Summary

• "Happy Anniversary" marked the first major character growth for Johnny Rose, as he realized the value of Schitt's Creek and acknowledged the good it brought into his life.
• Johnny's confrontation with his old friends showcased a different side of him, demonstrating his growth and appreciation for the town and its residents.
• This episode set the stage for the Roses to embrace Schitt's Creek and embark on their own journeys of self-improvement.

In its first two seasons, Schitt's Creek proved to be a funny fish-out-of-water comedy, but it wasn't until the season 2 finale, "Happy Anniversary," that the show elevated itself from good to great through Johnny Rose. Throughout Schitt's Creek season 1, the Roses clearly see themselves as superior to Schitt's Creek's citizens while trying to do everything possible to get out. Season 2 centers around their realization that, because they may never get back on their feet, Schitt's Creek may be their home now.

During their anniversary dinner in the Schitt's Creek season 2 finale, Johnny and Moria run into their old friends, the Taylors. Initially a cheerful reunion, things get awkward when the Schitts them. When Bev and Don Taylor start mocking Schitt's Creek, Johnny snaps back, confronting the elephant in the room and making some Schitt's Creek fans cry. Johnny calls out the Taylors for leaving the Roses to pick up the pieces after everything that happened, while simultaneously acknowledging that the Schitts were true friends. This scene marks a turning point for Schitt's Creek for one big reason.

"Happy Anniversary" Is The First Time Schitt's Creek Showed Character Growth

Viewers Saw A New Side Of Johnny Rose

From the very start, Johnny Rose's main goal was to leave Schitt's Creek as soon as possible to return to his successful, wealthy life. While he and his family tried to be polite to those who lived in Schitt's Creek, they still stuck their noses up at the town. However, when he saw how snotty his two "friends" were, while knowing full and well that they weren't loyal to the Roses, he had an important realization: that in their previous lives, the Roses were just as bad as the Taylors. At that moment, Johnny finally appreciated what Schitt's Creek had done for him.

Even if Schitt's Creek didn't provide nearly the same level of luxury the Roses once had, Johnny realized it was full of good people who were willing to help in any way they could. By sticking up for it, Johnny recognized the good that Schitt's Creek and the Schitts themselves had brought into his life. Even if he was less materialistic than the rest of his family, he was the first one to show actual growth.

Schitt's Creek is currently streaming on Prime Video and Hulu.

"Happy Anniversary" Set The Tone For Schitt's Creek's Character Development

It Set The Stage For The Roses Embracing Schitt's Creek

Before Johnny's speech, the Roses hadn't proven to be horrible people, but they were arrogant and needed a lesson in humility. Johnny was the first one to show that he had grown by finally embracing Schitt's Creek to stick it to the Taylors. Doing so was Schitt's Creek's first sign of what was to come. The other Roses soon followed suit in self-improvement, from Alexis learning to be independent to David learning to give up his pride for his own happiness. "Happy Anniversary" may not be one of Schitt's Creek's best episodes, but it proved to be one of the most important for the Roses' progression.