Schitt’s Creek Season 6, Episode 11
“The Bachelor Party”
Posted by Gillian
Does it make sense that a bachelor party is exclusively family and no friends (shhh Stevie is family)? Not usually. But for David and Patrick, yes, actually. Does it make sense that said Schitt’s Creek bachelor party takes place mostly during the day in an escape room? Not in a traditional sense, no. Is it a little grating how much and how often Johnny talks about getting his f-ing phone back? Ok, yes, absolutely it is. But honestly, who cares about any of that, really, because this episode was fun as hell.
It’s (some of the makings of) a bottle episode scene, y’all! And, more importantly, it’s David’s (right yes and also Patrick’s) bachelor party!!
Following Alexis’ advice from “Maid of Honour” and ignoring seven pages’ worth of David’s own ideas, Stevie has put together a truly unique joint bachelor party for the grooms-to-be. Given that David is almost certainly getting his way in every respect of wedding planning, it does seem only fair that the bachelor party provide Patrick with the one thing he wanted: time with the Roses at Elmdale’s finest/only escape room!
And thank God for that, because a) it feels like forever since this entire group has gotten to spend real time together for our amusement and b) this particular scenario is perfectly crafted to maximize said amusement – even though, and probably because, no one but Patrick actually wants to do it. Patrick’s glee is endearing and ultimately infectious and, other than Moira and Johnny who, let’s face it, wouldn’t have gotten excited for anything shy of David’s Tahitian Dolphin Cruise pitch, everyone ends up getting into it in some way. And it’s just so fun. Patrick being amped the entire way through, David quickly (and completely unsurprisingly despite his shocking self-unaware hesitance) getting very invested, Stevie eventually agreeing it’s actually fun in her trademark low-key way, and Alexis very matter-of-factly solving basically the whole thing without breaking a sweat. Even Moira’s and Johnny’s hanging around the margins is entertaining. The writers gave us a smorgasbord and I for one and am feeling full.
And that was just the main course! The appetizers this week were pretty great too. Johnny’s got potentially thrilling news (twice removed) and despite the nerves that come from expecting a potential call that could lead to a pitch meeting that might result in an investment in the Rosebud Motel Group, he manages to entice his former assistant and current big time venture capitalist.
(And how could he not have with that voicemail he left – he’s in such a breezy place!)
Moira’s got a promising new career opportunity in the world of voice-over promotion. And while Ronnie might not understand how Moira could have possibly turned down an opportunity to work with Nicole Kidman, Twyla’s sweet, starstruck giddiness is enough to fuel Moira’s enthusiasm. The opportunity doesn’t end up being quite what she’d expected – not a total surprise given it was secured and negotiated by a publicist operating on half a cylinder at most – but Johnny’s maybe-meeting turning into an actually-scheduled one is enough of an exhilarating surprise to get the whole family celebrating.
In the background of all this excitement, Alexis continues to go through it. Although she started to turn a corner last week, helping Moira see her own value, Alexis hasn’t quite found her own again yet. Maybe because around that corner was a dead love fern weird little desert daisy thing succulent. Maybe she really does still just miss Ted and is worried she made a mistake not going to the Galapagos after all. Or maybe being a small town publicist with one client whose most promising prospect is a Larry Air radio ad really isn’t enough for someone like Alexis. Whatever the reason(s), it’s not a great look.
But don’t worry. Nothing can keep our Alexis down for long.
Love That Journey For Her: Alexis Finally Feels Like Herself Again
After her rough start to the day – and only slightly less rough middle – Alexis finally finds her groove again in a Galapagos-themed escape room of all places. While David is shouting and Patrick is psyched and Moira is bored and Johnny is fretting and Stevie is having a surprisingly good time, Alexis cakewalks through the final slew of puzzles and riddles and hints to get the family out of the escape room.
And, more important (just don’t tell David or Patrick I said this) than winning the game, escaping from the fake-Galapagos helps Alexis realize it might be time for her to escape her small town life as well. And she’s absolutely right.
As great as it is that David has found in Schitt’s Creek a place to not only evolve but also settle, it makes a lot of sense that Alexis hasn’t found the same. It’s probably why I never found her relationship with Ted all that satisfying, even though they were sweet together and even good for each other in some ways. As important as Schitt’s Creek and the people she’s met there have been for Alexis’ self-discovery and growth, it just never really felt right for someone with her spirit and sense of adventure to stay there long-term. She’s gained a lot from her time in the town, but she’s grown as much as she can there. And I’m so glad the writers are letting her realize it’s time to move on.
