Schitt’s Creek Review: The Hike (Season 5 Episode 13)
Just when you think a show has reached its peak, Schitt’s Creek Season 5 Episode 13, “The Hike,” comes along and proves that this show has the ability to continue to reach new heights.
The arc of Alexis’s growth has been a fundamental piece of Season 5, and we see even more of that in this episode. In five seasons, Alexis hasn’t been able to get through a conversation without referencing her former life as a globetrotter. And yet taking off for the Galapagos with Ted for six months is causing her distress.
Ted understands immediately that, for the first time, Alexis is struggling with being away from her family. She describes this bizarre feeling she’s having: “I’m going to be there… but I’m going to be thinking of them, here.” It’s a beautiful way to underscore the fact that Alexis has grown to love and need her family in a way that is unfamiliar to her.
It’s also really nice to see how well Ted gets Alexis. He doesn’t give her a hard time about her anxiety or get frustrated by all of the concerns she brings up regarding their trip. He hears her and he does his best to calm her fears.
Considering that Ted proposed to Alexis at a time when they barely knew each other, it’s remarkable to watch their relationship evolve in such a mature fashion. Alexis’s growth is a clear focal point of the show, but Ted has learned a lot about real relationships, too.
They both had some growing to do, and now they’re ready to be together in this real way. Now let’s see if they actually make it to the Galapagos.
Speaking of being together in a real way… Has there ever been a couple that brings such pure delight the way David and Patrick do?
How relatable is that feeling of working so hard to plan something and then, despite your best intentions, it all gets messed up. Patrick’s despair and uncertainty about whether or not he should go through with his plan end up making the pay-off that much sweeter.
Perfection would not have delivered the same kind of moment. The whole ordeal is a perfect metaphor for relationships and love and marriage.
Life often throws us curveballs. Things often don’t go exactly the way we planned them. At the end of the day, though, it’s the people we love who pull us through. Patrick knows David is that person for him.
And the speech he delivers at the top of that mountain about how he used to take this hike and wonder about whether or not David had the same feelings for him? Absolute perfection.
It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to witness the love of these two characters. It is pure and beautiful and we are all better for being a part of it.
Before wrapping up, it’s important to note that with all the magnificent character and relationship development happening, Schitt’s Creek still manages to be laugh-out-loud funny. Moira telling David that the empty coffee cups were just a gesture and not to take “I brought coffee” so literally is absolutely hilarious.
Next week, we’ll finally see the fruits of Moira’s labor as the season finale brings us the production of Cabaret. What are you most excited for?
What did you think of this episode of Schitt’s Creek? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Schitt’s Creek airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Pop.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Tamar Barbash
Tamar Barbash is a TV-loving mother of three. She hosts the Shipping Room podcast where she has the opportunity to take advantage of her social work degree and dive deep into relationships portrayed on television. Tamar loves nothing more than to overanalyze the lives and experiences of fictional characters and she's so excited to be able to do that as part of the Tell-Tale TV community.