Schitt’s Creek and the Logic of Aesthetic Form

Schitt’s Creek would not be Schitt’s Creek without the characters that make the show what it is. The themes behind the show and the actors who play the most important roles throughout are what gives show organic unity. Conveying that, “No whole can exist without its parts, and the more organized the whole, the more essential the contribution of each constituent.” (Orlik 402) Depicting that without the essential parts within a work of art, it will not reach its full potential. The theme of this show “Tests and amalgamates conflicting elements” (Orlik 405)  within the show itself. Causing the kind of conflict viewers look for in any type of TV entertainment.

I found that two out of the several thematic variations relate to Schitt’s Creek the most. Alteration and inversion were the two that jumped out at me to be the most relatable. Alteration requires the presence of two themes, which Schitt’s Creek has. It portrays the themes of being poor and being rich within the same lifetime. These two themes are what causes inversion throughout the series. This is because it causes, “thematic reversal in which we view theme from the completely opposite perspective.”(Orlik 412) Meaning that a viewers mind is constantly being switched by their opinions of the characters and what is going on in the show. Which amplifies the theme and is aesthetically pleasing to watch.

Balance through this show is what gives it substance and gives viewers a “want- to- watch” mentality. The balance of the rich and poor lifestyle is what adds clarity and vividness to this work and “it is intrinsically satisfying.”(Thomas Olson 414) More than anything the evolution and hierarchy elements are important because this is how the creators of the show alternate between high-tension and low-tension units throughout the series. Which causes for “the sense of motivating tension”(Orlik 429) These elements of the aesthetic form are what tests if the work of art is well made by its creator. Schitt’s Creek is a great example of aesthetic form and it does apply to all six sections.