From its humble beginnings to its award-winning final season, the Rose family found their place in the titular town and the series itself established its footing, Schitt's Creek became equal parts comedic and heartfelt. By the end, most found themselves batting away tears while saying goodbye.
That's precisely why pinpointing the best episodes and best seasons of this series is such a daunting task. However, there's no denying this series got better -- and more popular -- over time, and that some seasons stand out more than the others.
Season 1: A Lukewarm Beginning
It's not that season 1 of Schitt's Creek left viewers saying, "Ew, David," but the series did take some time to find its footing. That's to be expected with a new show, especially one with a style of humor that's similar to hits like Parks and Rec. Those series also took some time for many to get into, but they quickly became beloved additions to the genre.
Outside of the need to get itself oriented, season 1 of Schitt's Creek is arguably the weakest season because there's no real reason to be invested in its main characters just yet. When the Rose family is first introduced, they're pretty difficult to relate to. After all, not many viewers have been filthy rich and found themselves losing everything. Once the later seasons begin showcasing their growth, however, it's nearly impossible to avoid getting invested in their journeys.
Season 2: Not Quite There Yet
The second season of Schitt's Creek is more engrossing than the first, probably because viewers have gotten the opportunity to know and understand the characters better. However, it still isn't the series' high point, and that's the case for several reasons. For one, there's a shift in tone between season 2 and season 3 that makes the show's second outing a bit jarring. On top of that, most of the characters' relationships are still awkward and developing throughout season 2, leaving viewers unsure of who to root for. The Roses haven't quite worked out their place in Schitt's Creek or their family dynamic, and the romances aren't on par with those in the later seasons. Any chemistry between Alexis and Mutt fizzles out almost instantly, and the Stevie and David fling is pretty awkward, in hindsight.
This isn't to say season 2 failed to bring fans great moments. Some of the most iconic lines and scenes from the series stem from this outing, including "fold in the cheese" and "it's a write-off." Still, the seasons that show the Rose family desperately trying to claw their way out of Schitt's Creek are somehow the least interesting. It's only after they begin to accept their place in this eccentric town that things truly get interesting.
Season 6: Goodbyes Aren't Easy
Goodbyes are never easy, but won so many accolades in 2020.
Even with such a quality finale, though, season 6 remains a product of all the episodes that came before it. It wouldn't have had nearly the same impact without the previous few seasons doing the legwork, and that's probably why those seasons are slightly more compelling. Additionally, with emotions running high during its final season, the show didn't always spend enough time on the ridiculous humor it became so well known for. That's a shame, considering how expertly it previously balanced its comedy with its drama.
Season 5: Setting The Stage For The Finale
Season 5 of Schitt's Creek finally brings all of the show's major storylines to a head, showcasing just how far the characters have come before season 6 arrives and concludes their development. It perfectly sets the stage for the series' final outing, bringing energy worthy of a finale, despite not actually being the show's final stop.
Although the fifth season isn't quite as chaotic or fun as the two that come before it, it's full of iconic episodes and moments, including Patrick's proposal in "The Hike" and Stevie's big revelation in "Life Is a Cabaret." This places it ahead of the finale it leads into and gives viewers plenty of reason to rewatch it -- especially if they enjoy the character-driven component of the show.
Season 3: The Turning Point
Season 3 of Schitt's Creek marks a turning point for the series, with the Rose family starting to get acclimated to their new home (even if they aren't quite ready to it that just yet). This is evident in Johnny and Moira's increased investment in the motel's success, as well as their willingness to get more involved with the happenings of the town.
The third season of Schitt's Creek showcases significant character growth for its main characters, with David opening Rose Apothecary and Alexis returning to school to get her high school diploma so she can move on to college. Season 3 sees the characters and the story pivoting, leading to a high point of the series. Only Season 4 sures it in of quality.
Season 4: Right In The Thick Of It
While the fifth and sixth seasons of Schitt's Creek wrap up all of the character development that takes place over the course of the show, season 4 plants viewers right in the thick of that growth, which is why it's such a joy to watch. The fourth season takes us beyond the tone differences and immature characterizations of the first few seasons, but it doesn't let the characters fully enjoy their growth just yet. Whether it's Moira struggling to squash rumors of her death or Alexis contending with her feelings for a taken Ted, there's plenty of drama to enjoy alongside this season's humor.
Season 4 of Schitt's Creek is also responsible for some of the show's biggest and best developments, including David and Patrick making their relationship official, Alexis getting back together with Ted, and Johnny and Stevie becoming business partners. With all of this going on, it's obvious that the fourth season is Schitt's Creek at its strongest.