Dan Levy's David Rose was one of the most hilarious characters on Schitt's Creek thanks to his memorable facial expressions and sarcastic zingers, but his character was also capable of great depths of emotion. He might have come to the small town of Schitt's Creek a spoiled and materialistic brat, but by the end of the hit comedy series, he'd started his own business and met the love of his life.
David certainly had a lot of hurdles to overcome, including befriending some of the sassy locals (like Stevie) and getting over his fear of abandonment, but when all was said and done, he was one of the characters who grew the most from the start to the finish. His thoughtful reflections on people, life, and love helped him reach his own happily ever after.
10 "It's My Birthday."
When Everyone Forgets David's Birthday
David was used to his family forgetting about the major milestones in his life when they all lived in the big city, especially with his sister gallivanting around the world and his parents obsessed with either throwing parties or their million-dollar business. But when they're in a small town with a lot fewer distractions and everyone summarily forgets, it particularly stings.
Everyone tries to repair the damage, but it's already been done, and this early insult to his ego is a stark reminder that David doesn't matter to his family. This foundation of selfishness acts as a starting off point for everyone's growth when they learn to become more considerate of one another, and David learns to be more selfless.
9 "It's Just One Long String Of Really Bad Luck."
When David Wonders Why His Life Has Led Him To Schitt's Creek
Getting to know David as he slowly lowers his guard is one of the most touching aspects of the series. His defenses are high and his coping mechanisms many, but by slowly interacting with fellow misanthropes like Stevie, he's able to find authentic and valuable friendships.
He believes that ending up in Schitt's Creek is just the final piece of bad luck after a long string of similar situations designed to permanently curtail his success. It takes him a long time to not see the hopelessness of his situation, and truly focus on the opportunities present in the community.
8 "Thank You For Your Kindness, When No One Else Showed Me Kindness."
When David Runs Away To The Amish
When David's had enough of Schitt's Creek, he does the only logical thing in his predicament - he runs away to the Amish. His family frantically searches for him and finds him where they least expect, in a field with a pitchfork, trying to ingratiate himself into the local community of farmers.
That David would prefer such an ascetic lifestyle to being around his own family says a lot about their lack of connection early on. When he gives genuine compliments to the Amish people who accepted him with open arms, it's a surprising moment of gratitude from an ordinarily sarcastic urbanite.
7 "I've Been Burned So Many Times."
David Telling Ted How Much He's Been Hurt
Unfortunately, David has been used to years of rejection from people he thought were his "friends" (like Sebastian Raine), even though most of them would choose a Norwegian EDM festival over coming to his wedding. By the time he finds himself in Schitt's Creek, he's an incredibly broken person who has a hard time being vulnerable unless provoked.
Friends dropped him because he "couldn't pick up the tab at the Waverly," but it takes him a long time to see why their misplaced priorities aren't his problem. Only by focusing on himself and establishing integrity and character around positive ventures does David mature throughout the series.
6 "I Saw A Lot Of My Body, And I Didn't Like It."
When David Has Issues With Body Image
Even with a life of privilege and luxury, David has body images. He discusses them at various times throughout the series, and vacillates between making jokes about shame-eating to not wanting anyone to see him naked, least of all romantic partners in his throuple.
To see David might be to assume he doesn't have those sorts of insecurities while drenched in designer duds, but David had emotional issues with food that anyone could sympathize with. That he shared them openly and honestly, even with the humor to ease the pain, was a touchingly vulnerable.
5 "I Would Hardly Call Myself An Expert On...Genuine Human Emotion."
When David Gives Ted Advice About His Relationship With Alexis
David might not have been the most lucky in love, even going so far as to binge mall pretzels and watch rom-coms for an entire year after someone broke up with him in high school, but he knew how to make someone feel better about their own lovelorn situation by comparison.
When he gave Ted some advice about his relationship with Alexis, it came from the heart, from the most sarcastic and closed-off of the Rose clan. David was willing to do it not just for Alexis, but for Ted and even, perhaps, himself. It showed an incredible amount of selflessness that he wouldn't have been capable of without accessing the wounded parts of his pride, and shows how David had the best arc of the show.
4 "I Never Saw Myself Living With Someone."
When David Considers Moving In With Patrick
Stevie was the only person who recognized that David was stuck in the sort of situation that would seem insurmountable to someone like him. Despite her general curmudgeonly attitude, she's the only that shows David there's a silver lining to both of their lives, and that Schitt's Creek doesn't have to be the end of the line.
David realizes that friendships, and loving partnerships, can flower in the most unexpected places. Even though he doesn't expect to move in with someone like Stevie or Patrick, he realizes that he'll be okay, and that the anxieties and fears he had surrounding the risk were all based on someone being able to accept every part of his personality in a domestic space.
3 "I Was Perfectly Fine Not Trusting People."
When David Lets Patrick Into His Heart
David spent a lot of time in survival mode, protecting his heart from those who trampled it without even thinking, which could also be why he ended up a lot like his mother Moira. By the same token, Moira ended up protecting David more than Alexis, perhaps because she suspected they were more alike than either of them cared to it.
Both David and Moira had the same foibles when it came to trusting the people of Schitt's Creek, but both ended up getting a lot from them, most notably true friends who helped them open up and be a little less prickly and dismissive. David might have been fine not trusting anyone, especially Patrick, but ultimately he was missing out on so much of what life had to offer with the right person.
2 "I Want People To Know I'm Not A Joke."
When He Gets Vulnerable With Stevie
By the time that David has established Rose Apothecary, he's started to think about settling down in Schitt's Creek for good, but he needs to ask Stevie for advice. They have a heartfelt talk as friends, and David reveals that he's heavily considering moving into the house that Patrick has found for them. The only thing stopping him are the 'big dreams' he has in New York City, even though it's a place that's only hurt his feelings.
He wants to be taken seriously, but what he doesn't realize is that he has that opportunity right in Schitt's Creek if he can just let go of his obsession with image. This quote helps prove Stevie and David had the best friendship because she's the one to validate his feelings and reassure him that he doesn't need to prove himself to anyone anymore, least of all to people he doesn't even like, because he's got the ultimate prize; people who sincerely care about him.
1 "I Love You."
David Finally Tells Patrick That He Loves Him
David isn't the most emotionally available person when it comes to expressing his actual feelings. He can cry at a Mariah Carey concert, but when it comes to reciprocating Patrick's three little words, he clams up. All he can manage at first is, "I would like to thank you for all the wonderful things that you said."
After a heart-to-heart with Ted, however, he finally sees what love is all about; letting go and trusting that the other person has his back, no matter how many times he's been hurt before, because taking the chance is worth it.