Schitt’s Creek Season 6, Episode 14
“Happy Ending”
Posted by Gillian
We’ve all been disappointed (or straight up enraged) by the series finales of our favorite shows over the years. Sometimes it’s the result of insufficient time to plan, leaving loose ends untied. Sometimes it’s the result of trying to do too much in one episode. And, most of the time, it’s almost certainly at least partially due to overly heightened expectations. Schitt’s Creek had the benefit of knowing two seasons in advance when it would be wrapping up. And Dan Levy has discussed how intentional he and his writers were to wrap up storylines throughout the final season to avoid the pitfall of realizing with just a few episodes left they had too much to do. One of his most consistent talking points during Season 6 promo was that, assuming they had done their job of planning out and executing the final season well, the finale would feel just like a really great episode of the show. And although the wedding and the goodbyes certainly lend a gravitas befitting a series finale, I’d say he and his team accomplished exactly that. The very aptly named “Happy Ending” – with its incredible balance of heart and humor – was a really fucking great episode of Schitt’s Creek.
Taking a cue from the younger Levy himself, I’ve decided this final recap gets to just be an episode recap, without the pressure of trying to cover all that has made this show great – as if any single piece (written by me at least) could. Let’s just talk about what made this episode – that happens to be the last of the series – so good. Because there was a lot. Like last week, I’m playing a little fast and loose with the idea of superlatives, because, well, it might have been “just” a great episode of Schitt’s Creek, but that means a lot of characters and moments and costumes are very deserving of being honored. Also, again, because I do what I want.
Love That Journey for Them: Bouquet of Roses
Ok, yes, I just got done saying this would be a normal episode recap and I wasn’t going to attempt to capture the finality of it all. But I also said I do what I want. And precisely because Dan and his team did such a solid job of setting each character in motion along their future path throughout the season, there’s honestly not much to say about their growth or development or next steps that hasn’t already been covered over the past thirteen weeks of these recaps. Not without the context of the series as a whole, anyway. So let’s just allow ourselves a little reminiscing about where these characters started and how far they’ve come.
They’re all in pretty damn great shape. Johnny’s embarking on a new, well-funded business venture. Moira’s acting career has been re-invigorated and elevated beyond what it ever seemed to have been before. Alexis is pursuing her own PR business without depending on anyone. And David has found real love in a healthy relationship for the first time in his life.
Some of that may have eventually happened regardless of whether the family had lost all their money and most of their possessions and been forced to move from New York City to a small, rural town. But one thing certainly wouldn’t have: their growing closer as a family. Moira and Johnny probably would have been fine, but maybe just fine. Going a year between visits from their kids may have become more and more commonplace over time. And though David and Alexis would almost certainly see each other sometimes, they definitely wouldn’t be as present in each other’s lives or mean as much to each other.
Moira may think Alexis is exhibiting a form of Stockholm Syndrome when she says part of her is glad they lost the money, but Alexis is on to something. The Roses are, individually and collectively, healthier and happier and more well-adjusted and prepared for the next phase of life than they were three years (six seasons) ago. And they might have gotten there outside of Schitt’s Creek, but it wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t been together.
Moira’s Rose’s Garden’s Honorary Roses of the Week 4856: The Whole Damn Town
The residents of Schitt’s Creek really came through in a way that’s not at all surprising given how welcoming and generous they’ve been from the start, but still nice enough to feel like a perfectly warm hug goodbye. Roland and Jocelyn offer up their living room in the most quintessential Roland and Jocelyn move: well-intentioned but utterly misguided. Ronnie uses her (very) personal connection to the florist to secure more flowers at the last minute so they can dress up Town Hall and then (then!) she full-on cries at the wedding. Ray films the entire day – even the parts Patrick claims a bit aggressively aren’t necessary but will definitely be the most amusing parts to watch in years to come. Twyla offers up the cafe between the lunch and dinner “rushes” – although honestly I’m not totally sure what for. Bob lends his garage for parking…minus one spot. You know, in case Gwen decides to come back.
