Pop's Schitt's Creek - Episode 5.09 "The M.V.P."
David agrees to sub in for the annual baseball game. Moira runs a rehearsal that pushes Stevie over the edge.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Pop's Schitt's Creek.
"The M.V.P." was written by David West Read and directed by Jordan Canning
No one in the Rose family is all that athletic. As such, it's incredible that both Johnny and David get recruited to play in this community baseball game. There is the understanding that they won't even have to do much. They can just stand in the outfield and disengage from the game happening around them. And yet, their actions are the turning points of this entire game. It's fantastic to watch the tension between Patrick and Ronnie grow. They are two people who don't like each other at this moment in time. As such, they both want to win this game as they are on competing teams. It gets much more competitive than it was originally intended to be. That's a blast to watch as well. It makes both of them more complicated characters in this world. They believe they always have the rational responses to the crazy antics happening around them. But they too are prone to focus on petty details because they believe themselves to be right. It's foolish that they sign David and Johnny up for this game. It makes Roland go back-and-forth on his bet over who will ultimately win. It's crazy that he is even doing that because he is also playing for Ronnie's team. He is betting on his team even though he also has a side bet that Johnny will ultimately blow it because he has a proud fatherly moment with his son. That's exactly what occurs as well. This story didn't have some miraculous turn in which either Johnny or David were suddenly good at baseball. David fully expects the ball to just fly into his glove without putting in any work whatsoever. It would have been impossible for that to occur even if he stuck his hand out when it was hit his way. Patrick actually knows how to play this game and is engaged with it. But David is the one who ultimately hits the final play that leads to his team winning. It's miraculous because it's so unlikely. Johnny is too caught up in the moment of his son actually doing well with this sport that he completely forgets to pick up the ball right in front of him. Plus, Johnny still ultimately proves his point in saying that David always finds a way to get hit by the ball. That does occur here but it doesn't kill the momentum whatsoever. David is still propped up as the guy who leads this team to victory. As such, he feels free to gloat about it as much as possible while enjoying the barbecue and getting ice on his back. Elsewhere, Stevie is having major second thoughts about joining Moira's production of Cabaret. She just isn't comfortable performing in front of people. She doesn't want to be the star in the same way that Moira has always embraced. Even in acting exercises, her mind shuts down. She isn't engaged with the process at all. Moira understands that impulse because she is a complete newcomer to directing as well. This is a scary endeavor for her too. But she is also pushing forward because it's something she wants to be doing. It's only a matter of time before she can connect with Stevie as well. Sure, it's all over a trivial game of charades. Stevie appears to be the only person who is actually good at it - though Bob is giving random, repetitive clues. And yet, that's a useful skillset as well. That can only help with her communication skills. It may even lift up her confidence so that she can thrive in this role.
