Dan Levy, the creator, and writer behind Schitt's Creek, also happens to play one of the show's most popular characters. While the focus of the Canadian sitcom can often be on Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) or Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara), Dan Levy's David has his own moments to shine.
David is a sarcastic yet caring character who initially hates the town of Schitt's Creek like the rest of his family. But as the episodes progress, his character arc develops further. He ends up finding a new lease on life, opening up a store (or 'apothecary' as he calls it) of his own and settling down with Patrick. Such elements in his story arguably make him the protagonist.
He's Always The Showstopper
If there's one thing that David has inherited from his mother, it's his ability to draw all attention towards him. Whether it be throwing tantrums or expressing his happiness, he's always overdramatic with his gestures.
When he gets too drunk, he ends up singing karaoke with the utmost sass and confidence and even though he might not be the best at reading emotions, he still manages to light up the room with his energy. One instance of this is when David dances and lip-syncs to Tina Turner's The Best to win over Patrick.
His Immaturity And Imperfections
From Brooklyn 99 to Fleabag, comedy series are getting more and more diverse, but many also show their lead character in an imperfectly perfect light. Being at the core of the story, a good lead should be lovable but also doesn't shy away from revealing their weaknesses. David, similarly, has issues regarding his demeanor, but audiences still end up loving him.
Even though Alexis and Johnny turn into extremely wholesome people towards the end, Moira and David still have their imperfections. David expects the whole world to cater to his needs, but he often taunts others when he has to engage in their interests. Examples of this include his general disdain towards Patrick's love for outdoor activities and him not speaking to Patrick so as to get more gifts from him.
He Has A Well-Developed Romantic Arc
David is always shown to be fearful of committed relationships, but when he meets Patrick, his fears eventually subside. Patrick's proposal to David and their subsequent wedding in the finale easily top the list of the show's most memorable moments.
Even the build-up to their love is fully fleshed-out, as both confront their sexuality, ex-lovers, and the prospect of moving in together. The other characters in the show, too, have their fair share of adorable love stories, but David and Patrick's love is definitely the most well-developed romantic angle on Schitt's Creek.
He Has Emotional Moments
The hilarious scenes aside, David appears in many scenes that can tear up audiences. In fact, David himself gets teary-eyed in some significant episodes, including the one with the aforementioned proposal, and the season 1 episode that focused on his father accepting his sexual identity.
He even gets his share of dramatic monologues, especially when he rants to Alexis about how he had cared and worried about her when she was busy in her globetrotting adventures.
He Comes Full Circle
From being a spoilt, rich brat to a self-independent person, David has gone through a lot of changes in the six seasons. Initially, he had little idea about running a business and preferred spending his time staying idle.
But together with his own maturity and Patrick's support, he manages to run a moderately successful business venture of his own. His transformation also leads to a positive impact on his mental health, as he seems more at peace when he finally makes Schitt's Creek his home.
He Has Some Great Quotable Moments
David's dry wit gives him several moments in which to shine and he often delivers a witty line or two. Most of his quotes are negative, as he's often skeptical about trying out new things in life. One can often find him saying things like, "Very uninterested in that opinion" or "That's a real quick no."
His character also gets to say some of the most memorable lines of the show. For instance, when he implies his pansexuality to Stevie, he metaphorically uses the wine bottles around him and says, "I like the wine and not the label." Other quotes have several laughable overtones to them, like the scene in which David wonders what "folding the cheese" means.
His Friendship With Stevie
A sitcom protagonist is incomplete without a best friend and they're usually the polar opposite of the main character. In David's case, this void is filled with Stevie. Even though the two shared a brief fling once, their relationship blossoms into a healthy friendship towards the end.
The essence of their friendship lies in their compatibility. Both of them hardly conceal their insecurities and even their competitive nature (be it sharing a common boyfriend or vying for the same job) doesn't create any longstanding rifts.
He Becomes One With The Town
The title of the show itself shows the significance of the sleepy town of Schitt's Creek. The town functions as a character in itself as it reshapes the life of the Rose family, bringing them closer than ever before. Each of the family members tends to engage in new endeavors, further attaching them to the settlement they once despised.
Perhaps this transformation is the most evident in David, who very much becomes a part of the town by the end. Despite his initial plans of moving to New York with Alexis, he finally chooses to stay.
He Helps Out Everyone
A lovable hero tries to help out everyone around him. David is slightly an unconventional hero in this case, as he's often forced to help others, despite his own disinterest. This becomes evident when he cooks food with Moira or helps in planning out Jocelyn's baby shower.
But at the end of the day, David still manages to give his best and help out others, even if that implies stepping out of his comfort zone. Usually seen as a couch potato, David was even dragged into baseball when Patrick's team fell short of one player. Hence, David unwillingly ends up being a help to others.
He Has A Happy Ending
As mentioned before, David's storyline is one of the most fulfilling on the show. As we see in the final season, he gets a happy ending with a stable life. While Alexis has also found a new passion in life, her career path still seems to be in the nascent stage. The same can be said for Moira's acting comeback and Johnny's upcoming motel empire.
David, on the other hand, has become more content in life. And whatever fears and insecurities are left for him to confront, the audiences know that a caring partner like Patrick will provide him the necessary emotional support.