As much as this award belongs to basically everyone this time around, the Jazzagals deserve particularly high praise for somehow managing to stay blended into the background of the wedding ceremony while giving a performance that had every right to steal the show. Those arrangements. That performance (more below). Those gals.
And naturally, ever-honorary-Roses, Patrick and Stevie, step up too. Dear Patrick sends David off to relax (like, really relax) so he can direct all the necessary last minute changes and arrangements without David fretting over anything. And, at the pinnacle of her Maid of Honor performance, Stevie puts her foot down and refuses to let the Schitts’ Living Room – leftover baby sprinkle decorations or not – be considered as a potential wedding venue. She also asks the truly important questions even in times of stress.
Which brings us right to…
“Roland in the Bedroom” Funniest Bit: The Other Happy Ending
With any other comedy, I would have immediately assumed the title of this episode referred to that kind of massage. But so much precedent has been set for the show emphasizing love and joy above all else that I assumed, in this case, in this show, only a single entendre was involved. The second it dawned on me that I was wrong, a few moments into David’s massage – it may have been sooner had I not been distracted by his sweet freckle-dappled shoulders – I was practically propelled from my couch by the sheer force of my glee. Because of course they found a way to slip one more absurd twist into David and Patrick’s happily ever after.
David’s face in the final moments of that scene, when he realizes precisely what level of relaxation his fiance had purchased, is of course perfect and hilarious. But it only gets better as the storyline unfolds and it becomes clear – in front of Stevie, thank God – that Patrick didn’t actually intend to arrange for another person to take care of David in that particular way. It’s an absolutely perfect scenario for them: David being shocked and impressed by the “gift”, Patrick being flustered and disbelieving anyone could possibly misinterpret his envelope of cash and instructions to take “very good care” of David, and Stevie – ever the perfect audience proxy – being entertained as hell by the whole thing.
The “David Plucking at the Plastic Sheet” Funniest Moment:
He could so easily have waited the 20 additional seconds until Patrick was out the door to let Stevie know just how good his massage was. But also he couldn’t. Because that’s how good the massage was. Perfection.
Aw, David! Sweetest Moments: The Wedding and the Goodbyes
Yes, I’m cheating again. Take it up with Levy Jr. I’m only one woman. I can’t be expected to wade through this much loveliness and fish out just one moment. Moira gets it.
Of course the wedding and the family’s final goodbyes were chock full of sweetness. But the predictability in no way reduced the levels or the effects. Not when the delivery was both earnest and earned.
The Wedding
First of all, the music was entirely uncalled for.
Yes, I should have seen “Simply the Best” coming, and if I’d actually taken time beforehand to try to guess at the processional music, I’m sure it would have been among my picks. But even if I had, I couldn’t have prepared for that particular rendition. Speaking of being unprepared, I didn’t even recognize “Precious Love” until it was halfway over. I just knew it was beautiful. And familiar. And when it finally dawned on me what song it was – the callback to the joyous Season 2 finale’s last scene hit all that much harder.
And that was all before the ceremony even started!
I never doubted they’d nail the vows, and they did indeed. I mean: HALF OF PATRICK’S VOWS WERE SUNG, Y’ALL. HALF HIS VOWS WERE MARIAH CAREY LYRICS THAT HE SUNG DIRECTLY INTO DAVID’S FACE AND ALL OF OUR HEARTS. Again, it took me far longer than I’d like to admit to recognize exactly what he was singing. I guess my brain was trying to protect my heart, maybe? Well, you FAILED, idiot brain. Because I figured it out. And it was at once too much and exactly the right amount. Also, the pride on Patrick’s dad’s face the entire time. Jesus Christ, I already explained that I’m only one person.
David’s vows were also perfectly lovely, but I think we can all admit the best part of his half was his cheeky clincher about Patrick being his happy ending.
And the wedding sweetness wasn’t contained to the happy couple. Of course it wasn’t. This show is about love in all its forms. And the wedding boasted examples aplenty. Moira barely being able to hold it together, despite what should have been the perfect training ground of a game show spokesmodel’s wedding in front of a live studio audience. Johnny kissing Stevie on the head between walking her down the aisle and taking his seat – the way she glows, friends – and the look of pure love and pride he gives his kids when they make eye contact with him during their own walk down the aisle.
