Television

Up “Schitt’s Creek” is Exactly Where We Need to be Right Now

The mix of comedy with compassion and heart is the perfect combination

Don’t let the name put you off. The award-winning Canadian television show Schitt’s Creek is set to air its sixth season, and series finale this evening and it is a must watch.

The show’s name is an almost-vulgar reference to the situation the once-wealthy Rose family finds itself in after losing their fortune to an unscrupulous business manager.

Schitt's Creek is the name of a town the Rose’s purchased decades ago as a joke, and now where they are forced to relocate as the town remains their only asset.

While the overall premise relies heavily on this fish-out-of-water concept, the characters provide a surprisingly refreshing and needed version of basic humanity in the face of adversity.

It isn’t long before the relationships between the residents in the extremely rural town and the Rose family — and their interfamily dynamics as well — take center stage and highlight what is truly special about the show.

Daniel Levy is the lead executive producer and plays David in the show. David is the adult son of Johnny Rose played by Dan’s real-life father Eugene (also an executive producer). Johnny’s wife Moira and daughter Alexis round out the family core and are played by Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy.

Chris Elliott plays a prominent role as town mayor, Roland Schitt, as do his wife Jocelyn (Jenn Robertson) and hotel clerk Stevie Budd played by Emily Hampshire.

The Rose family resides in two adjoining rooms at the motel managed by Stevie, and much of the interaction takes place there. Also frequently depicted are the town hall, the veterinary clinic, Bob’s garage and the local diner — Café Tropical.

A supporting cast includes Dustin Mulligan as veterinarian Ted (Alexis’s boyfriend), John Hemphill as Bob and Karen Robinson as Ronnie playing town council members, and Sara Levy (real-life sister of Dan and daughter of Eugene) plays Twyla, the café’s waitress, among other main and recurring cast.

Some mini spoilers follow, so read with caution from here on.

In season three we are introduced to Patrick played by Noah Reid. Patrick begins as a business partner with David, eventually becoming his boyfriend and, at the end of season five, his fiancé.

The chemistry between television siblings David and Alexis is entrancing, seeming to capture all the nuance of sibling rivalry that still somehow draws from a genuine empathy and consideration. Their mutual mock-horror of living in such close quarters with their previously disengaged parents, bonds them in a way that is truly special.

And the chemistry only gets better when David plays off Stevie, and the two develop a robust friendship after a brief false start on a romantic relationship.

However, the true heart and soul of the series is revealed in the developing relationship between David and Patrick. In many ways, words don’t do it justice as some of the most poignant and tear-inducing moments come in between the dialogue on the show.

One of the most romantic and moving scenes you can hope for in a sitcom comes in season four when Patrick delivers an unexpectedly beautiful rendition of Tina Turner’s “The Best” played acoustically during an open mic session at the couple’s store.

Especially refreshing is how the series handles David’s pansexuality as a simple fact of life and it becomes a realistic form of normal in a world where so many other things are actually far more worthy of a critical eye.

Winning Canadian Screen Awards in each of its seasons, a Critic’s Choice Television Award and nominations from MTV’s Movie and TV Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, the critically acclaimed series has a strong critical reception.

The show’s popularity grew immensely once it was debuted on Netflix in 2017, and seasons two, four and five all have 100% Fresh from Rotten Tomatoes.

Maggie Fremont wrote in New York Magazine that, “the show takes a few episodes to get into its groove, but once it does, you’ll never want to leave.”

At the end of season two the Roses have an anniversary dinner at an elegant restaurant and bump into a couple from their old life. Right afterward, Roland Schitt and his wife crash the party and you might think the situation will become unbearably cringe worthy. However, Johnny Rose delivers a monologue that forever endears one to the Rose family and hooks you to the series for good. Prepare to binge.

No matter what may be going on in the world, Schitt’s Creek does exactly what it should and delivers a comedic series with a story arc that allows us to watch its apparently shallow characters develop into charismatic, compassionate and caring souls.

The character transformations are captivating, and not only endear you to the quirky Rose clan, but make you want to become a better version of yourself.

What more could we possibly ask for from a television sitcom?

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Timothy Key spent over 26 years in the fire service as a firefighter/paramedic and various fire chief management roles. He firmly believes that bad managers destroy more than companies, and good managers create a passion that is contagious. Compassion, grace and gratitude drive the world; or at least they should. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and join the mail list.