Schitt’s Creek Review: MVP (Season 5 Episode 9)

Schitt’s Creek Season 5 Episode 9, “MVP,” continues in the show’s long tradition of beautifully weaving laugh-out-loud comedy with subtle moments of profound human interaction. 

David (Dan Levy) is at his most hilarious when he is thrown into circumstances that make him uncomfortable. Clearly, few things make him as uncomfortable as playing organized sports. It’s a joy to watch David work through the push-and-pull of how much he doesn’t want to play baseball but also how much he does want to be there for Patrick (Noah Reid).

David is incredibly self-aware and knows exactly what he does and does not like to do. Baseball is on the latter list. But, Patrick is his weakness and it’s remarkable how well Patrick is able to appeal to David’s softer side and get him to abandon his strong-held objections and take one for the team. 

David playing baseball is as delightful as one would imagine. Close your eyes and you can just hear him saying “Baseball, but make it fashion.” His skills on the field are non-existent and the best he can hope for is to not get killed by a fly ball. 

Of course, it all pays off in the end because David (somehow) hits the winning home run. Patrick is able to feel really good about his choice and David is more willing to forgive him for the whole day since he plays such an important role.

However, David’s home run allows Patrick off the hook a bit. How would the rest of the day have gone for them had David struck out again and Patrick’s team had lost?

Would Patrick have been able to let go of his competitive side and appreciate David for trying? Would David have been resentful that so much pressure was put on his shoulders and he ended up letting down the love of his life when he didn’t want to play in the first place? Would David be angry with Patrick for dragging him into the game in the first place?

Ultimately it is a victorious day for both of them, but Patrick forces David out of his comfort zone for entirely selfish reasons. He isn’t trying to expose him to new things or help him grow in any way; he just doesn’t want to forfeit.  It certainly could have ended badly.

As adorable as it is watching Patrick snuggle up to David and say all the things he knows to say in order to get what he wants, it’s a dangerous move that could definitely backfire at some point. 

Meanwhile, at town hall Moira (Catherine O’Hara) is running her first rehearsal for Cabaret. After the previous episode when Moira hoisted the role of Sally on Stevie (Emily Hampshire) without giving her a chance to respond, it was unclear how Stevie felt about it. Turns out, she feels exactly how Stevie usually feels: uncomfortable and uninterested. 

The most poignant moments on Schitt’s Creek seem to come when they’re least expected and this episode is no exception. Alexis (Annie Murphy) spends the whole episode mostly ignoring Stevie’s cries for help or replying with some dismissive nonsense, but it turns out she is paying attention. 

Alexis decides to go to bat (pun intended) for Stevie with her mother, and, though Moira is not the greatest at receiving constructive criticism, Alexis’s message does get through.

Alexis and Moira have had a strained relationship for years, so it’s really great to see that not only does Alexis feel comfortable approaching her mother with her thoughts, but that Moira is also willing to truly hear what her daughter has to say. 

We still don’t know if Stevie can sing, but I’m looking forward to finding out!

What did you think of this episode of Schitt’s Creek? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Schitt’s Creek airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Pop TV.

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