Schitt’s Creek Season 6, Episode 12
“The Pitch”
Posted by Gillian
As I discussed in the recap of “Smoke Signals,” this final season premiered with quite a few nods to the show’s pilot. It’s fitting, then, that “The Pitch” – the last Schitt’s Creek episode before the two-parter series finale, contains a few callbacks of its own – to the season one finale, in which Johnny ecstatically tells his family he’s found someone to buy the town and they all react with manic jubilation and immediately get ahead of themselves in planning out their rich-again futures far from Schitt’s Creek. Those versions of the Roses are still hanging around in some form. Back then, Moira announced to Jocelyn they were leaving before the deal was done and bestowed one of her extravagant coats as a goodbye gift. This week, Moira wastes no time in neatly folding cherished items into a piece of luggage – or “packing” if you want to jump to conclusions. Back then, Alexis tells Ted she would absolutely marry him…if only she and her family weren’t leaving town. This week, she immediately starts looking for apartments and thinking about her expanded career prospects. And back then, it was David who wasted no time in finding potential apartments and inviting/telling Stevie to come with him, not realizing what Stevie would take that to mean. This week, he gets so quickly caught up in Alexis’ excitement and apartment search that he essentially does the exact same thing to Patrick, assuming he’ll be just as happy as David is to uproot their business and their lives.
Moira’s reaction is utterly unsurprising, of course. Although she’s tried to make the best of living in Schitt’s Creek, she’s never considered it home, and she never will. She’s also not been shy about reminding anyone who happens to be around that her goal has never stopped being escaping the small town and returning to something akin to her former life.
But Alexis’ and David’s reactions are more interesting, mostly in terms of how inextricably tied to their parents’ lives they seem to feel. Alexis jumping at the opportunity to move back to New York makes sense – she did recently realize it doesn’t make sense for her to stay in Schitt’s Creek, after all, and New York is a natural place for her to go. But I was a little surprised that she apparently feels the need to have the security blanket of her parents and her brother moving back as well. Apparently her familiarity with the city and the fact that New York-based Interflix has expressed interest in meeting to discuss future business dealings weren’t enough to convince her that she doesn’t actually need her parents or her brother to move to New York, or anywhere else. She’s ready to do it on her own. And as much as I love the Rose family – and especially sibling – dynamic, a big part of me hopes she does.
David’s reaction is even more surprising – at least at first. Given how settled and happy he and Patrick are in their lives in Schitt’s Creek, his unbridled joy and instant assumption that he (and Patrick) would move to New York along with his family felt a bit jarring. And his conversation with Patrick was undeniably uncomfortable.
But whereas Season 1 David probably would have reacted to Patrick’s surprise and caution with disbelief and possibly been dismissive or argumentative, instead he immediately backtracks when Patrick doesn’t share his unqualified excitement at the prospect of dropping everything and going back to David’s old life. Yes, he had gotten caught up in the big news and Alexis’ plans, and it looked for a moment like he was regressing a bit to his former self. But I think it was more to do with how much closer he’s grown to his family over the past few years that made it impossible for him to even conceive of them moving on from Schitt’s Creek without him. Regardless of the reasons for his immediate response, they clearly weren’t as strong as his concern for his partner. That’s not only apparent from the second half of their conversation, but from the way he continues to check in on Patrick throughout the rest of the day – even in the midst of the group celebration.
And despite how it was looking a few times throughout the episode thanks to the jerks at Advantage Capital Association, it does seem like the Rosebud Motel Group will indeed have the financial option to move to New York in the near future if they want to. So all those looks between David and Patrick are going to have to start a conversation. We’ll just have to see whether that conversation ends with discussions about whether their apartment decor and candle fragrance preferences jive with Alexis’ or how often they’ll visit David’s family in their new homes. It’ll be fascinating to see how this all final(e)ly plays out over the last two episodes. Not just for the Roses, but for the Schitts and Stevie, too.
So let’s get on with it.
Love That Journey For Her: Stevie
I know I couldn’t possibly be as proud of Stevie as David is (more on that below), but I don’t think I’m too far behind. Ever since she decided to re-join Mr. Rose and focus on their business, she’s been working to figure out ways to move herself and the motel forward. And she finally got her chance to get out of the book and into the boardroom. And despite some obvious nerves (thank God for CBD oil) and a few vocal hiccups at the very start of her presentation, Stevie was PULLING IT OFF before the PowerPoint froze. When Johnny turned it over to her to go over their financial projections and she confidently took over, my heart came dangerously close to swelling beyond the capacity of my rib cage.
I was a bit surprised at how certain she was in that meeting room, facing all the expensive-suited moneybags, especially given how rude they were from the start, but she’s earned that certainty. And she wasn’t just there to back Johnny up. She was a solid part of the team. It was their pitch, and they crushed it together. We love to see it.
