‘Schitt’s Creek’ Ends With Big Emotions and Heartfelt Goodbyes

Alci Rengifo

Few shows, particularly sitcoms, manage to find the perfect ending. “Schitt’s Creek” does. Its sixth and final season could do nothing less than build to a moving crescendo. Yes, this is a sitcom, but it’s also a heartfelt story about family. The Roses were rare characters who faced a situation where the tables had turned. They weren’t trying to get rich. They already were and lost it all before moving to run a rundown motel in Schitt’s Creek. In the finale a wedding brings together every element that has made this show great, hilarious and human.

It begins with bad news as David Rose (Dan Levy) wakes up to Johnny (Eugene Levy), Moira (Catherine O’Hara) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) having to tell him plans for his outdoor wedding are in trouble due to rain. Not only is the original locale out of the question, but even a booked haikuist who rides a penny farthing cancels because of the weather. Fiance Patrick (Noah Reid) calms David down and even books him a massage. Meanwhile the family, along with Stevie (Emily Hampshire), scrambles to find a good spot. Roland (Chris Elliott) offers his living room but is immediately rejected, however he does have an intriguing proposal, the Town Hall. Moira meanwhile agrees to conduct the ceremony. With the town all chipping in the wedding is back on. But marriage plans can never go on without extra drama. Patrick is floored to discover the massage he paid for climaxed with a happy ending for David and David is later unnerved to discover Alexis plans to attend the wedding in a gorgeous bridal dress. Yet there is an aisle to walk and for Johnny and Moira this will also be a final good memory at Schitt’s Creek before they ride off, leaving their Rosebud Motel with Stevie as they seek a new beginning in Los Angeles.

“Schitt’s Creek” ends with the vivacious spirit that has made it an instant favorite with viewers. There are great jokes mingled with tearful goodbyes. Showrunners Dan and Eugene Levy give fans little moments within the final story to acknowledge that it’s all ending. When Johnny thanks the townspeople for helping set up David’s wedding in the Town Hall, he also takes the time to “thank you all for helping to save my family over these past couple of years.” The Roses had originally bought the town as a joke back when they were ballers. It ended up becoming their haven when they lost everything. Schitt’s Creek locals are back for a final bow, including Ray (Rizwan Manji) always with his camera documenting every moment, even the uncomfortable ones (“I was told to capture the day”), Ronnie (Karen Robinson) grumpily saying she knows the florist and can get favors but will only do it for David because as we all know, Patrick is not on her good side. Bob (John Hemphill) offers his garage for parking, but warns that a space has to be left “in case Gwen comes back,” which inspires quiet stares from everyone as rain pours. 

The wedding itself is the kind of funny, warm tonic we need as hunkered down viewers these days. It begins with the Jazzagals crooning “Precious Love” and Moira making her entrance decked like a Pope. Then we get some endearing humor as Alexis realizes she is indeed wearing a wedding dress, which will look weird while walking down the aisle with David. The dialogue turns into a beautiful expression of love between the two. Patrick’s father gives him away as well, which is a hopeful little touch considering Patrick had earlier harbored fears about his father accepting his sexuality. Moira carrying out the ceremony is both a chortle and very moving. There’s some tearful eloquence in her dialogue when she says, “our lives are like little bebe crows carried upon a curious wind and all we can wish for our families, for those we love, is that that wind will eventually place us on solid ground.” But it’s up to Patrick to really bring home the emotional punch of the scene when he sings Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” to David. 

Season six marked the Roses beginning new phases in their lives while also recovering much of what was lost. Earlier this season Johnny and Moira secured a Rosebud Motel Group deal with a new venture capital company and soon after Moira was called to star in a reboot of the show “Sunrise Bay,” allowing her to be an actress once more. It’s the kind of fairy tale happy ending we all wish for. Johnny will run the Motel Group deal from L.A. while Moira gets back in front of the camera, plus their little motel is now a franchise. The final moments of the finale find Johnny dropping the keys to the motel in Stevie’s hands, while David and Patrick also say goodbye as they have decided to stay and build their own life together in Schitt’s Creek. Alexis is off to New York, single and also prepared to chart a new course in the family business.

“Schitt’s Creek” ends as a show about bonds and love of various kinds. The Roses discovered over these last six seasons how small places can gain so much importance in life. Schitt’s Creek kept them afloat and saved them. Everyone discovered something about themselves by the end. Stevie discovered she was not meant to be an actress or flight attendant, but has a sharp mind for business. Johnny and Moira were humbled and are now ready to get back into their passions. The final moment is beautifully nostalgic as Johnny has their car stop for a moment so he can take one last look at Schitt’s Creek. Life moves on and pages turn. It’s the same with good shows like this one. They end but remain to be revisited and discovered.

“Schitt’s Creek” series finale aired April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on Pop.