Moira’s Rose’s Garden’s Honorary Rose of the Week 4856: Patrick
Not only is it incredibly touching that Patrick wanted the Roses to participate in the Brewster Family’s annual escape room tradition since his own family couldn’t be there (Have they passed?!), his desire to share something he truly loves combined with his genuine appreciation for each of the Roses just as they are means he does his level best to ensure they each have as much fun as possible. Granted, for Moira and Johnny, that’s not much at all, but he’s not a miracle worker.
And his insistence on this activity with this group of people was the gift that kept giving. David’s competitive nature returns. Moira and Johnny deeply misunderstand the parameters. Stevie actually has fun. Alexis’ mad escape room skills lead her to a revelation.
Plus, he’s just so damn excited. And it’s adorable.
“Roland in the Bedroom” Funniest Bit: David Gets Really Into Escaping
How on earth David didn’t realize he would go all in once the escape room got started is beyond me. Patrick lost you at “fun group game,” David? I know it was back in Season One, but do you not remember yourself during game night? Because I do.
Luckily it doesn’t take him long to give in, because from the moment he crosses that threshold, the entire game sequence is non-stop funny. And every single thing David does – each facial expression, each gesture, each sound – is incredible.
From matching and exceeding Patrick’s enthusiasm (“We have the second number! The second number is EIGHT!”) to shoving and shouting at Alexis when he thinks she’s slowing him down or questioning his efforts (“Oh my God, you blow on the circles, then!”), it’s all so hilarious and perfectly in character for David (and honestly probably Dan, too). And his Nathan-Lane-in-Birdcage squeal when he gets the combination lock open is on another level. I squealed.
The “David Plucking at the Plastic Sheet” Funniest Moment: Alexis Does Her Best Moira Rose
Honestly, the moment that made me laugh the hardest was probably one of David’s escape room reactions, but I couldn’t possibly choose just one, so what a great opportunity to showcase Alexis’ absurd attempt to “cover” for Moira when she bolts from recording the Larry Air radio ad spot. For a second, I thought Alexis was going to nail it and that would turn into her new path. But what happened was so much better.
Her quintessential Alexis squeaks as she flees the recording booth are the best possible punctuation.
Aw, David! Sweetest Moment: Alexis Confides in David
My favorite David and Alexis dynamic is their very believable sibling rivalry. It’s always funny and a great showcase for Dan and Annie’s respective comedic stylings. But I also love it because it makes their genuine, caring moments all the more meaningful and satisfying. Between pleading for his help when David finds her in their room, half dressed and mourning a succulent, and prodding him for advice in the middle of the escape room (just as he’s getting invested!), Alexis’ reliance on her big brother to help her figure out where she’s gone wrong is some of the sweetest sibling content we’ve gotten in a while.
And though David’s initial responses seem a bit dismissive, he ends up answering her earnestly – if a little impatiently – and though it’s not exactly the advice she claims to be seeking, it is what she needs to hear. And their final conversation, where she opens up to David, is just so lovely. Alexis is so cautious as she tells David what she’s realized, knowing he deserves to know but is likely to be surprised and possibly upset. And David’s attempt to at least partially contain the full extent of his feelings about her decision is equally generous. These two love each other so damn much and I can never get enough of it.
Blouse Barn Durability Award for Best Look of the Episode: Moira’s Latex and Lace
Obviously I fell hard for the outfit mullet Alexis wallowed in at the beginning of the episode, but even her full makeup/half outfit combo couldn’t compete with Moira’s Bachelor Party ensemble. I mean, black latex and white lace (the Harry Styles of it all certainly has nothing to do with how much I love it – what on earth are you implying?) accessorized to the Moira-est and topped by possibly one of my favorite wigs she’s ever donned? How could I not?
That this is how she dresses for her son’s bachelor party just elevates it further. I wish I could pretend she dressed like this specifically for the escape room, but there’s no way she actually understood what an escape room is when she was selecting her attire. Even so, she knew she was dressing for drinks at the Wobbly Elm at most, so it’s still incredible. Plus, my personal head canon that she selected an outfit reminiscent of what she wore to her last viewing of Panic Room is enough to propel me to the moon.