Speaking of things you love to see – but on the personal side – I must add: Stevie Budd x Ruth Clancy 4Ever. LISTEN! It’s not just the way Stevie is immediately flustered by her (lalala I can’t hear you saying that was more about the meeting than Ruth lalala) and it’s not just that I can picture them taking on all kinds of sleazy business men in their complementary power suits. I mean, it is absolutely both of those things. But also, SHE GETS A GOOD VIBE FROM RUTH, Y’ALL. Stevie said that, not me! Right in front of Ruth! So technically it’s only half head canon. I need to see that lunch meeting, immediately. And also I need Ruth to be Stevie’s date to David and Patrick’s wedding. Please and thank you.
Moira’s Rose’s Garden’s Honorary Rose of the Week 4856: Roland
I’m not sure I ever thought we’d see this day, but look who came all the damn way through this week.
Just before writing this, I rewatched the last several episodes of the season because my dear life partner’s priorities are totally out of whack and he was very behind, and I’m a very gracious person and wanted to catch him up before I watched the newest episode in front of him. Re-experiencing Roland’s constant chop-busting of Johnny in rapid succession right before “The Pitch” made Roland’s performance as Johnny’s actual partner in business all the more impactful. Yes, he’s mostly useless for the actual pitch – although his nerves and awkwardness are amusing as always – and probably leading up to it as well. But he cleaned himself up, put on one of Johnny’s suits, and tried to be on his best behavior. He even brought an empty suitcase to make sure he looked intimidating like Johnny instructed!
But more importantly, and the reason Roland finally clinched this award, when he goes back to the boardroom after their seemingly successful pitch and overhears the executive douchenozzles talking trash about Johnny and their proposal, he doesn’t sneak away or regress into awkwardness or bluster. Instead, he calmly and appropriately puts them in their place.
Even when he remembers he’s depending on their jet to get back home, he doesn’t backtrack. He apologizes for his “outburst” but stands by what he said. Because Johnny Rose is a legend. And Roland won’t let them forget that.
It’s also a nice touch that he doesn’t tell Johnny and Stevie what happened upstairs, wanting to protect their feelings. He just tries to get them to quell their excitement so they won’t be as disappointed when they find out they won’t be getting an investment from the jerks upstairs. And when Ruth delivers exactly that message, Roland assures Johnny they don’t deserve to do business with him anyway. It’s the most sincere and human we’ve seen Roland in a long time. Maybe ever. With his usual insistence on making everything a joke, it’s easy to forget Roland thinks of himself as Johnny’s best friend (and sometimes David’s godfather) but Roland obviously never does.
The Mariah Carey Award for Outstanding Achievement in Schitt’s Creek Fandom Contributions: Entertainment Weekly
If you’re the kind of person to read this recap, you’ve almost certainly already seen the incredible, classic romance-inspired digital covers EW created to go along with their exclusive David and Patrick-focused story. But I can’t take the risk that you might not have. It’s too important.
“Roland in the Bedroom” Funniest Bit: Moira Not-Prays to Whom it May Concern
Apparently three exploding head emojis – once Jocelyn explains to her what they actually indicate – are enough to send Moira into a spiral of worry over how Johnny and the rest of the Rosebud Motel Group were faring in New York. So, naturally, the best way she can think to help is to gather her children in a kneeling circle, hold hands, and implore an unnamed power-that-be to find her macho man (“5’10”, slow talker”) and send him some energy and a message to help him avoid another failure.
David and Alexis’ confused resistance and quick capitulation combined with Moira’s just-as-confused insistence and random but purposeful gestures creates exactly the kind of absurd Rose family activity that almost feels like it could be a tradition but has absolutely never happened before. It’s so perfectly desperate and bizarre that it might even have worked.
The “David Plucking at the Plastic Sheet” Funniest Moment: Moira throws a Jazzagal Under the Bus
The entirety of Moira assuming a Jazzagal’s going away party was actually in her honor – from having no idea who the actual guest of honor is (she can’t be expected to remember every person she meets!) and assuming “Goodbye, Grace” was referring to one of her notable attributes to smearing the cake’s icing to try to hide her mistake – was really funny. But the way she reacts to being called out for mis-identifying poor Grace a second time in under a minute, claiming she was simply pointing out someone who wasn’t celebrating enough, got me so good.
Sadly, I couldn’t find a gif of the actual moment, because she goes from panicked to defensive to defeated so quickly. Like everything from Catherine O’Hara, it’s masterful. Weird and subtle and specific and hilarious.
