on tour in 2022. So, what did you miss? And what do it’s essential to know? Right here, we’ll break down each episode.
Learn all of our episode recaps right here: Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 8
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If the purpose of “Full Swing,” Netflix’s new docuseries, is to take us locations we’d by no means go along with folks we need to know, the primary scene makes loads of sense.
We start Episode 1, entitled “Frenemies,” within the backseat of a automotive piloted by Justin Thomas, whereas Jordan Spieth rides shotgun. Earlier than lengthy we be a part of them on a non-public jet, cracking cans of beer and flipping playing cards, $1,000 a pop. The professionals — they’re not fairly like us.
First, an essential be aware: I used to be interviewed for the present and in case you tune in (hopefully you have already got!) you’ll hear me dotted in all through, so I’m not pretending to be an neutral social gathering. However the GOLF.com group is breaking down these episodes, one after the other, and I’m keen to start out us off.
The episode — which debuted instantly after the Tremendous Bowl — options two of the present’s largest stars and establishes that Netflix obtained severe entry in 2022. But when it begins by showcasing the big-money perks of life on Tour, it finishes by highlighting the issues that cash can’t purchase, like main championships. (Okay, these include some huge cash, too.)
What golf followers might need realized
Justin Thomas wants some assist at CVS.
This may increasingly have been my favourite scene from Episode 1: Thomas, who’s within the midst of contending on the PGA Championship, stops by a CVS to get some allergy medication. The one downside? He can’t discover the appropriate aisle. And as soon as he lastly tracks down the meds, he can’t get the self checkout to cooperate.
The scene gave Netflix credibility; the present isn’t simply right here to make its stars appear like superheroes. It made Thomas relatable, too — he’s in all probability a bit of self-conscious in entrance of the cameras, and all people is aware of the sensation of doing battle with these card readers. And as he lastly exits the shop he runs right into a shocked fan, who serves as an avatar for the viewers as he needs Thomas good luck on his means out.
What non-golf followers might need realized
What a “par” is.
I’m severely, truly. In sitting for present interviews among the hardest questions I confronted have been issues that I take with no consideration as somebody who has spent loads of time round golf: What’s a par? What’s a birdie? What’s a “lower”? CBS host Amanda Renner took us by among the fundamentals within the first episode. If you happen to’re a giant golf fan, you might need discovered these bits tedious. However they served as a reminder that Full Swing is chasing new followers. Hopefully it finds ’em.
3 random ideas
1. The pilot is at its finest when scenes play out for a second, exhibiting its stars’ humanity. That’s as true when following Thomas into CVS as it’s when he breaks down post-round, greedy the fact of his PGA Championship win.
2. Spieth is a terrific actor. We go along with him to a business shoot and watch how effectively he takes path — and the way effectively he interacts with the crew, too. We obtained extra entry to Thomas than we did to Spieth, however we obtained a very good sense of the jovial means he interacts with nearly everybody, when he’s in his consolation zone.
3. If you wish to carry out some emotion out of your viewers, usher in Hozier. His rendition of “Swan Upon Leda” that performs as Thomas processes his victory means you won’t even make it by the primary episode of the present with out shedding a tear your self.
1 factor you might need missed
Full Swing’s format tends to deal with one or two gamers, however Episode 1 offers a sneak preview of the professionals that can comprise the remainder of the season, too. That’s the stability the present tries to strike: zooming in whereas sustaining correct perspective. However in case you concentrate, you get to fulfill the gang!
Greatest quote
“I want it could go slower, so you might take pleasure in it extra, you recognize what I imply?”
A lot has gone into Thomas profitable — a lot — that when the second comes, he tries to hold onto each single second. He’s exhausted. He’s emotional. You’ll be able to really feel the hours and the hassle which have led him to that place, too. However the climax of profitable a playoff in entrance of hundreds of followers was shortly adopted by a darkish exit from an empty car parking zone. We’re left to surprise the way it feels for the fact of a serious championship to sink in.
Closing takeaway
There’s some nice stuff in Episode 1, and the present solely will get higher from right here. (I’ll be writing extra about it quickly, too.) Get pleasure from!