And Alexis and David’s talk before their walk down the aisle. She just wanted to impress him! He’s continuously impressed by her! She’d be honored to walk him down the aisle! After she boops his nose! God, these dummies love each other so much.
And I love them.
Speaking of…
The Goodbyes
There’s just so much love and softness and hugging and waving and it’s all so pure. They’re all ready but not ready and isn’t that just the way when you love your people so much that you don’t want them to be anywhere but with you but you also love them enough to want them to do whatever is best for them, even when that means them being away from you? So all you can do is tell them you love them again and again and hug them and keep waving after them once they’ve left as you keep holding onto the people left behind with you.
And a special shout out specifically to how much Moira and Johnny love David and Alexis. Remember how, sadly, most of the time, Moira and Johnny used to have no interest idea what’s going on with their kids? Yeah, me neither.
Blouse Barn Durability Award for Best Looks of the Episode
Please. As if anyone else stood a whisper of a chance once those curtains opened.
Of course Moira happened to have a bishop outfit at the ready for any last-minute wedding officiant needs. I’d bet she actually has more than one for occasions warranting varying levels of gravitas. And I bet this isn’t even the best one. One’s only son’s wedding is hardly the time for sentimentality, after all.
As incredible as Moira’s wedding attire was, I can’t just ignore the other noteworthy looks. Not when it’s my last chance to heap praise on the costume department.
Because David’s wedding outfit is so perfectly him. And holding back the reveal of how fully him it actually was until the end of the ceremony was genius.
Because yes we’ve seen Stevie in a suit. And yes I’ve previously expressed gratitude for Stevie in a suit. But we’ve not previously seen Stevie in a tie like this. And it deserves its own gratitude.
Because Alexis, well, is still Alexis. So, if you’ll indulge me in yet another new superlative, I’d like to introduce…
The “Don’t Worry, It’s His Sister” Award for Hilarious Costuming that Also Looks Flawless: Alexis’ Definitely-Not-A-Wedding Dress
Honorable Mention: The black Dress Twyla Wears to the Wedding
Ok, I can hear you doubting me. What’s the big deal, Gillian? It’s cute but it’s just a black dress. I’m SO GLAD YOU ASKED BECAUSE NOW I GET TO TELL YOU WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS AND THAT BIG DEAL IS THAT IT’S ALEXIS’ PROM DRESS THAT SHE WORE FOR MOIRA’S SURPRISE PARTY IN SEASON 1
Thank you for your time. I think we can all agree it was worth it.
And finally…
The Moira’s Crow Feather Headband Accessory of the Episode: The Unseen Tulle Headdress That Came with Alexis’ White Floor-Length Gown and Is Absolutely Not a Veil.
A Vocabulary Lesson from Schitt’s Creek’s Resident Sesquipedalian
singultus [sing-guhl-tuh s], n. Medical. A hiccup. As in, ““Well, the day did have a slight singultus.”
The writers may have been a little withholding in this final episode, bestowing but a single word of Moira-ese. Perhaps they were simply too focused on writing Moira lines full of loving and reflective sentiments and wisdom and encouragement and gratitude to bother infusing her speech with her trademark philavery. But no matter, for Catherine O’Hara herself provided a bounty via Instagram, going live as part of the Schitt’s Creek Gives Back fundraiser. She shared far too many delectable words to cover here. But, perhaps more importantly, I can at least pass along three gifts that can keep on giving long after Moira’s wigs are packed away by trained professionals: the books she apparently used throughout the series to help infuse Moira’s speech with just the right linguistic flourishes:
- Foyle’s Philavery: A Treasury of Unusual Words
- Foyle’s Further Philavery: A Cornucopia of Lexical Delights
- Mrs. Byrne’s Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure and Preposterous Words
Živjeli!
A Lotta Bit Alexis
Maybe Alexis is officially done looking backwards. Maybe she was just too focused on trying to impress David to organically drop morsels of fascinating trivia about her past into every conversation. Maybe Moira calling her bewitching stunned her to the point that she temporarily forgot who she used to be.
