Full Swing - Episode Ranking and my thoughts
Mar 2, 2023 19:17:03 GMT -5
coruler2 and donkeypuncherben like this
Post by trailducker on Mar 2, 2023 19:17:03 GMT -5
Ok now that it's been out a few weeks I thought I would start a conversation here about the Netflix docuseries along with my episode rankings. I was anticipating this show a lot leading up to it, but also hedging my bets on it disappointing me. I have heard some people loving it and some being really frustrated with it, and I feel those usually relates to the persons expectations of the show prior. My thoughts on it in general are for me as a die-hard PGA fan it was satisfactory but at points disappointing and some missed opportunities. Here are my general critiques over the whole series before I go more specific episode by episode:
- The series as a whole, struggles capturing the tension when they go to the course live in tournaments
When the show goes to the course in tournaments they aren't as successful as they can be capturing the tension of the moments. I feel they rightfully so focused on the human stories but at times the live tournament footage more feels like dressing then the main course. I'm not asking for a shot-by-shot play-by-play but sometimes they would jump in without the context fully described. One of the main driving points of Golf is the tension as you watch it, I just wish that was better relayed in this.
- Almost every storyline there's meat left on the bone that really provides vital context
I understand the 40-minute time of the episodes but there's a lot of times a little bit more context was needed to really describe the storyline properly. Cutting a lot of that out undercut the drama they were going for. I will go into specifics below but part of this is them not wanting to come off as blasting guys they chose to highlight that ended up having a down year. But skirting around that it made the plotlines lack a bit. Also, overall, the timeline of the season gets lost episodes to episode, and I feel that is an important piece to tell.
- The handholding has a place in this type of show, but they overdo it as the show progresses and also don't do it enough at the same time
I understand this product was meant for both die-hards and people who know nothing about the PGA, therefore explaining the cut is important, but as the show progresses, they keep doing it and it gets repetitive and annoying. I know they can't guarantee people watch every episode in order, but they also can't undermine the story of the season they are telling because someone can random watch episode 4 first. At the same time more context of the season as a whole was mostly glossed over or left out. A bit more time fully setting up the Majors, what they mean, and the FedEx cup would have greatly helped set the stage and strengthen what it is all these guys are fighting for.
- Covering LIV was just a big miss on their part as a whole
I'm sure there's plenty of financial and legal reason LIV was covered so vaguely here. But I still feel there were ways for them to properly tell the huge impact of this league better then how it was here. The true timeline of LIV and the DJ bomb when it started to the slow trickle of Ancer, Neimann and then the final hammer of Cam late wasn't properly described to really tell why this was such a big deal.
My Episode Rankings:
1. Imposter Syndrome
Golfer Highlighted: Joel Dehman
THIS is the full promise of this shown and for me getting such an enjoyable episode as this makes this whole series worth it. I already knew about Joel and his fun-loving attitude and got so much glee when he was in contention at the U.S. open but getting this in-depth look into his life from here was great and so enduring. My only notes are as I said above, the show doesn't quite have down yet how to balance the personal humanizing of the player with the tension when they go on the course. Besides that, this was basically a perfect episode.
2. Win or Go Home
Golfers Highlighted: Brooks Koepka & Scottie Scheffler
Another masterfully laid out episode. The insights on Brooks' mindset were a revelation and their ability to bring the suspense someone as milktoast of a personality as Scottie as a character brings to the tour from his stellar play was well done. Scottie having his own episode would not have worked but seeing a guy get to the top coupled with a guy crashing so hard was so compelling. This was supposed to be the first episode in the series, but some suits came in and said Brooks is too sad to sytart the show out with. That was a big error in my view as this set the stage beautifully on the fickle nature of this game.
3. American Dreams
Golfers Highlighted: Matt Fitzpatrick & Dustin Johnson
The parts about Fitz were pretty fascinating. I knew a lot of that about him but seeing it in action was really interesting. DJ was a good counterpoint to Fitz even if I feel they did miss some of the proper context on DJ's career and then there's the LIV timeline. This episode I do feel talks about LIV the most successfully. My biggest gripe is they didn't show how much of a shock and a big deal it was when DJ joined LIV. But all in all, this was another good episode.
