There is a lot to love about this show but to me it is an all time great show because of the love story between men that is the emotional core of the back half of the series. Dan Levy-as actor, writer, director-really manages to tell a lovely, funny love story between men without any drama about societal homophobia. Even the coming out episode is devoid of the common dealing with homophobia tropes that crop up in mainstream LGBT content. It is such a refreshing creative decision to ground such a love story in a world better than our own. Schitt's Creek is a grounded fantasia on this point. The writing of Patrick, David is very authentic while not getting dark; there's not even a hint of tragedy. The relationship plays like a bunch of other sit com couples over the years. Their foibles are human foibles, not gay men's foibles. (For the most part, there's just enough specific dynamics between men to be authentic) And Noah Reid is the perfect performer to play off of Dan Levy.
As I said the series has a lot of other virtues. The Alexis-Ted storyline is both very funny and ends up in a different-but proper-place than you would have expected. There is a poignancy to bittersweet love story that doesn't work out but in such a way both characters end up in better places. Alexis' character growth is as well realized as David's and the conclusion of both their stories complement each other very well.
Indeed, I could go through every character and storyline; the show on the whole is exceptionally well considered. It may have a fish-out-of-water set-up of any number of other sit coms but it ends up being a compelling story of a family finding their best selves. It's also a celebration of small town life-something we need more of. In a lot of ways the show's heart is quintessentially Canadian. (The show could have taken place in the States and only a few passing references to curling and form of gov't set it in Canada)
And of course Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara are their delightful selves. I maintain that Mitch & Mickey in A Mighty Wind (2003) are their best performances but the Roses are extremely close second. There is a reason why these two keep working together. It is wonderful to see two of their characters go through so much.
Technically the show is surprisingly polished for its budget. It's amazing how much wardrobe mileage they got for Moriah not to mention Alexis and David. (Hell Moriah's wigs alone!) There show manages to keep the visuals fresh. There is a classical assured visual construction throughout the series.
This is everything a sit-com should be. It is laugh out loud funny with most of the humor being deeply rooted in characterization. It shows a world like own but far better. It has dramatically compelling storylines that don't sacrifice laughs for believability and vice versa. And above all a cast and a set of characters that are impossible to not love.
As I said the series has a lot of other virtues. The Alexis-Ted storyline is both very funny and ends up in a different-but proper-place than you would have expected. There is a poignancy to bittersweet love story that doesn't work out but in such a way both characters end up in better places. Alexis' character growth is as well realized as David's and the conclusion of both their stories complement each other very well.
Indeed, I could go through every character and storyline; the show on the whole is exceptionally well considered. It may have a fish-out-of-water set-up of any number of other sit coms but it ends up being a compelling story of a family finding their best selves. It's also a celebration of small town life-something we need more of. In a lot of ways the show's heart is quintessentially Canadian. (The show could have taken place in the States and only a few passing references to curling and form of gov't set it in Canada)
And of course Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara are their delightful selves. I maintain that Mitch & Mickey in A Mighty Wind (2003) are their best performances but the Roses are extremely close second. There is a reason why these two keep working together. It is wonderful to see two of their characters go through so much.
Technically the show is surprisingly polished for its budget. It's amazing how much wardrobe mileage they got for Moriah not to mention Alexis and David. (Hell Moriah's wigs alone!) There show manages to keep the visuals fresh. There is a classical assured visual construction throughout the series.
This is everything a sit-com should be. It is laugh out loud funny with most of the humor being deeply rooted in characterization. It shows a world like own but far better. It has dramatically compelling storylines that don't sacrifice laughs for believability and vice versa. And above all a cast and a set of characters that are impossible to not love.