The long format has always been the most efficient medium of storytelling due to the opportunity for character and narrative development. But there have been very few sitcoms and shows that have utilized the format to its fullest. The storytelling, characters, milieu, and screenplay proved advantageous for them. One such show is ‘Schitt’s Creek.’ It has one of the most indelible sets of characters taking the narrative forward.
One of the most eccentric yet beloved characters from the show is Moira Rose. The matriarchal figure of the Rose family may not be the best to hold down the fort, but she has a flair to keep the family afloat and protected. She has been an actress for her entire life. So, she perpetuated the drama, narcissism, and vanity when they shifted to town. However, when she settles in, it grows on her. The circumstances help her be gritty and revive her career. While she bounces back, her past knocks on the door in the form of the reboot of her popular show, ‘Sunrise Bay.‘ However, Moira rejects the opportunity. Why does she refuse to do it?
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Alexis Rose Helps Moira Rose To Realize Her Worth
In episode 10 of season six of ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ we see hope illuminating the paternal figures of the Rose family. However, the path poses bumps for both Johnny Rose and Moira Rose. The Rosebud Motel expansion plan with David and Patrick’s wedding expenses worries Johnny Rose. Moira gets an opportunity to resurrect Vivian Blake from the dead—literally!
Moira Rose is enjoying the spotlight after the thunderous success of her film, ‘The Crows Have Eyes: Part III.’ So it isn’t a coincidence that the producer of ‘Sunrise Bay,’ Tippy Bernstein, comes to a quaint town like Schitt’s Creek to meet her. The film was a comeback for Moira after her hiatus from acting when they shifted to the town. Along with Tippy, another important person associated with the soap opera, Clifton Sparks, arrives with Bernstein.
Alexis Rose, during her self-care quarantine, gets engrossed in watching ‘Sunrise Bay.’ She insists on coming to meet both of her mother’s colleagues, but due to her shabby condition, Moira asks her to stay at the house. Tippy and Clifton come bearing good news for her. They are planning to reboot the popular show that she and Clifton starred in. Sparks insists that they will do the show only if Moira is on board with it, despite Nicole Kidman’s starring in it. They ask her to think about it and meet them at the bar to celebrate.
When Moira reaches home to tell the good news to her daughter or publicist, Alexis bombards her with questions. Mother’s exit from the show disappoints the daughter. “You vomited a demon,” says Alexis Rose. They shredded Moira’s character before she exited the show. But she justifies it with contract negotiations. This is when Alexis pulls out a video where Clifton cryptically hints at writing Moira off the show.
Moira is ready to take on the project, but Alexis convinces her to know her worth and ask for more because she is the only one making news right now. Moira goes to the bar with a confident spirit and confronts Clifton about his involvement in writing her off the show. Sparks says, “Contracts always go sour.”
This helps her realize that Clifton was jealous that a female protagonist was gaining more traction than him. So, she slaps him by recreating a scene from their show. She demands a pay hike, Clifton’s sacking, and an additional tennis bracelet. The actress refuses to resurrect Vivian, but she resuscitates Moira, whom her daughter helped to do so.
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Catherine O’Hara Was Surprised With The Response To Her Character On ‘Schitt’s Creek’
It was a difficult job to embody a character like Moira Rose, who embodies opulence, eloquence, and yet a heart despite her vanity. But the Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara portrayed the character with the required vigor, embracing the whims attached to the character.
Moira is not just a character; she is every element that makes her. Moira is the wigs she wears; she is the accent; she is the drag performance that she struts with. But, most importantly, she represents the trappings of Hollywood for women in the industry.
While talking to the Los Angeles Times, Catherine shared that she was taken by surprise by the response she received for the character. O’Hara said, “Don’t ask me. I’m surprised by the whole thing. Personally, I just wanted to create a character that I could live with for more than one season because I had never committed to one character for any length of time. I love playing Moira. It’s going to be hard to let go.”
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