4. Don't Get Bitter, Get Better
Golfers Highlighted: Tony Finau & Colin Morikowa
Finau drags this episode kicking and screaming so high because this episode is a bit of a mess yet an enjoyable one. The main issue is the Morikowa's storyline is completely botched. I can tell they decided early they would do a Morikowa episode and when his season ended up being a pretty disappointing one, they didn't want to come off as bashing him for a bad season and it just came out flat and dull. Funny thing, a good contrasting episode is right here. Young phenom having his first real year of disappointment after an amazing start to his career next to a late bloomer who had to claw his way to the top of golf, yet still not getting the wins and finally breaking through. We just didn't get much context on Colin at all because of his disappointing year (and yet still a good one) and bringing that in would have really made this dichotomy compelling between the two. They even botched the Finau story a bit 1. his age wasn't brought up, and that he's finally peaking in his 30's 2. He was on the reality show Big Break years ago and has made it 3. NOBODY ever asked if Finau wasn't getting wins because of his family being there, this is a completely fabricated storyline. Despite all of that, his story growing up and his connection with his wife and family make this episode still an entertaining watch.
5. Golf Is Hard
Golfers Highlighted: Mito Pereira & Sahith Theegala
The "meat on the bone" I speak of really could have catapulted this episode 2 or 3 spots higher on this list. The Theegala storyline and his parents is so enduring and one of the best instances capturing the tension on the course when he hit it in the water at Scottsdale. But they totally left out him battling and making it to the Tour Championship in the end, therefore locking down his card and his spot in the majors for next season. Also, they made Sahith sound like some out of nowhere random story when he had a great college career leading up to this and people knew he could be a breakthrough player. With Mito, WHY did he leave golf for a few years? Leaving this out made his whole story a bit flat. Although again here they found their footing more creating tension with his collapse on Hole 18 at the PGA Championship. I did really enjoy seeing his relationship with Neimann and Orteiz but would have really wanted to see what was it that led to that whole group and Ancer buying what LIV was selling. After Cam and DJ, the Latin American group is the biggest haul LIV pulled off and some insight into why that happened would have strengthened not only Mito's story but the story as a whole around LIV.
6. Everything Has Led To This
Golfer Highlighted: Rory McIlroy
This episode would have really been a powerful ending if they didn't fumble some of the context around it all. Mainly the battle at the Open didn't hit like it should of. Maybe they wanted Cam to couple with Rory here and I could see that working well and didn't get him to sign on. But that battle between them at the Open was maybe the most memorable point of the season, and it just didn't have the impact it should have in the show. Even with him not signing on, Cam needed to be highlighted here as having one of the best seasons in 2022 if not THE best and he was more glossed over. Coupled with the constant dancing around LIV in an uninteresting and dull way. The FedEx cup was funnily both overhyped and undersold in this show. It wasn't fully described how it does show who has played the best through the season while also over described its impact. It wasn't a bad episode but was on the verge of being a powerful ending to the show that didn't quite get there.
7. Frenemies
Golfers Highlighted: Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas
The suits at Netflix that forced this episode to go first really hurt the series I feel. This episode in general is a bit dull. But I feel around episode 2,3 or 4 where it probably was slated, I could see this working better. One, I feel being nice to Jordan really didn't drive home how mediocre he's been to his hot start of his career. I would have liked to see more of the pressure of that and how he's learned to not let it affect him emotionally like he's said over the last few seasons. That coupled with the maniacal nature of JT yet just not matching his talent in major wins as much is a great comparison. It would really drive home his win at the PGA much more as well. The timeline of the year being lost as I described above is compounded with this episode being moved up but this episode with the star power could have been a great episode 3, table setter of the PGA season as a whole. The first 2 you are informing every one of the basics and at this point start to layout the progression through a season so the drive through the majors and to the Tour Championship is something casuals can follow and be compelled by wathcing this show. Also, I DOUBT they ever on the plane gamble just picking random cards.
8. Money or Legacy
Golfer Highlighted: Ian Poulter
All of my LIV storyline critiques are compounded on this mess. First off making Ian Poulter the main conduit for the LIV tour was not one that made sense to me. I don't know if any other LIV players signed on for the show and didn't get selected, but Ian needed at least another guy on this episode as well as the main story of LIV told more affectively. Obviously if Mickelson or Bryson signed up for the show they would have been here with Ian or instead of. Regardless, this episode just didn't work that well. I will say I liked seeing Ian with his children and family and he seems like a great father. Also, it was hilarious Pat Perez knows off the top of his head everyone's IG followers. But those little tidbits didn't save this episode from being really the only one that for me completely falls flat. One way to save the episode is give half this episode to Ricky Fowler and show two different paths. Ian taking the LIV contract and Ricky sticking it out with the PGA.