Aw, David! Sweetest Moment: David hugs Stevie
We haven’t had a ton of David and Stevie quality best friend time this season, so it’s nice to get a reminder of how much they love each other. While Patrick’s unease cast a bit of a pall over the rest of the group’s excitement in the final scene, one thing allowed me to forget about that briefly: David making a beeline for Stevie to hug her first. As soon as it was clear they had something to celebrate, David could have joined the rest of his family in their group hug. And especially after being so ready to follow his parents and Alexis back to New York, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to do so. But he went straight for Stevie instead, wearing the most loving, proud look, and wrapped her in a fierce hug. And she so happily receives it.
He’s so obviously proud of and happy for her. He knows better than anyone else what a big deal this new opportunity is for her – how far she’s come in figuring out what she wants and what she’s capable of, and you can both see and feel all of that in that moment. And you can see Stevie’s gratitude and excitement too. There’s so much warmth and understanding at the center of their relationship and this hug is a perfect illustration of that.
Blouse Barn Durability Award for Best Look of the Episode: The Rosebud Motel Group’s Trio of Suits
The suits – as gorgeous as they are – are never the scene stealers in this show. There are just always so many fantastic outfits pulling focus. But this week was a good reminder there’s strength in numbers.
I mean.
How was I supposed to resist that?
We’d already seen all three of them in suits in the cold open, and I’d already made a very specific “Stevie in that suit” mental bookmark, but the wide shot of the three of them sitting side by side in the lobby, all suited up and ready for their meeting, was such a hot ass LOOK. It left me with essentially no choice but to award a three-way tie (hee) and I regret nothing.
(Psst but also/seriously/specifically: Stevie in that suit. Do yourself a favor and be sure to click through to the second picture.)
Honorable mention: David’s Denim Skort.
A Vocabulary Lesson from Schitt’s Creek’s Resident Sesquipedalian
abetment [uh-bet-muhnt] n. encouragement, support. As in, “It’s our turn to send him abetment! … He’s worked so hard while the rest of us have just been flailing about!”
cognoscenti [kog-nuh–sen-tee], n. plural. persons who have superior knowledge and understanding of a particular field. As in, “Our husbands – at my husband’s direction – are currently in New York City, vending their business to the corporate cognoscenti.”
gawpus [gou-poo s] n. British English, obsolete. A clumsy or silly person. As in, “Jocelyn, are we now moonlighting as town crier?…Cheeky gawpus, you!”
grinagog [grin–uh-gog ] n. Old English. A foolish grinning fellow, one who grins without reason. “Grace! Our timorous grinagog! I think I’ll miss you most of all!
A Lotta Bit Alexis
Ok, not actually a lotta, but we did learn Tiger Woods was once very interested in her, as evidenced by the fact that he sent a jet for her.
Estate Sale Auction Items
- This week in sibling relationship growth:
- I want to live in the world where Kerry Washington and Elle Fanning are in an all-female revival of 12 Angry Men on Broadway.
- I love so much when Moira “accidentally” says the wrong word (read: what she’s actually thinking) and then has to immediately correct herself. It’s a high pressure situation, so we get two slip ups this week! “Your father and Stevie can use all the help they can get!” / “Help?” / “I said ‘support,’ dear.” AND “Goodbye my conquistadors! We are all relying….no we’re cheering you on!”
- And Moira isn’t the only one doing her best encouragement this week.
- I’m always here for Roland being awkward and Chris Elliott consistently comes through on that front. The way he asks Ruth, “Do you know if there’s water where we’re going?” in the lobby is maybe one of my favorites. And his concern that the company might be pumping pollen into the boardroom is amazing.
- Annie Murphy continues to bring it via her face and hands.
- “Oh my God, your bedroom would have one of those little beds that come down from the wall!” / “Ok, we’re two people, we would get the master bedroom.” / “But I have a lot of coats!”
- There’s SO MUCH good Rose sibling content in this episode.
- “Motels are small hotels without the golf courses.” LOL Johnny Rose with the jokes! God, he’s just so good in his element, showing grace even when Bryce and Tripp (how perfectly terrible are those names??) are being disrespectful and all-around awful, adjusting the pitch to fit into their conversations and react to their comments, sticking the landing with a personal touch. 10/10 would invest in his motel franchise if I had any money at all.
- Ruth’s parents used to take her to Rose Video as a kid! And she loved the free popcorn! She thought it was a nice touch! I’m just saying, she already fits right into Stevie’s found family.
- This final look from Patrick at David is a lot. It could mean so many things! Is he worried? Is he realizing he’d absolutely pack up and move their entire lives to keep his fiancé looking as happy as he does right now? Is he thinking about how they really need to talk and that conversation could go two very different directions? I’m not at all concerned their relationship won’t survive this uncertainty, but I do love that we don’t yet know where they’ll end up. Just that they’ll be together.
A lot’s up in the air, friends! Are you worried about anyone or anything? Where do you think the various members of the Rose family will end up? Who are you most excited for? Grab your zhampagne and join me in the comments for a virtual celebration!
Featured Image Source: CBC/Pop
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