I came across Schitt’s Creek one random evening while the world was battling the first wave of Covid 19. I had never heard of the show before because obviously, sitcoms for the general population of India means typical American shows like Friends, How I met your Mother, Brooklyn 99 and a few other common titles. Schitt’s Creek, as it turned out, was a Canadian show and the blurb was not that exciting. But I decided to watch it anyway. Why, you ask? I was bored and in lockdown; I had nothing better to do.
When I watched the opening scene of the pilot, I rolled my eyes because I felt as if it would be a really dramatic comedy and hence, not really my forte. But over the few weeks that followed, I found myself engrossed in the lives of the Roses, going about their life in a dingy little town of Schitt’s Creek.
If I have to talk about why this show won my heart, I would have to talk a bit about the premise of the show, which, I warn you, is not that eye – catching. I have been a victim of it and hence I know that it is pretty easy to wave off this series as ‘just another comedy about an awfully rich family losing everything they have’ But I hope you’ll take my word for it if I say that this show and its eccentric characters have a tendency to grow upon you. So much so that, the obnoxious Alexis Rose and David Rose slowly turn into a really adorable sibling duo, having their quirks and yet making their way around it and emerging as more compassionate and understanding human beings.
But this post is not really about the characters or their journeys. I am here to talk about how this show became the highlight of the Pandemic and it is not just me saying it. Millions of people have had this revelation that watching Schitt’s Creek actually made their pandemic and their lockdown life a little bit bearable. Here are a few personal observations about the show that might have contributed to the show’s growing popularity during the pandemic era:
Love can transform you: Human emotions like love and friendship are universal. Pandemic, or no pandemic, we need to feel loved in order to survive. Amongst the pandemic, when human touch, which is the most basic form of showing love, was compromised, we all needed that warm feeling in our hearts that could cheer our spirits. Thankfully, for me, Schitt’s Creek became that show that permeated very warm energies towards me through the on screen representations of friendship and love. I watched this show with my boyfriend and it kind of helped my relationship in a very big way. This show was something that made me feel near to him even though we were in the same city and yet couldn’t meet up because of the lockdown.
David’s story, for me, was quite inspirational not only because the representation it gave to the LGBTQ+ community but also because over the six seasons, David’s character grew into such a compassionate and loving person. Not only David, but the other supporting characters like Alexis and Ted’s story, although bittersweet was a very enlightening experience not only for Alexis but also for us as viewers. Obviously, the friendship that Stevie and David share plays a major, major role in David’s transformation as well. These portrayals made me believe in the transforming power of love and friendship even more. Among the raging pandemic, such good vibes were more than welcome.
The importance of small communities: Human beings are social animals but the Pandemic truly isolated us as we were forced to live within the four walls of our homes 24 hours a day. It is not easy. We all know it now that we have faced it. Human interaction is necessary for our survival. Small communities that keep forming around us hold a special place in our hearts now because absence does make the heart grow fonder. Schitt’s Creek is based in a fictional small town of the same name. The character representations have been so accurate in the show because I could feel that I have come across a Roland Schitt or a Bob Currie in my locality. The show truly gave meaning to the existence of communities in small towns where everyone knows everyone and is there to help us when in need. People who have suffered from Covid can testify how communities of people have selflessly come forward when they needed it the most. Schitt’s Creek reminded me of that every time I watched it.
The importance of Family: The Rose Family is a perfect example of a typical family wherein we have people with different quirks and yet we know how to stick together and work around such quirks. The Roses were an obnoxiously rich family that became bankrupt within a day and thus started their journey in a dingy town that had none of the luxuries they were accustomed to. But even under such dire situations, the family stuck together and faced everything like a perfect team. Good or bad, they knew how to have each others’ backs even though not always making it apparent. For a world that was quarantining along with their family members, this show was like a reminder that even though families can make us crazy, they are the only ones who’ll stick around when we need them.
Thus, I end my rant with the declaration that Schitt’s Creek is not merely a family sitcom; it is so much more. It will not only make you laugh but also cry with sheer happiness. It is a show that celebrates being different in the grandest way possible. Moreover, it is a show that can make you appreciate the little things in life; and that is something that was and is still very important in the era of isolation.