Anyways those are my thoughts on the show, what is everyone's else's?
- The series as a whole, struggles capturing the tension when they go to the course live in tournaments
When the show goes to the course in tournaments they aren't as successful as they can be capturing the tension of the moments. I feel they rightfully so focused on the human stories but at times the live tournament footage more feels like dressing then the main course. I'm not asking for a shot-by-shot play-by-play but sometimes they would jump in without the context fully described. One of the main driving points of Golf is the tension as you watch it, I just wish that was better relayed in this.
- Almost every storyline there's meat left on the bone that really provides vital context
I understand the 40-minute time of the episodes but there's a lot of times a little bit more context was needed to really describe the storyline properly. Cutting a lot of that out undercut the drama they were going for. I will go into specifics below but part of this is them not wanting to come off as blasting guys they chose to highlight that ended up having a down year. But skirting around that it made the plotlines lack a bit. Also, overall, the timeline of the season gets lost episodes to episode, and I feel that is an important piece to tell.
- The handholding has a place in this type of show, but they overdo it as the show progresses and also don't do it enough at the same time
I understand this product was meant for both die-hards and people who know nothing about the PGA, therefore explaining the cut is important, but as the show progresses, they keep doing it and it gets repetitive and annoying. I know they can't guarantee people watch every episode in order, but they also can't undermine the story of the season they are telling because someone can random watch episode 4 first. At the same time more context of the season as a whole was mostly glossed over or left out. A bit more time fully setting up the Majors, what they mean, and the FedEx cup would have greatly helped set the stage and strengthen what it is all these guys are fighting for.
- Covering LIV was just a big miss on their part as a whole
I'm sure there's plenty of financial and legal reason LIV was covered so vaguely here. But I still feel there were ways for them to properly tell the huge impact of this league better then how it was here. The true timeline of LIV and the DJ bomb when it started to the slow trickle of Ancer, Neimann and then the final hammer of Cam late wasn't properly described to really tell why this was such a big deal.
My Episode Rankings:
1. Imposter Syndrome
Golfer Highlighted: Joel Dehman
THIS is the full promise of this shown and for me getting such an enjoyable episode as this makes this whole series worth it. I already knew about Joel and his fun-loving attitude and got so much glee when he was in contention at the U.S. open but getting this in-depth look into his life from here was great and so enduring. My only notes are as I said above, the show doesn't quite have down yet how to balance the personal humanizing of the player with the tension when they go on the course. Besides that, this was basically a perfect episode.
2. Win or Go Home
Golfers Highlighted: Brooks Koepka & Scottie Scheffler
Another masterfully laid out episode. The insights on Brooks' mindset were a revelation and their ability to bring the suspense someone as milktoast of a personality as Scottie as a character brings to the tour from his stellar play was well done. Scottie having his own episode would not have worked but seeing a guy get to the top coupled with a guy crashing so hard was so compelling. This was supposed to be the first episode in the series, but some suits came in and said Brooks is too sad to sytart the show out with. That was a big error in my view as this set the stage beautifully on the fickle nature of this game.
3. American Dreams
Golfers Highlighted: Matt Fitzpatrick & Dustin Johnson
The parts about Fitz were pretty fascinating. I knew a lot of that about him but seeing it in action was really interesting. DJ was a good counterpoint to Fitz even if I feel they did miss some of the proper context on DJ's career and then there's the LIV timeline. This episode I do feel talks about LIV the most successfully. My biggest gripe is they didn't show how much of a shock and a big deal it was when DJ joined LIV. But all in all, this was another good episode.
