David And Patrick From ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Are, Honest To God, The Best Thing To Happen To TV

They’re simply the best.

This year, it feels as if we’ve all been watching more TV than usual. Maybe it’s the social distancing, maybe it’s all the good content — either way, so many people have streamed Schitt’s Creek at some point in 2020 and absolutely loved it. And while it is important to talk about ‘A Little Bit Alexis’ every day until we die, I would like to momentarily shift our attention to David and Patrick. 

The relationship between David and Patrick is, honest to God, the best thing I’ve ever seen on TV. 

In A Nutshell

Patrick and David first meet in the Season 3 episode known as “Motel Review”.

After much consideration, David applies for a business licence to take over the general store. And who does he meet during this process? None other than the charming, handsome Patrick. After much deliberation and banter between the two they become business partners and, eventually, romantic partners. Sigh. Ain’t that the literal dream? 

LGBTQIA+ Representation

As a queer person, I feel like I’m very rarely represented on television. And when I am, the plot lines are often centred around stories of hyper-sexuality or trauma. Sure, while these depictions may be realistic for some, it does bother me that we don’t have anything that’s just purely joyful.

However, in the case of the Schitt’s Creek, they did just that. Somehow, Dan and Eugene Levy were able to create a six-season series without homophobia. For that, we absolutely have to stan. 

Furthermore, through the characters of David and Patrick, Schitt’s Creek was able to offer up a nuanced representation of LGBTQIA+ characters.

David Rose

Through David, Schitt’s Creek offered up a brilliant representation of pansexuality.

In one of the more memorable scenes from the entire show, David explains his sexuality to Stevie using a wine metaphor. “I do drink red wine, but I also drink wine. And I’ve been known to sample the occasional rose. And a couple of summers back, I tried a merlot that used to be a chardonnay, which got a bit complicated,” says David, “I like the wine and not the label if that makes sense.”

It’s so brilliant, people have started to use the metaphor to come out to their own parents. We love to see life imitating art. 

Patrick Brewer

Additionally, through Patrick, audiences are subject to an older gay man who didn’t come out until later in life.

Queer representation often leans much younger in mainstream Hollywood depictions and when it does lean older, the characters tend to be encompassed with trauma.

So, to see Patrick go through the motions of coming out in his late-20s or 30s, in a world without homophobia, with nothing but love and support, was such a beautiful sight to see. 

The Queer Experience

Finally, when it came to the nature of David and Patrick’s relationship in general, it was nice to see actual queer plot lines. You know, rather than heteronormative issues with a homosexual facade.

For example, Patrick’s ex-fiancée, Rachel, comes to Schitt’s Creek hoping to get back together. Ultimately, this prompts David to have to come out to her. And what would the queer experience be without an unexpected coming-out story?

So thank you Schitt’s Creek, for all the amazing memories and for queer representation that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.