Honestly, by the time most sitcoms hit their fifth year, they're usually running on fumes or jumping sharks. You know the drill. The characters become caricatures of themselves, and the jokes start feeling like recycled Facebook memes from 2012. But Schitt's Creek Season 5 did something weird. It actually got better.
It’s the year where the Rose family stopped being "fish out of water" and started actually swimming in the pond.
Think back to the pilot. Johnny was frantic. Moira was borderline catatonic. David and Alexis were just... prickly. Fast forward to season five, and the dynamic has shifted so fundamentally that you almost forget they were ever those shallow billionaires. This season is where the emotional stakes finally catch up to the comedy, and if you aren't crying by the time the "Cabaret" curtain falls, you might actually be a robot.
The David and Patrick Factor: Why It Works
We have to talk about David and Patrick. This is the heartbeat of Schitt's Creek Season 5.
Most TV romances are built on "will they or won't they" drama that feels manufactured. You get the big kiss, and then the writers realize they have no idea how to write a happy couple, so they invent a cheating scandal or a secret twin. Dan Levy didn't do that. Instead, he gave us a season about the terrifying reality of being vulnerable.
Patrick’s coming out story in "Meet the Parents" is arguably the best episode of the entire series. It’s handled with such a light touch. There’s no huge blowout fight or tragic rejection. It’s just a quiet, stressful, deeply human moment at a birthday dinner. Noah Reid plays Patrick with this specific kind of Midwestern stoicism that breaks perfectly when David supports him.
The engagement? It wasn't some over-the-top flash mob. It was on a hiking trail. David was complaining the whole time. It was sweaty and annoying and perfect. That’s why people still obsess over this season. It feels like real life, just with better sweaters.
Moira Rose and the Crowening
While the kids are finding love, Moira is in Bosnia filming The Crows Have Eyes III: The Crowening.
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Catherine O'Hara is a genius. We know this. But in Schitt's Creek Season 5, she takes Moira to a level of delusion that is somehow incredibly sympathetic. She’s wearing a literal bird suit. She’s doing a "Caw-Caw" accent. Yet, beneath the wigs (like "Maureen" or "the one that looks like a Muppet"), there’s this crushing fear of irrelevance.
Moira represents the part of us that is terrified that our best days are behind us. Watching her transition from the disappointment of a direct-to-video horror flick to the triumph of directing the local production of Cabaret is a masterclass in character arc. She’s still selfish. She’s still eccentric. But she cares. She wants those townspeople to be good. She pushes Stevie Budd—not just because she wants a good show, but because she sees Stevie’s potential.
Stevie Budd’s Quiet Revolution
Let's be real: Stevie is the audience.
She’s the one watching this family of lunatics and rolling her eyes. But in season five, Stevie has a mid-life crisis at twenty-five. She’s stuck at a desk in a town she never chose.
The performance of "Maybe This Time" in the season finale is the pivot point for the entire series. When Stevie sings, she isn't just playing Sally Bowles. She’s mourning her old life and stepping into a new one. It’s raw. Emily Hampshire didn't use a polished Broadway voice; she used a voice that sounded like someone finally finding their courage.
This is the genius of the writing. The show uses a community theater production to deliver a massive emotional payoff. It’s low stakes for the world, but high stakes for the soul.
Alexis Rose: From Socialite to Publicist
If you told me in season one that Alexis would be the most competent person in the room, I’d have laughed.
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In Schitt's Creek Season 5, Alexis isn't just "a little bit Alexis." She’s building a career. She’s managing her mother’s comeback. She’s navigating a long-distance relationship with Ted Mullens that actually feels mature.
The "Singles Week" storyline shows her growth. She’s organized. She’s professional. She’s still wearing four-inch heels in the dirt, but she’s getting things done. The relationship with Ted works because they both want the other to succeed, even if it means being apart. It’s a bittersweet setup for what comes in the final season.
The Reality of the Rosebud Motel
Johnny Rose is the anchor.
While everyone else is having these big emotional epiphanies, Johnny is trying to figure out how to make a motel profitable. He’s the one dealing with the day-to-day grind. Eugene Levy plays the straight man so well that you sometimes miss how much work he’s doing.
The motel business isn't just a plot device anymore. It’s their legacy. It’s the first thing they’ve built from the ground up without a massive safety net. Seeing Johnny and Stevie as business partners—this weird, grumpy, loving father-daughter dynamic—is one of the most underrated parts of the year.
Why This Season Ranks Higher Than the Rest
People often cite the final season as their favorite because of the wedding. I get it. But season five is where the heavy lifting happens.
It’s the bridge. You can't have the "Happy Ending" of season six without the growth of season five. This is where the characters stop trying to leave Schitt's Creek and start trying to live in it.
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The humor is sharper here, too. The dialogue is fast, messy, and filled with those "Ew, David" moments that never feel forced. The wardrobe budget clearly went up (thanks, Dan Levy), and the visual storytelling matches the script's sophistication.
Technical Mastery and Production
The show was filmed at Pinewood Toronto Studios and on location in Goodwood, Ontario. By the fifth year, the crew had a rhythm. You can see it in the lighting—the motel looks warmer. The Rose's room feels less like a prison and more like a home.
The costume design by Debra Hanson shouldn't be overlooked. David’s Rick Owens sweaters and Moira’s archival pieces tell a story of people clinging to their identity while adapting to their environment. It’s a visual representation of their refusal to give up, even when they’re living in a room with a leaky ceiling.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Rewatch
If you’re diving back into Schitt's Creek Season 5, don't just put it on as background noise.
- Watch the background characters. The townspeople of Schitt's Creek (Ronnie, Bob, Ray) are doing incredible comedic work in the periphery of the Rose family's drama.
- Listen to the score. The musical choices, particularly during the Cabaret sequences, are deliberate and evocative.
- Trace the David/Stevie friendship. It’s the most consistent platonic love story on television. Their scene on the car hood in the finale says more about friendship than most entire series do in ten seasons.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you've finished the season and you're feeling that post-binge void, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the Documentary: Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt's Creek Farewell is available on various streaming platforms. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the Cabaret episode and Patrick’s coming out scene. It adds a layer of appreciation for the craft.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Specifically, Noah Reid’s cover of "Simply the Best." It’s a masterclass in how to reinterpret a pop song to fit a narrative.
- Analyze the Arc: Pick one character—say, Alexis—and watch only their scenes across the season. You’ll see the subtle ways the writers planted seeds for her ultimate independence.
- Support Local Arts: The theme of this season is the power of community theater and local business. Find a local production in your town. It might not have Moira Rose directing, but it has that same spirit of people trying to make something beautiful together.
This season isn't just a bridge to the finale. It’s the moment the show transitioned from a cult hit to a cultural phenomenon. It’s warm, it’s sharp, and it’s remarkably kind. In a world of cynical television, that’s why it still matters.