4. Don't Get Bitter, Get Better
Golfers Highlighted: Tony Finau & Colin Morikowa
Finau drags this episode kicking and screaming so high because this episode is a bit of a mess yet an enjoyable one. The main issue is the Morikowa's storyline is completely botched. I can tell they decided early they would do a Morikowa episode and when his season ended up being a pretty disappointing one, they didn't want to come off as bashing him for a bad season and it just came out flat and dull. Funny thing, a good contrasting episode is right here. Young phenom having his first real year of disappointment after an amazing start to his career next to a late bloomer who had to claw his way to the top of golf, yet still not getting the wins and finally breaking through. We just didn't get much context on Colin at all because of his disappointing year (and yet still a good one) and bringing that in would have really made this dichotomy compelling between the two. They even botched the Finau story a bit 1. his age wasn't brought up, and that he's finally peaking in his 30's 2. He was on the reality show Big Break years ago and has made it 3. NOBODY ever asked if Finau wasn't getting wins because of his family being there, this is a completely fabricated storyline. Despite all of that, his story growing up and his connection with his wife and family make this episode still an entertaining watch.
5. Golf Is Hard
Golfers Highlighted: Mito Pereira & Sahith Theegala
The "meat on the bone" I speak of really could have catapulted this episode 2 or 3 spots higher on this list. The Theegala storyline and his parents is so enduring and one of the best instances capturing the tension on the course when he hit it in the water at Scottsdale. But they totally left out him battling and making it to the Tour Championship in the end, therefore locking down his card and his spot in the majors for next season. Also, they made Sahith sound like some out of nowhere random story when he had a great college career leading up to this and people knew he could be a breakthrough player. With Mito, WHY did he leave golf for a few years? Leaving this out made his whole story a bit flat. Although again here they found their footing more creating tension with his collapse on Hole 18 at the PGA Championship. I did really enjoy seeing his relationship with Neimann and Orteiz but would have really wanted to see what was it that led to that whole group and Ancer buying what LIV was selling. After Cam and DJ, the Latin American group is the biggest haul LIV pulled off and some insight into why that happened would have strengthened not only Mito's story but the story as a whole around LIV.
6. Everything Has Led To This
Golfer Highlighted: Rory McIlroy
This episode would have really been a powerful ending if they didn't fumble some of the context around it all. Mainly the battle at the Open didn't hit like it should of. Maybe they wanted Cam to couple with Rory here and I could see that working well and didn't get him to sign on. But that battle between them at the Open was maybe the most memorable point of the season, and it just didn't have the impact it should have in the show. Even with him not signing on, Cam needed to be highlighted here as having one of the best seasons in 2022 if not THE best and he was more glossed over. Coupled with the constant dancing around LIV in an uninteresting and dull way. The FedEx cup was funnily both overhyped and undersold in this show. It wasn't fully described how it does show who has played the best through the season while also over described its impact. It wasn't a bad episode but was on the verge of being a powerful ending to the show that didn't quite get there.
7. Frenemies
Golfers Highlighted: Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas
The suits at Netflix that forced this episode to go first really hurt the series I feel. This episode in general is a bit dull. But I feel around episode 2,3 or 4 where it probably was slated, I could see this working better. One, I feel being nice to Jordan really didn't drive home how mediocre he's been to his hot start of his career. I would have liked to see more of the pressure of that and how he's learned to not let it affect him emotionally like he's said over the last few seasons. That coupled with the maniacal nature of JT yet just not matching his talent in major wins as much is a great comparison. It would really drive home his win at the PGA much more as well. The timeline of the year being lost as I described above is compounded with this episode being moved up but this episode with the star power could have been a great episode 3, table setter of the PGA season as a whole. The first 2 you are informing every one of the basics and at this point start to layout the progression through a season so the drive through the majors and to the Tour Championship is something casuals can follow and be compelled by wathcing this show. Also, I DOUBT they ever on the plane gamble just picking random cards.
8. Money or Legacy
Golfer Highlighted: Ian Poulter
All of my LIV storyline critiques are compounded on this mess. First off making Ian Poulter the main conduit for the LIV tour was not one that made sense to me. I don't know if any other LIV players signed on for the show and didn't get selected, but Ian needed at least another guy on this episode as well as the main story of LIV told more affectively. Obviously if Mickelson or Bryson signed up for the show they would have been here with Ian or instead of. Regardless, this episode just didn't work that well. I will say I liked seeing Ian with his children and family and he seems like a great father. Also, it was hilarious Pat Perez knows off the top of his head everyone's IG followers. But those little tidbits didn't save this episode from being really the only one that for me completely falls flat. One way to save the episode is give half this episode to Ricky Fowler and show two different paths. Ian taking the LIV contract and Ricky sticking it out with the PGA.
Anyways those are my thoughts on the show, what is everyone's else's?
