Alexis Rose and Ted Mullens' breakup during the sixth and final season of Schitt's Creek hit hard. The two had finally achieved a (mostly) #relationshipgoals status only for Ted to land his dream job thousands of miles away. With both careers blossoming, the couple faced an impossible choice and followed their respective dreams, thanking one another for the growth they experienced together as they mutually, and painfully, ended things.
Given that the show's original plan was to have the couple wed in a double ceremony with David and Patrick, fans were especially devastated, even if Ted's departure means more growth for Alexis. Ted is such a wholesome, caring guy, and remembering his many puns and quips only makes fans miss him even more.
"I Was Just Giving Them A Little Pup Talk."
Ted is an incredibly sweet character, and he obviously enjoys talking to his animal patients. As he prepares them for Alexis' adoption event during Singles Week, he tells the dogs, "Just be outgoing, be open, and show them your best self. And don't worry, I'll be vetting everyone in advance."
Alas, Ted is a little embarrassed when he is caught by the charming Alexis. He tells her, "I was just giving them a little pup talk."
It's hard to not hope that these two meet up again in the future because who wouldn't want a partner that adorable? Actor Annie Murphy sure holds out hope!
"Ew, Ew Ew. That's You!"
When Alexis cajoled Ted to attend Patrick's housewarming party in season 5, no one expected the responsible veterinarian to become adorably inebriated to the point where he smooched her brother, became the life of the party, and annoyed his own date. Alexis quickly regrets taking him to the party and even awkwardly kisses Patrick to get back at the amused David.
After Alexis gets her beau to bed, she issues one of her trademark "ews" when he makes a drunken pass at her and Ted hilariously mocks her reaction, saying, "'Ew ew ew ew,' that's you!"
"I Do Have To Tor-tell You That I've Been Thinking About You A Lot."
Even when Alexis and Ted are separated by his dream job in the Galapagos Islands, Ted manages to charm his worldly woman with his dad jokes. As he and Alexis attempt to celebrate their anniversary via video chat, he tells her, "I do have tor-tell you that I've been thinking about you. A lot. Especially at nighttime."
Fans who've re-watched the series undergo a new pain knowing the resolution of Alexis and Ted's attempt at a long-distance relationship, but this scene is so adorably them that it's difficult not to keep rooting for them despite that knowledge.
"I'd Be Kidding Myself If I Told You That I Haven't Wanted To Do This Every Day For The Last Two Years."
If a smolder were given with words, this quote would be it. After Alexis confesses her love for Ted while he was in a relationship with Heather in season 4, it was clear the vet felt conflicted between his always-there feelings for his ex-fiancée and the woman he was trying to get over her with.
After some reassurance from David that Alexis has indeed been pining over him for a long time, Ted sneaks into her big Singles Week event, posing as one of the singles. He reveals his feelings, saying "I'd be kidding myself if I told you I haven't wanted to do this every day for the last two years," before giving her a passionate kiss.
"We Got Some Serious Sack Circles Going."
Between his puns, his home decor copied straight from the showroom, and "scandalous" secrets like following the American Idol tour with his buddies, Ted couldn't be more unlike Alexis if he tried. That's what makes him so good for her.
While reminiscing about college in season 3's "Murder Mystery," Ted tells Alexis he wishes he could go back. He recalls playing frisbee, going to the pub, and late-night games of hacky sack. "We got some serious sack circles going," he admits, dubbing them as "crazy." Alexis hears "sex circles" and quickly realizes he's referring to something much more innocent.
"I'm Kind Of A Samurai When It Comes To A Metal Comb."
One of the ultimate moments to prove that Alexis and Ted are soulmates happens when they're not even dating. In season 3's "Stop Saying Lice!" Ted offers to comb through her hair and remove her lice, something that many people would be hesitant to do for even their own children. As soon as he realizes that she's got it, he not only reassures her that "Meredith," the person she claims has the infestation, shouldn't worry since lice are attracted to clean scalps, but that he's also willing to help.
"I'm kind of a samurai when it comes to a metal comb," he offers, even though it's a weekend and she doesn't want to "bug" him. He grimaces while admitting it's not the most pleasant of activities but he's still willing to do anything for her.
"I Was Actually Only One Stamp Away From A Free Sub."
Ted is his trademark nerdy self when he admits that he didn't keep everything from his and Alexis' first go at a relationship in season 5's "Love Letters." He confesses that he took some of their tokens to the incinerator, "along with some pets that needed to be cremated." It's one of the few statements that truly deserved Alexis' "Ew."
The nerdy part comes in when Ted says that it's especially tragic because the wallet she'd given him, which had actually been her brother's, still held some cards in it. "I was actually only one stamp away from a free sub," he laments.
"A Lot Of Tours, David."
Ted's feelings for Alexis are evident in every episode. Even when he's dating Heather Warner, it's clear that he's still harboring love for Alexis and that he never really got over her. In season 4's "Singles Week," Ted tells David he's not sure if he's willing to put his heart out there for her again after spending two weeks in Mexico on their "honeymoon."
He asks David if he knows how many off-road dirt bike tours getting over Alexis required. "A lot of tours, David," he remembers.
"You're Building Something Special Here."
Ted has never shied away from bestowing his confident girlfriend with compliments, even before she possessed any self-awareness, but when he recognizes the work she has done to become an Interflix sensation, it's his most moving yet bittersweet compliment.
He tells her, "You're building something special here," making it clear that she can't give up how far she's come in her career to join him in the Galapagos Islands, where she is sure to not only give up her progress but also be miserable. Fans who've rooted for them since the first season were especially hit hard with this twist, having watched them come so far to only be separated again.
"You Deserve To See Where It Takes You."
Ted is in awe of how far his girlfriend has come and he knows that he can't stand in the way of her growing career. Is there a quality better than supportiveness when it comes to the perfect partner? Ted has embodied this since he first met Alexis, and although it took her some time to return the favor, she learned so much from him.
Supporting one another to the point of having to let each other go is hard and bittersweet, but it does happen and it couldn't have been portrayed more sweetly than this.