Patrick isn't the only romantic entanglement that David has had since he and his family landed in Schitt's Creek back in season one. As well as the odd fling, David has built another serious relationship - his friendship with Stevie. Now, the two are best friends, and always there to help each other, but for a little while there, they were more than just friends.
The two had a relationship that very nearly became serious, but ended when David asked Stevie to move away with him... and live as roommates. Did he end up with the right partner in the end?
Updated by Rose Moore on December 1st, 2020: Since Schitt's Creek ended, the series has continued to grow in popularity (no mean feat for any series!). The wholesome Canadian comedy swept the Emmys, winning a whopping nine awards and setting the record for the most awards in a single season for a comedy series. Since then, the show has topped the Nielsen ratings, proving that although it's over, fans can't get enough (and it helps that it is available to stream on Netflix). Star and co-creator Dan Levy has even said that there could be a movie in the future. Clearly, fans just aren't ready to leave Schitt's Creek just yet. Accordingly, we've mulled it over some more and added an extra few pints to our list.
Stevie: They Are So Similar
There's no denying that Stevie and David have a lot more in common than David and Patrick often seem to. Their sense of humor, their general lack of enthusiasm for... well, pretty much anyone or anything other than themselves, the way that they bonded over their hatred for other people, and their sarcasm; David and Stevie are practically the same person. Of course, this could also be their downfall, but their similarities are part of what made them such a great couple.
Patrick: Is More Romantic
One of the sweetest things about David and Patrick's relationship is seeing how romantic Patrick is - which is something that David definitely wouldn't get from Stevie. Who can forget how Patrick proposed? Even with everything going wrong, the entire idea of taking David to such a meaningful spot was enough to bring a tear to any fan's eye. Then there is the way that he chose gold versions of David's signature rings as engagement rings or the frame that he chose when the store first opened... Patrick definitely has the romantic gesture down.
Stevie: Fell For Him At His Worst
David, like most of the Roses, has come a long way since he first rolled into the Rosebud Motel. Over the course of the series, he's become more honest, more vulnerable, more caring - and more capable. At first, David was essentially helpless, and now - he's running his own successful business. It's an amazing transformation, and there's something to be said about the fact that Stevie fell for him before he got to the point he is today.
Patrick: Is A Great Business Partner
Of course, while it's nice for Stevie to have loved David at his worst, the simple fact is that Patrick helps him become his best - in a business sense. It's telling that this is even how they met when David went to try and file paperwork for his new business (and was hilariously incapable).
When it comes to building a life together, Stevie just wouldn't have been able to help David achieve his goals in the same way. It's amazing to see how Patrick perfectly complements David and makes sure that his big ideas stay grounded.
Stevie: Would Have Been Great For Pan Representation
This is less about what is best for the characters, and more about what is great to see on screen - and whether David ended up with Stevie or Patrick, it's important to celebrate that he is openly, explicitly pansexual at all! In fact, his 'I like the wine and not the label' speech is a truly brilliant way that the show approached his sexuality. The other fantastic thing about the show's approach was in his relationship with Stevie - and her initial confusion, and assumption that he was gay. Seeing a man who presents himself in a somewhat stereotypically 'gay' way end up (happily) with a woman would be a great way to steer away from the unfortunate stigma that pan men are 'experimenting' before settling down with a man. That said, we love seeing two men getting married, and their relationship on screen, so maybe this would be a win either way.
Patrick: Is Perfectly Patient
As much as every fan loves David, there's no denying that he can be a bit high maintenance - and Stevie might just not have the patience to cope with that. Patrick, on the other hand, has been shown to be infinitely patient with David and his ways - no matter how ridiculous he may be. This is the perfect kind of guy for David, and it seems to actually help him calm down and stop overreacting so quickly.
Stevie: Has The Same Type (And Similar Experience)
As fans have seen, Stevie and David don't just have similar personalities, they have similar romantic types, too. In a particularly (gloriously) awkward storyline, they both actually dated the same guy for a while (and didn't realize that was the case at first).
This could well have made for a really interesting (and rarely seen) dynamic on-screen if the two (or three) stayed together. Additionally, Stevie has certainly sown some wild oats - just like David - while Patrick is much less experienced. This isn't necessarily an issue, but it's definitely an area where David and Stevie have more in common.
Patrick: Brings Out The Best In Him
Similarities aside, the differences between Patrick and David help them both to grow, in a way that David's relationship with Stevie didn't. Patrick encourages the best side of him, and while David's relationship with Stevie was a whole lot of fun, his relationship with Patrick has really seen him grow, and become more considerate, capable, and just plain happier. These two have the kind of balance that anyone would love to see.
Stevie: Is A Bigger Part Of The Rose Family (Now)
Although there's no denying that Patrick is being welcomed into the Rose family with open arms (who wouldn't welcome such a great guy?), Stevie has been practically an honorary Rose for years. Her work at the motel means that they saw each other daily from the start - and now that she and Johnny are working together, she's basically their third child. Even Moira has managed to be kind and encouraging to Stevie (moreso than with her own children, at times!), and Stevie has more history with the Rose's than probably anyone else in town.
Patrick: Can Commit
This is a big one, even if fans may not have believed at the start that David would ever want to be in a committed relationship! Stevie is still very much figuring herself out, and deciding (especially post-Cabaret) what she wants to do, if she wants to be at the motel, or where she wants to go in life. It's been an amazing arc for Stevie, but David suits someone more like Patrick, who seems to have his life (mostly) together so that he can commit to their relationship and business.
Stevie: They Don't Work Together
Patrick and David met because of their business, and have been partners since the beginning - but it's often problematic for couples to work together. It takes a special kind of relationship to manage to work with a spouse, and not let work take over home life (or work arguments get too personal), to keep a relationship fresh when they are together literally all the time, and to manage the complexities of living and working together. Because Stevie and David don't work together, their relationship would probably be easier... although Patrick and David seem to make it work!
Patrick: He Wants A Small Town Life
One of Stevie's biggest character arcs is her self-discovery and the realization that she doesn't want to be tied down to Schitt's Creek. She wants to strike out on her own, travel with the business (and for a while, she even thought she wanted to leave the motel entirely), and put herself first.
This was an absolutely phenomenal arc for Stevie, and fans were rooting for her - but it doesn't bode well for a committed relationship, especially with someone like David who can be pretty needy. Patrick, as someone who wants to be there on a daily basis, is a much better fit and will be able to be there for David whenever he needs it.
Stevie: Won't Let David Steamroller Her
Much as everybody loves Patrick, there's no denying that he can be a little bit of a pushover when it comes to David. Sure, once or twice he has stood his ground, but for the most part, David's powerful personality means he runs roughshod over his partner. Stevie, on the other hand, is just as blunt and stubborn as David can be, and would easily be able to stand up to him.
Patrick: He Convinced David To Stay
At the end of the day, David would potentially be able to create a healthy relationship with either Stevie or Patrick, but it's Patrick whose goals and ideas for the future best line up with his - and if David had ended up with Stevie, they would have likely moved to New York, which wouldn't be good for David.
Although it seemed, briefly, like the husbands would move to NYC together, Patrick's words about being uncertain, and his choice to buy David's dream home, convinced him to stay put. This is the best possible choice for David, who was moving back to NYC for all the wrong reasons, and who would have likely become miserable there again. Stevie probably would have moved, though, as she wants to travel - good thing she can travel alone, and David and Patrick can make their happy home in Schitt's Creek!