The Roses are clearly the characters who go through the most change on Schitt's Creek, but Stevie Budd is not far behind them. She's one of the first people that they meet, after their fall from grace, and she slowly goes from being the grumpy motel clerk to practically a member of the family. Her wit and sarcasm are a highlight, and watching her open up and explore her options in life was inspiring.
But if the Stevie of the first episode met the Stevie of the finale, how would she feel about those changes? What would she be proud of (and excited to see in her future) and what might she be unimpressed with... even if it's because she doesn't understand what's coming? Here's how original recipe Stevie might react to her future...
Hate: How Much She Cares
Early in the series, Stevie makes a point of absolutely not caring - about anything or anyone. She actively distances herself from the town, her job, and the problems of the Roses (much as they can't understand why she's not bending over backward to help them out!). By the end, though, she has opened up and become much more involved in the place she lives, and with the people that she knows. This is a fantastic change for her, but back in the first episode, she would be appalled by the idea that she let down her defenses.
Proud Of: Stepping Out From Behind The Desk
One of Stevie's more poignant lines is when she tells Moira that "I wish I wasn't watching it all from behind the desk, you know?", and while this isn't said until much later in the series, it's clear that she has been feeling this way for a long time. Her intentional distancing of herself from everyone definitely has a downside of feeling like she isn't really part of things - and as much as she would hate being more vulnerable, she would be proud of the fact that she actually moved out from behind that desk.
Hate: Her Connections With The Roses
Although the Roses eventually become like family to Stevie, when she first meets them, she thinks that they are absolutely awful - and, to be fair, so does everyone else! They are snobby, spoiled, and completely unaware of how to treat people with respect... so if the Stevie from the first episode learned that she would become David's best friend, a business partner to Johnny, a performer with Moira, and a friend to Alexis, she would be shocked - and definitely confused!
Proud Of: Building Up Her Confidence
The Stevie of the early episodes is surprisingly shy, despite her caustic wit, and feels awkward being in public, standing out, dressing up - or really being noticed at all.
However, she would definitely be proud of how she steps up in the end, and seeing her future self in a great suit, speaking in front of investors, and generally taking up space in the world would be an incredible moment for her to look forward to.
Hate: Some Of Her Relationship Choices
Stevie wouldn't be overly concerned about whether or not she ends up in a relationship, but if she learned every romantic choice she made over the course of the show, she might be a little embarrassed. Whether it was everything that happened with Emir, or her fling with David, or some of the shorter (and less important) dates she went on, Stevie might feel like she would be better off just swearing off romance from the start!
Proud Of: Her Friendship With David
Stevie of the first episode might not be thrilled to know that she would become best friends with David, but she would definitely be proud of having that kind of friendship for the first time in her life. She and David admit to each other that before they met, neither ever really had a best friend, and it's a touching scene where they recognize how important they are to each other. Episode one Stevie would not expect David to be the person that brings that out in her, but she was definitely lonely, and would be happy to learn that she finds true friendship.
Hate: Still Working With The Motel
Stevie would definitely perk up when she learns how her job has changed, but if she just learned that she was still at the motel, she would probably be pretty upset about it.
She never worked there because of any particular passion for it, and really wanted to try and get out of Schitt's Creek and into something new. She tried, too - her brief stint at Larry Air was disastrous, but it shows how much she wanted a change. If all she learned was that she was still at the motel, and no further details, she would not be best pleased.
Proud Of: Cabaret
She would be absolutely shocked, of course, but if she learned that she got up and sang and performed in front of everyone - and that everyone absolutely loved it, and supported her in it, she would be incredibly proud. Her rendition of 'Maybe This Time' in the production is one of the most emotionally charged moments of the series, and it really shows just how far she comes.
Hate: So Much New Responsibility
Stevie hated this when it first happened, so it's clear that she would hate the idea of it ahead of time, too! After her great-aunt died, she inherited the motel - and all the responsibility that went with it. She would hate the idea that this would become her life, that she might end up like her aunt, and that she would have so much responsibility (and be permanently tied to the motel). Of course, if she understood the entire situation, she might feel differently...
Proud Of: Her New Career
While Stevie of episode one might hate the idea of still working at the motel, and the amount of extra responsibility that she takes on, she would probably be proud of what that actually means, if she found out the whole picture. Being a business owner, and one who gets to travel to visit other motels, to see more of the world, and to expand the business that she owns? Stevie would be incredibly proud of that (even if she would be surprised that it is Roland and Johnny who become her partners in the venture).