“Schitt’s Creek” is a comedy television series that follows a family of four as they navigate a new life in a town called Schitt’s Creek.
The once-wealthy family goes from riches to rags after father Johnny Rose’s company goes under when his financial advisor embezzles company money.
The only asset they have is the town Johnny bought as a joke. So, they move there.
Initially, I did not like the show at all. The characters radiate valley-girl vibes and leave you with a bad taste in your mouth when you see how helpless, ungrateful and sheltered they are.
Among a second viewing though, I discovered this is the goal of the show. The two children, Alexis and David, are well into their thirties and still entirely dependent on their parents.
Alexis is the quintessential girly-girl that seeks attention constantly, is extremely self-absorbed and is incapable of doing anything on her own.
Her brother David is the character that shocked me the most. He is a bisexual male that brings darker, drier humor into the show. He is also very spoiled, but you see him quickly realize this is his new life and he accepts it.
Johnny’s wife Moira is a former soap opera star and all about dramatics. She exaggerates every accomplishment she ever made. Her head is so far up in the clouds, it is almost sad. She is very worried about her and her family’s image throughout the entirety of the series.
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Of all of them, Johnny is probably one of the most real characters. He devotes his time to try and get them out of the town and back on their feet and is always looking for business activities. He is also one of the most level-headed and is the only one that can bring Moira back from one of her tantrums.
These aspects of the characters allow for the amazing development that makes the show what it is. It goes from being about a shallow, insatiable family to major themes of acceptance, change and gratitude.
The four start to branch out and realize the people in this town are only trying to help them when no one else would. It shifts from a “why me” complex, to “play the hand you are dealt with” attitude.
The show most prominently portrays acceptance through the family showing up to the small town and sticking out like a sore thumb, sexuality and socioeconomic differences.
When the family first found out they would lose everything, they emphasize that none of their so-called “friends” even reached out or offered any assistance. They begin to realize that while life was better when they had money, it was not genuine. They befriend many people in the town, become involved in their government and even start their own businesses there.
While this is not always true when I think of small towns, I typically see them as being more on the conservative side. I was refreshed to see David’s sexuality was not only accepted but embraced by everyone. He is free to be who he wants to be and nobody judges him for it.
Alexis, who is seemingly ditsy, is also encouraged to go back to school and get her degree. The townspeople never judge her for not finishing high school or going to college but instead help her navigate her way through it as a 30-year-old woman.
Each of the family members realizes that if they want to do bigger things, they have to take matters into their own hands and become the go-getters they are at the conclusion of the series.
Overall, I would say while the show may seem dumb at first, it really sends a great message. You get to see a family grow into real people with compassion and the transformation makes it worth the watch. It is both funny and sentimental.
“Schitt’s Creek” just wrapped up its sixth and final season and is available to stream on Netflix, so if you need a new show to binge-watch, this is definitely worth checking out.
