A lot of the success of David's killer fashion sense.
However, despite the fact that he finally found happiness in life and love, there were still quite a few things about David that were, upon reflection, more than a little sad to think about.
How Long It Takes Him To Accept His Old “Friends” Were Awful
Like many other of his family, one of David’s biggest struggles was coming to with the fact that a lot of the people that he thought were his friends simply weren’t; they sought him out because of his money.
Some of this is played for laughs, but most of it is for pathos. It really does allow the viewer to see the pain that David goes to great lengths to hide, and it goes a long way toward explaining just why he’s so neurotic.
How Hard It Was For Him To Accept That Patrick Loved Him
There have been many famous couples in the history of television, but few have stolen quite as many hearts as David and Patrick. From the moment they first met, it was obvious that there was something between them, and that only continued to grow as the seasons went on.
The sad thing, though, is that it took David an awfully long time to realize that Patrick loved him and would always be there for him to and love him. Thankfully, he realized it in time to make sure that they got married, in the process making them one of the show's most successful relationships.
How Quickly He Came To Rely On Stevie Because She Wasn’t Fake
When the Roses come to Schitt’s Creek, they soon find themselves confronted with the many weird residents of the town. One of the most endearing, in her own morbid way, is Stevie, the young woman who eventually ends up owning the hotel.
Soon after the Roses arrive, she becomes very close to David, and it becomes clear that he really did need her, in large part because, unlike so many of his other “friends,” she truly did love and care about him.
That Stevie Was His First Best Friend
On a related note, it is truly heartbreaking that Steve was his first true friend (and their friendship is one of the most successful on the show). This is all the more remarkable, considering how clear it is that he was truly surrounded by many people during his time in New York.
Thus, while it’s very heartwarming that the two of them manage to form such a deep, powerful, and meaningful bond throughout the course of the show, it’s also sad that so many people decided that it was perfectly okay to take advantage of David’s essentially good nature.
How Long It Took Him To Realize He Had His Own Talents And Direction
For quite a while after the Roses move to Schitt’s Creek, David struggles to find a sense of purpose. After all, he’d basically left behind all of the things that he thought he knew when he moved there and he, like the rest of his family, had to figure out where to go from there.
It’s both heartwarming and sad to see how long it takes him to recognize that he truly does have his own set of talents that he can use to create what becomes a very thriving business.
How Hard It Is For Him To Connect With People
In one particularly important moment, David tells Patrick that he’s damaged goods. There’s a lot going on in that statement, and it’s reflective of his broader struggles to connect with people.
Even though he might come off as somewhat cold and distant at times, the show makes it clear that this isn’t because he doesn’t like people; it’s because he’s afraid of being hurt. Given his past, that reticence makes total sense. One can’t help but feel that he deserves better, and it's good that as the show goes on he learns to open up to others.
That Patrick Was His First Long Term Relationship
Though Patrick ends up being David’s one true love, there are hints that he’s had some other relationships, most of which haven’t ended up so well for him. At one point, in fact, he tells Patrick that he’s “damaged goods,” suggesting that he’s been through a lot, which makes it hard for him to trust.
Obviously, it’s great that David ends up with someone who truly gets him and cares about him, but it’s still a little sad that this seems to be the first time that’s happened to him in a relationship.
His Hypochondria Hiding Deeper Problems
Very early in the show, David has a bit of a health scare when he’s convinced that he’s having a heart attack. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that it was actually a panic attack and that he’s just being a bit of a hypochondriac.
Beneath the humor, though, there’s a rather sadder fact: that all of David’s neuroses are hiding some real trauma and a deep sadness about his life and relationships and that he deflects all of this into paranoia about his body.
That He Had The Kind Of Parents That Would Buy Him The Town As A Joke Present
Those who have watched the show from the beginning know that the whole reason that the Roses are able to move to Schitt’s Creek in the first place is because they bought the town for David as a joke present (which, come to think of it, doesn't make a whole lot of sense).
Now, obviously this is quite hilarious, but when one really thinks about it, there’s also something more than a little sad about the fact that the Roses are so out of touch with the real world, and with one another, that they would think buying a town an appropriate gift (even if it was a joke and even if it ended up being a decent place to live).
That He Felt So Out Of Place He Left To An Amish Family
From the very beginning of the show, it’s pretty obvious that David is one of those people who doesn’t deal well with stress. In fact, not only does he not deal with it well; he’s positively terrible at it.
This can most clearly be seen when he flees from Schitt’s Creek and his family to take up residence with an Amish family. It’s obviously very ridiculous and even farcical, especially since the family in question doesn’t really seem to want him there, but it’s also more than a bit sad that he felt so out of place that he felt like this was his only recourse.