A Journey from Riches to Rags: 'Schitt's Creek'
The premise of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is that the snobbish family Rose has lost their life fortune to a fraud businessman. Their only valuable is a piece of paper which name is the deed to the town of Schitt’s Creek considered as a worthless town. Lacking other options, the Roses, a former CEO Johnny and his wife Moira, and their children David and Alexis, find themselves struggling in a rundown motel, and have to deal with their new impoverished status. Each episode goes into the specifics of this ‘fish out of water’ story and presents how the comedic Roses’ attempts to navigate their new life while maintaining their pride erode the privilege of the two leads.
In its essence, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is about family, persistence, and, most of all, comedy. Another vehicle that is employed throughout the series is the changes in people’s status; going from ‘rags to riches,’ which in turn generates understanding in situations with which one is unlikely to find oneself. Picking the right tone of humor is again done perfectly by proving how the Roses have gone from rags to richness in terms of emotional gain. It promotes tolerance in the form of same-sex marriages and explores the bonds of both siblings and parents. Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose is Stately and very decent and Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose tends to be over the top, but with moments of genuine tenderness. And there’s depth to Alexis portrayed by Annie Murphy and David played by Dan Levy, so bore and vapid they may seem at first glance. The way the characters develop from funny idiots into well-rounded people along with their friendship makes the show truly heartwarming and entertaining.
The show has been primarily directed by Paul Fox, Jerry Ciccoritti and Jordan Canning that gave the show a pure, funny yet very genuine vibe. They build a custom environment in which sane and nonsensical merge seamlessly, while giving characters opportunities to reveal their inner layers in most perTick ways. The directors succeed in making every episode an example of comedic episodes with an occasional heartfelt something in between. So overall, by not overdoing it in times of tears, it contributes to the series’ comedy-drama combination without outcompeting the story thus effectively great the audience’s feel.
The cinematography in ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is quite simple with many scenes depicting the charm of the depicted town. This is humorous especially since before the Rose family was quite affluent while the prison setting captures their new status in life well. It is with the help of wide close ups that the viewer can observe how the Roses are lonely, and how they suffer from homesickness.
The production design of ‘ Schitt’s Creek’ is well suited to show how much the Roses used to enjoy the luxury of their previous lifestyle while now they are doomed to live in mediocrity. The interiors of the town are rather simple and unpretentious, which also reflects in the fate of the Rose family that was used to living in comfort. There is little use of special effects in this show and it fits perfectly with the general theme and messages of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and development of the main character. That is where it shines; as a character-centric plot, Not Forgotten really comes into its own due to the comedic dialogue and relationship between the townspeople and the Roses. The absence of over-the-top gags ensures that the characters and the situational comedy that defines the series are at the foreground.
‘Schitt’s Creek’ boasts of good editing policies fundamentally used to advance the comedy timing and the speed. One might have expected the various scenes to jar with each other but in fact, each scene flows from the next and keeps the story line consistent. They are synchronised well with the comic and heartfelt nature of ‘Schitt’s Creek’.
The pacing of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is fast and each episode is packed with humor and heartfelt moments. Schitt’s Creek does a great job of giving good character progression but always seems to do it in a way that will keep the viewer entertained while having funny scenes to bring out the comedic aspect of the Roses’ journey.
While responding to the dialog in Schitt’s Creek it is worth noting that the dialog is smooth with sarcasm element and humorous jokes. While the Roses use ample references, which are distinctly pretentious, this contrasts amusingly with the uncouth simpleton of the town’s inhabitants. This combination produces funny and sweet scenes that are at the core of the show’s appeal and wholesome representation.
The show may show situational comedy a little too often and could be somewhat cliché at times — all courtesy of ‘Schitt’s Creek.’ Few of the storylines related to the life in a small town seem to be unoriginal. .Nevertheless, it is quite impossible not to note certain minor flaws and shortcomings, which nevertheless are rather overshadowed by the peculiarities of the series’ characters and true-to-life emotions.
In essence, watching ‘Schitt’s Creek’ is like going through a trail of laughter alongside lessons on life. This one triggers tragedy, triggering laughter while it expertly takes a funny concept and turns it into a depiction of togetherness. That is the reason why the show has a great array of characters, and thanks to excellent acting, it is one of the best series that one can watch.
