Honestly, if you ask any die-hard fan when the show stopped being just a "funny Canadian sitcom" and turned into a cultural phenomenon, they’ll point straight to Schitt's Creek Season 4. It’s the year the Rose family finally stopped looking for the exit and started building a foundation.
Most people remember the big moments—the "Simply the Best" cover, the "I love yous"—but there is so much nuance in this specific set of 13 episodes that gets lost in the highlight reels. It’s where the show’s soul really settled.
The Patrick Brewer Effect and Why It Worked
By the time we hit Season 4, Patrick isn't just a business partner anymore. He's the anchor. In the premiere, "Dead Guy in Room 4," we see the immediate aftermath of David’s birthday, which was basically their first real date. What's wild is how the writers handled David's neuroses. Usually, in sitcoms, a character like David Rose would be "fixed" by a relationship. But Season 4 doesn't do that.
Instead, Patrick just... handles it.
Take the "Open Mic" episode. David is spiraling because he thinks an open mic night is "pedestrian" and will ruin the Rose Apothecary brand. He's being elitist and difficult. Patrick doesn't argue; he just gets up and sings. That acoustic version of Tina Turner’s "Simply the Best" wasn't just a romantic gesture. It was a tactical strike against David’s defenses.
It’s interesting to note that Noah Reid (who plays Patrick) actually arranged that cover himself. It changed the entire trajectory of the show. Before that, the Roses were people we laughed at. After that song, they were people we felt with.
👉 See also: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
Alexis Rose and the Slow Burn of Competence
While everyone talks about David and Patrick, the real MVP of Schitt's Creek Season 4 might actually be Alexis. This is the season where she moves from "spoiled socialite" to "legitimate PR professional," even if her college diploma did accidentally say she majored in "Pubic Relations."
She’s dealing with the crushing reality of Ted moving on with Heather Warner. Watching Alexis navigate her lingering feelings while trying to maintain a professional relationship with Ted at the vet clinic is painfully relatable.
- She stays late to help with marketing.
- She organizes the "Singles Week" event.
- She learns that she can't just "charm" her way out of every situation; sometimes you just have to do the work.
The growth is jagged. It’s not a straight line. She still says things like "Ew, David" and makes everything about herself for the first five minutes of every conversation, but by the time we get to the "Singles Week" finale, she’s a different person. She tells Ted she loves him not because she wants to win, but because she needs him to know. It’s selfless. That’s a massive jump from the Alexis we met in Season 1.
The Motel, the Dead Guy, and Johnny’s Quiet Victory
Johnny Rose is often the straight man, the one trying to keep the chaos contained. In Season 4, his partnership with Stevie Budd at the Rosebud Motel really solidifies. The season kicks off with a literal dead body in Room 4, which is such a classic "Schitt's Creek" setup.
But look at the subtext. Johnny and Stevie aren't just coworkers; they’re family. When Johnny gets invited to join the Jazzagals (well, briefly) or when he's trying to get the motel's occupancy up, you see a man who has regained his dignity. He isn't a "video store magnate" anymore. He’s a small-town motel owner, and for the first time, he’s actually proud of it.
✨ Don't miss: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
The Mystery of the Timeline
Kinda funny thing about this season: the timeline is a total mess if you look too closely.
In "The Barbecue," David and Patrick are celebrating their four-month anniversary. Stevie mentions it's the "dead of summer." But then a few episodes later, they’re doing a Christmas special. If you try to map out the months based on the "Singles Week" events and the graduation from Season 3, nothing actually aligns.
Does it matter? Not really. The show exists in a sort of perpetual "warm Canadian autumn" vibe, except for when they need a narrative excuse for a holiday party.
Moira Rose: More Than Just Wigs
Moira’s arc in Season 4 is surprisingly grounded. Between the "RIP Moira Rose" rumors—where she spends the day reading her own digital obituaries—and her work on the Town Council, we see her actually caring about the community.
There's a tiny moment in "Baby Sprinkle" where she's helping Jocelyn with her baby shower. It’s subtle, but Moira is actually being... a friend? It’s a far cry from the woman who couldn't remember which town she was in during the pilot.
Why Season 4 Still Ranks as the Best
If you look at the awards, the "sweep" happened in Season 6. But the writing in Season 4 is where the foundation for those Emmys was poured. It’s the season that proved you could have a comedy without a "villain."
🔗 Read more: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
There are no real antagonists in Schitt's Creek. Even "the exes" like Rachel (Patrick’s ex-fiancée who shows up at the BBQ) aren't bad people. They’re just complications. The conflict comes from the characters’ internal struggles—David’s fear of being hurt, Alexis’s fear of being inadequate, and Johnny’s fear of never being "successful" again.
Key takeaways from the Season 4 arc:
- Vulnerability is a strength: David’s admission of his "damaged goods" past is what allows Patrick to love him.
- Professionalism takes time: Alexis’s PR journey shows that rebranding yourself is harder than rebranding a business.
- Community matters: The Roses only thrive because the town (Roland, Jocelyn, Ronnie) actually caught them when they fell.
If you’re doing a rewatch, pay attention to the background characters this season. Look at how Ronnie and Bob treat the Roses. They aren't "outsiders" anymore. They're just the weird neighbors everyone has accepted.
The best way to experience this season again isn't just to binge it. Watch "Open Mic" and then immediately jump to the "Singles Week" finale. The emotional distance covered in just those few episodes is staggering. You’ll see exactly why this show became the "warm hug" of the streaming era.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Fan
To truly appreciate the craft behind these episodes, go back and watch the "behind the scenes" featurettes for the "Open Mic" episode. It gives a lot of context on how Dan Levy and Noah Reid collaborated on the musical tone. Also, keep an eye on the costume choices—notice how David's sweaters become slightly less "armored" as his relationship with Patrick progresses.