Schitt’s Creek – S01E01 – ‘Our Cup Runneth Over’
The fundamental theme of Riches to Rag is fairly common to see on screens but, Schitt's
creek has managed to steal the hearts of thousands even with the most mundane concept. The
Canadian television sitcom swept a whopping seven Emmys in the 72nd Primetime Emmy
Awards making it the most ever award won for comedy in a single year. Not only is the
show wholesome, warm, and witty, but it also addresses the more serious topic like LGBTQ
in a light-hearted way rather than depicting it as a story of struggle and angst.
The show co-created by the father-son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy, who also plays the main
characters Johnny Rose and David Rose revolves around a filthy-rich Rose family who finds
themselves bankrupt after being betrayed by the manager of video-store magnate Johnny
Rose. Along with his family, he moves to settle into their only remaining property, a rural
town called Schitt's Creek. The story narrates their journey of being accustomed to the life of
mediocracy and leaving their extravagant life behind.
The episode starts with department revenue knocking on the door of the ostentatious Rose
mansion. You can guess where this is going. After being betrayed by their business manager,
who assured Johnny that he will 'handle the finances', the Rose family witnesses their
possessions being seized. The film and television actor Moira Rose, played by Catherine
O'Hara, is seen frenzied when her servant packs 'Kristen' with 'Robin'. If you're confused who
they are, they're Moira Rose's precious wigs. That’s right. When given 15 minutes to pack
their possessions Moira Rose chose to pack her wigs.
Alexis Rose (played by Annie Murphy), daughter of Moira and Johnny, complains to her
boyfriend Stavros over the phone while urging them to not take away the purse gifted to her
by her boyfriend. Last but not the least, David Rose, son of the Rose family is introduced
equally in the bits watching their fortune collapse in front of his eyes.
Their lawyer informs them that they are permitted to use one of their assets, a town called
Schitt's Creek, which Johnny bought as a joke for his son. The Rose family is received by the
mayor of the town Roland Schitt. He offers them to get settled in the town motel, where he
claims to have booked two rooms for them. Stevie Bud, owner and the receptionist of the
motel, denies his claims but offers two rooms over further urging.
Roland takes them to their room. The shabby room is nowhere near the Rose family's
unreasonably grand expectations. They are further disgusted when Roland informs them
about the 'fun' he had here during his college days. Johnny thanks Roland, expecting him to
be on his way when Roland turns on the tv and gets comfortable on their bed, leaving Johnny
and Moira perplexed. Johnny indirectly implies that Roland should give the family some
private time but Roland fails to take the hint. Frustrated, Johnny loses his cool and tells the
obstinate Roland to 'get the f*** out'.
Meanwhile, David asks Stevie for an extra towel and inquires about the business center.
Stevie unpassionately replies that it is just around the corner. The Rose siblings, who share
one of the two rooms, squabble over who gets the bed furthest from the door. David insists
that he should take that bed because he doesn't 'want to get murdered first'. Alexis, not liking
the idea, argues that he (David) should 'get murdered first for once'. After a while, Alexis
concedes that she is leaving in three months because her boyfriend is flying to pick her up.
She also insists that David keep this a secret from their parents.
Four of them, later go to the town's only café, Café Tropical, where another character is
introduced. Twyla played by Sarah Levy, owner of the café, gives them menus. She tells the
family that what happened with them is 'super crappy'. After she leaves, Moira complains
about the state of the café, Alexis interjects that the café is cute. Rest of the family is
skeptical of her chilled and welcoming attitude. When asked, Alexis admits that she is
leaving the town in three months. Not liking the idea of suffering alone, Moira tells Alexis
that she can't do this to her family.
When further returning to the motel, they find the room doors missing. After complaining,
Stevie them to take the matter to Roland. Meanwhile, Moira has turned the room
upside down over her missing earrings which she put in the tissue box. She calls Stevie,
indirectly accusing her of stealing her expensive diamond earrings. Stevie, clearly offended,
drily tells that she is on the way to a pawn shop, insinuating that she is about to sell them.
David runs into Stevie and after some banter, promises to leave her alone once he gets the
towel.
Later on, Johnny informs Moira that he picked up her earrings from the tissue box and placed
them in his shoes for safekeeping. Alexis screams after being dumped by her boyfriend for a
white party. She weeps in front of David, clearly in bits, about how she should've seen this
coming because he has already broken up with her five times before. David advises her to
never to repeat this embarrassing story in front of anyone else. They wish each other good
night to which Moira says that she hopes they never wake up.