Schitt's Creek: Moira Rosé (6x07)

What a delightful episode!

Cons:

I don't really have any complaints to speak of! I only ever wish we got more of some things. More explorations of Alexis's decision not to join Ted, more checking in on Stevie's journey of self-discovery. But that's just hoping for things this episode isn't even about. Let's talk about all the greatness!

Pros:

Starting with the subplot, just for fun... Alexis takes Twyla, Stevie, Jocelyn, and Ronnie to a fitness class that she has been representing and promoting. It becomes clear pretty quickly that it's a cult, to Alexis's horror. The other women are all pulled in to varying degrees (Stevie is a skeptic from minute one, Ronnie seems all-in until told what's up, and Twyla knew it was a cult all along and was just trying to be supportive). I keep going back to the fact that Schitt's Creek doesn't go the obvious route with any of its comedy bits. Instead of Alexis being charmingly naive for the whole story, she is smart enough to realize what's going on as soon as she's given hard evidence of it, and then she endeavors to put a stop to her friends' enrollment right away. There are no hijinks where someone gets immediately brainwashed, no lying in order to get away with her mistake. It's "realistic" within the framework of the absurd setup, and that makes it more down to earth while still being no less funny.

Also, Alexis' family all teasing her about the cult at the end of the episode was really funny. What a sweet image of the four of them, along with Patrick, laughing and loving one another.

And speaking of Patrick - the main plot this week involves Patrick and David's relationship, through the lens of David's parents. David abandons Patrick to watch a baseball game by himself in order to go wine tasting with his mother, to help pick out the wine she will be advertising: "Moira Rosé." All of the options are terrible, and David and Moira get more and more drunk trying to create a palatable combination. It's all goofy comedy fun, but there is a seed of tenderness there too, as Moira uses an on-the-nose grape metaphor to talk about relationships, and how David has to be sure to nurture Patrick even though he's quieter about his needs. I could just feel the genuine mother-son love here. How often do we see that kind of relationship examined in a sincere way on a sitcom?

Even more heartwarming, we have Johnny attempting to give Patrick a "talk" about David and their upcoming marriage. There are so many things that delight me about this setup. The fact that Roland encouraged Johnny to make sure Patrick felt included. The fact that it's not framed as a shovel talk, but rather as Johnny wanting to be emotionally vulnerable with his son-in-law-to-be. The fact that Johnny clearly knows nothing about baseball but wants to join Patrick in his interests, while also avoiding the awkward talk. And most of all, the fact that Patrick is the one who picks up on the conversation Johnny is struggling to have, and initiates it himself by saying how lucky he is to be joining the Rose family.

What's not to love about that whole plot thread? It's adorable and touching, and Patrick really feels like one of the family. I especially liked that cute little moment at the end where Alexis says she feels like she's in the same room with her "twin brothers who kiss each other," and Patrick and David both turn to each other, Patrick kissing David's forehead and David kissing Patrick's arm. SO SWEET.

I could go on, but suffice it to say... this was so adorable. I love this family, this community, and I can't believe we're closing in on the end of the whole show!

9/10