A Vocabulary Lesson from Schitt’s Creek’s Resident Sesquipedalian
con brio [kon bree-oh, kohn], adv. with vigor; vivaciously (used as a musical direction). As in, “Whenever you’re ready, Moira, just start at the top, and, high energy…”
ebrious [ee-bree-uh s] adj. drunken or intoxicated. As in, “Before we find ourselves ebrious with hooch and happiness, may I say how very proud all of us are on this day of days.”
felicific [fee-luh–sif-ik], adj. causing or tending to cause happiness. As in, “I used to share your felicific optimism, dear. But no, the reality is, we’re never getting out of here.”
katzenjammer [kat-suh n-jam-er], n. 1) the discomfort and illness experienced as the aftereffects of excessive drinking; hangover; 2) uneasiness; anguish; distress. See below for use in a sentence.
pecuniary [pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee] adj. of or relating to money. As in, “Your father, with his pecuniary savvy and intrepidation, has turned what began as a katzenjammer of a day into one filled with faith, hope, and love.”
A Lotta Bit Alexis
Considering Alexis’ pre-Schitt’s Creek life was littered with real-life escape scenarios – there’s a reason being in high pressure situations with time running out and people yelling at her makes her feel like herself – it’s only right that this episode was particularly revealing for our favorite former world traveler and expert captivity extractionist. Entirely thanks to her brilliant performance in the escape room, we learned:
- She and Stavros used to make out in his parents’ aviary, which included at least one finch.
- She spent a weekend with Tom Hardy, which either took place in England or included a geography lesson on England, possibly (and hopefully) both.
- Her friend Prairie got a tattoo of the ancient Egyptian symbol for stability on her lower back in seventh grade. Fun fact: The timing works out for it to have been the very same visit to a Hong Kong tattoo parlor where Alexis got her Cantonese “That’s Hot” lower back tat.
And, making its triumphant return…a Lil Bit Mo’ o’ Larry Air:
I was so ashamed I didn’t predict that the “international airline” Moira would be doing voice over work for was Larry Air, but the surprise and delight at the reveal certainly softened the blow. As did the litany of perfectly on-brand Larry Air lines she was given to read, catalogued here for posterity.
- We really care at Larry Air! (snappy)
- A deal so rare, it’s Larry Air!
- Never flown Larry Air? Try Larry Air! (oh, that’s a touch uninspired)
- Get your derriere on Larry Air! (a bit chummy for an airline)
- Larry Air! We’ll take you from there to here! (now that should be switched, shouldn’t it?)
- Courtesy of Alexis, we can have one more. As a treat: Try one of our inflight meals, if you dare, at Larry Air.
Estate Sale Auction Items
- As if providing consistently quality television programming weren’t enough, the Schitt’s Creek crew goes above and beyond to help save us all:
- “We will be happy with whatever you have planned, right David?” / “Yes! It just depends on what she’s planned.”
- Would David actually have agreed to wear the “I’m stupid” shirt, though? Maybe if Patrick had bought it, but Stevie? I don’t know, y’all.
- David and Moira both thinking an escape room = the movie Panic Room is such a precise and funny and perfectly in character shared mistake. Also, we all fully agree that something happened during Moira’s private screening with “Jo” Foster that I 100% need every individual detail about, right?
- This is such a great Moira joke, and Moira pausing before the punchline to make sure Ronnie hears her is perfect. I love that everyone just wants Ronnie’s approval.
- Moira and Johnny’s respective attempts to engage the escape room “assistant” are great, but Moira definitely wins with, “Don’t worry, I’m also in the Guild.”
- Annie Murphy’s still out here going toe to toe with Dan Levy, facewise.
- God bless this tumblr user for looking into the potential deeper meaning of finches as they relate to Alexis.
- Moira exclaiming, “Mommy and Alexis solved the puzzle!” after Alexis straight up did everything merely because Moira told her to try the key in the door is flawless.
- David! And Patrick! (unapproved) BABY PICTURES!
Did you love the escape room as much as I did? Do you want to talk for hours about Moira’s private time with Jodie Foster? Think if Alexis ends up back in New York it will somehow lead to us finally finding out where exactly Schitt’s Creek is? Let’s talk it out in the comments!
Featured Image Source: CBC/Pop
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