Whatever the reason, the vault of not-so-secrets from Alexis Rose’s pre-Schitt’s Creek life officially closed on us without warning. And while I feel the void of all those tidbits we’ll now never know deep in the pit of my stomach, I’ve found some solace in the possibilities of what might have been added to the list very recently.
Estate Sale Auction Items
Surprise surprise, this list is longer than it has any right to be.
- David freaking out and repeatedly shouting “fuck” was essentially how I felt going into this finale knowing it was all about to be over.
- I mean, what chance did any of us have when this is what the cast looked like during their final table read? (Whatever you do, don’t go look at this gifset of the fam all saying goodbye/sobbing after wrapping the final scene.)
- I could not stop laughing at the storm rolling through just in time to ruin David’s perfect outdoor wedding. Schitt’s Creek has literally not seen a single overcast day in six seasons. No wonder Bob’s Garage’s roof is no match for cumulus clouds – it usually doesn’t have to be. Hysterical.
- It’s probably also why their poor officiant was in no way prepared to get to Schitt’s Creek from Elmdale. A penny farthing is no match for rain either. I somehow missed David shrieking, “he’s a haikuist!” as an explanation when Moira questions his mode of transportation. Thank God for rewatches.
- This week in continuity: Ronnie does not like Patrick.
- “Can I buy a vow?” is such a perfect joke for Pat Sajak’s (first) wedding, I want to weep. I’m making it my new life’s mission to officiate a wedding between two people sufficiently obsessed with Wheel of Fortune that I can rationalize stealing it and using it myself.
- I don’t know I just think David’s love sweater was a really nice, soft touch.
- “Is it David? Did he say something to you? He can be very cruel, but it’s all fear based, dear, so please don’t take it personally.” Honestly, Moira dropped so much wisdom this episode.
- I kind of can’t believe Moira entrusted David and Alexis to make sure her wigs are shipped in a temperature controlled cargo container. She must have properly trained them at some point.
- Stevie and David poking at each at absolutely all times remains one of my favorite aspects of their friendship.
- Roland’s final gift to Johnny and the family is a great last touch, a perfect sendoff, and a pretty perfect callback from one episode with a brother and sister looking like they’re marrying each other to another where a brother and sister look like they’re, well, also close. To be honest, right before the new sign was revealed, I thought it might still say “Don’t worry, it’s his sister!” but just have a picture of David and Alexis walking down the aisle together covering up the founders. Maybe if Roland had had more time between the wedding and Johnny and Moira’s departure.
- While we’re on the subject of David and Alexis’ walk down the aisle, I so loved that Johnny just straight up admits to Roland what it looks like.
- Moira equating Alexis’ gratitude-tinged reflection on their past few years as having fallen in love with their captor is such a great touch for the finale. Moira’s steadfast hatred of their predicament throughout their time in Schitt’s Creek is not only consistently funny, it’s one of the more honest throughlines of the show. She’s tried to make the best of it most of the time, but she was never going to fully adjust, let alone love it. And that’s not a flaw. That kind of deep understanding of character is what sets this show apart from other “fish out of water” comedies. There are different ways to grow and develop when one finds oneself in an unfamiliar and unwelcome situation. Being in a small town didn’t make the Roses better people because small towns are better than big cities or because being poor magically turns you into a better person. Being forced to examine your life from a new perspective is what’s valuable, and everyone’s not meant to see the same thing.
- A final moment of appreciation for David and Annie and their faces
THAT’S ALL THEY WROTE, FOLKS!
Thanks to Sage and Kim for giving me space to wax on (and on) about this utter delight of a show. And thanks to all of you for following along as I wrote far too many words about this final season. You’re all my Mariah Careys.
Want to join me in rewatching the entire series over and over forever on Netflix Party? Let’s make plans in the comments.
Featured Image Source: CBC/Pop
Just watched the finale on Netflix. Thank you so much for sharing all the feels and best moments with us. You made it just that much better by putting into words what a great show this is, and how fun it is to share it with someone! I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying.