25 Best Schitt's Creek Episodes Ranked

At first, we worried that "Schitt's Creek" might just be an updated riff on "Arrested Development," but the series quickly carved out a unique place in both the TV landscape and our hearts.

What makes it work is that the show genuinely loves its offbeat and often over-the-top characters, and it makes us love them too. It wants to poke a little bit of fun at the Rose family's struggle to cope with a deglamorized life, but it also roots for them to get back on their feet and find what really makes them happy, whether that's family, work, romance, or all of the above. Since the show is named after a town, it's also appropriate that it has a great sense of community and gradually develops one of our favorite ensembles.

Schitt's Creek, the town, started out as a joke for Johnny Rose, but it turned into home. The show takes us on that same journey, and in the process, it becomes one of our favorite feel-good comedies. We've ranked the top 25 episodes that really sum up the series at its best.

You'll never find it on a Valentine's Day card, but true love means being willing to comb the lice out of someone's hair when you're not even dating. That's what Ted does for a panicky, lice-infested Alexis in this episode, and even if all the signs weren't already pointing to them getting back together, this would have sealed the deal.

Alexis' lice causes some problems for Johnny, too, since she helped him change all the motel's sheets; his attempt to stealthily replace them before any of the guests notice leads to one of the show's most excruciatingly awkward scenes, so, let's just skip ahead to David and Stevie! Eager to put some distance between himself and Alexis' scalp, David invites himself over to Stevie's for the night, where — in the best sleepover fashion — they wind up talking about crushes, including the obvious mutual one brewing between David and Patrick.

"Stop Saying Lice!" is a strong comedic episode, but it really earns its place in our hearts — and on this list — with those extremely cute romance beats.

"The Hospies" shines for two reasons. The first and simplest is that it's the episode that introduces the world to the glories of "A Little Bit Alexis," which we can't stop singing. Maybe there are people out there who can resist Annie Murphy in-character as Alexis crooning that she's everything from "expensive sushi" to "a cute huge yacht," but we're not among them. Alexis trots out this number — written for her former reality show — to audition for the upcoming production of "Cabaret," and it's awkward bad singing at its finest.

We need that comedy, because the Stevie part of the episode is hard to watch. The Rosebud Motel is up for a not-so-prestigious regional hospitality award — the kind where it turns out you have to pay for your own plaque — and while Johnny is jubilant about their improved reputation, Stevie is just looking forward to the chance to see travel blogger Emir again. She's actually bouncy and happy, enjoying the early stages of love — until Emir breaks her heart in the middle of the awards ceremony. 

Emily Hampshire is a tour de force in this episode, and we tear up right along with Stevie as her hopes come crashing down around her. At least we can console ourselves that this horrible day prompts Moira to give Stevie the lead in "Cabaret," something that will eventually lead to another one of our favorite episodes.

The titular event in "The Barbecue" is thrown together to celebrate David and Patrick's four-month anniversary, the longest relationship of David's life (if you don't include his prison penpal). His family wants to mark the occasion with a cookout, but David is wary of treating it as a significant milestone: It's hard for him to trust that things won't go wrong the second he starts leaning into feeling happy and secure.

Unfortunately, right as everyone's settling into a cozy friends-and-family barbecue, disaster strikes: the adorable new guest Alexis has befriended turns out to be Patrick's former fiancée, Rachel — someone David didn't even know existed. As everything seems to come crashing down around them, we can really feel the confusion, heartbreak, and horror. It also leads to a sensitive, nuanced treatment of what it was like for Patrick to go through most of his life not understanding that he was gay. When he tearfully tells David that David "makes him feel right," something he'd thought was impossible, we get a little sniffly ourselves. The intense and complex emotions make this an episode with a lingering impact.

"Housewarming" would deserve immortality on the merits of drunk Ted alone. Prodded into being a little irresponsible for a change, Ted downs some of Alexis' wine coolers — "It tasted like burnt plastic, and I regretted it instantly" — and shows up at David and Patrick's slumber party-themed housewarming bash ready to have some fun. He makes for an adorable drunk — and one who is so easygoing and enthusiastic that he doesn't hesitate to plant a serious kiss on David during a game of spin the bottle. The move leaves Patrick and Alexis both a little jealous and miffed. (They concentrate their irritation on David, though: Drunk Ted is just too endearing for anyone to resent him.)

The episode's other plot is also full of comedic high points, which you'd expect from a storyline where Johnny and Moira have to babysit Roland and Jocelyn's new baby. Johnny's eagerness to prove that the bevy of nannies they hired for their own kids doesn't mean they ever slacked off on parenting — but their panic at changing a diaper and dealing with a little spit-up says otherwise.

"Housewarming" is hilarious, inventive, and surprisingly sweet. Most importantly, it gives us multiple chances to hear Moira say "bébé."

Winery owner Herb Ertlinger returns, and this time he wants to name a wine after Moira. Now, she and David — who's keeping her company to avoid having to watch baseball with Patrick — just have to find one that they can stand. In their quest to find a drinkable Ertlinger wine, they drink their way through just about all of them — and then drink their way through a bunch of improvised blends while they're at it. We feel bad for poor Herb, who loses his whole day, his dinner reservations, and a bunch of his inventory to two people who won't stop insulting his life's work, but we can't deny that it makes for a fun episode.

Back at the motel, Johnny gears up to give Patrick a big talk about treating David well: a conversation that falls apart because they're both so nice. Johnny can't get himself to lecture a man he knows adores his son, so Patrick has to do it for him. The result is heartwarming, especially when we cut to Moira giving David another touching version of "the talk," one high-maintenance drama llama telling another to make sure not to neglect their low-key, supportive partner. We would describe "Moira Rosé" as lively and light-bodied, with sweet notes of family bonding.

In "The Bachelor Party," the show starts ramping up not only towards David and Patrick's wedding but also towards the finale and some of its characters' biggest decisions. Johnny is on edge waiting for a call from a potential investor who could completely change the future of the Rosebud Motel chain, and Alexis is still floundering in the wake of her and Ted's parting of the ways. It's exactly the wrong time for them to be locked in a Galapagos-themed escape room without their cell phones, but hey, it's Patrick's part of the bachelor party. He should get to have what he wants, even if his new in-laws are less than enthusiastic.

The escape room part of the episode provides plenty of fun, but it's the plot progression that really delights us. While the future of the Rosebud Motel will get its spotlight in "The Pitch," Alexis' character arc takes a huge leap forward here as the chaos of the escape room lets her rediscover her passion for her PR career — and prompts her to realize that she may do her best work when she's not locked in a small space — or a small town. There are big things afoot here, and that makes for a constantly engaging episode.

Johnny Rose is a sweetheart, and he's always been the most grounded member of his family: a self-made man who has an even keel rather than an artistic temperament. "Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose" gets right at his tender heart.

It's Christmas Eve in Schitt's Creek. Johnny is thinking back wistfully on the family's former Christmas galas, which were masterpieces of tasteful glamor — everything he could want, right up until he has to end the night feeling deflated and lonely. Wouldn't it be nice to have a party this year where that didn't happen? He just wants a nice, jolly get-together and a family Christmas, but since he decided on this at the last minute — and since the rest of the Roses aren't really as sentimental — he's mostly met with confusion, irritation, and an expensive tree that's really more of a limp and slightly charred shrub.

Luckily, it is a Christmas episode, so we ultimately get the heartwarming experience of the family and town coming together to give Johnny the party he deserves. It's an event so beautiful that it even makes Stevie tear up, and it continues the show's trend of season finales full of emotion.

Everyone's future is up in the air in "The Pitch." Johnny, Stevie, and Roland fly to New York to pitch their motel chain idea to a roomful of investors, and the show masterfully racks up the comedic tension to keep us on edge. The company sent a private jet for them, which is a good sign — but their contact, Johnny's former assistant, can't make the meeting, and the jet was his idea. The executives they're left with are icy, condescending, and prone to taking potshots at Johnny's reversal of fortunes. Stevie and Roland are nervous and stilted. Can they turn it into a triumph and sell their idea to people who are so hostile to it?

Back in Schitt's Creek, Moira is so sure they're returning to their life of New York luxury that she's already spreading the word about their big move. The sudden potential upheaval throws a wrench in Patrick's vision of his life with David, and it obviously leaves him foundering.

The pitch storyline is executed perfectly (and it's great to see Roland angrily defending Johnny to a bunch of stuffed shirts), and the ongoing uncertainty over where to go from here adds the perfect amount of suspense to keep us on edge for the show's final episodes.

Season 2 of "Schitt's Creek" wraps up in a glorious, heartwarming fashion with "Happy Anniversary."

It's Johnny and Moira's anniversary, and Johnny's scramble to come up with something more elaborate than a celebratory cupcake results in them going to nearby Elmdale in search of a dinner that's even slightly upscale. Before they even get their table, though, they run into Bev and Don, two old (and fair weather) friends from their wealthier days. The Roses are more than willing to have an evening where they pretend they're still on top of the world, but when Roland and Jocelyn join them, things turn into a much more complicated culture clash. Suddenly, Johnny can't unsee the way Bev and Don casually belittle everything and everyone around them — making Roland stew with anger and Jocelyn squirm with self-consciousness — and he snaps. Watching Johnny Rose lose his usual patience and good humor and deliver a blistering and much-deserved takedown of these so-called friends is one of the best moments of the series.

We start the episode ready to celebrate Johnny and Moira's love, and we end up celebrating the complex but ultimately affectionate relationship between the Roses and their new home. It all culminates beautifully with the whole cast joyfully dancing together at Mutt's party.

"Grad Night" isn't just a season finale — it's a real powerhouse of an episode. It's only appropriate that it ends with some celebratory cake.

What's the cake for? It's both David's birthday and Alexis' (belated) high school graduation, and the Roses forgot about the first, and only learned about the second at the last minute — that's a situation where you have to break out the apology cake. Alexis claims she doesn't want anyone to come anyway, but her blasé facade crumbles as she slowly realizes how important this milestone is to her. Annie Murphy's performance absolutely shines at Alexis' graduation, showing the perfect mix of pride, heartbreak, and — as the Jazzagals unexpectedly crash the party — real joy.

Meanwhile, David gets his best birthday present ever: Patrick. Patrick takes him out for a dinner that's soon revealed as a not-so-secret date, complete with flirtatious banter and a meaningful gift. David, however, is the one who has to provide the kiss goodnight — a detail that works especially well in light of what we learn about Patrick in "Barbecue." These two have had chemistry since Patrick's arrival, and it's awesome to see their romance officially kick off.

"Life is a Cabaret" is one of the absolute best Stevie episodes. It has plenty of other delightful bits — we love Johnny's heartfelt joy at hearing about David's engagement and Alexis sending Ted off with one of his own signature puns, telling everyone he has to "Galapago" — but nothing tops Stevie's triumphant on-stage performance of "Maybe This Time."

By this point, we've spent five seasons watching Stevie struggle to find herself. She's pinned her hopes on new relationships only to have them fall apart, and she's held herself back from pursuing big opportunities because they're also big risks — ones that might leave her alone or even "prove" that she's a failure. Right before "Cabaret" starts, she confesses to Moira that she feels like everyone is moving forward and she's staying the same. Moira's little speech to her is so reassuring, fond, and admiring that it gets us a little misty, and it's exactly the pep talk Stevie needs to go out there and be a phenomenal Sally Bowles. Like David, we want to applaud at the end of her solo and call out, "That's my friend!"

In a lot of ways, "Start Spreading the News," the penultimate episode, feels like the show's finale: It's where most of the loose ends get tied up and most of the characters reach a satisfying end. Unsurprisingly, it's also one of the best episodes in the whole series. We get the "Sunrise Bay" reboot (and Moira gets the diamond tennis bracelet that proves how much the show wants her back), David and Patrick's beautiful cottage, Stevie and David's wrenching conversation about why David wants to go back to New York at all, the Jazzagals getting all emotional about Moira's impending departure, and — best of all — the revelation that Twyla has been a millionaire this whole time. (Hey, maybe that means you could have cut the Roses a little slack about their tab back in "Moira's Nudes," Twyla.)

The whole episode is full of highlights, but we have to give a special shoutout to all the Alexis and Twyla scenes. Their friendship has always been a nice part of the show's background, and it's great to see it take center stage here. We would totally watch a whole spinoff series of the two of them hanging out in New York.